Another week of play is in the books for the NBA, and there’s been quite the shake-up at the top of the rankings. How did the Timberwolves fare after going 3-1 this week?
Another week down in the NBA, and the season is officially heating up. We’re deep enough in now to start separating the contenders from the pretenders, and with the NBA In-Season Tournament tipping off, we’ve got plenty of data to sink our teeth into. With most teams clocking in at about 10 games, the rankings this week feel a bit more… legitimate. It’s still early, but we’re not throwing darts in the dark anymore. So, without further ado, here are this week’s power rankings:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-0, Last Week: 3)
Let’s call it: the Cavs are the dominant team of the early season. The last undefeated team in the league, with 11 straight wins to boot. Sure, they haven’t exactly plowed through a Murderers’ Row of opponents—plenty of wins over the Eastern Conference’s basement—but they dominated the Warriors by 21 points, making a serious statement. As far as power rankings go, being 11-0 pretty much guarantees you the top spot, so Cleveland, enjoy it while it lasts.
2. Boston Celtics (9-2, Last Week: 1)
Boston, I wanted to keep you at number one. I really did. But a close loss to the Warriors bumped them just enough to slide down to second. They’re 9-2 and still look every bit the team we thought would run roughshod over the East, but Cleveland’s streak is just too strong to ignore. Circle the date: the Cavs and Celtics clash in just over a week. That’s going to be appointment viewing.
3. Golden State Warriors (8-2, Last Week: 7)
Talk about a statement week. The Warriors faced a brutal road trip, squaring off against the Celtics, Cavs, and Thunder. They took down both Boston and OKC in impressive fashion, with only Cleveland getting the better of them. This was a toss-up between Golden State and the Suns for the third spot, but given their strong wins, the Warriors edged it out.
4. Phoenix Suns (8-2, Last Week: 4)
The Suns were on a seven-game tear before the Kings tripped them up. Even so, they’re clicking. They barely escaped Dallas with a one-point win, but their previous seven-game win streak and their consistency hold them in this top tier. Phoenix stays locked at four, but they’ll need to bring it every night to keep pace with Golden State and OKC.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-2, Last Week: 2)
The Thunder had their first real stumble after a hot 7-0 start, dropping two big games to Western Conference rivals Denver and Golden State. Adding insult to injury, literally, Chet Holmgren fractured his pelvis in that Warriors game. His timeline is still TBD, but OKC’s playoff ambitions could take a serious hit if he’s out long term.
6. Denver Nuggets (7-3, Last Week: Unranked)
So much for the doubters: Denver’s reeled off five straight, including a thriller over Dallas. Shame on those of you who were prematurely throwing dirt on the Nuggets grave. (Looks in the mirror.) They’ve now won seven of their last eight, and with Nikola Jokic back in MVP form, the Nuggets have officially re-entered the Western Conference race.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (6-4, Last Week: 9)
The Wolves put together a nice run this week with three straight wins over the Hornets, Bulls, and Blazers. Sure, they should win those games, but they looked good doing it. The Miami game was a chance to extend the streak, but some late-game mental lapses cost them a narrow one-point loss. This week’s NBA Cup matchups against the Blazers and Kings will be crucial for Minnesota to keep climbing.
8. Dallas Mavericks (5-5, Last Week: 5)
Dallas has struggled to find consistency, dropping back-to-back games to Denver and Phoenix to fall to .500. They’re still a force when Luka and Kyrie are on, but they’re not showing the night-to-night reliability you’d want in a contender. And, as Timberwolves fans know all too well, the Mavs seem to save their best for Minnesota.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (7-4, Last Week: 10)
Memphis hasn’t exactly had a murderer’s row schedule so far, but they did put the Lakers away by 17 this week, so they get some respect for that. The real tests are coming up with their next four against the Lakers, Warriors, and a back-to-back with the Nuggets. We’ll see if the Grizzlies’ solid start is built on a strong foundation or just good matchups.
10. Sacramento Kings (6-4, Last Week: 12)
After a slow 0-2 start, the Kings have clawed their way back up. They pulled off a huge win against Phoenix on the road, which gives them a slight edge over the Clippers, despite an prior loss to LA. Sacramento’s headed for an NBA Cup showdown with Minnesota this week, so we’ll see if they can keep rising.
11. Los Angeles Clippers (6-4, Last Week: Unranked)
The Clippers aren’t scaring anyone just yet, but they’ve quietly put together some solid wins over the Nuggets, Warriors, and Kings. Losses to Phoenix and OKC are understandable, and while they aren’t world-beaters, they’re hanging in there with the big dogs.
12. Houston Rockets (6-4, Last Week: Unranked)
And here’s our dark horse of the week: the Rockets. Winners of five of their last seven, including victories over Dallas, Memphis, and the Knicks, Houston has earned the final spot on our list. They’re not exactly juggernauts, but right now, they’re outperforming expectations.
Dropped Out:
- New York Knicks (4-5, Last Week: 6)
- Los Angeles Lakers (6-4, Last Week: 8)
- Miami Heat (4-5, Last Week: 11)
As always, these rankings are subjective and bound to stir up debate. For the Timberwolves, there’s a real chance to climb higher if they take care of business in this upcoming stretch. Right now, they still appear to be a team that’s finding their footing. Agree or disagree with the Cavs at the top? Think the Lakers deserved to hang on to a spot? Let us know in the comments, and let the debates begin!