Almost a month into the WNBA regular season, and the situation in the league is starting to take shape. Two teams have taken off and are looking to maintain their pace, one seems unable to find its way, and the rest are still in the midst of searching for their identity. While the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty remain at the top, with the Dallas Wings at the bottom of the table, the other ten teams are fighting to move up and down in Alofoke Deportes’ WNBA Power Ranking. Injuries, as always, are taking their toll. Among them, the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee of Courtney Vandersloot, veteran point guard for the Chicago Sky, which will keep her out of action for the rest of the season. The injury occurred midway through the first quarter in Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Fever, overshadowing a historic night. Chicago’s offense was already irregular with Vandersloot, who ranks second on the league’s all-time assists list, and looked even worse without her. On the other hand, Indiana played well for the second consecutive game without point guard Caitlin Clark (quadriceps) after losing their previous two games with her out. The Fever rose to .500 and hope Clark returns soon. We are approaching the final stretch of the Commissioner’s Cup games, with the Lynx and the Liberty approaching their second consecutive matchup in the season tournament final, while other teams try to consolidate their game.
WNBA Ranking
- Minnesota Lynx (9-0)
- New York Liberty (8-0)
- Seattle Storm (5-4)
Previous ranking: 7
Upcoming games: vs. MIN (June 11), @ GS (June 14) The Storm have been fluctuating in our Power Rankings, falling to seventh place last week and then rising to third after beating Dallas and Phoenix. Gabby Williams led the way against the Wings with 18 points at home, while Skylar Diggins scored a season-high 26 points along with seven assists on the road against the Mercury. The Storm have another chance against the Lynx this week after falling by five points in the previous encounter on May 27.- Phoenix Mercury (6-4)
- Atlanta Dream (5-3)
Previous ranking: 3
Upcoming matches: vs. IND (June 10), vs. CHI (June 13), @ WAS (June 15) Last week was a disappointment for Atlanta, who met Connecticut at the wrong time. The Sun had five days to reflect on the 48-point thrashing at the hands of the Liberty before defeating the Dream 84-76 on Friday. There was good news for Atlanta: guard Jordin Canada, who had been out with a right knee injury, made her season debut against Connecticut. She didn’t score, but she had three assists.- Indiana Fever (4-4)
- Las Vegas Aces (4-3)
- Golden State Valkyries (4-5)
Previous ranking: 10
Upcoming matches: vs. SEA (June 14th) For the second time this season, the Valkyries have won two games in a row. After falling 86-77 on Thursday in Phoenix, they routed Las Vegas 95-68 (Saturday) and beat Los Angeles 89-81 in overtime (Monday). Golden State grabbed 17 offensive rebounds against the Sparks. Rookie forward Janelle Salaun scored 21 points, a season-best, plus eight rebounds.- Washington Mystics (4-6)
- Los Angeles Sparks (3-7)
The Sparks defeated Dallas on Friday and had the opportunity to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they faced Golden State on Monday. But Los Ángeles missed a shot at the end of regulation and the Valkyries took control in overtime for the 89-81 victory. The Sparks are eleventh in rebounds (32.4), which hurt them a lot against Golden State.
- Connecticut Sun (2-7)
- Chicago Sky (2-5)
Previous ranking: 8
Upcoming matches: @ NY (June 10), @ ATL (June 13), @ CON (June 15) These are not easy times for the Sky, who lost their only game of the week against the Fever. Vandersloot, Chicago’s best playmaker and the most experienced veteran, is out for the rest of the season. The Sky average 77.4 PPG, which is exactly where they finished last season, but they are allowing an average of 90.1 PPG, the worst in the league, compared to 82.5 last year. Unless they can improve on both ends, it will be difficult to compete.- Dallas Wings (1-9)
