WNBA Weekly Power Rankings Edition #4

Welcome back to The Female Playbook’s WNBA Power rankings. This is edition 4 and is based on games from August 11th to 17th. Scroll to see where things lie this week!

1. Minnesota Lynx (28-5)

Last Week: 1

The undisputed top dogs at 28-5, the Lynx continue to dominate the entire league. Their clutch 86-80 victory over the New York Liberty featured key contributions from Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams with Naphessa Collier out. The Lynx now have a commanding 3-0 record over the Liberty, in games where both the team’s stars were out. The Lynx have also clinched a playoff berth.

Next Game: August 19th at 7:00pm (Eastern Time – all times listed below are in ET) @ New York Liberty

2. Atlanta Dream (22-12)

Last Week: 2

Surpassing the Liberty as the top dog in the Eastern Conference, the Dream now sit 6.5 games behind the Lynx with 10 games left for the Dream. Nevertheless, the Dream have continued to surpass expectations and thrive in the underdog spot. 

Next Game: August 19th at 10:00pm @ Las Vegas Aces

3. Las Vegas Aces (21-14)

Last Week: 7

Rising from midpack into serious contender, the Aces are surging with a seven game win streak, powered by MVP-level play from A’Ja Wilson. The Aces are currently five in the WNBA standings, but their actual strength as a team is top three in the league.

Next Game: August 19th at 10:00pm vs. Atlanta Dream

4. New York Liberty (21-13)

Last Week: 2

At 21-13 the Liberty have slipped to fourth in my power rankings after losing twice in a row. Breanna Stewart’s absence is really showing for this Liberty core, but good news should hopefully be coming soon as Stewart says that returning to the court by her 31st birthday on August 27th is a non-negotiable.

Next Game: August 19th at 7:00pm vs. Minnesota Lynx

5. Phoenix Mercury (20-13)

Last Week: 5

A team that was once the top dog in my power rankings stays at number 5 for a second consecutive edition. A steady win over the Storm after a loss to the Aces keeps the Mercury from slipping any farther, but the Mercury are very close to falling in the actual WNBA standings to a red-hot Las Vegas Aces team.

Next Game: August 19th at 10:00pm @ Golden State Valkyries

6. Indiana Fever (19-16)

Last Week: 4

Kelsey Mitchell for MVP?! Mitchell had a career-high 38 points in an overtime victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday and helped snap a two game losing streak for the Fever. But, the absence of Caitlin Clark is notable, especially amidst the other injuries for the Fever with Aari McDonald, Syd Colson, and now Sophie Cunningham. This Fever team has the potential to be true contenders, but it’s contingent on them gaining their full strength back.

Next Game: August 22nd at 7:30pm vs. Minnesota Lynx

7. Golden State Valkyries (18-16)

Last Week: 10

The Valkyries had looked weak without star Kayla Thornton, but are now starting to climb back, aiming to hold on to their playoff spot. With their 18 wins on the season, the Valkyries set a record for the most amount of wins by an expansion team in their first season.

Next Game: August 19th at 10:00pm vs. Phoenix Mercury

8. Los Angeles Sparks (16-18)

Last Week: 8

Wow, the Los Angeles Sparks have truly been on fire. They have risen the ranks from being one of the worst teams in the league to on the brink of a playoff spot, all in the course of one season. As I said, the Sparks are currently in a three headed battle with the Mystics and Storm for the number 8th playoff spot. For them to secure one, this final stretch has to be spotless.

Next Game: August 20th at 10:00pm vs. Dallas Wings

9. Washington Mystics (16-18)

Last Week: 9

If people had said at the beginning of the season that Sonia Citron may be Rookie of the Year, I am not sure many would believe you. However, Citron is now a top contender, alongside Paige Bueckers, for the coveted title after having star performance after star performance. Her games have helped keep this Mystics team alive in this playoff race.

Next Game: August 19th at 7:30pm vs. Connecticut Sun

10. Seattle Storm (17-18)

Last Week: 6

The Storm have been the opposite of the Mystics and Sparks, continuing to plummet in the standings and, as a result, these power rankings. The Storm have gone 1-7 in their last 8 games. 

Next Game: August 19th at 8:00pm @ Chicago Sky

11. Dallas Wings (9-26)

Last Week: 11

The Wings won against the Fever on Tuesday but fell to the Sparks on Friday in a close one-point loss and then got blown out of the water by the Aces on Sunday, who beat them by 19 points.

Next Game: August 20th at 10:00pm @ Los Angeles Sparks

12. Connecticut Sun (6-27)

Last Week: 13

For the first time this season, the Sun are not at the bottom of these power rankings. After beating the Sky on Wednesday and bringing the Fever to overtime on Sunday (yes, almost victories do hold some weight in power rankings), the Sun earned a 12th spot this week.

Next Game: August 19th at 7:30pm @ Washington Mystics

13. Chicago Sky (8-25)

Last Week: 12

The Sky are on a four game losing streak, the largest in the league. To be fair to them, it is hard to win games when some of your best players are out – Angel Reese and Courtney Vandersloot.

Next Game: August 19th at 8:00pm vs. Seattle Storm