2024 WNBA Power Rankings Week 6: Sky, Fever Move Up

Now that all our heart rates are back to normal after Sunday’s Sky-Fever nail-biter, let’s dive into Week 6 of gameplay. Some teams are on the rise (hello, Mystics), and some teams have fallen (looking at you, Dream and Wings), while the Liberty sit comfortably at the top spot. How did your favorite team fare this week?

Stats and analysis as of Sunday, June 23.

1. New York Liberty (15-3)

Previous Ranking: 1
Last Week: L at Phoenix 93-99, W vs. Sparks 93-80, W vs. Sparks 98-88, W at Atlanta 96-75
This Week: Tuesday vs. Lynx (Commissioner’s Cup Championship), Sunday at Atlanta
Team Stats: OffRtg: 108.9 (1); DefRtg: 96.3 (4); NetRtg: 12.5 (2); eFG%: 54.0 (1)

With already 15 wins under their belt, the New York Liberty are off to their best start in franchise history. Breanna Stewart has helped with this. In Saturday’s win against the Sparks, she had this wild stat line: 24 points (8-10 field goals), 5 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals. WHAT! She became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ blocks in a half!

Sidenote: Sabrina Ionescu, drop the off-season training regime, sis! Whatever it is, she has been in her bag not only from 3-point land but floaters, finishes at the rim, and razor-sharp passes. She looks confident in her countermoves and has done a fantastic job running the point while Courtney Vandersloot took time away from the team.

Stewie and the Liberty were crowned Commissioner’s Cup Champions last season. Can they go back-to-back? We’ll find out on Tuesday.

2. Minnesota Lynx (13-3)

Previous Ranking: 3
Last Week: W vs. Wings 90-78, W vs Dream 68-55, W vs. Mercury 73-60
This Week: Tuesday at Liberty (Commissioner’s Cup Championship), Thursday at Dallas, Sunday at Chicago
Team Stats: OffRtg: 103.4 (3); DefRtg: 90.6 (1); NetRtg: 12.9 (1); eFG%: 52.7 (2)

A user on X mentioned that it’s crazy that people don’t talk about how great Napheesa Collier is.

It is crazy, so let’s change that! Napheesa Collier is having an MVP-type season, leading her Lynx to win six games in a row. Actually, the Mercury’s buzzer-beater win two weeks ago is the only Minnesota loss in the last 10 games. Collier has been the reason. She’s averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game on 45.8% from the field. She continues to show up for her team in big moments—on both ends of the floor. This week, the Lynx snatched the top spot in defensive ratings from the Sun.

Collier and Co. will take on the Liberty in Tuesday’s Commissioner Cup. It’ll be Minnesota’s number-one defense versus New York’s number-one offense. “We’re competitors, so it’s going to be competitive even because of that, take the money out,” Collier said. “But then you put that money on the line, people are going to fight hard. I think it’s going to be a really great game.” I know I’ll be sat!

3. Connecticut Sun (13-3)

4. Seattle Storm (10-6)

Previous Ranking: 5
Last Week: L at Aces 83-94, W vs. Sun 72-61
This Week: Thursday vs. Fever, Saturday vs. Wings
Team Stats: OffRtg: 99.2 (6); DefRtg: 94.2 (3); NetRtg: 5.0 (4); eFG%: 47.0 (10)

To make the Storm’s 25th Anniversary celebration extra sweet on Sunday, Seattle knocked off the Sun, which busted a two-game losing streak. All five starters were in double figures. Jordan Horston, who got her first start of the season, added 10 points, 7 rebounds, and a much-needed boost. Plus, it always helps to hold DeWanna Bonner and Dijonai Carrington to merely 11 points combined.

Jewell Loyd scored 16 points, which made Storm fans happy; she only scored a single point in the loss against Las Vegas early in the week. That snapped a league-best 55-game streak of scoring in double figures. Also, on Sunday, they kicked off a nine-game homestay. Climate Pledge is one of the league’s most electric home-court advantages; the Storm will need it to keep this up.

5. Las Vegas Aces (8-6)

Previous Ranking: 4
Last Week: W vs. Storm 94-83, W vs. Sun 85-74
This Week: Thursday at Sky, Saturday at Mystics
Team Stats: OffRtg: 105.8 (2); DefRtg: 103.0 (9); NetRtg: 2.8 (5); eFG%: 50.9 (3)

She’s baaaaack. On Wednesday, the Point Gawd Chelsea Gray entered the game for the first time this season at a roaring Michelob Ultra Arena. The fans let her know how much she’s been missed. She notched an assist in the first seconds of stepping onto the court and finished the night with seven. It’s like she didn’t miss a beat.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Aces picked up two wins in Gray’s return to play. Their offense became reminiscent of last season’s championship hum. The ball was whipping around to find the open player. The pace quickened. The shots were extra crisp. Against the Storm—who beat the Aces by 13 two weeks ago—Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson combined for 59 of the 94 points in the win. In the battle against Connecticut, it was the Wilson (26 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Kelsey Plum (18 points, 4 assists) show. The Aces like to spread the love; with their next six games coming to lower-seeded teams, I can see this two-game win streak ballooning to eight.

6. Phoenix Mercury (8-8)

Previous Ranking: 8
Last Week: W vs Liberty 99-93, L vs Lynx 60-73
This Week: Friday vs Sparks, Sunday vs Fever
Team Stats: OffRtg: 98.3 (8); DefRtg: 103.0 (9); NetRtg: -4.8 (8); eFG%: 49.0 (6)

I was discussing the Mercury with someone this week, and we were both surprised at how well this team has come together so quickly. They’re exciting, gritty, and determined. