NBA Week 4 Power Rankings: Cavs stumble, Jazz soar
86. . 5-8. Previous: 12th. Minnesota Timberwolves. 25. team
Just narrowly losing to Charlotte Hornets for “biggest fallers” in this week’s power rankings, the Minnesota Timberwolves went from a wobbly start to a worrying trend. The fit between Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns is slow-developing, but even worse is that the personalities on this team seem to be clashing in major ways and the dysfunction is spilling onto the court. Head coach Chris Finch has to find a way to reach his players and get them bought in, because they clearly are not right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder. 24. team. 149. . 5-7. Previous: 20th
The Oklahoma City Thunder are stocked with young players throughout their rotation, are without the No. 2 pick in Chet Holmgren, and are still fielding an average defense this season. That has allowed them to hang in a number of games, especially as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander punches his ticket for the All-Star Game this year. They will likely fade a bit later in the season, but right now they are hanging tough with nearly everyone they play.
142. . 7-6. Previous: 22nd. Washington Wizards. 23. team
Trying to get a read on the Washington Wizards is a bit of a tricky proposition, as just when you think they are showing their true colors as a lottery team (1-5 stretch) they follow it up by winning three straight, two against strong competition. Kristaps Porzingis looks fully healthy and Kyle Kuzma is balling out. Can they push for a playoff spot?
77. . 7-6. Previous: 24th. Los Angeles Clippers. 22. team
It’s been a bit of a topsy-turvy season for the LA Clippers. They have played one of the league’s easiest schedules and came out just 7-6 with a -3.3 net rating. Of those seven wins, five came against teams we’ve already listed in these rankings. If Kawhi Leonard is simply done, this supposedly deep team may struggle just to make the play-in tournament. Paul George has been excellent; his supporting cast has not.
. 6-6. Previous: 17th. New York Knicks. 21. team. 27
The New York Knicks have been fine. They are .500 through 12 games, with a decently difficult schedule and a slightly negative point differential. Their main guys have alternated big games but no one has been consistent enough to lead this team to anything more. Head coach Tom Thibodeau will need to continue playing with his rotations to find lineups that work. Cam Reddish looks on track to be an NBA player again, which is fun.