Our WNBA Power rankings for Week 4 Monday, June 24:
- Connecticut Sun (9 – 2) – Despite a road loss on Sunday to the streaking Chicago Sky, the Sun continue to separate themselves as the elite team in the WNBA this season. As the rest of the league says goodbye to some of their players to the European Championships, the Sun remain intact and strong. Expect them to continue their run of dominance as the team chemistry spreads to a deep bench. Burn it down indeed.
- Washington Mystics (7 – 3) – Two of the Mystics three losses on the season have come at the hands of the Sun, but the rest of the league should be on notice after Elena Delle Donne had a killer week looking very much in midseason MVP form. They lose Meeseman to the Euros but have more than enough depth to continue winning until she returns. Look for the Mystics to return to the WNBA finals this year.
- Seattle Storm (7 – 4) – Dan Hughes’ return to action breathes new life into his defending champs and the Storm remain undefeated at home after a tight win against Indiana. Natasha Howard and Jewell Loyd look like the second coming of Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird so the future is bright for a Storm team that has a knack for winning even without their injured stars.
- Chicago Sky (6 – 3) – If you’re like me, you’ve been hesitant to buy into the Chicago Sky this season as the frontrunners they’ve appeared to be, but after an 18 point win against the Sun, they’re turning some heads. Diamond DeShields looks deadly in transition and the pace of game is propelling the sky to some high scoring games that they’re winning. They have a tough week ahead with games against the Mystics, Storm, and Sparks but if they can take 2 out of 3, expect them to rise even further in these rankings.
- Las Vegas Aces (5 – 4) – The Aces split their games this week to stay ahead of the curve on the season but they’ll need more consistency if they’re going to make a deep playoff run. The bench has been a strength for Las Vegas but they’ll need more from their number 1 picks (Jackie Young, A’ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum) to challenge the league leaders. Mark your calendar for Tuesday night at 10pm EST when the Storm visit the Aces live on twitter.
- Minnesota Lynx (5 – 5) – The Lynx remain in the fold challenging the top teams but look like they simply don’t have enough firepower to win consistently. This year will be a monumental success if they reach the playoffs, win a game or two, and look forward to the return of Maya Moore next year and how scary they will be when Moore, Collier, and Fowles develop their chemistry. The new era in Minnesota looks promising and Cheryl Reeve’s history of success will undoubtedly continue.
- Los Angeles Sparks (4 – 6) – The Sparks have lost 3 in a row since Candace Parker’s return and fans are starting to wonder what seems to be the problem. On paper the Sparks appear to be among the most talented teams in the league, but something isn’t clicking. First year coach Derek Fisher will likely be looked at if they don’t turn this season around. With all the stars off the court this season, many thought the Sparks would be a shoo-in for the finals. The picture is less clear now.
- Indiana Fever (5 – 6) – The Fever are winning games by committee getting contributions from whoever is hot that night whether it’s off the bench or in the starting five. They’re routinely winning the battle on the boards but lead the league in fouls. If they can clean up the foul trouble, maybe they can win a few more of the close ones. Hard not to root for the Fever to make it back to the postseason for the first time since Catchings retired.
- Phoenix Mercury (3 – 5) – The Mercury teased a Taurasi return before reneging this past Sunday. They emerged victorious against the struggling Sparks nonetheless and with Taurasi’s return on the horizon, expect the Mercury to rack up a few wins in short order and work their way back into the playoff picture. Easy to forget the Mercury stretched the defending champion Storm the furthest in last years finals with a team that looks very much like the one on the court when Taurasi returns.
- New York Liberty (3 – 7) – The Liberty played two tight games this week but lost both. Rookie sensation Asia Durr is beginning to find her confidence and Kia Nurse has developed into scoring threat from anywhere on the court when you need a bucket. Brittany Boyd has been effective as the team’s primary point guard, but expect New York to look for another solid option at PG in next year’s draft. I hear the Oregon Ducks have a decent point guard the Liberty could be targeting…
- Dallas Wings (2 – 6) – The Dallas Wings are searching for answers in the front court and everyone is getting a chance to step up. Guard play will be this teams strength bolstered when Skyler Diggins-Smith returns, but rookie Arike Ogunbowale picks up right where she left off at Notre Dame putting up big scoring numbers, but requiring a lot of shots to do it. Efficiency will be the key if Dallas is going to develop into a contender this year or beyond.
- Atlanta Dream (2 – 7) – The Dream have had arguably one of the most difficult schedules thus far in 2019 but will have a chance to reevaluate and regroup with 6 days off this week before a Sunday clash with the New York Liberty. Reports that the dream wanted to trade all star Angel McCoughtry in the offseason support the hypothesis that they are tanking the season and in the midst of a rebuild. Surprising news on the heels of a second place finish in 2018. Time to look to the future.