WNBA Power Rankings: Sparks, Valkyries go in opposite directions

We reached the 11th week of the WNBA Power Rankings; Among recent surprises are the great streak of the Sparks and the free fall of the Valkyries.

The two WNBA California teams, Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State ValkyriesThey seem to go in opposite directions.

The Sparks (11-14) They have the longest active winning streak of the league with five games (as a result, three positions up on the Power Rankings of this week), while the Valkyries (11-13) have lost six of their eight games so far this month.

Los Angeles It also recovers a key player from an injury while Golden State Lose one.

The eaves of the sparks, Cameron Brinksecond selection of the 2024 draft, returns to action on Tuesday against the ACES. The former Stanford star only played 15 games as a rookie after suffering an anterior cross ligament injury in June 2024. He averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 caps before the lesion.

Brink’s expected return seems even more fortuitously considering the performance of Sparks. Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens and RICKEA Jackson They averaged more than ten points, and Julie Allemand It has settled as a starting base with two games of 10 assists in the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Valkyries They have lost their top scorer and rebounding, Kayla Thorntonfor the rest of the season after knee surgery. It was the first All-Star of the expansion franchise.

There is good news for Golden State: French pivot Iliana Rupert He joined the team last week after missing the first half of the season due to commitments abroad.

We have seen some sudden changes, both for good and for bad, in the teams throughout the season. But for now, the Sparks They seem more a playoff team than Valkyrieswhich was not the case a month ago.

1. Minnesota Lynx (22-5)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 1

Next 7 days: vs. NY (July 30, 8 PM ET by AM850 Deportes), @ LV (August 2)

He Minnesota Lynx He beat Chicago and Las Vegas last week, but the defense of him Lynx It was too lazy in Sunday’s defeat by 90-86 against Atlanta, his only defeat at home in 2025, except for the final of the commissioner’s Cup. In addition, it was just the third time this season that the best defensive team in the League allowed 90 or more points in a game.

The long -awaited revenge of Minnesota With the opponent of the WNBA finals last year, New York will finally arrive on Wednesday.

2. New York Liberty (17-8)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 2

Next 7 days: @ Min (July 30, 8 pm et per AM850 sports), @ with (August 1), @ with (August 3)

He New York Liberty He won his first two games after the return of Jonquel Jones due to injury, but he was unstable without Breanna Stewart. He prematurely abandoned Saturday’s defeat by 101-99 against Los Angeles due to a leg injury, and then did not play in Monday’s defeat by 92-82 against Dallas. He Liberty He was torn against the wings to the last quarter, but the hole was already too deep.

While waiting for the arrival of Emma Meessemanwho signed with the team at the beginning of the month, the Liberty Wait for Stewart He recovers soon. His first four games against the leader Minnesota is Wednesday.

3. Atlanta Dream (15-10)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 7

Next 7 days: vs. GS (July 29), @ dal (July 30), vs. Pho (August 1), vs. Was (August 3)

Like Los Angeles, the Atlanta Dream He made a great leap in the classification this week thanks to his victories against Phoenix and Minnesota to close a six -game tour as a visitor, with Brittney Griner Written 22 points, his best mark of the season, against Lynx. While the Dream fell to the ACES last Tuesday, it was a beneficial week in general for the Dreamwho expects the return of Rhyne Howard (knee) to alignment.

4. Phoenix Mercury (16-9)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 3

Next 7 days: @ Ind (July 30), @ Atl (August 1), @ Chi (August 3)

He Phoenix Mercury lost two of three games last week despite receiving Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper Back after his injuries: against Atlanta and New York. However, the Mercury He had a great second half in Washington to overcome the Mystics 88-72 on Sunday, a very necessary victory in the absence of three games of a five-game tour as visitors.

5th Indiana Fever (14-12)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 4

Next 7 days: vs. Pho (July 30), @ dal (August 1), @ Sea (August 3, 3 pm et per spn sports and by AM850+)

After his defeat for 14 points against New York last Tuesday, the Indiana Fever He won 80-70 at home against Las Vegas and 93-78 in Chicago. With Caitlin Clark of indefinite low (groin), the base Kelsey Mitchell He has taken over. Has led the annotation of Indiana In each of the last eight games, including its maximum of the season with 35 points against Sky on Sunday, and averages 20.2 points this season.

