2012 NBA power rankings: Injured Timberwolves continue to rise

The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to rise in various NBA power rankings as their players continue to fall. Minnesota is 5-2 without Kevin Love or Ricky Rubio and now have lost Chase Budinger temporarily to a torn meniscus as well, but role player continue to step up and play well.

In Seth Rosenthal's power rankings at SB Nation, the Timberwolves come in at No. 11. Rosenthal makes light of the Wolves injury situation:

There are no Timberwolves left. Rick Adelman's starting lineup for Minnesota's next game is a wheelbarrow, a desk lamp, two turnips and Andrei Kirilenko. They'll all score in double figures.

In Marc Stein's power rankings at ESPN, the Timberwolves come in at No. 17, considerably lower than their SB Nation ranking, but still up seven spots from where they were in ESPN's rankings last week. Minnesota took a huge leap in John Schuhmann's rankings at NBA.com, climbing from No. 24 last week to No. 11. Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk has the Timberwolves at No. 13.

Matt Moore of CBS Sports gives Minnesota the highest overall ranking at No. 7. Overall that gives the Timberwolves an average ranking of 11.8.