The Sky is Falling as the Liberty Soar: WNBA Power Rankings

The undefeated New York team is having one of the best seasons in franchise history, off to an 8-0 start. The star power, bench depth, and league-leading stats across the board have separated them from the pack.

They lead the league in point differential, which is due in part to their recent 48-point win over the Connecticut Sun. And while they rank just 13th in strength of schedule so far, there’s no mistaking that the Liberty are looking formidable amid their quest to become back-to-back champions.  

2. Minnesota Lynx

One of two unbeaten teams in the league, the Lynx are playing some of the best basketball in the WNBA right now. This was noted by ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, who also noted their strength of schedule played is twelfth. Led by superstar Napheesa Collier, the Lynx sit at No. 2 in defensive, offensive, and net rating. They curiously sit dead last in pace, though, which is an area they'll want to pick up before facing off against the Liberty on July 30.

3. Atlanta Dream

Head coach Karl Smesko’s new 3-point-heavy system is clicking, with Allisha Gray leading the way. The team comes in second in points per game, and the addition of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones makes for a force in the paint. Despite an unexpected loss to the Sun recently, Atlanta appropriately sits at No. 3 based on their body of work so far.

4. Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix has been grinding out the wins despite stars Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper being out with injury for a stretch of games. With a healthy Satou Sabally and rising stars such as rookie Lexi Held (who came away with an impressive 24 points in a win over the Valkyries), this new-look squad has been building momentum.

5. Seattle Storm

Seattle has been off to a solid start this season. A statement 102–82 win over the Aces featured 32 assists—the third-highest total in franchise history. Veterans like Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike have been standout leaders, and having Gabby Williams for a full season has already been paying off. But with the Storm ranking second to last in pace, they’ll need to pick up the tempo to keep up in a league that’s only getting faster.

6. Indiana Fever

The Fever have had quite a slew of ups and downs early in the season, most notably the absence of their key playmaker, Caitlin Clark. As the team scrambled to fill the gap, going down to the then winless Sun was a gut punch. Following a rash of injuries, the addition of hardship signee Aari McDonald filled the huge gap in playmaking, and the Fever are still sitting at No. 3 in net rating amid the adversity. Expect Indiana to rise in the rankings once Clark returns.

7. Las Vegas Aces

The Aces have been turning heads, but not for the usual reasons. Despite boasting four Olympians on their roster, they sit at No. 9 in net rating and No. 8 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The team has struggled to produce statement wins, as A’ja Wilson’s MVP-level dominance hasn’t been enough to make Vegas look like the powerhouse we’re used to.

Vegas' blockbuster trade for Jewell Loyd hasn’t clicked yet, and the rest of the squad is still trying to get in sync. For now, the Aces just don’t look like the Aces.

8. Washington Mystics

The Mystics have put together an exciting new roster of rookies including Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, who have not only seamlessly transitioned to the pros, but made tremendous impacts in the starting lineup. Their blowout win over the Sun showed just how good they can be.

But consistency is still missing. Back-to-back beatdowns from the Liberty reminded everyone they’re not quite ready to compete with the league's best just yet. They’ve got talent, they’ve got speed, but closing out games is still a work in progress.

9. Golden State Valkyries

Though the newest team in the league, the Valkyries have put together a solid roster featuring standouts like Veronica Burton and rising talents like rookie Janelle Salaün, who’s already made a strong impression. Narrow losses to the defending champion Liberty and a blowout win over an Olympics-stacked Aces squad prove Golden State isn’t just here to participate — they’re here to compete, even as they continue building chemistry as a brand-new team.

10. Los Angeles Sparks

Though the addition of former Aces guard Kelsey Plum elevated ball movement and offensive firepower, the Sparks sit at No. 10 largely due to a messy combination of injuries and inconsistencies. High-impact players such as Rae Burrell and Rickea Jackson missing games have left the team lacking balance, and Cameron Brink remains sidelined while recovering from an ACL.

11. Chicago Sky

The Sky showed a glimpse of what the team can do when notching two back-to-back wins against the Dallas Wings, playing with great pace and ball movement. But this is a team still searching for an identity, as evidenced by several blowout losses and a poor overall record. With veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot going down with a season-ending ACL injury in their last game against the Fever, things aren’t looking to get better any time soon.

12. Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings find themselves stuck at the bottom of the standings after a rough 1–9 start to the season. The Wings lack direction and chemistry, despite their quick pace and Arike Ogunbowale’s occasional spark. But missing the efficient scoring and playmaking of star rookie Paige Bueckers, who’s been sidelined for concussion protocol and then illness, the lack of cohesion has left the Wings flailing on both ends of the court.

13. Connecticut Sun

The rebuilding Sun garner this ranking for a reason. After narrowly beating a short-handed Indiana squad for their first win, they were demolished 100–58 by the Liberty, marking their fourth 20-point loss this season. Connecticut can’t score, can’t defend, and looks completely out of sync. Hence the Sun boasting a league worst point differential.