WNBA Power Rankings: Fever surge in Clark's absence

WNBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.

In this edition, we're examining a busy stretch of the schedule as the 2025 regular season prepares to enter its final month.

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ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GSV | IND | LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHX | SEA | WSH

1. Minnesota Lynx (25-5)

Previous: 1

The Lynx have been bullying opponents, and Cheryl Reeve's squad became even more imposing with DiJonai Carrington's acquisition from the Dallas Wings. The 2024 All-Defense first-team selection and former Most Improved Player will make a club that's currently atop most defensive metrics even more difficult to score against. Now we await Napheesa Collier's return.

2. Atlanta Dream (18-11)

Previous: 5

Atlanta put the league on notice with a road win over the league-best Lynx and a pair of victories against the Phoenix Mercury. The Dream have gone 6-3 with three-time All-Star guard Rhyne Howard sidelined due to a knee injury, putting them firmly in the hunt for the WNBA's 2-seed.

3. Indiana Fever (17-13)

Previous: 7

Caitlin who? The Fever of course need their superstar back, but the rest of Stephanie White's squad has won five of their last six games amid Clark's absence. Aari McDonald has risen to the moment; during their hot stretch, she's averaging 14.2 points on 50% shooting - including a scorching 50% from distance - after scoring 8.3 points on 40.2% shooting with a 26.9% mark from deep last season.

4. New York Liberty (18-11)

Previous: 2

New York's grip on the No. 2 seed is loosening after suffering four defeats in its last six contests, including an embarrassing 16-point loss to the league-worst Connecticut Sun. Jonquel Jones' return hasn't been enough to solve the Liberty's defensive woes. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart is sidelined indefinitely due to a bone bruise in her right knee.

5. Phoenix Mercury (18-11)

Previous: 3

The All-Star break apparently came at the worst time for the Mercury. They entered it having won nine of their last 12 but are 3-4 since the restart, including three losses against the teams above them: New York and Atlanta. With the Fever also heating up, Phoenix can't afford to lose momentum in a competitive playoff race.

6. Seattle Storm (16-14)

Previous: 4

The Storm made their title-chasing ambitions clear by trading for Brittney Sykes from the Mystics. The two-way guard will boost an already potent roster that includes Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams, giving head coach Noelle Quinn a quartet of 2025 All-Stars to lean on.

7. Golden State Valkyries (14-14)

Previous: 9

Although top scorer Kayla Thornton is done for the season due to a knee issue, the upstart Valkyries have won four of six games without her to keep pace with the rest of the playoff field. And they've got a chance to keep it up: They don't play any teams currently in the top five until an Aug. 17 matchup with Atlanta.

8. Los Angeles Sparks (13-15)

Previous: 10

The Sparks are one of the league's hottest teams with seven wins in their last eight outings, and super sophomores Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink have played their part. Jackson is averaging 18.1 points across her last nine games, and Brink's return from a long-term spell on the sidelines has added depth and versatility to Lynne Roberts' bench.

9. Las Vegas Aces (15-14)

Previous: 6

The Aces have arguably been the WNBA's biggest disappointment this season, and last week's 53-point defeat to the juggernaut Lynx does little to inspire hope. Compared to last season, A'ja Wilson remains an elite presence, but Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray have both regressed for a team that's taken a massive step backward.

10. Washington Mystics (13-16)

Previous: 8

Washington is 2-5 coming out of the All-Star break. The Mystics jumped out to double-digit leads in two of those defeats, only to squander their strong starts. Those missed opportunities could come back to haunt Sydney Johnson and Co. as the crowded race for the eighth and final playoff seed enters the stretch run. Leading scorer Sykes' move to Seattle won't help matters either.

11. Dallas Wings (8-22)

Previous: 12

The Wings have been a mess on the defensive end under first-time head coach Chris Koclanes. They own the league's fourth-worst defensive rating (107.2), and their opponents are shooting 45% from the field (the second-worst mark in the WNBA) and 37.1% from beyond the arc (worst). Carrington's departure will only compound these issues.

12. Chicago Sky (8-21)

Previous: 11

Chicago has lost eight of their last nine games to fall out of the playoff race. Angel Reese has been in and out of the lineup during the team's skid, and the Sky's offense has struggled immensely without her. To make matters worse, the Lynx own Chicago's 2026 first-round selection from the pick trade that allowed the Sky to draft Hailey Van Lith 11th overall.

13. Connecticut Sun (5-23)

Previous: 13

Amid a dire season, the Sun notched their fifth victory of the campaign over the shorthanded Liberty. And now, it appears as if the team could be Beantown-bound following reports that Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca is looking to purchase the franchise and move it to TD Garden. Brighter days are ahead.