It’s that time of the week again! While the Wolves haven’t been able to play themselves back into the Top 12, there has still been plenty of action around the NBA.
It’s that time of the week again, folks—NBA power rankings time. And let me just rip the Band-Aid off right now: for the second week in a row, the Minnesota Timberwolves are nowhere to be found on this list. After stumbling into Thanksgiving with a four-game losing streak, they managed to scrape together wins against both LA teams. But a one-point home win against a depleted Clippers team and a scrappy effort over the exhausted Lakers just wasn’t enough to vault them back into the rankings.
Here’s the thing: the Wolves are only 2.5 games out of the No. 4 seed in the West. The problem? Everyone in the West is climbing over each other like Black Friday shoppers chasing a discount TV. So, yeah, there’s hope for Minnesota, but they’ve got to string together more than two wins to make anyone believe again. Maybe next week. For now, let’s get into this week’s rankings.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (18–3) | Last Week: 1
Cleveland hit their first real speed bump of the season, dropping two games to the Atlanta Hawks of all teams. But they held their top spot by eking out a nail-biting win over the Celtics. Sure, cracks are starting to show, but they’re still 18–3, and that record buys them another week at No. 1. For now.
2. Boston Celtics (17–4) | Last Week: 2
Boston’s seven-game win streak ended courtesy of Cleveland, but they rebounded by beating the Heat in convincing fashion. The Celtics look as steady as ever, but their head-to-head loss to the Cavs keeps them at No. 2.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (15–5) | Last Week: 4
OKC moves atop the West in these rankings, though just barely. A tough loss to the Rockets hurts, but wins over the Lakers and Warriors earlier in the week are keeping them afloat. If Chet Holmgren weren’t hurt, this team might be the clear-cut best in the conference. For now, they’re hanging on by a thread.
4. Houston Rockets (15–6) | Last Week: 5
Houston’s climbing faster than a meme stock on Reddit. Their blowout win over OKC was impressive, but let’s not forget they barely escaped with a win over the Wolves. Sure, they’ve been red-hot, but they’ve faced more cupcakes than a kid’s birthday party recently. Let’s see how they hold up against tougher competition.
5. Orlando Magic (15–7) | Last Week: 6
Orlando’s won 12 of their last 13, and yet, here they sit at No. 5. Why? Because the Western Conference deserves some respect. Still, this Magic team is for real, and if they keep this streak alive, they could break into the top three soon.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (14–7) | Last Week: 11
The Grizzlies have quietly climbed to the No. 3 spot in the West, but I’m skeptical. Their schedule has been softer than a Hallmark Christmas movie. When they’ve faced actual contenders, they’ve folded. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, Memphis fans, but let’s see how they handle the gauntlet when the schedule eventually turns for the worse.
7. Dallas Mavericks (13–8) | Last Week: 12
Dallas has finally found some rhythm, winning eight of their last nine. Luka and Kyrie are clicking, and the Mavs are starting to look every bit like that team that made the Finals run last season. If they keep this up, they could be back in the top five soon.
8. Golden State Warriors (12–7) | Last Week: 3
Golden State’s four-game losing streak has been rough. Losing to the Suns and Thunder is one thing, but San Antonio and Brooklyn? Yikes. Steph can only do so much, and it feels like the Warriors are teetering on the edge of a full-on slide.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (13–9) | Last Week: 7
The Clippers have been inconsistent, but injuries have played a big role. They lost to Boston and Minnesota but managed to take down Denver. If they can get everyone healthy, they’ve got the talent to climb higher. Until then, they’re stuck in the middle of the pack.
10. New York Knicks (12–8) | Last Week: 10
The Knicks held steady this week, notching wins over the Nuggets and Pelicans while falling to the Mavs. Jalen Brunson and KAT are doing enough to keep them competitive, but this team still feels like it’s missing that extra gear.
11. Denver Nuggets (10–8) | Last Week: 9
Denver’s been up and down lately, but when you’ve got Nikola Jokic, you’re never out of it. Losses to the Clippers and Knicks dropped them down the list, but let’s not forget who’s the best player in the world right now. Jokic alone keeps them in the top 12.
12. Phoenix Suns (11–8) | Last Week: NR
The Suns snapped a five-game losing streak and clawed their way back into the rankings with a strong win over the Warriors. Injuries to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have derailed them, but when this team gets healthy, watch out.
Dropped Out: Los Angeles Lakers (12–9) | Last Week: 8
The Lakers couldn’t keep pace this week, losing to Phoenix and Minnesota. AD’s been solid, but this team still feels like it’s missing something—and by “something,” I mean a time machine to bring 2018 LeBron back.
Final Thoughts
For the second week in a row, the Wolves are nowhere to be found. And honestly, that’s fair. This team has been a mess of inconsistency, and until they prove otherwise, they don’t belong in the top 12. The good news? They’re only 2.5 games out of the No. 4 seed in the West, and with games against the Clippers and Warriors this week, they’ve got a real chance to climb back into the rankings.
Meanwhile, the top of the East continues to dominate. Boston and Cleveland have been trading blows, and Orlando is making a serious case to crash the party. Could we see an Eastern Conference sweep of the top three spots next week? Stay tuned—it’s going to be another wild week in the NBA. Let’s just hope the Wolves give us something to actually talk about next time.