WNBA Power Rankings: All-Star Captain Napheesa Collier and Lynx Stay on Top

The Lynx are still the only team with just two losses for the season with a clear separation between them and the rest of the pack. Even when on back-to-backs, like in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky, Collier and company have shown what they are made of. Minnesota displayed grit in what was a very physical game vs Chicago, and notched a jaw-dropping ten blocks, to come away with the victory. Though they did go down to the Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup, the game didn’t count in the standings.

All-Stars: Napheesa Collier (captain), Courtney Williams

2. The Seattle Storm

The Storm have jumped in the rankings this week as Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams are out there letting everyone know why they are All-Stars. Diggins’ clutch game winner in the final seconds against Atlanta and a big win over New York put the league on notice, showing that the Storm can go toe-to-toe with the top teams. There have been some inconsistencies for the Storm across the season, so Seattle will be under the spotlight to see if they can keep up the momentum.

All-Stars: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams

3. The Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury have been on fire from deep, leading the league in 3-pointers made with the help of a stellar season by Alyssa Thomas in facilitating those shots. Phoenix has fallen short in their past two games, including Thursday’s surprising loss to a rookie-led Wings squad. And having lost the past two head-to-head contests against the Storm, Phoenix slides a spot in the rankings, falling just below Seattle.

All-Stars: Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas

4. The Atlanta Dream

The Dream have been a team to watch this season despite a tough slate of games against top-tier contenders. They pulled off a gritty win against the Liberty, narrowly fell short to the Storm in a back-and-forth nail-biter, and dropped a hard-fought overtime battle to the Lynx. With Brionna Jones dominating in the paint and Allisha Gray firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc, opponents know they have to bring their A-game when facing Atlanta. All eyes will be on Gray as she looks to defend her 3-point contest crown during this year’s All-Star Weekend.

All-Stars: Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard.

5. The New York Liberty

After Sunday’s loss to the Storm Natasha Cloud reminded everyone to “take a deep breath” with the Liberty––who no longer look like the shoo-in for title contention they appeared to be earlier in the season. A tougher stretch in the schedule has exposed some vulnerabilities, and the absence of key piece Jonquel Jones—sidelined with an injury—has disrupted their rhythm on both ends of the floor. 

All-Stars: Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart

6. The Golden State Valkyries 

The Valkyries played just once this past week, falling to the top-ranked Lynx despite a strong showing from Tiffany Hayes, who dropped 22 points, and Kayla Thornton, who recorded a double-double. Many of their core players have returned from Eurobasket, but seem to be getting their sea-legs back, as Temi Fágbénlé was the only returning player to score from the field. Still, there’s reason to celebrate as Thornton will represent the league’s newest franchise in the upcoming All-Star Game.

All-Stars: Kayla Thorton

7. The Indiana Fever

The Fever have started coming together and producing effectively as a cohesive unit. Though still missing the perimeter offense of Clark, the team's defense has become a threat and was on full display as they held MVP frontrunner Collier way under her scoring average to take home their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup title against the top ranked Minnesota team. However, after a blowout 81-54 victory against the Aces––ending a 16 game losing streak against the Las Vegas team––their loss to a struggling Sparks team showed that there is still work to do to maintain consistency.

All-Stars: Caitlin Clark (captain), Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell

8. The Las Vegas Aces

Though Las Vegas has won two of their last three games, the Aces have been heavily reliant on the offensive firepower of A’ja Wilson, highlighted by her notching 29 of the Aces’ 54 points against the Fever Thursday. No other player sank more than two buckets the entire game. But with the surprising trade that brought NaLyssa Smith to the team, Vegas is hoping to change that. Smith was able to contribute 11 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s win against the Connecticut Sun.

All-Stars: A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young

9. The Dallas Wings

The Wings look to be finding a rhythm despite key injuries and roster shake-ups, notably sending Smith to Las Vegas as mentioned above. But rookies Paige Bueckers, Azaiah James, and JJ Quinerly stepped up to upset the No. 2 seeded Mercury amid the chaos. And having acquired the Aces’ first round draft pick for 2027, it looks like Wings’ GM Curt Miller is leaning into the youth and looking to build for the future.

All-Stars: Paige Bueckers

10. The Washington Mystics

The Mystics’ inconsistency has caused them to slide in this week’s rankings. This young squad has proven they can grind out tough wins—like their June 24 upset over the No. 1 Lynx—but they’ve also struggled to maintain that level, falling to Minnesota in Thursday’s rematch. Lucy Olsen dropping 19 points in the game highlighted just how––alongside Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen––these rookies can step into the pros and make a big impact. Still, their rapid rise hasn’t come without controversy—many are questioning Citron and Iriafen’s All-Star nods over veteran Brittney Sykes.

All-Stars: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen

11. The Chicago Sky 

Angel Reese has been on a tear lately, and Chicago is looking to be finding a rhythm after a tough start to the season. Nearly coming away with a victory in Sunday’s physical battle against the Lynx, the Sky displayed a gritty determination and the potential to begin moving up in the standings if they can maintain 40 minutes of consistency.

All-Stars: Angel Reese

12. The Los Angeles Sparks

In Saturday’s win over the Fever, four Sparks players were in double-digits, in an encouraging sharing of the offensive load. Azura Stevens has made a major impact as a dominant presence under the basket and threat beyond the arc, dropping 21 points and 12 rebounds against Indiana, in the midst of a season many believe should have warranted her a spot on the All-Star squad. But the Sparks have yet to show they can maintain cohesion and are just 6-13 for the season.

All-Stars: Kelsey Plum

13. The Connecticut Sun

The Sun are now 2–16, trudging through the season without a win since their June 6 matchup against the Dream. Lately, they’ve been frequent recipients of blowout losses, struggling to stay competitive on either end of the floor as the year wears on. With Marina Mabrey still sidelined with an injury, there doesn’t look to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Sun just yet.

All-Stars: None