This might be a first. Like, this might be the first time in history – even when Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs back in 2003-04 – that the Timberwolves have been ranked this high in the NBA.com power rankings.
Six straight wins, including victories over the Nuggets, Celtics and Warriors, has lifted Minnesota all the way to No. 2 in this week’s NBA.com power rankings. The only team ahead of the Wolves are the 8-1 Philadelphia 76ers. Look what NBA.com’s John Schuhmann wrote about the Wolves.
The Wolves might have the league’s most impressive resume. They have its fourth-best record, its third-best point differential, the No. 1 defense and the most wins (they’re 4-1) against the 14 teams that are currently over .500. Two of those four wins have come against the teams — the Nuggets and Celtics — that would probably be the favorites to reach The Finals at this point.
Schuhmann’s top 10:
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets
- Boston Celtics
- Dallas Mavericks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Miami Heat
- Indiana Pacers
That’s a lot different top 10 than most would’ve expected entering the season.
No sign of the Phoenix Suns (16th) as they deal with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal injuries. The Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are 11th and the Lakers are 15th. The Pelicans and Clippers, two teams expected to be good in the West, are ranked 21st and 22nd, respectively.
The Timberwolves are playing like a serious team and for the first time in nearly two decades the rest of the country is starting to notice.
