WNBA Power Rankings: A reason for optimism for every team
WNBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're casting aside cynicism and taking a positive approach by identifying one reason for optimism for each of the league's 13 teams.
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ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GSV | IND | LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHX | SEA | WSH
1. Minnesota Lynx (17-2)
Previous: 1
Historic dominance: There are plenty of reasons for optimism in Minnesota. Among them is a plus-11.1 point differential on the season that puts the Lynx in a rarified class: Only six other teams in WNBA history have posted a double-digit point differential, and all six of them went on to win the title that year.
2. Phoenix Mercury (13-6)
Previous: 2
The Big Three's limited court time: Injuries have kept Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper from playing simultaneously. Still, the Mercury have established themselves as title contenders, and the chemistry between their star trio is only going to grow as the season progresses.
3. Seattle Storm (12-7)
Previous: 5
Superstar trio: The Storm are threatening the WNBA's elite this season, and All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams have been a three-headed monster on offense. They're the league's highest-scoring trio (48.9 points per game) with 10 or more games played together.
4. New York Liberty (13-6)
Previous: 3
Jonquel Jones' return: New York has cooled after rattling off nine straight wins to begin the season. The Liberty's interior defense has struggled without the reigning Finals MVP patrolling the paint. Jones' eventual return to the lineup should point the club back in the right direction.
5. Atlanta Dream (12-7)
Previous: 4
Karl Smesko's offense: The first-year head coach has transformed Atlanta into one of the league's most explosive offenses. Smesko's emphasis on 3-pointers has been at the core of the team's turnaround and helped Allisha Gray earn her first All-Star starting nod. The Dream have managed to light up the scoreboard despite being inefficient from beyond the arc.
6. Golden State Valkyries (9-9)
Previous: 6
Uncharted waters: The Valkyries now have nine victories on the campaign, which ties or surpasses all other expansion teams this century, and their .500 win percentage could challenge the 1998 Dallas Wings (.567) for the best expansion season in league history. Few could have foreseen this.
7. Indiana Fever (9-9)
Previous: 7
Fever's resilience: Caitlin Clark has been sidelined for extended portions of the season, while DeWanna Bonner's exit was an unwanted distraction. The Fever persevered through the adversity to upset the Lynx in the Commissioner's Cup final and dismantle the Aces. Multiple players stepped up in Clark's absence, and that'll help the team in the long run.
8. Las Vegas Aces (9-9)
Previous: 8
A'ja Wilson exists: The Aces have underwhelmed, prompting coach Becky Hammon to characterize a recent loss to the Fever as "trash," but on the bright side, Wilson is playing at an elite level. The three-time MVP is second in the league in scoring (20.7) and rebounds (8.7) and leads all players with 2.4 blocks per game. Now, we await the results of the MRI on a wrist injury suffered in Tuesday's loss to the Liberty.
9. Washington Mystics (9-10)
Previous: 9
Youth movement: Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have started since opening night and are taking significant roles in the Mystics' hunt for a surprising playoff berth. Citron has been a dependable 3-and-D option, while Iriafen is already among the league's top offensive rebounders. They're just the second pair of rookie teammates to be selected as All-Stars.
10. Dallas Wings (6-14)
Previous: 11
Paige Bueckers: Whether or not Dallas sneaks into the postseason, the franchise can rest easy knowing that Bueckers is part of the big picture. The UConn product has been everything the Wings could ask for, earning an All-Star starting nod in her debut campaign. Bueckers is a mid-range assassin, elite playmaker, and intelligent defender. She's got a great feel for the game and shows poise beyond her years.
11. Los Angeles Sparks (6-13)
Previous: 12
Cameron Brink's return: The Sparks have been one of the league's biggest letdowns, and Brink's long-term absence due to a torn ACL and meniscus hasn't helped. But there could be good news on the horizon - head coach Lynne Roberts recently said Brink will be back "sooner rather than later."
12. Chicago Sky (5-13)
Previous: 10
Angel Reese is a walking double-double: This has largely been a lost season for the Sky, but Reese is averaging 17.8 points and 17 boards across her last six outings and leads the league with 12.9 rebounds, 4.2 more than the closest player. She now has 37 double-doubles in 51 career games.
13. Connecticut Sun (2-16)
Previous: 13
Rookie contributions: There's no escaping the fact that the Sun are dreadful. A current 10-game losing streak and comical record confirms as much, but in Marina Mabrey's injury absence, the team has gotten improved contributions from 2025 top-10 picks Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers. Small victories.