NBA standings after 12 games: Celtics atop, Nuggets close

The NBA regular season is twelve games in, and the Boston Celtics sit firmly in first place with 30 points.
Boston’s 10‑2 record reflects a strong start, giving them a two‑point cushion over the Denver Nuggets, who sit second with 27 points from a 9‑3 record.
The Nuggets remain within striking distance, needing to win their next few outings to keep pace with the Celtics and to solidify a top‑two seed.
Milwaukee Bucks occupy third place with 24 points, a record of 8‑4, while the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are tied at 21 points each, both 7‑5, creating a tight battle for the fourth and fifth spots.
The Lakers and Knicks share identical win‑loss marks, so head‑to‑head results and point differentials will likely determine who edges ahead in the standings.
Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns sit at 18 points each with 6‑6 records, marking a mid‑table cluster where a single win can shift a team several places.
Dallas Mavericks trail with 15 points (5‑7), while the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves are at the bottom of the list with 12 points each, both 4‑8, indicating early struggles that could impact their playoff hopes.
As the season progresses, the gap between the top two and the rest of the league remains narrow, and the next round of games will be crucial for teams on the cusp of the playoff picture.