WNBA Power Rankings: It's not time to panic

Defensor Liberty champion has gone from invincible to inconsistent, but knows that it is not time to worry.

He New York Liberty He had a 9-0 record and seemed to be at its peak as WNBA defender champion. But on June 10, the problems appeared.

The alera Leonie FEBICH He had just played his last game with Liberty in a couple of weeks, since he headed to Eurobasket with Germany. Five days before, the pivot Jonquel Jones He suffered an ankle injury that later worsened, which forced him to lose nine games so far this season.

Now, almost a month later, the Liberty has a record of 13-6 and has had difficulty playing consistently, for obvious reasons. With Jones, the MVP of the WNBA finals of 2024, outside and febich barely recovering the pace with New York, this team is not the same as the season began with so much enthusiasm.

The Liberty successfully received Tuesday Las Vegas Aces (A more high team this season than New York), getting the 87-78 victory, despite the absences of Jones and La Alera Isabelle Harrison (knee). After the defeat at Sunday by 79-70 before the Seattle StormNew York coach, Sandy BrondelloHe said that Liberty is having difficulties without the inner presence of Jones to counteract the effectiveness of the position changes of its rivals.

“We have been very concentrated this year,” Bondello said. “As long as we have good space and trust, (we are fine). I think our trust faded.”

But New York maintains the perspective. Counting Tuesday’s game, Liberty has three games left before the star game, for which the alera Breanna Stewart and the base Sabrina ionc They were chosen holders. The Liberty has not even completed half of its calendar and expects Jones to return after the game’s gathering.

“I think the team’s moral is excellent,” said Ionescu. “I would not say that a victory or a defeat has divided the wardrobe or that we put any obstacle. We understand the pieces that have missed us. We understand the parties we have lost and how we have lost them.”

“It is not about pointing out with the finger, whether there are players either, of alignments or defenses that we have not seen. It is simply to understand that we have to find a way to get a victory.”

1. Minnesota Lynx (17-2)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 1

Next 7 days: @ Pho (July 9), @ la (July 10), @ chi (July 12), @ chi (July 14)

The LYNX offensive suddenly collapsed during its defeat by 74-59 against Indiana in the Commissioner’s Cup final on July 1. But that match does not count for the classification of the League, and Minnesota recovered strongly. The Lynx ended the week at home with victories about Washington, Golden State and Chicago.

2. Phoenix Mercury (13-6)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 2

Next 7 days: vs. Min (July 9), @ GS (July 14)

Phoenix suffered two consecutive losses, including one by 98-89 on Thursday in Dallas. But the Mercury showed again as on Monday, beating the wings for 102-72 thanks to the 36 points of Sami Whitcomb and a triple-double of Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds). Phoenix won easily despite the casualties due to injury Satou Sabally (ankle) and Kahleah Copper (Ischiotibial). This demonstrates the depth of Mercury, which is improving. Dewanna Bonnerveteran Mercury player and who Indiana dismissed last month, is about to sign with Phoenix, according to AM850 on Monday.

3. Atlanta Dream (12-7)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 3

Next 7 days: @ Ind (July 11), @ NY (July 13)

The Dream lost 80-79 in recent seconds against Seattle on Thursday, and seemed that they could suffer another defeat at home on Monday. However, a 15-2 streak in the last quarter gave them a 90-81 victory over Golden State. Allisha Graywho will be there together with Rhyne Howardhe scored 24 points against the Valkyries, and Naz Hillmon He scored 16.

4. New York Liberty (13-6)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 4

Next 7 days: vs. LV (July 8), vs. ATL (July 13)

Bondello said the Liberty are being pragmatic at the frustrating moments he has faced, especially with the loss of Jones. “We are not panicked,” he said. “We just have to recover JJ and build continuity and chemistry from there.” You should help New York continue with a long stay at home, with the next six games in Brooklyn, including Tuesday’s victory over Aces.