6. Seattle Storm (16-11)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 5

Next 7 days: vs. LA (August 1), vs. IND (August 3, 3 PM ET by AM850 Deportes and by AM850+)

He Seattle Storm He had a 2-2 record last week, with victories about Chicago and Connecticut and losses against Dallas and Washington. Skylar Digginswho achieved the first triple-double in the history of the WNBA stars game earlier this month, had another on Monday when Seattle He beat Connecticut for 101-85. The biggest problem of Storm It is their inconsistency: they have alternated victories and defeats in the last nine games, since July 6.

7. Los Angeles Sparks (11-14)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 10

Next 7 days: vs. LV (July 29), @ Sea (August 1)

The streak of five victories of the The sparks It included two against Connecticut and two against Washington, but they were not as impressive as Saturday’s victory for 101-99 in New York, insured with a tray of RICKEA Jackson Right in the horn. Yeah, Breanna Stewart He was injured early and left the game. And yes, the Liberty played on consecutive days. But a victory as visitors over the current league champions is a boost for a team that is already on a streak.

8. Las Vegas Aces (13-13)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 8

Next 7 days: @ La (July 29), vs. Min (August 2), vs. GS (August 3)

Las Vegas Aces It is a team with an average .500 that had a week with an average .500, with victories against Atlanta and Dallas, and losses against Indiana and Minnesota. The ACES They achieved their best score of the season with 106 points against the Wings on Sunday. Jewell Loyd He left the bank for the first time since his arrival to the team to score 20 points, while Kierstan Bellwho replaced Loyd in the starting lineup, noted 19.

Washington Mystics (12-13)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 6

Next 7 days: vs. Chi (July 29), vs. GS (July 31), @ Atl (August 3)

The Washington Mystics They have lost three of their last four games, two of them last week against Los Angeles and Phoenix. Are attentive to the All-Stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citronsince WNBA rookies can sometimes show the effects of fatigue in the second half of the season. The Mystics They are currently in the playoff position, and reaching the postseason would be a remarkable achievement for Washington.

10. Golden State Valkyries (11-13)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 9

Next 7 days: @ Atl (July 29), @ was (July 31), @ chi (August 1), @ LV (August 3)

The first game of Golden State Valkyries After the announcement of the loss of Kayla Thornton For the rest of the season it was a 86-76 victory over the Wings on Friday. On Sunday, they were crushed by SUN for 95-64 in the first of five consecutive games as visitors. Golden State You will have to try to find your identity without Thornton.

11. Dallas Wings (8-19)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 12

Next 7 days: vs. ATL (July 30), vs. IND (August 1)

The Dallas Wings They beat Seattle and New York, while they lost against Golden State and Las Vegas last week. Arike Ogunbowale He scored 50% of his field shots, his best streak in four games this season. The greatest advantage of Wings In Monday’s victory over El Liberty it was 30 points, but New York finally reduced it to six before falling 92-82. Even so, at this point, winning in any way is a good game to Dallas.

12. Chicago Sky (7-18)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 11

Next 7 days: @ Was (July 29), vs. GS (August 1), vs. Pho (August 3)

He Chicago Sky lost against Minnesota, Seattle and Indiana last week, extending the streak of defeats of the Sky to five games, with an average of only 66 points per game during that period. The star Angel Reese The last two games have been on a back injury. He Sky is suffering a lot with the casualties of the bases Ariel Atkins (leg) and Hailey van Lith (ankle).

13. Connecticut Sun (4-21)

PREVIOUS RANKING: 13

Next 7 days: vs. NY (August 1), vs. NY (August 3)

He Connecticut Sun He welcomed the base again Marina Mabreywho played for the last time on June 20 and nine games were lost due to a knee injury. Among the defeats against Los Angeles and Seattle, Connecticut He crushed Golden State for 31 points on Sunday. He Sun He is still firmly in the basement, but that victory was at least a ray of light.