2. Golden State Valkyries\u00a0<\/p>\n
Previous ranking: 3<\/p>\n
The Valkyries are riding high amid a five-game winning streak. Golden State held the Mystics, who were without star Sonia Citron, to 49 points on Sunday, with Washington scoring just nine points in the fourth quarter. While the Valkyries\u2019 stifling defense led the way against the Mystics, Golden State had three players finish in double figures against the Dream, including Gabby Williams, who notched 19 points on 50% shooting, and Veronica Burton, who had a team-high 21 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3. Las Vegas Aces<\/p>\n
Previous ranking: 2<\/p>\n
A\u2019ja Wilson bolstered her MVP case last week without even having to take the floor. The Aces struggled with their star sidelined by injury, underscoring how integral Wilson is to Las Vegas\u2019s success.\u00a0<\/p>\n
NaLyssa Smith impressed in the Aces\u2019 overtime win over the Sky, finishing with 29 points and eight rebounds. However, Friday\u2019s victory was sandwiched between the Commissioner\u2019s Cup loss and a hammering at the hands of the Fever on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
4. Minnesota Lynx<\/p>\n
Previous ranking: 4<\/p>\n
For the first time this year, the Lynx dropped two games in a row. First, the typically stout defense struggled to contain the Liberty, with five New York players finishing in double figures and Stewart exploding for 36 points. Then, without rookie sensation Olivia Miles, Minnesota fell to the Sun and had no answer for Brittney Griner, who scored a season-high 29 points and brought down 10 rebounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5. Dallas Wings\u00a0<\/p>\n
Previous ranking: 6<\/p>\n
Paige Bueckers is on a tear, scoring 22 points or more in the past five games. She took over in the Wings\u2019 win against the Sun, notching 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while shooting 64.3% from the field. Not only can Bueckers be Dallas\u2019s offensive firepower, but she also has impeccable court vision, playing the role of facilitator with precision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
RELATED: Azzi Fudd\u2019s Rookie Season With the Wings Has Gone Exactly to Plan<\/a><\/p>\n 6. Indiana Fever\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 7<\/p>\n A Caitlin Clark\u2013less Fever side thumped an A\u2019ja Wilson\u2013less Aces, 84\u201368, on Sunday. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 27 points, while Aliyah Boston added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Over the past three games, Mitchell has averaged 27.6 points, shooting 58.96% from the field.<\/p>\n 7. Washington Mystics\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 8<\/p>\n The Mystics added another impressive win to their r\u00e9sum\u00e9, defeating the Dream before mustering just 49 points against the Valkyries. Shakira Austin notched 21 points and nine rebounds against Atlanta, while Kiki Iriafen logged her fourth consecutive double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Washington has held opponents to under 80 points in five of its past six games and ranks third in the league in defensive rating.\u00a0<\/p>\n 8. Atlanta Dream\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 5<\/p>\n The Dream are in a slump, losing five games in a row, including three defeats at the hands of Golden State. Atlanta\u2019s offense has been hot and cold, ranking 13th in field-goal percentage (43.1%) and 11th in three-point percentage (32.1%). Karl Smesko\u2019s team will look to establish its offensive rhythm with upcoming games against the Storm and Fire.<\/p>\n 9. Phoenix Mercury\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 9<\/p>\n The Mercury raced to a 23-point win over the Storm on Thursday, extending its winning streak to three games. Kahleah Copper scored 30 points against Seattle, shooting 57.1% from the field. Over the past three outings, Copper averaged 28.3 points while shooting 61.26% from the field. The veteran guard has been the spark plug for Phoenix\u2019s offense, scoring less than 20 points only once in the past seven games.\u00a0<\/p>\n 10. Chicago Sky\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 10<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a dramatic season for the Sky. This week, Diggins took to social media to lament about the team\u2019s decision to bring her off the bench. She posted a video to her Instagram stories of her saying, \u201cAnd the crazy part about it all is that I\u2019ve been so quiet. I\u2019ve been so good and quiet.\u201d On the court, things don\u2019t look much better, with the Sky falling to the Aces in overtime.<\/p>\n 11. Toronto Tempo\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 12<\/p>\n Marina Mabrey notched 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Tempo\u2019s loss to the Wings on Sunday. The 29-year-old is enjoying a breakout season with Toronto and is fueling Sandy Brondello\u2019s offense. However, with injuries plaguing the Tempo\u2019s roster, it\u2019s been hard for this expansion side<\/a> to solidify its identity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 12. Portland Fire<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 13<\/p>\n After giving up an average of 116.3 points in their past three games (all losses), the Fire held the Storm to 72 points and got back in the win column on Saturday. Carla Leite led Portland with 20 points while shooting 50% from the field, breaking with her team, which shot 37% from the field and 16% from three against Seattle.\u00a0<\/p>\n 13. Connecticut Sun<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 14<\/p>\n The Sun pulled off a one-point win over the Lynx on Monday behind a vintage Griner performance. She notched 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in her best game of the season. Connecticut has won three of its past four games, but still is dead last in the standings with a 5\u201316 record.\u00a0<\/p>\n 14. Seattle Storm<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 11<\/p>\n After back-to-back losses to the Mercury and Fire, the Storm blew past the Sparks, 82\u201364. The young frontcourt duo of Dominique Malonga<\/a> and Awa Fam had a quiet game, combining for nine points, but Flau\u2019jae Johnson and Natisha Hiedeman delivered, scoring 23 and 15 points, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n 15. Los Angeles Sparks\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 15<\/p>\n It\u2019s getting ugly in Los Angeles. The Sparks have lost three games in a row, giving up an average of 106 points in those outings. Los Angeles has the worst defense in the league, but its offense has not been much better. Without Plum, who is sidelined with a lower left leg injury, the Sparks have struggled to generate consistent production.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google