Our WNBA Power Rankings for Week 12 Monday, August 19th:

1. Washinton Mystics (20 – 7) X – Washington was the first team to clinch a playoff spot and have held down the number spot in the standings and our power rankings as they extended their league leading active win streak to 6.  While they currently look like the favorites to win it all this year behind likely MVP Elena Delle Donne, they’re not invincible, particularly against a team with superior size.
2. Connecticut Sun (19 – 8) X – Spots 2 and 3 in our rankings might as well be interchangeable.  Both Vegas and the Sun are deserving and are dangerous in different ways.  We’re giving the edge to the Sun who have scraped out some close wins this week and look as though they’ve put an emphasis on fourth quarter play this past week.  It’ll come down to the wire for the coveted top two spots but the Sun have it as of now.
3. Las Vegas Aces (18 – 9) X – Vegas returned A’ja Wilson yesterday who came off the bench and led the team in scoring in her 25 1/2 minutes, securing a solid victory against the Sky.  With Liz Cambage also back and looking focused on a title, Vegas knows how dangerous they can be come playoff time.  While at times they have looked like this may not be the year they put it all together, heading into the playoffs, it is hard not to pick them to at least make the final.
4. Las Angeles Sparks (15 – 10) – The Sparks had a rough week at a bad time losing two in a row while the other competitors for the top two playoff spots recorded victories.  Who isn’t on the court continues to be the story for the Sparks who even after returning Candace Parker have a number of key players sidelined.  They have all the weapons and then some to put together a deep playoff run, but will likely have to win at least 1 one game playoff to advance.
5. Chicago Sky (15 – 11) – The Sky have been the most consistent slightly above average team this year.  They have rarely gone on long winning or losing streaks despite a roster full of talent and young players emerging as stars.  Despite sitting in 5th place, I don’t foresee a particularly long playoff run as the Sky have not fared well against the league’s elite teams this year going 3 – 7 against our teams ranked 1 – 4.
6. Seattle Storm (15 – 13) – This fairy tale season for the Seattle Storm is likely to end without the fairy tale ending.  Despite some encouraging development from Natasha Howard and a young crop of players, Seattle likely won’t have enough weapons to make any significant noise in the playoffs.  However, we’ve bet against this team before and been wrong so I will reserve judgment until I see where they finish the season heading into the playoffs.
7. Phoenix Mercury (13 – 13) – This season has been a battle for the Mercury both on and off the court between injuries, suspensions, and lackluster performances by 3 rookies from whom everyone expected more.  Still they are in the fight and barring some dramatic turn around, will lock down one of the final playoff spots come September.  And if there is one team you don’t want to face in a one game playoff, it is probably the Mercury.  Brittney Griner will be hungry when she returns to the court, and that is one beast you don’t want to wake up.
8. Minnesota Lynx (13 – 14) – The Lynx close out the season with a stretch a tough games against better opponents and despite the 3.5 game lead over the Fever for the last playoff spot, Cheryl Reeve probably doesn’t feel real secure just yet.  It has never been more apparent how much they miss Maya Moore than this week when they lost two very tight games in the 4th quarter.  Closing out games is the biggest weakness for this super talented squad, but this organization has a lot to be proud of in what has been a transition year.
9. Dallas Wings (9  – 18) – Dallas has won 3 of their last 4 games and look like a team that is not ready to give up on their season just yet.  With only 7 games left and sitting 4 games back of the 8th place Lynx, it is unlikely they’ll break into the playoffs, but Brian Agler has to be pleased with the development of this young team around rookie of the year candidate Arike Ogunbowale.  The future is bright for the Wings who will need to add some size in next years draft.
10. Indiana Fever (9 – 17) – The Fever still have a glimmer of hope that they could make the playoffs but it is not probable.  Still it has been a successful year for Indiana in my eyes as they’ve seen the emergence of all star Erica Wheeler, a glimpse of the extremely bright future of rookie Teaira McCowan, and boast a slew of young super talented guards and shooters that will only get better.
11. New York Liberty (8 – 18) – Perhaps the most disappointing season goes to the Liberty despite Atlanta’s abysmal year.  For a minute, New York looked like they were going to make a run for the playoffs but have now lost 8 in a row.  Asia Durr has had a difficult rookie season marred by injuries and lackluster performances and everyone not named Tina Charles has been inconsistent despite the occasional brilliant game here and there.
12. Atlanta Dream (5 – 21) – Who takes the heat for what has happened to the dream this season? Players? Coaches? Front office? All of the above? The Dream have lost 11 in a row and look they just want it to end so they can all get back overseas playing for their international clubs.  What a difference a year makes.  I’m at a loss as to how the dream proceed for next year but clearly some changes are needed and it probably begins with Nicki Collen whether that’s fair or not…

X – indicates playoff spot has been clinched.