NBA standings after 12 games: Celtics lead, Nuggets close

The NBA regular season is 12 games in, and the league table already shows clear early leaders and a tight mid‑table race. Teams have been jockeying for position as the schedule ramps up toward the second half of the season.
Boston Celtics remain unbeaten in the standings, holding 30 points from a 10‑2 record. Their two losses are the only blemishes on an otherwise dominant start, giving them a comfortable cushion at the top of the table.
Just three points behind, the Denver Nuggets have accumulated 27 points with a 9‑3 record. The Nuggets are within striking distance of the Celtics and will look to close the gap in the coming weeks.
Milwaukee Bucks sit third with 24 points, reflecting an 8‑4 record. Their performance keeps them firmly in the early playoff conversation, though they will need to maintain consistency to stay near the summit.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are dead‑locked in fourth place, each with 21 points and a 7‑5 record. The tie highlights a competitive battle for seeding that could have implications for conference matchups later in the season.
Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns share the seventh spot, both holding 18 points from 6‑6 records. Their even win‑loss balance suggests they are poised to either climb the table with a short run of victories or slip further if inconsistencies persist.
Rounding out the top ten, the Dallas Mavericks have 15 points (5‑7), while the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves each sit at 12 points with 4‑8 records. These clubs will need to reverse early trends if they hope to avoid a prolonged slump as the season progresses.