Two weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, several high-profile teams are struggling, prompting varying levels of concern according to CBS Sports' panic meter. The New York Knicks (3-4) have a panic meter of 3 out of 10, with all four losses by single digits and Jalen Brunson's shooting down after wrist surgery. The Utah Jazz (1-6) sit at 5 out of 10, as rookie Darryn Peterson struggles and the offense ranks 29th, though the team remains young and asset-rich.
The Denver Nuggets (3-3) register a 6 out of 10 panic level. Nikola Jokić is shooting 7-of-31 from three-point range, his defensive rebounding rate has dropped below 22%, and his intermediate finishing has slipped significantly. The Phoenix Suns (1-4) are at 7 out of 10, with offensive efficiency markedly better when Collin Gillespie plays, but the team has lost its high-effort identity, ranking 30th in defensive rating and 27th in loose balls recovered.
The Miami Heat (2-5) have the highest panic meter at 8 out of 10. Their defense ranks in the bottom five, they lack players who can both shoot and defend, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime years may be wasted on a roster lacking draft capital to address holes.
