WNBA Power Rankings: Storm shoots while Faver falls
As always, there are surprises in the Power Rankings of the WNBA, even if it is early in the season.
The decline of Caitlin Clark At least during the next two weeks due to a quadriceps distension is the type of bad news that all WNBA franchises must be prepared to face.
With a limit of 12 players and teams that often operate with only 11 in the template for reasons of salary stop, the loss of any player is a concern. Lose a headline that affects all aspects of the team, such as Clark in the Indiana FeverIt is what takes away the dream of general coaches and managers. That is why the structure of a template is key.
The most successful teams know how to deal with personnel casualties. Last season, the Minnesota Lynx He had a 3-2 record without the star alera Napheesa Collierwho lost five games in July due to plantar fasciitis before returning to play at the Olympic Games and then lead Minnesota to the WNBA finals. And this season, Lynx has remained stable enough without the base Kayla McBride (Personal reasons) to achieve a 4-0 record and conserve your position No. 1 in the second weekly edition of the Power Rankings of the AM850 WNBA.
Some injuries can be overcome, while others force teams to adapt and even try to learn from them. That is what the FAver expects to achieve without Clark.
Power Rankings previous: Week 1
1. Minnesota Lynx
Record: 4-0
Previous ranking: 1
Next 7 days: vs. Sea (May 27), @ Pho (May 30), @ GS (June 1)
He Minnesota Lynx It remains at the top despite its tight victories at home over the Wings and Sun. Collier has led Minnesota’s score in the four games, with an average of 29.5 points. The escort Courtney Williamsas well as the wings Alanna Smith and Jessica ShepardThey are also scoring in double digits.
2. New York Liberty
Record: 3-0
Previous ranking: 2
Next 7 days: vs. GS (May 27), vs. GS (May 29), @ was (May 30), vs. With (June 1)
He New York Liberty He crushed Chicago 99-74 and had a round trip against Indiana that the Liberty finally won 90-88 thanks to its execution in the last quarter. The shipowner base Natasha Cloud He is shining both offensive and defensively, just what they needed when they signed it in March.
3. Seattle Storm
Record: 3-1
Previous ranking: 8
Next 7 days: @ Min (May 27), vs. ATL (May 30), vs. LV (June 1)
After a hard defeat at the start of the season against Phoenix, the Seattle Storm He has won three games in a row against Dallas, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The eaves Nneka Ogwumike (20.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game) and the base Skylar Diggins (19.0 points per game, 8.8 assists per game) will turn 34 each this season, but so far they are playing with a “timeless” style.
4. Phoenix Mercury
Record: 3-1
Previous ranking: 5
Next 7 days: vs. Chi (May 27), vs. Min (May 30), @ la (July 1)
He Phoenix Mercury He beat Los Angeles and Washington at home last weekend and fell before Seattle. Mercury’s greatest uncertainty for this season – his personality now that so many veteran players left – seems to have a good answer. The winges Satou Sabally (19.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game) and Alyssa Thomas (16.5 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game) are consolidating as team leaders, and the rookie escort Monique Akoa Makani (10.0 points per game, 2.0 assists per game) has had a good start.
5. Atlanta Dream
Record: 3-2
Previous ranking: 9
Next 7 days: @ La (May 27), @ Sea (May 30)
He Atlanta Dream He divided matches against Indiana and won victories over Dallas and Connecticut last week. The Dream has been offensively balanced, with four different scoring leaders in five games. In general, they have been much better in attack this season than last: their 83.8 points per game places them in the fourth place of the League, compared to their 77.0 points per game, last in the league, in 2024. Until now, everything is good for the new coach Karl Smesko.
6. Indiana Fever
Record: 2-2
Previous ranking: 3
Next 7 days: @ Was (May 28), vs. With (May 30)
He Indiana Fever He divided matches against Atlanta and lost against New York last week. Fans and observers will be worried about the impact of Clark’s injury and when he will return, but have veteran escorts and eaves like Kelsey Mitchell, Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham and Dewanna Bonner It will be a great help. Even so, no one can replicate everything Clark makes offensively. The Faver must take a lot of benefit from her defense while she is on low.
7. LAS VEGAS ACES
Record: 2-2
Previous ranking: 7
Next 7 days: vs. The (May 30), @ Sea (June 1)
Las Vegas Aces They won in Connecticut and then traced to beat Washington at home thanks to a triple of Jewell Loyd 1.9 seconds from the end. But that impulse did not remain at Loyd’s return to Seattle, where he spent the first 10 seasons of his WNBA career. ACES had 43.9% success in field shots compared to 60% of the storm and fell 102-82 on Sunday. Loyd has 31.3% success in field shots so far this season.
8. GOLDEN STATE VALKYRies
Record: 2-1
Previous ranking: 13
Next 7 days: @ NY (May 27), @ NY (May 29), vs. Min (June 1)
Look which team already adds two victories. The expansion team Golden State Valkyries He won at home against the Mystics and as a visitor against the Sparks, ascending from the background of our Power Rankings in his debut to the number 8. Golden State has five players who averaged more than 10 points per game, led by the rookie forward Janelle Salaun of France (14.0 points per party). The escort Veronica Burton Lead the WNBA in theft per game with 3.0.
9. Los Angeles Sparks
Record: 23
Previous ranking: 6
Next 7 days: vs. ATL (May 27), @ LV (May 30), vs. Pho (June 1)
Los Angeles Sparks They lost in Phoenix and at home against Golden State last week, but they had no trouble winning Chicago. In his first season with the sparks, the escort Kelsey Plum It is second in the league on average annotation (24.8) and first in minutes per game (37.4). The eaves/pivot Azura Stevens Average 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds, both records of his career if he manages to maintain those brands.
10. Washington Mystics
Record: 23
Previous ranking: 4
Next 7 days: vs. Min (May 28), vs. NY (May 30)
Expectations for Washington Mystics They were low this season, but they were not so far from a 5-0 start. His three losses occurred last week on the west coast, against Golden State, Las Vegas and Phoenix for two, three and six points, respectively. The alera Kiki Iriafen He has four doubles-doubles and his rookie partner Sonia Citron He has scored in double digits in each game to date.
11. Dallas Wings
Record: 0-4
Previous ranking: 10
Next 7 days: @ With (May 27), @ chi (May 29), vs. Chi (May 31)
It has been a difficult beginning for Dallas Wingswho lost to Minnesota and Atlanta last week. A point in favor was the double-double of Paige Bueckersfirst draft selection, on your return home in Minneapolis. Next, the Wings face two teams that have not won this season either.
12. Connecticut Sun
Record: 0-4
Previous ranking: 11
Next 7 days: vs. DAL (May 27), @ Ind (May 30), @ NY (June 1)
Two of the four defeats of the Connecticut Sun They were by a single digit, so there were positive aspects. But, in general, Connecticut has difficulty scoring; Its average of 68.0 points is the worst in the league and its percentage of triples of 26.3% is the second worst.
13. Chicago Sky
Record: 0-3
Previous ranking: 12
Next 7 days: @ PHo (May 27), vs. DAL (May 29), @ Dal (May 31)
He Chicago Sky He fell to New York and Los Angeles last week. The offensive grades (86.4) and defensive (116.5) of the Sky are the worst of the League, as well as their percentage of free throws (59.2%). The only team with a lower field shots is Golden State.
No Sky player averages double digits in annotations. However, a positive aspect is that Angel Reese leads the league on average rebounds (13.7), as he did last season as a rookie (13.1).
