Where the Minnesota Timberwolves Stand in Latest NBA Power Rankings

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NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
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With the season now officially over, the Timberwolves have some high expectations going into the playoffs. They finished the regular season at 56-26, which was good enough for 3rd in the Western Conference. The focus shifts now to the Playoffs in which the Wolves will face the Phoenix Suns and their superstars.

The Timberwolves have a budding superstar of their own in Anthony Edwards, the best defense in the NBA and they’re very tough to beat at home (30-11). The Wolves got KAT back just in time for the playoffs to start and get themselves near back to normal in terms of health before the Playoffs begin for them on Saturday, April 20th.

Related: What Did Anthony Edwards Say to Kevin Durant in Viral Trash Talking Clip from Game 1?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs NBA Power Rankings

As we look around the internet at various NBA power rankings released by most of the major media outlets across the web, we’ll find the Timberwolves near the top, looking down.

NBA power rankings Minnesota Timberwolves
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The below power rankings are monitored and updated multiple times per week. We can’t control how often these media outlets update their power rankings and some wait multiple weeks between updates. But please let us know if you notice any of them are out of date

The Athletic

The Athletic’s NBA power rankings have the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 4th.

Here’s what The Athletic’s Zach Harper is saying (Apr.16:)

“What’s next?

The Wolves slipped up twice this week, and it const them the No. 1 seed. Instead of making everybody go through the Target Center, the Wolves now have to take down the Suns in the first-round. Even with this flawed Phoenix team, stopping Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will be a challenge for the No. 1 defense. the Wolves lost all three games to the Suns by double digits this season. But Anthony Edwards looks primed for another leap. And we’ll see if it’s the same old Wolves or if Minnesota can start rewriting its playoff narrative.

Related: Anthony Edwards Puts Kevin Durant & NBA World on Notice in Timberwolves Game-1 Rout of Suns

CBS

The CBS NBA power rankings have the Wolves ranked 4th.

Here’s what CBS is saying (Apr. 15):

“Last postseason’s finish gave a small hint as to what we had in store from the Timberwolves, but not many would have predicted they’d be battling for the No. 1 seed until the final day of the season. Three major reasons for the breakout year: Anthony Edwards’ leap (literally) to elite status, Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to fit in, and Rudy Gobert’s defensive resurgence. And a special shoutout to Mike Conley for keeping the whole thing together. What a season.”

NBA.com

The NBA.com power rankings have the Timberwolves ranked 4th.

Here’s what NBA.com is saying (Apr.8):

“The Wolves had a brief dalliance with first place again, but lost an ugly game in Phoenix on Friday and are back in second, tied in the loss column with the Nuggets, with a head-to-head showdown coming on Wednesday..”

Bleacher Report

The Bleacher Report NBA power rankings have the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 3rd.

Here’s what Bleacher Report is saying (Apr. 5):

“It still feels like the Minnesota Timberwolves will need Karl-Anthony Towns back to make a real push for the conference finals, but they’ve more than survived his absence in the regular season. After pummeling the free-falling Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Minnesota is 10-4 since Towns left the rotation with a meniscus injury. And evidence is starting to accumulate that suggests Naz Reid is more than up to the task of replacing his All-Star teammate. On the season, Minnesota is a very strong plus-8.7 points per 100 possessions when Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and KAT are all on the floor. The sample size is about half as big, but it’s plus-19.2 with Ant, Gobert and Reid.”

Related: Woj Drops Update on Timberwolves ‘Ownership War’ During Loaded NBA Countdown Segment

Sportsnaut

The Sportsnaut power rankings have Minnesota ranked 3rd.

Here’s what Sportsnaut is saying (Apr.6):

“.The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the best squads in the NBA all season long. While there was a lot of doubt about whether this group was for real after a red-hot start, they have maintained their strong play and done so with an outstanding defense. Anthony Edwards continues to grow into a top-five player in the league, but the big question for them will be if they can get Karl-Anthony Towns back before the playoffs and the impact he can make in the postseason.”

ESPN

The ESPN NBA power rankings have Minnesota ranked 4th

Here’s what ESPN is saying (Apr. 3):

“The Wolves have gone 9-4 since Karl-Anthony Towns has been sidelined with a knee injury. (He is set to be reevaluated next week.) Minnesota has leaned on its No. 1-ranked defense and emerging superstar Anthony Edwards as it looks to keep pace in the race for the top seed in the conference. The Wolves are now second in the West, half a game behind the Nuggets. With seven games remaining in the regular season, Minnesota has clinched a playoff berth directly after competing in the play-in the past two seasons. — Collier“

Related: Report: Marc Lore Eyeing Timberwolves Majority Stake & Making Moves in High-Up NBA Places

NBC

The NBC NBA power rankings have the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 3rd.

Here’s what NBC is saying (Apr. 3):

“Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to be back for a game or so before the playoffs start, which is huge — the Timberwolves need his floor spacing and shot creation in what will be a tough West postseason. However, he will not be back for the big showdown with Denver on Wednesday night, a game that could determine who gets the No. 1 seed in the West. Minnesota needs the No. 1 seed more than Denver — the Timberwolves are a young team that plays better at home.”

USA TODAY

The USA Today NBA power rankings have the Wolves ranked 5th.

Here’s what USA Today is saying (Apr.15):

“The Timberwolves aren’t a popular pick to make it out of the West. It’s understandable considering the team’s offensive struggles and the fact that nobody on this team has experience making a deep playoff run. But, man. That defensive is elite. And that travels extremely well in the playoffs.“

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