We’re back! The Olympic break is officially over and after a week of play, it’s time to take a look at the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and take stock of how the teams that are currently starting the playoffs are doing. The New York Liberty, as number one, have the team firmly under control and have only lost four games so far, so a playoff spot is already secured.
Elsewhere in the league, Minnesota is in the hunt for a Finals title in addition to the Commissioner Cup title. A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are vying to defend their title, while Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are on the rise.
Taking all of these possibilities into account, here are the power rankings for this week.
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12. Washington Mystics (6-22)
Last week: 9 | Coming soon: Seattle (26.8.), Chicago (28.8.)
The Mystics aren’t as bad as their record suggests. They’re a team with good passing and good shooting, but they can’t seem to win games. The team does have two pillars for the future, however: Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin.
It appears the Mystics are looking forward after trading sixth-place player of the year candidate Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx. Despite the difficult season, the Mystics could be in for a little lottery magic with the 2025 Paige Bueckers sweepstakes in progress.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (6-22)
Last week: 11 | Coming soon: Dallas (25.8.), New York (28.8.)
Although Dearica Hamby has slacked off a bit recently after her MVP-worthy start, the 3×3 bronze medalist is still one of the highlights of this unfortunate season.
The Sparks’ injury-plagued season has not been without its bright spots, as Rickea Jackson has shown she is ready for the moment. She has been a consistent bright spot for the hurting team, showcasing her impressive arsenal of scoring opportunities on a nightly basis. Jackson and Azurá Stevens have been the bright spots of the injured brigade, with Stevens earning a new contract extension for her inspired play.
10. Dallas Wings (6-22)
Last week: 10 | Coming soon: Los Angeles (25.8.), Las Vegas (27.8.)
The break should have been a welcome respite for the injured Dallas Wings. Only three of the team’s players have played in all of their games, and two of them are rookies Jacy Sheldon and Sevgi Uzun. So the time for rest and recovery should have been a blessing for the team. However, the team’s schedule is so full of top teams in the second half that it’s almost impossible to turn the season around, but at least the team can get some much-needed time on the court.
9. Chicago Sky (11-16)
Last week: 8 | Coming soon: Las Vegas (25.8.), Washington (28.8.)
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso form an impressive frontcourt, but the team’s lack of spacing could hurt Chicago’s playoff hopes, especially with Atlanta on the rise.
Trading Marina Mabrey for Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson should add shooting depth to the roster and give 2021 Rookies of the Year Michaela Onyenwere and Dana Evans more playing time, but restructuring the lineup and finding a new style of play this late in the season could be detrimental to the lineup.
8. Phoenix Mercury (15-14)
Last week: 5 | Coming soon: New York (26.8.), Minnesota (28.8.)
The Phoenix Mercury are experiencing ups and downs this week. Phoenix will be without Bec Allen, whose Olympic hopes were derailed by a hamstring injury. Allen has earned a reputation as a fierce defender and elite shooter, which is vital to the Mercury’s offense.
In her place, Phoenix brought in Monique Billings, who had just played for the Dallas Wings and added extra points and rebounds. Phoenix’s biggest need is defending the three-point line. Indiana’s duo of Clark and Kelsey Mitchell combined for 10 threes, while Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray sank seven in Atlanta’s win.
7. Seattle Storm (18-10)
Last week: 6 | Coming soon: Washington (26.8.), Atlanta (28.8.)
Seattle is still one of the best teams in the league, but has suffered rain lately after suffering two surprise losses to resurgent teams in Atlanta and Indiana. Although Seattle is loaded with offensive talent, the Storm really rely on their defense, led by DPOY candidate Ezi Magbegor, and soon they will sign the best defender of the 2024 Olympics in Gabby Williams. Williams helped lead the French team to a silver medal and will be an added force in the upcoming pre-playoff battle.
6. Indiana Fever (13-15)
Last week: 7 | Coming soon: Minnesota (24.8.), Atlanta (26.8.), Connecticut (28.8.)
Taking an extended break from basketball for the first time since the NCAA championship game in March, Clark has returned with renewed energy to lead this red-hot Fever team. After a disappointing start to the season, Indiana has come a long way and secured a solid spot in the playoff race.
The team has come back from the break with more continuity and all the confidence in the world, which is a big factor for a young team. Lexie Hull had her breakout game against the Seattle Storm, sinking six three-pointers and playing strong defense against one of the league’s best offenses. Indiana has a surprising amount of depth on the team and effectively utilizing that talent along with Clark could unlock new elements in the future.
5. Atlanta Dreams (10-17)
Last week: 12 | Coming soon: Indiana (26.8.), Seattle (28.8.)
Few teams needed this Olympic break more than the Atlanta Dream. Howard returned from injury to help Team USA win bronze in 3×3 basketball. The 2022 Rookie of the Year made an immediate impact upon her return to the W, scoring 30 points for the Seattle Storm.
However, it’s not just Howard who has made the Dream a nightmare for other teams. Jordin Canada’s return has brought a new facet to the team, adding a fierce defense and punching power. Gray and the second-leading scorer in WNBA history, Tina Charles, are stable forces for the team that has suddenly revived its playoff hopes with three straight wins against top talent.
4. Las Vegas Aces (17-10)
Last week: 2 | Coming soon: Chicago (25.8.), Dallas (27.8.)
Wilson is a supernova. The superstar continues to add to her already packed resume, which includes Olympic MVP and NBA2K cover star, but her team will need to add more wins if the Aces want to make it three in a row this year. Despite stellar performances from Wilson on both ends, the Aces fell to the Liberty and Lynx, two teams they must defeat on their way to their third championship in as many years. Lately, the Aces have been plagued by poor scoring from the trio of Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, who just returned from the Olympics.
3. Connecticut Sun (20-7)
Last week: 4 | Coming soon: New York (24.8.), Indiana (28.8.)
It looks like the Mabrey trade paid off for the Connecticut Sun. Not only did the Mabrey signing give the team an additional shooting element, it also opened up the game for other players. The threat of getting around Alyssa Thomas’ virtuoso passing skills forces teams to use their venom against a team that features one of the league’s best scorers in DeWanna Bonner and an even more rejuvenated Bri Jones.
2. Minnesota Lynx (20-8)
Last week: 3 | Coming soon: Indiana (24.8.), Phoenix (28.8.)
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is looking to win all the awards this season. She led the Lynx to their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup title, coached Team USA to gold and is now on the hunt for a fifth title.
The Lynx have come back from the break with a bang, posting three convincing post-pause wins, including a victory over the reigning champion Aces, and have continued their rise to the top by combining the league’s best passing with elite three-point shooting.
1. New York Liberty (25-4)
Last week: 1 | Coming soon: Connecticut (24.8.), Phoenix (26.8.), Los Angeles (28.8.)
The Liberty had the best start in franchise history before the Olympic break and picked up right where they left off. 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart has led the Liberty to an 8-game winning streak, including two wins over Connecticut and one over Las Vegas.
The Liberty rank in the top five in every statistical category except blocks per game. This team has virtually no weaknesses as they can score efficiently and from anywhere on the court, as evidenced by their league-leading three-point shooting, led by Sabrina Ionescu, who has knocked down more than any other player in the W.
The foam green team is the first team to secure a place in the playoffs and now seems well prepared to make up for the defeat in last year’s final.
