With just a month remaining in the season, things are starting to shake-up in the rankings. How did Minnesota fare this week as they continue to ride their eight-game winning streak?
NBA Power Rankings: The Final Stretch Begins
And just like that, we’re about a month away from the playoffs.
This is the time of year when things get weird. Top contenders start flexing their muscles. Teams that looked like playoff locks a month ago start panicking. And the play-in turns into a demolition derby.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are sitting in the middle of all this chaos, riding an eight-game winning streak and making their way back up the rankings after a long absence. But the bigger question: Can they keep climbing in the actual standings?
Let’s get to this week’s rankings.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (56-12) — Last Week: 2
The Cavs have held the top spot for most of the season, but after an impressive OKC road trip, the Thunder reclaim the crown.
Wins over Milwaukee, Detroit, and Boston? Check.
Dominating fellow Western contenders (Nuggets, Grizzlies, Rockets)? Also check.
At this point, the Thunder are a lock for 60+ wins and are firing on all cylinders heading into April.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-11) — Last Week: 1
Look, it feels unfair to drop the Cavs after their first loss in a month.
They rattled off 16 straight wins, finally lost to Orlando, and now they’re somehow punished for it? Tough break. But OKC’s wins were just that impressive.
Cleveland is still the best team in the East and might be the overall Finals favorite.
The big question: Can they finally make that leap in the playoffs?
3. Boston Celtics (49-19) — Last Week: 3
Boston is locked into the No. 3 ranking like a team that’s coasting until the playoffs start.
They’re still a legit title threat, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that they’ll need to go through Cleveland to get there. And right now, the Cavs are better.
Still, don’t count them out. They’ve been waiting for April all season.
4. Houston Rockets (43-25) — Last Week: 7
This is where we start streaking.
Houston has won six straight, jumped to the No. 2 seed out West, and completely turned things around after a rough February.
They also have one of the easiest schedules remaining.
Could they actually lock up the No. 2 seed? It’s looking more likely by the day.
5. Golden State Warriors (39-28) — Last Week: 6
The other hot team in the West (aside from Houston and Minnesota) is Golden State.
They’re riding a seven-game winning streak, with big wins over the Knicks, Pistons, and Kings.
Tonight’s matchup against Denver is huge. If they beat the Nuggets, look out.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-29) — Last Week: 8
The hottest team in the NBA that nobody is talking about.
Eight straight wins. Undefeated in March. And yet… they’re still stuck in the No. 7 spot out West.
- They’re still tied with Golden State (who holds the tiebreaker).
- They’ve put some distance between themselves and the Clippers/Kings.
- It’s only a matter of time before they leapfrog someone.
If the Wolves beat Indiana tonight, they could realistically push this streak to 11 games before facing a real test again.
They just need to keep winning.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (43-25) — Last Week: 10
Memphis moves up a few spots, but let’s be honest—nobody trusts them.
They’ve won five of six, but when they finally played a contender (Cleveland), they got smacked.
Their record says they’re dangerous. Their actual on-court product suggests they’re a little overrated.
8. Denver Nuggets (43-25) — Last Week: 5
What is going on in Denver?
- They got absolutely destroyed by the Wolves.
- They barely survived the Lakers (who were missing both LeBron and Luka).
- Then they lost to the Wizards. At home.
This isn’t the same Nuggets team that won the title. They’ll probably be fine in the playoffs, but right now, they’re a mess.
Huge game against Golden State tonight.
9. New York Knicks (42-24) — Last Week: 9
Four losses in their last six games.
And now, Jalen Brunson is out for two weeks.
The East is starting to slip away from the Knicks, and unless they get healthy soon, they could slide even further.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (38-29) — Last Week: 11
Milwaukee is somehow still a mystery team.
They’ve also lost four of their last six, but their win over the Pacers helped them move up to the No. 4 seed in the East.
Can they finally get it together? Or will they flame out early despite having Giannis and Dame?
11. Indiana Pacers (37-29) — Last Week: Unranked
Speaking of struggling teams sneaking into the rankings…
Indiana has also lost four of their last six, but their overall body of work is still enough to earn a spot.
Tonight’s matchup with the Wolves is huge.
12. Detroit Pistons (37-31) — Last Week: 12
Detroit is in free-fall mode.
They’ve lost four of their last six and their only wins were against the Wizards and Blazers.
Not great.
Falling Off: Los Angeles Lakers (41-25) — Last Week: 4
Let’s be real—the Lakers needed to be dropped off a cliff this week.
- They lost four straight before finally beating the Suns (who barely count as an NBA team right now).
- LeBron is out.
- Luka is struggling to carry them.
They went from holding the No. 2 seed to potentially falling into the play-in.
And looking at their remaining schedule (Denver, Milwaukee, Indiana, Memphis, Houston x2 and OKC x2)?
It’s only going to get worse.
Final Thoughts: Who’s Rising & Who’s Sinking?
- OKC, Cleveland, and Boston remain locked in as the top three teams.
- Houston, Golden State, and Minnesota are making legit late-season pushes.
- Memphis and Denver are shaky contenders.
- The Knicks, Bucks, Pacers, and Pistons are holding on for dear life.
- The Lakers are spiraling.
For Wolves fans, the takeaway is simple: They’re still climbing.
Another big win against Indiana tonight extends their win streak to nine and keeps them moving towards the goal of an undefeated March.
If they keep this up, the play-in won’t be a concern.
They’ll be fighting for home-court advantage.
It’s there for the taking. Now they just have to go get it.