After a three-game winning streak featuring nail-biting finishes, the Wolves find themselves back in the Top 12. This week’s rankings were extremely tight, with a multitude of top teams ending the year on hot streaks.
2024’s Final Power Rankings: Wolves Are Back in the Mix
And here we are, folks—the final power rankings of the year. It’s been a chaotic, emotional, and sometimes maddening ride for the Timberwolves, but as we close out 2024, things are looking up in Minnesota. Winners of three straight, the Wolves clawed their way back into this week’s rankings after thrilling (and mildly terrifying) victories over the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs. It’s not exactly a winter wonderland in the standings yet, but hey, progress is progress.
That said, the top of the league is as competitive as ever. The Wolves are rubbing shoulders with some serious heavyweights, which means the climb up the rankings—and the Western Conference—won’t be a cakewalk. So, let’s dive in and see where everyone stands as we head into the new year.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-4) | Last Week: 1
The Cavs are an unstoppable force right now. Six straight wins, including solid victories over the Bucks and Nuggets, have cemented their place at the top. Boston has more than double the losses of Cleveland, which has given the Cavs some much needed cushion. The East is their playground, and they’re not sharing.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) | Last Week: 2
The Thunder have bounced back with six straight wins since their NBA Cup final loss to the Bucks. They look every bit like the team to beat in the West. Their New Year’s Eve clash with the Timberwolves will be a statement game for both teams. If the Wolves pull it off, it’ll be the upset we’ll be talking about well into 2025.
3. Boston Celtics (23-9) | Last Week: 3
It’s been a rocky stretch for the Celtics, dropping four of their last six, including an embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Sixers. But this is still Boston, a team loaded with talent and depth. They’ll figure it out. For now, though, the Cavs are pulling away in the East.
4. New York Knicks (22-10) | Last Week: 4
The Knicks have been red-hot, riding a seven-game winning streak that could hit eight with a likely win tonight in Washington. Karl-Anthony Towns has transformed this team into a legitimate contender. Knicks fans, enjoy this moment—it’s been a long time coming.
5. Houston Rockets (21-11) | Last Week: 5
The Rockets hit a rough patch, blowing a 16-point lead to the Wolves and getting into a literal fight in Miami. But they’re still one of the West’s best teams, with a scrappy, in-your-face style that makes every game a battle.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (22-11) | Last Week: 7
The Grizz move up a spot, finally getting some credit for taking care of business against weaker opponents. That said, their losses to the Clippers and Thunder show they’re not quite ready to hang with the big dogs.
7. LA Clippers (18-13) | Last Week: 11
Four wins in their last five, including Ws over the Mavs, Grizzlies, and Warriors, have the Clippers trending up. If they keep knocking off top-tier teams, they could climb even higher.
8. Dallas Mavericks (20-12) | Last Week: Not Ranked
Luka Doncic’s injury has thrown a wrench in Dallas’s plans, but they’re still hanging tough. The Wolves exposed their vulnerabilities on Christmas Day, and without Luka, their ceiling feels a little lower.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) | Last Week: 10
The Lakers have quietly won five of six, including a Christmas Day thriller against the Warriors. Beating Sacramento three times in that stretch is less impressive, but hey, wins are wins. Let’s see how they fare against Cleveland on New Year’s Eve.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-14) | Last Week: Not Ranked
Welcome back, Wolves Nation! Three straight wins—albeit cardiac-inducing ones—have the Wolves back in the mix. They’ve shown grit and resilience against tough opponents, and while they’re not perfect, they’re figuring things out. New Year’s Eve against OKC will be a true litmus test.
11. Denver Nuggets (17-13) | Last Week: 8
The Nuggets are slipping, with recent losses to Phoenix and Cleveland exposing their defensive woes. Nikola Jokic can’t do it all himself, though he’s trying. Someone, please, get this man some help.
12. Atlanta Hawks (18-15) | Last Week: Not Ranked
The Hawks sneak into the final spot after a four-game win streak, including a solid pre-Christmas victory over the Wolves. They’re scrappy and dangerous, and while they haven’t faced the league’s elite recently, they’re earning their place here.
Dropping Out:
- Milwaukee Bucks (16-14) | Last Week: 6
- Orlando Magic (20-14) | Last Week: 9
2024’s Final Power Rankings: Wolves Are Back in the Mix
And here we are, folks—the final power rankings of the year. It’s been a chaotic, emotional, and sometimes maddening ride for the Timberwolves, but as we close out 2024, things are (finally) looking up in Minnesota. Winners of three straight, the Wolves clawed their way back into this week’s rankings after thrilling (and mildly terrifying) victories over the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs. It’s not exactly a winter wonderland in the standings yet, but hey, progress is progress.
