NBA standings after 12 games: Celtics lead, Nuggets close behind

The NBA regular season is now 12 games in, and the league's top ten standings reflect a mix of early dominance and a crowded mid‑table.
Boston Celtics sit atop the table with 30 points, having compiled a 10‑2 record and remaining unbeaten in their 12 games.
Denver Nuggets are three points behind in second place, holding a 9‑3 record that keeps them within striking distance of the league leaders.
Milwaukee Bucks occupy third with 24 points from an 8‑4 ledger, maintaining a solid pace that could keep them in the hunt for a top‑four seed.
Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are locked together on four‑the‑four with 21 points each, both sporting 7‑5 records; tie‑breakers such as head‑to‑head results may soon become decisive.
Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns share the sixth spot at 18 points, each at an even 6‑6 split, illustrating the competitive balance in the league's middle tier.
Further down, Dallas Mavericks have 15 points from a 5‑7 record, while both Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves sit at 12 points with 4‑8 marks, highlighting the early gap between playoff contenders and teams still finding rhythm.