That Rudy Gobert trade doesn’t look so bad now, does it?
The Minnesota Timberwolves own the best record in the Western Conference at 19-5 and the No. 1 defense, allowing 106.6 points per 100 possessions – and those victories include triumphs over some of the league’s top teams: Denver, Boston, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Dallas.
Anthony Edwards is a two-way star (24.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game), Karl-Anthony Towns is having one of his best all-around seasons (22.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 51.6% from the field, 43% on 3-pointers) and Rudy Gobert (12.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game) helps anchor a defense on a deep roster that includes Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Troy Brown Jr.
In July 2022, new Timberwolves president Tim Connelly gave Utah four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) plus 2022 first-rounder Walker Kessler and a 2026 first-round pick swap for Gobert.
The Timberwolves were 16-21 as 2022 turned to 2023. Minnesota made the play-in tournament with a 42-40 record and advanced to the playoffs where it lost to Denver in the first round.
The Timberwolves are off to the best start in franchise history, and while winning a playoff series for the first time since 2004 is necessary, they are playing like a team with bigger goals under fourth-year coach Chris Finch.
USA TODAY NBA power rankings
1. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-5)
The Timberwolves have nine victories by at least 15 points through 24 games – that’s three more than they had in 82 games last season.
Previous ranking: 2
2. Boston Celtics (20-5)
Per 36 minutes, reserve Sam Hauser averages 15.1 points and he’s shooting 45.8% on 3s, giving the Celtics’ depth a boost.
Previous ranking: 1
3. Milwaukee Bucks (19-7)
The Bucks are winning games but this isn’t the best version possible – not with a defense that is ranked No. 22.
Previous ranking: 5
4. Philadelphia 76ers (18-7)
The Sixers have the No. 2 offense, No. 7 defense, No. 1 net rating and have won six consecutive games – albeit against teams with losing records.
Previous ranking: 10
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (16-8)
Rookie guard Cason Wallace is shooting 58.4% from the field and 52% on 3s – part of a deep team that is No. 7 offensively, No. 5 defensively and No. 3 in net rating.
Previous ranking: 4
6. Dallas Mavericks (16-9)
The Mavs lead the league made 3s per game (15.9) as Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kyrie Irving and Grant Williams all average at least two 3s. Derrick Jones is right behind at 1.6 3s per game.
Previous ranking: 11
7. Denver Nuggets (17-10)
Since returning from a right hamstring strain, Jamal Murray is averaging 20.8 points and 6.1 assists and shooting 51.3% from the field and 40% on 3-pointers in his past five games.
Previous ranking: 6
8. Orlando Magic (16-9)
Last season’s rookie of the year, Paolo Banchero, is shooting better from the field and 3-point range than he did in 2022-23 − 48.1% (up from 42.7%) and 38.2% (up from 29.8%), respectively.
Previous ranking: 3
9. Los Angeles Clippers (15-10)
Small sample size, but the Clippers have won seven consecutive games, combining top-rate offense and defense.
Previous ranking: 19
10. Sacramento Kings (15-9)
In the two games leading up to Saturday’s game against Utah, Keegan Murray had missed seven consecutive 3-pointers. Against the Jazz, he made 12-of-15 3-pointers and had 47 points.
Previous ranking: 9
11. New Orleans Pelicans (16-11)
Jonas Valanciunas doesn’t get enough credit for what he does: 14.6 points (on 57% shooting) and 9.7 rebounds per game with 14 double-doubles, including 15 points, 15 rebounds, one block and one steal in 23 minutes against San Antonio on Sunday.
Previous ranking: 13
12. Los Angeles Lakers (15-11)
The Lakers moved Austin Reaves to a reserve (though he still plays starter’s minutes), and they are 12-4 with him off the bench.
Previous ranking: 12
13. Houston Rockets (13-10)
No. 2 defensively after allowing 107.4 points per 100 possessions, including 98.8 in their past five games, the Rockets are also No. 3 in defensive rebounding percentage, No. 1 in 3-point percentage allowed (.312) and No. 2 in field goal percentage allowed (43.5%).
Previous ranking: 17
14. Miami Heat (15-11)
The Heat lead the league in 3-point shooting percentage and have made 40.7% of their threes in the past six games.
Previous ranking: 18
15. New York Knicks (14-11)
Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 50 points in Friday’s victory against Phoenix. He made all nine 3s he attempted and also had nine assists, six rebounds and five steals.
Previous ranking: 7
16. Indiana Pacers (13-11)
The Pacers are a treat to watch offensively (No. 1 in the league) and difficult to watch defensively (No. 28).
Previous ranking: 16
17. Phoenix Suns (14-12)
Three victories in their past nine games plus another injury to Bradley Beal (sprained right ankle) put the brakes on an 11-6 start.
Previous ranking: 8
18. Brooklyn Nets (13-12)
Mikal Bridges continues his clutch production, averaging 5.1 points (No. 3 in the NBA) and shooting 54.8% from the field (No. 5) in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtimes when the game is within five points.
Previous ranking: 15
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-12)
Donovan Mitchell is averaging a career-high in steals per game (1.9) and has at least one steal in 21 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak.
Previous ranking: 14
20. Golden State Warriors (12-14)
Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis, the No. 57 overall pick in the second round, scored a career-high 14 points, had eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block as Golden State ended a seven-game road losing streak with a 118-114 victory against Portland on Sunday.
Previous ranking: 20
21. Chicago Bulls (10-17)
The Bulls are No. 8 in steals per game (8.1) and are No. 3 in points scored off turnovers per game (18.7).
Previous ranking: 25
22. Toronto Raptors (10-15)
Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes each average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists – just one of two pairs of teammates posting those stats.
Previous ranking: 22
23. Utah Jazz (9-17)
The Jazz are No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (13.7) – led by Walker Kessler’s 3.1, John Collins’ 2.7 and Lauri Markkanen’s 2.2 offensive boards per game. The Jazz are also No. 1 in second-chance points per game (17.0)
Previous ranking: 23
24. Atlanta Hawks (10-15)
Since starting 8-7, the Hawks have won just two of their past 10 games.
Previous ranking: 21
25. Charlotte Hornets (7-17)
Miles Bridges was a minus-56 while on the court in Charlotte’s 135-82 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. It was the second-worst plus-minus in a game since the league officially began tracking the stat in 2007-08.
Previous ranking: 27
26. Memphis Grizzlies (6-18)
The Grizzlies get Ja Morant back from his 25-game suspension this week, but they can’t expect him to be the savior right away.
Previous ranking: 26
27. Portland Trail Blazers (6-19)
With his first career double-double (23 points, 10 assists), against Utah on Thursday, Scoot Henderson became the first rookie this season to have at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game.
Previous ranking: 24
28. Washington Wizards (4-21)
The Wizards are No. 2 in points in the paint at 56.3 per game.
Previous ranking: 28
29. San Antonio Spurs (4-21)
The Spurs ended an 18-game losing streak with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James.
Previous ranking: 29
30. Detroit Pistons (2-24)
The Pistons have lost a franchise-record 23 consecutive games and are close to tying the league record of consecutive losses in a season at 26 (Philadelphia 76ers, 2013-14).
Previous ranking: 30
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
