This week brings in quite the shake-up with some surging teams crashing the party. Did the Timberwolves do enough to claw their way back into the Top 12?
NBA Power Rankings: January Shake-Up Edition
Welcome to this week’s NBA Power Rankings, where chaos reigns and consistency is a pipe dream for anyone outside of Cleveland or OKC. We’ve got a couple of teams on absolute heaters, others skidding to the side of the road, and a whole lot of movement in the middle. With all this volatility, have the Minnesota Timberwolves clawed their way back into the top 12? Scroll down to see…
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5)
Last Week: 1
The Cavs are like that kid in high school who aces every test without even trying. They beat the Thunder in a marquee matchup this week and continue to cruise as the best team in basketball. Donovan Mitchell looks like he’s moonlighting as an MVP candidate with a roster that is deeper than an HBO character study. At this point, it’s Cleveland’s league, and the rest of us are just living in it.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (32-6)
Last Week: 2
The Thunder had a shot at the top spot, but the Cavs said, “Not so fast.” Still, OKC is sitting pretty at the top of the West, and their 10-game win streak was impressive until Cleveland snapped it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the most effortless scorer in the league right now. The question is whether OKC can finally translate regular-season dominance into playoff success. Until then, they’re just this generation’s Buffalo Bills.
3. Boston Celtics (28-11)
Last Week: 3
The Celtics remain locked in at No. 3, which feels fitting given their up-and-down play. They’ve dropped two of their last four, including a puzzling loss to the Thunder. But let’s not overreact—Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still one of the best duos in the league, and this team’s floor is an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Boston is fine. Not Cleveland fine, but fine.
4. Houston Rockets (26-12)
Last Week: 4
Houston is hot. They’ve won four straight, including two big wins over Memphis. This Rockets squad plays like they have something to prove. They’re scrappy, tough, and fun to watch. If Houston keeps this up, the West’s second seed is theirs to lose.
5. Denver Nuggets (23-15)
Last Week: 6
The Nuggets inch up a spot after wins against the Clippers and Mavs. Nikola Jokić continues to be the human cheat code, and Denver looks poised to remain a contender out West. They’re not as dominant as they were during their championship season, but they’re hanging around—and that’s all you need with the Joker running the show.
6. New York Knicks (26-15)
Last Week: 5
The Knicks are wobbling, losing five of their last seven, including defeats at the hand of the Bulls, Magic, and Pistons. Karl-Anthony Towns is still putting up numbers, but the Knicks are struggling to put away teams they should dominate. Their matchup with the Wolves on Friday feels like a big one—can Minnesota finally beat their former franchise face?
7. Indiana Pacers (22-18)
Last Week: Not Ranked
The Pacers are back! Winners of six straight, including a statement win over Cleveland, Indiana is reminding everyone why they were such a tough out last postseason. Tyrese Haliburton is the real deal, and this team plays with the kind of energy that makes you think they could spoil someone’s playoff run.
8. Sacramento Kings (20-19)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Light the beam! The Kings have ripped off seven straight wins in the wake of the Mike Brown firing. Turns out, a little chaos is good for Sacramento. They’ve beaten Dallas, Memphis, Golden State, and Boston during this streak, so this isn’t a fluke. Keep an eye on this team—they’re feisty.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (25-15)
Last Week: 7
Memphis is starting to show some cracks. They’ve dropped five of their last eight, and their high-powered offense isn’t enough to cover up their defensive issues. Ja Morant is back, but the Grizzlies need to figure things out fast if they want to keep pace in the West.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-18)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Minnesota has won four of its last five, and Anthony Edwards is officially in superhero mode. Chris Finch’s decision to insert Donte DiVincenzo into the starting lineup has paid off, and the Wolves are finally looking more like a cohesive unit. That said, inconsistency is this team’s Achilles’ heel. They’ve got big games coming up—let’s see if they can hang.
11. Los Angeles Clippers (21-17)
Last Week: 9
The Clippers are skidding, losing four of their last six. Kawhi Leonard’s health continues to be a hurdle as the team works him back into the rotation, and this team feels like it’s perpetually stuck in second gear. They’ve got talent, but something just isn’t clicking.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (20-17)
Last Week: 8
The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak, and it’s not pretty. They’ve dropped games to the Rockets, Mavs, and Spurs. Anthony Davis is still a beast, but the Lakers need to figure things out—or they could find themselves back in the play-in.
Dropping Out
- Dallas Mavericks (22-17)
- San Antonio Spurs (19-19)
- Golden State Warriors (19-20)
Final Thoughts
The top four teams remain rock solid, but the middle of the pack is a free-for-all. The Wolves are trending up, but their inconsistency looms large. Sacramento and Indiana are proving that they’re for real, while teams like Memphis and the Lakers are fighting to stay afloat.
Next week could bring even more chaos for Minnesota, especially with some big matchups on the horizon. Until then, keep your seatbelts fastened—this season’s shaping up to be one of the wildest rides in recent memory!