NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

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Previous: 24th. Minnesota Timberwolves. 25. team. 86. . 17-44

Last Week: Lost to LA Clippers 124-105, Beat Sacramento Kings 134-120, Lost to Sacramento Kings 128-125, Beat Utah Jazz 101-96

This Week: 4/26 vs. Utah Jazz, 4/27 at Houston Rockets, 4/29 vs. Golden State Warriors, 5/1 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Minnesota Timberwolves are showing signs of the team they hoped to be now that most of their team is sharing the court. Malik Beasley remains out of the lineup, but when Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns play together, they are a .500 team. Given that the Wolves have made one playoff appearance in 17 seasons, this is significant progress.

Bringing Russell off the bench since his return has worked well and the star is taking to it nicely. In the 11 games since his return, he is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. He has become the third option the Timberwolves need to make progress under their new head coach and the top two options have been better for it.

Anthony Edwards has been maligned by some for being more highlight than effective. Since the return of Russell he is shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from distance. He is becoming a better prospect in front of fans’ eyes and is becoming more worthy of being selected first overall. Towns is still the number one option on the team (25.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game since Russell’s return) but being pushed for that honor is a good thing for the Timberwolves’ future.