WNBA Power Rankings: New York Liberty Shining, Lynx Lose First Game

This week in the WNBA saw the return of Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, who went off for 35 points in her return to the lineup in a loss to the rising Phoenix Mercury. Elsewhere, the Seattle Storm is raining out elite teams, the Minnesota Lynx took their first loss of the season, while the New York Liberty are still holding the torch high. A’ja Wilson and the Aces are shuffling through their hand for new options while the Indiana Fever steady the fort in Caitlin Clark’s absence.

But narratives are one thing; performance on the hardwood is what counts in the standings.

So here’s where all 13 teams stand on this week’s power rankings.

13. Dallas Wings (1-10)

Last Week: 12 | LVA (6/13), GSV (6/17), CON (6/20)

In good news, star point guard Paige Bueckers returned to the lineup for the Dallas Wings and dropped 35 points in her return against the Phoenix Mercury.

That might be the only positive, though, as the losers of six straight, the Wings are not only losing games but losing players, as well. Centers Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder will be away from the team for a month with FIBA obligations for Turkey and Germany, respectively.

12. Chicago Sky (2-6)

Last Week: 9 | Upcoming: ATL (6/13), CON (6/15), WAS (6/17)

The Chicago Sky are having a rough start to the season. The team is near the bottom in points per game and opponents’ points per game, meaning they’re struggling on both ends of the court. Making the forecast go from gloomy to outright tempestuous is the massive loss of Courtney Vandersloot, who went down with a season-ending ACL tear.

11. Connecticut Sun (2-7)

Last Week: 13 | Upcoming: CHI (6/15), IND (6/17), PHX (6/18)

Following a historic loss against the New York Liberty, Connecticut took down the superpowered Atlanta Dream but followed that up with another massive loss to the similarly rebuilding Washington Mystics. This Sun team is simply deficient on both ends of the floor and ranks last in points, rebounds and assists per game.

10. Las Vegas Aces (4-4)

Last Week: 5 | Upcoming: DAL (6/13), PHX (6/15), MINX (6/17)

The Las Vegas Aces are already shuffling the cards to see what they can draw. After a blowout loss to the fledgling Valkyries, coach Becky Hammon confirmed that Jewell Loyd discussed coming off the bench as she struggles offensively while adjusting to her role.

A’ja Wilson continues her Herculean streak of basketball, but she needs the rest of the squad to step up for nights like her 2-of-12 struggles against the Sparks.

9. Los Angeles Sparks (4-7)

Last Week: 10 | Upcoming: MIN (6/14), SEA (6/17)

Though the L.A. Sparks might be one of the bottom teams in the league in terms of rebounding, they rebounded from the loss against the Valkyries pretty well.

The Sparks held reigning MVP A’ja Wilson to just 13 points while the newly returned Rickea Jackson torched the Aces for 30 points. Jackson’s development could be a major factor in this team’s trajectory going forward, especially with teams already having to worry about Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby.

8. Washington Mystics (4-6)

Last week: 8 | Upcoming: ATL (6/15), CHI (6/17), ATL (6/20)

The Mystics’ paint attack is the most fearsome in the league. Brittney Sykes is a relentless attacker and rookie Kiki Iriafen is prolific on the boards. Their status as one of the top rebounding teams in the league was on full display in their 104-67 victory against Connecticut, where the Mystics’ bench outrebounded Connecticut 27-5.

7. Indiana Fever (4-5)

Last Week: 7 | Upcoming: NYL (6/14), CON (6/17), GSV (6/19)

Thanks to the team’s newfound depth, the Indiana Fever continue to fight even without Sophie Cunningham and superstar Caitlin Clark in the lineup due to injury. A wealth of scoring options at all spots on the court make Indiana formidable no matter who takes the floor. Kelsey Mitchell is a dynamic scorer and earned Eastern Conference player of the week for leading the team to two victories.

6. Golden State Valkyries (4-5)

Last Week: 11 | Upcoming: SEA (6/14) DAL (6/17) IND (6/19)

The Valkyries lean on their rebounding skills to score in transition. In their dominant win against the Aces, the Valkyries held double-double machine and one of the league’s best rebounders, A’ja Wilson, to only six boards. Golden State’s intensity on the glass also helped secure the win against the Sparks in an overtime contest.

5. Atlanta Dream (6-3)

Last Week: 3 | Upcoming: CHI (6/13), WAS (6/15), NYL (6/17)

Atlanta has quickly jumped out to be one of the league’s most elite teams. Their two-way prowess makes them one of the more frustrating teams since they lead the league in rebounds and rank near the top in assists. They’re limiting opponents’ second chances while having one of the league’s top-scoring starting lineups.

Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are adept scorers and lockdown defenders, creating havoc on both ends of the court.

4. Phoenix Mercury (7-4)

Last Week: 4 | Upcoming: LVA (6/15), CON (6/18), NYL (6/19)

Things are heating up in Arizona.

The Phoenix Mercury have tied the second-best start in their storied history, immediately after hitting the refresh button. The duo of Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally has been fearsome and fiery. Elsewhere, breakout rookies Lexi Held and Kathryn Westbeld have contributed immensely with their laser three-point shooting.

3. Minnesota Lynx (9-1)

Last Week: 2 | Upcoming: LAS (6/14), LVA (6/17)

Minnesota becomes the first of the two unbeaten teams to have their unblemished record tainted. The Lynx suffered a shocking upset against the surging Seattle Storm, who are out to prove themselves as one of the top teams.

Even with a loss, though, it is hard to bet against Napheesa Collier and the Lynx.

2. Seattle Storm (6-4)

Last Week: 5 | Upcoming: GSV (6/14), LAS (6/17)

The Seattle Storm came to rain on everyone’s parade this week with massive wins against the Mercury and Lynx.

The entire Storm starting lineup brought the thunder, with all five starters scoring in double figures. The Storm are a methodical midrange team that does a lot of damage inside of the arc, but when they do take the three-ball, they’re also one of the most accurate in the league, resulting in a pick your poison situation.

1. New York Liberty (9-0)

Last Week: 1 | Upcoming: IND (6/14), ATL (6/17), PHX (6/19)

The New York Liberty continue to blaze the path. Even with Jonquel Jones injured, the Liberty were able to get through the Chicago Sky with little resistance.

Their depth and deft shooting were key factors in their 2024 championship and the Liberty have kept it up as one of the best shooting teams in the league behind Kennedy Burke’s unbelievable 63 percent shooting from beyond the arc. New York will need that depth to shine as Leonie Fiebich joins Germany for FIBA over the next month.