As we finish up the NBA Cup, the top our our power rankings remain fairly static. What’s not stable are the Wolves, whose high-voltage defense has them soaring up the ranks.
It’s been a weird week in the NBA. The Emirates NBA Cup has dominated the schedule, leaving non-participating teams like the Wolves in a sort of basketball purgatory. But now, with the Cup winding down and the regular season ramping back up, the action is kicking up a notch. And, for the second week in a row, our Minnesota Timberwolves are making their presence felt in the top 12.
That’s right—Minnesota’s defense is back. This team is finally starting to look like the one that made the Western Conference Finals last season. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s NBA Power Rankings and see where the Wolves land.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-4)
Last week: 1
The Cleveland Cavaliers still hold the league’s best record, but let’s not act like it’s been all sunshine and rainbows. A loss to the Miami Heat exposed some cracks, but with a résumé that includes wins over the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, Cleveland hangs on to the top spot—for now. The Cavs are basically that dominant early-season NFL team that starts showing some slippage in November but still has the best record.
2. Boston Celtics (21-5)
Last week: 2
Boston stumbled against the Memphis Grizzlies but otherwise did their job against lesser teams. The Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown duo remains one of the league’s most consistent forces, but the Celtics haven’t been able to snatch the ring from Cleveland. Feels like we’re in the midseason grind phase for this squad, but they’re still championship favorites.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5)
Last week: 3
The Oklahoma City Thunder have officially arrived. Not only are they contending for the NBA Cup Championship, but they’ve also solidified themselves as the class of the Western Conference. Can they finally dethrone Boston or Cleveland in these rankings? That might depend on whether they can take home the Cup hardware tomorrow against Milwaukee.
4. Dallas Mavericks (17-9)
Last week: 4
The Dallas Mavericks had a shot to shake things up in the NBA Cup but couldn’t get past OKC. Still, they’ve won 12 of their last 14 and look every bit like a team that’s going to hang around in the West. Let’s hope the Mavs find a way to cool off before their Christmas Day showdown with the Wolves.
5. Houston Rockets (17-9)
Last week: 6
The Houston Rockets stumbled against OKC in the Cup semis but managed to pull out a gritty win over the Golden State Warriors before that. They’ve faced a brutal schedule and held their own, which keeps them firmly in the top five. Are they a legitimate threat to win the West? Not quite yet, but they’re one big run away from changing that narrative.
6. New York Knicks (16-10)
Last week: 8
The New York Knicks are rolling, winning six of their last eight games, and their defense has been quietly smothering opponents. They couldn’t get past the Hawks in the Cup, but Tom Thibodeau has this team playing old-school basketball. Oh, and by the way, Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Target Center this week when the Knicks visit Minnesota. Circle that one.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11)
Last week: 9
The Wolves are back. Six wins in their last seven games, and that defense? Absolutely suffocating. Here are their opponents’ point totals in those six wins: 92, 80, 80, 90, 87, and 92. That’s how you win games even when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders. Anthony Edwards is leading, Rudy Gobert is locking down the paint, and the role players are stepping up. If they can maintain this level of play, Minnesota might climb even higher.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)
Last week: 5
Yes, Memphis sits second in the West standings, but let’s be real—their schedule has been softer than a Hallmark Christmas movie plot. Outside of a big win over the Celtics, they’ve mostly feasted on bottom-feeders. Until they start beating top teams consistently, they’re a step below the elite.
9. Orlando Magic (17-11)
Last week: 7
The Orlando Magic were flying high just a couple of weeks ago, but their recent skid—including Cup losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and Knicks—has them losing some of that momentum. Are they legit, or was that early-season hot streak just fool’s gold? They’re teetering on the edge.
10. Denver Nuggets (13-10)
Last week: 10
Nikola Jokić is doing his best 2006 Kevin Garnett impression: putting up absurd numbers while dragging an uninspiring supporting cast through the Western Conference jungle. The Denver Nuggets are maddeningly inconsistent, trading wins and losses like they’re on the stock market.
11. Phoenix Suns (14-11)
Last week: Not Ranked
The Phoenix Suns are finally starting to get healthy, and with back-to-back wins, they might be turning a corner. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are still one of the scariest duos in the league when they’re on, but can they stay on the court? That’s the big question.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (14-12)
Last week: Not Ranked
Let’s not act like the Los Angeles Lakers have been dominant. But with a big win over Memphis, they sneak back into the rankings. For how long? That’s up to Anthony Davis, who needs to carry the load with LeBron sidelined.
Dropped Out
- Golden State Warriors (14-11): The Warriors have now lost eight of their last ten and look nothing like the team that started the season strong.
- Los Angeles Clippers (14-12): Three straight losses and no clear direction.
Final Thoughts: Wolves Trending Up
It’s nice to see Minnesota firmly back in the top 12, but let’s not get complacent. The defense has been elite, and the team finally looks like it has an identity again. But consistency is the name of the game. There’s no room to breathe in the Western Conference standings, and the Wolves have some big games ahead, including matchups with the Knicks, Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs.
The Wolves are clawing their way back to respectability. Let’s see if they can keep climbing. See you next week!