WNBA Weekly Power Rankings Edition #3

Welcome to the third edition of The Female Playbook’s WNBA Weekly Power Rankings. This week’s power rankings will take into account games that occurred from July 14th-July 28th since there was no power ranking last week. With that said, keep reading to see who fares where!

1. Minnesota Lynx (22-5)

Last Week: 2

Despite a loss against the Atlanta Dream last night, the Lynx still hold the top spot. A loss against a tough and competitive team was to be expected for the Lynx who have been relatively flawless this season. The Lynx continuously have multiple players scoring double figures and continue to show their immense talent on both offense and defense. What truly gives them the edge over the New York Liberty, who also only had one loss in this recent stretch, is the fact that the Lynx’s loss came to one of the top teams in the league while the Liberty’s loss was against one of the worst.

Next Game: July 30th at 8:00pm (Eastern Time – all times listed below are in ET) vs. New York Liberty

2. New York Liberty (17-7)

Last Week: 3

Jonquel Jones is back and the Liberty, as expected, looks better than ever. However, a Breanna Stewart possible leg injury may set things back to the Liberty who had just returned to almost full power. Stewart’s quick exit in Saturday’s game against the Sparks ultimately led to the Liberty’s loss after a Rickea Jackson game winner. Without Stewart, it looks like a muddy and difficult path ahead once again for the Liberty. 

Next Game: July 28th at 8:00pm @ Dallas Wings

3. Atlanta Dream (15-10)

Last Week: 5

To me, the Dream are one of the most overlooked teams in the league. Over this recent stretch, Atlanta beat both Phoenix and Minnesota, teams that are consistently ranked in the top 3 or 5 in the league. In yesterday’s game against the Lynx, Brittany Griner had 22 points and Jordin Canada has 18 and in their July 23rd matchup against the Mercury, Allisha Gray showed up with 28 points, demonstrating the talent across the board for the Dream. Don’t sleep on this Dream team (little play on words there)!

Next Game: July 29th at 7:30pm vs. Golden State Valkyries 

4. Indiana Fever (14-12)

Last Week: 4

The Fever faced back to back losses against the Liberty, but recouped with wins against the Aces and Sky. In the win against the Sky, Kelsey Mitchell scored an outstanding 35 points, continuing to shine and fill the hole Clark left with her injury. However, for the Fever to be in championship contention they need both Clark and Mitchell as well as Boston on the floor, the dynamic trio, and continue to receive support from the other teammates. This Fever team, when healthy, is certainly one of the best teams in the league. But, there still remains no current timetable for Clark’s return.

Next Game: July 30th at 7:00pm vs. Phoenix Mercury

5. Phoenix Mercury (16-9)

Last Week: 1

The Mercury have had a tough stretch, facing the Lynx, Dream, and Liberty, the top teams, in my opinion, in the league. However, because of their losses, the Mercury have shown that currently, they aren’t the top dog. Although the Mercury recouped with a 88-72 victory over the Mystics, their recent performances feel like a step back from earlier in the season. Perhaps its because now, we have higher expectations. 

Next Game: July 30th at 7:00pm @ Indiana Fever

6. Seattle Storm (16-11)

Last Week: 6

The Seattle Storm is another example of a team that started mighty that has now recently slummed. The Storm, while beating the Sky and Valkyries, fell to the Wings and Mystics, both teams that have lower records than them and are worse. The Storm have the weapons and pieces of the puzzle to win, but now they really have to piece it together if they want to hold on to their playoff spot and be championship contenders.

Next Game: July 28th at 7:00pm @ Connecticut Sun

7. Las Vegas Aces (13-13)

Last Week: 8

Strong showings by the Aces against the Dream and Wings boosted them one spot in my power rankings, despite them losing to the Lynx and Fever. Perhaps Jewell Lloyd getting bumped from her starting position was just the fire she needed to have a huge performance – Lloyd scored 20 points in 19 minutes against the Wings yesterday.

Next Game: July 29th at 10:00pm @ Los Angeles Sparks

8. Los Angeles Sparks (11-14)

Last Week: 11

The Los Angeles Sparks have been one of the only teams who have outperformed their pre-All Star break selves. The Sparks did not have an easy stretch – they faced the Mystics, the Sun, and the Liberty. Guess what, they won every single one of those games. The Sparks look the best they have this season and with Cameron Brink back in action for tomorrow’s game against the Aces, the Sparks are in the perfect position to make a late run and secure a playoff spot. 

Next Game: July 29th at 10:00pm vs. Las Vegas Aces

9. Washington Mystics (12-13)

Last Week: 7

The Mystics have just been bouncing back and forth between the 7th and 9th spot in this power ranking. The Mystics had a pretty rough stretch, only securing a win against the Storm. They fell to the Sparks and the Mercury. Brittney Sykes had a pretty rough game against the Mercury, scoring 0 points in her 26 minutes of playing. 

Next Game: July 29th at 7:30pm vs. Chicago Sky

10. Golden State Valkyries (11-13)

Last Week: 9

The Valkyries have had a rough stretch, falling to the Mercury, Storm, and Sun. The Valks also got devastating news that their star player Kayla Thornton will undergo knee surgery and be out for the remainder of the season. The Valks' chance of being the first expansion team in its first season to make the playoffs now seem a bit more like a fairytale than a tangible reality. 

Next Game: July 29th at 7:30pm @ Atlanta Dream

11. Dallas Wings (7-19)

Last Week: 12

The Wings have stayed pretty consistent in the sense that they have continued to remain a bottom bunker team. Their one bright spot came in a win against the Storm by 24 points – but other than that it has been blowout loss after blowout loss. To me, the key to the Wings’ future success is firing their coach Chris Koclanes. They have all the key players to be a championship contender team – now they need a strong coach to string those pieces together.

Next Game: July 28th at 8:00pm vs. New York Liberty

12. Chicago Sky (7-18)

Last Week: 10

The Sky faced another blowout loss against Indiana after losing at home by 15 points yesterday. But, to be fair, the Sky have been cursed with injury after injury. Some notable names include Ariel Atkins, Courtney Vandersloot, and Angel Reese. But, simultaneously, when the Sky were healthy early in the season, they weren’t exactly a championship team. I guess firing Tersea Weatherspoon might not have been the solution the Sky organization had hoped for. 

Next Game: July 29th at 7:30pm @ Washington Mystics

13. Connecticut Sun (4-21)

Last Week: 13

Another bottom spot secured for the Connecticut Sun. Now, the Sun haven’t had the worst week because they did have a 31 point win over the Valkyries. But, they also faced several 20+ point losses in the same stretch as well. Oh well, better luck next year.

Next Game: August 1st at 7:30pm vs. New York Liberty