WNBA Power Rankings: Early overreactions for every team
WNBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
In this edition, we've come up with one early-season overreaction after one month of the 2025 campaign.
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ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GSV | IND | LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHX | SEA | WSH
1. New York Liberty (9-0)
Previous: 1
The defending champs are on track for a franchise-best year after an 8-0 start to the season bested their 7-0 run in the league's inaugural campaign. The Liberty have been merciless flat-track bullies when putting away opponents, too, boasting four victories by 20 or more points to pair with the league's top offensive net rating (111.5).
2. Minnesota Lynx (9-0)
Previous: 2
We can already award four-time All-Star Napheesa Collier the MVP trophy. The Lynx are perfect through nine games with Collier putting up a league-best 25.5 points. She's also leading the WNBA in steals at 2.3 per game, again showcasing the skills that earned her Defensive Player of the Year last season.
3. Atlanta Dream (6-3)
Previous: 6
Karl Smesko might be the WNBA's next great coach. The longtime FGCU bench boss has vastly improved the Dream's offense in just nine games with the franchise, guiding the team to a 105.5 offensive rating, behind only the undefeated Liberty and Lynx.
4. Phoenix Mercury (6-4)
Previous: 4
The Mercury are becoming the league's most irrepressible team. They've somehow maintained a record better than .500 despite a rash of impactful injuries to Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Natasha Mack, compounded by a stretch of nine games in 18 days that risked derailing the entire season.
5. Seattle Storm (5-4)
Previous: 3
The Storm are leaving points on the table. Seattle ranks ninth in made 3-pointers (6.9) and 12th in attempts (18.3) but leads the WNBA in shooting percentage (37.6%). Six players are shooting over 33%, led by Gabby Williams, who is shooting 48.9% on five attempts per game. The Storm need to let it fly from deep.
6. Indiana Fever (4-5)
Previous: 5
Maybe the Fever don't need Caitlin Clark after all. Indiana dropped its first two games without its franchise cornerstone but recovered with back-to-back Commissioner's Cup victories over the Mystics and Sky - including one in which they limited everyone on Chicago to single-digit scoring.
7. Las Vegas Aces (4-3)
Previous: 8
Las Vegas' golden era might be over. Jewell Loyd continues to struggle offensively in a new role since joining the Aces, who were beaten by 27 in the Commissioner's Cup by the debutant Valkyries. That prompted Hall of Fame coach Becky Hammon to rip her squad for their effort level and a "soft" mentality.
8. Washington Mystics (4-6)
Previous: 9
Kiki Iriafen has the makings of the next great WNBA forward. May's Rookie of the Month has averaged 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds to begin her career. Washington's No. 4 pick has a real shot at winning Rookie of the Year as Paige Bueckers continues to deal with lingering concussion effects.
9. Golden State Valkyries (4-5)
Previous: 7
The Valkyries aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut - a surprise 95-point display against the Aces aside - but they have developed an identity rooted in smothering defense and toughness, something head coach Natalie Nakase has preached. A playoff spot would represent the most successful inaugural season for an expansion team in WNBA history.
10. Los Angeles Sparks (3-7)
Previous: 10
Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby dominate the headlines - and rightly so - since their quickly established pick-and-roll tandem has fueled the Sparks' offense. But Azura Stevens has been the best story in L.A.: The eighth-year forward is averaging a career-best in points (13.7) and unexpected shooting splits (49/37/85).
11. Chicago Sky (2-6)
Previous: 12
The Sky have no chance of being competitive after Courtney Vandersloot's season-ending ACL injury. The veteran guard ranks seventh in the WNBA in assists per game (5.3), and Chicago felt her absence immediately, posting a season-low 11 assists in the game in which she got hurt. The Sky will need someone to step up and deliver the rock.
12. Connecticut Sun (2-7)
Previous: 13
This might be the worst version of the Sun since they moved from Orlando in 2003: Their last two losses have been by a combined 85-point margin, and their .222 winning percentage is on track to smash the lowly depths of the 2013 campaign. An eight-year run of consecutive playoff appearances is in serious jeopardy.
13. Dallas Wings (1-9)
Previous: 11
Dallas' defensive effort through the opening month of play can't save its season. The Wings struggle to defend in transition, allowing 14 fast-break points per game, while also permitting opponents to shoot 45.7% from mid-range - the worst mark allowed from that distance by any team this season.