As the NBA’s regular season draws to a close, there is no shortage of drama around the league. How do the Wolves rank as we head into the final week?
Final Countdown: The Last Power Rankings of the NBA Regular Season (Cue the Synth Solo)
And just like that, we’re here. The final Monday of the regular season. Six months. Roughly 5,000 “what the hell was that?” moments. And now, we’re staring down one of the wildest Western Conference finishes in recent memory—maybe ever.
The East? Mostly chalk. The West? A blender set on “chaotic.” Seeds 3 through 8? Separated by a thread. Tiebreakers, win percentages, schedules, voodoo, whatever—it’s all on the table.
Boston, Cleveland, and OKC are jostling for title-favorite status like it’s the early 2000s and they’re trying to be the next Nelly single. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves—those lovable, frustrating, occasionally spectacular Timberwolves—are somehow making a late push for home-court advantage.
So where do things stand heading into the last week of NBA mayhem?
Let’s dive into the final regular season Power Rankings.
1. Boston Celtics (58–20) — Last Week: 2
Look who came full circle. Boston started the year ranked No. 1, and here they are again after winning 11 of their last 12 and making the Eastern Conference look like a G-League division. Tatum is healthy, the defense is swarming, and Jrue Holiday is hitting that “Oh right, I’m terrifying in the playoffs” gear. They look ready.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (64–14) — Last Week: 1
OKC has absolutely owned the West this season. But let’s not pretend losing back-to-back games to the Rockets and Lakers doesn’t raise an eyebrow. Sure, they’ve locked up the No. 1 seed and are probably half-trying right now, but if you’re gonna flex into the postseason, you can’t look like you just skipped leg day. Still, they’ve been elite all year. Deserved respect.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (62–16) — Last Week: 3
Look, 62 wins is nothing to sneeze at. But dropping games to the Pistons and Kings in the home stretch? That’s not exactly sending a message of “we’re the beasts of the East.” Donovan Mitchell’s been great, but this team feels a little too “we peaked in January.” Still dangerous, but not scary.
4. Houston Rockets (52–27) — Last Week: 4
This team is officially “scrappy as hell.” The Rockets took out OKC and Golden State last week, and if you’ve been paying attention, they’ve essentially locked down the No. 2 seed in the West. Fun, young, dangerous.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (46–32) — Last Week: 7
Let’s just get this out of the way: nobody is more confusing than the Wolves. Five straight wins, longest streak in the league, and playing with actual urgency (sometimes). It’s like someone told them the playoffs started early. Now they get the Bucks (maybe without Giannis and Dame), Memphis, the Nets, and the Jazz. If they don’t finish strong, it’s their own damn fault. But let’s not pretend we haven’t seen this team step on their own shoelaces before. You can hear Wolves fans whispering: “Please… not again.”
6. Golden State Warriors (46–32) — Last Week: 5
Lost to the Rockets, sure, but they’d won five straight before that. Steph is still Steph. Jimmy Butler has added some sandpaper to their edge. This is a team that’s been there, done that, printed the shirts. The only reason they’re not higher is because the teams above them are just rolling right now. But if I’m a top seed, I do not want to see the Warriors in Round 1. At all.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (46–32) — Last Week: 8
Kawhi. Harden. The vibes? Quietly trending up. Four straight wins, including two against Dallas. If Kawhi is healthy—and that’s a 50/50 every morning you wake up—they’re going to be a nightmare. They’ve quietly become that team nobody talks about but everybody fears.
8. Indiana Pacers (47–31) — Last Week: 6
Look, the Pacers didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not you, it’s them. Or rather, it’s everyone else in the West catching fire. Still, they went into Denver and punched the Nuggets in the teeth, which deserves some love. If they catch the right matchup out East, they’re going to make somebody very uncomfortable. Sleeper team vibes are strong.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (48–30) — Last Week: 12
So… which Lakers team are we getting? The one that can’t defend for stretches? Or the one that makes everything hard for you for 48 minutes and then lets Luka casually dagger you in crunch time? They’re 5-2 in their last seven and beat OKC, sure. But that Warriors game was a gut-check and they flinched. TBD on whether they’re for real.
10. New York Knicks (50–28) — Last Week: 11
The Knicks are heating up. Five wins in six games and Brunson looks like he’s ready for a playoff moment. But the Cavs keep beating them, and until they show they can take down the real top-tier East squads, I’m not totally sold. Still, they’re dangerous and this is probably the most competent Knicks team since the Larry Johnson era.
11. Milwaukee Bucks (44–34) — Last Week: Not Ranked
Four wins in a row, but let’s be honest—they’ve been playing the C-squad teams. And it’s hard to feel good about Milwaukee when Giannis and Dame are still question marks. If they’re healthy, they’re a threat. If not? They’re probably exiting stage left before round two.
12. Detroit Pistons (43–35) — Last Week: 9
They’re gritty, tough, and maybe a year away. But give them credit: they’ve made every opponent earn it. Cade Cunningham looks like a cornerstone, and they’re just annoying enough to force a seven-game series. That’s a win in itself.
Falling Out: Denver Nuggets (47–32) — Last Week: 10
Tough break for the Nuggets. But when you drop four straight… yeah, you drop out.
Wrap It Up
This is it. The final week. The Wolves control their own destiny. Win out, avoid the play-in, maybe even host a series. But like I said last week: there’s no more margin for error. No more “we’ll figure it out.” No more moral victories.
Four games left. It’s time to put up or shut up. And for once, maybe just maybe… the Timberwolves are ready to roar.
One last week. One last chance. Let’s ride.