5. Seattle Storm (12-7)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 9

Next 7 days: @ With (July 9), vs. With (July 11), vs. Was (July 13)

Maybe we have been changing the storm classification too much at the Power Rankings. But we react to its results. Seattle is on the rise after his victories as a visitor last week against Atlanta (with the winning tray of Skylar Diggins) and New York. Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams are directed to the star game.

6. Golden State Valkyries (9-9)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 5

Next 7 days: @ Ind (July 9), @ LV (July 12), vs. Pho (July 14)

After winning four of his five previous games, Golden State fell to a .500 record with defeats against Minnesota and Atlanta. But considering the irregularity of so many other WNBA teams, Valkyries must still feel quite well with their game and the selection of Kayla Thornton as a reserve of the star game.

7. Indiana Fever (9-9)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 8

Next 7 days: vs. GS (July 9), vs. ATL (July 11), vs. DAL (July 13)

The Faver continues to charge impulse before letting it escape again. Caitlin Clark (Injury in the groin) he has continued loss, but he hopes to return on Wednesday against Golden State. But the Faver won the Commissioner’s Cup final in Minnesota and then crushed Las Vegas in Indianapolis, keeping both opponents below 60 points. However, he lost at home against Los Angeles for the second time. Thus, Indiana continues to prove that it is better than a team with a record of .500.

8. Las Vegas Aces (9-10)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 6

Next 7 days: @ NY (July 8), @ was (July 10), vs. GS (July 12)

ACES have been in a situation similar to that of the FAVER, only more extreme. Las Vegas seems to go from very good victories to very bad defeats. After the defeat of the ACES by 81-54 against Indiana on Thursday, the coach Becky Hammon He criticized his “lack of professionalism” in such a weak performance. The ACES were on Sunday again, winning 86-68 against Connecticut, but they could not keep that streak, falling at the house of the Liberty on Tuesday 87-78.

9. Washington Mystics (9-10)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 7

Next 7 days: vs. Chi (July 8), vs. LV (July 10), @ Sea (July 13)

The Mystics lost their only game last week, with the bad luck of playing against Minnesota two days after Lynx lost in the Commissioner’s Cup final. In that meeting, Lynx could not stop them. Now, Washington, who will send rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron To the star game, seeks to resume the course; It started well this week, bending the Sky, 81-79, Tuesday.

10. Dallas Wings (6-14)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 10

Next 7 days: @ Chi (July 9), @ ind (July 13)

The Wings divided their performance with Phoenix, winning 98-89 at home on Thursday before falling 102-72 in Phoenix on Monday. Arike Ogunbowale (thumb) and Dijonai Carrington (Cueilla) were on Monday, but the rookie bases Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly They added 44 points. A perimeter trio to consider.

11. Chicago Sky (5-13)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 11

Next 7 days: @ Was (July 8), vs. DAL (July 9), vs. Min (July 12), vs. Min (July 14)

In his only game last week, Sky lost 80-75 against Minnesota, a team that Chicago will face twice more next week. Angel ReeseDel Sky captured 17 rebounds against Lynx, his fifth consecutive game with at least 16 rebounds. On Tuesday he recovered 15 boards in the adjusted Sky sets against Washington, 81-79. Reese will be there for the second consecutive season.

12. Los Angeles Sparks (6-13)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 12

Next 7 days: vs. Min (July 10), vs. With (July 13)

For some reason, Sparks seem to be under control of the FAVER. The only Victories of Los Angeles in their last eight games have been against Indiana, including 89-87 on Saturday after losing at the beginning of the week against New York. The best season of the eaves Azura Stevens continues; He scored 21 points and captured 12 rebounds against the Faver.

13. Connecticut Sun (2-16)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 13

Next 7 days: vs. Sea (July 9), @ Sea (July 11), @ la (July 13)

Sun would prefer not to be the team against which others recover after losing. But the truth is that Connecticut is the opponent who everyone hopes, since Sun has lost 10 games in a row.