That said, the top of the league is as competitive as ever. The Wolves are rubbing shoulders with some serious heavyweights, which means the climb up the rankings—and the Western Conference—won’t be a cakewalk. So, let’s dive in and see where everyone stands as we head into the new year.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-4) | Last Week: 1
The Cavs are an unstoppable force right now. Six straight wins, including solid victories over the Bucks and Nuggets, have cemented their place at the top. Cleveland has more than double the losses of Boston, their closest Eastern Conference rival, and they’re making the case for early title favorites. The East is their playground, and they’re not sharing.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) | Last Week: 2
The Thunder have bounced back with six straight wins since their NBA Cup final loss to the Bucks. They look every bit like the team to beat in the West. Their New Year’s Eve clash with the Timberwolves will be a statement game for both teams. If the Wolves pull it off, it’ll be the upset we’ll be talking about well into 2025.
3. Boston Celtics (23-9) | Last Week: 3
It’s been a rocky stretch for the Celtics, dropping four of their last six, including an embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Sixers. But this is still Boston, a team loaded with talent and depth. They’ll figure it out. For now, though, the Cavs are pulling away in the East.
4. New York Knicks (22-10) | Last Week: 4
The Knicks have been red-hot, riding a seven-game winning streak that could hit eight with a win in Washington. Carl Anthony Towns has transformed this team into a legitimate contender. Knicks fans, enjoy this moment—it’s been a long time coming.
5. Houston Rockets (21-11) | Last Week: 5
The Rockets hit a rough patch, blowing a 16-point lead to the Wolves and getting into a literal fight in Miami. But they’re still one of the West’s best teams, with a scrappy, in-your-face style that makes every game a battle.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (22-11) | Last Week: 7
The Grizz move up a spot, finally getting some credit for taking care of business against weaker opponents. That said, their losses to the Clippers and Thunder show they’re not quite ready to hang with the big dogs.
7. LA Clippers (18-13) | Last Week: 11
Four wins in their last five, including Ws over the Mavs, Grizzlies, and Warriors, have the Clippers trending up. If they keep knocking off top-tier teams, they could climb even higher.
8. Dallas Mavericks (20-12) | Last Week: Not Ranked
Luka Doncic’s injury has thrown a wrench in Dallas’s plans, but they’re still hanging tough. The Wolves exposed their vulnerabilities on Christmas Day, and without Luka, their ceiling feels a little lower.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) | Last Week: 10
The Lakers have quietly won five of six, including a Christmas Day thriller against the Warriors. Beating Sacramento three times in that stretch is less impressive, but hey, wins are wins. Let’s see how they fare against Cleveland on New Year’s Eve.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-14) | Last Week: Not Ranked
Welcome back, Wolves Nation! Three straight wins—albeit cardiac-inducing ones—have the Wolves back in the mix. They’ve shown grit and resilience against tough opponents, and while they’re not perfect, they’re figuring things out. New Year’s Eve against OKC will be a true litmus test.
11. Denver Nuggets (17-13) | Last Week: 8
The Nuggets are slipping, with recent losses to Phoenix and Cleveland exposing their defensive woes. Nikola Jokic can’t do it all himself, though he’s trying. Someone, please, get this man some help.
12. Atlanta Hawks (18-15) | Last Week: Not Ranked
The Hawks sneak into the final spot after a four-game win streak, including a solid victory over the Wolves. They’re scrappy and dangerous, and while they haven’t faced the league’s elite recently, they’re earning their place here.
Dropping Out:
- Milwaukee Bucks (16-14) | Last Week: 6
- Orlando Magic (20-14) | Last Week: 9
- San Antonio Spurs (16-16) | Last Week: 12
The Bottom Line
The Wolves are back, but the road ahead isn’t getting any easier. The Western Conference is a gauntlet, and the Thunder on New Year’s Eve are no joke. But for now, let’s savor the moment. The Wolves are in the top 10, playing gritty basketball, and showing signs of the team we all thought they could be.
Here’s to a 2025 filled with fewer offensive droughts, more clutch performances, and hopefully some playoff glory. Happy New Year, Wolves fans. Let’s howl into January.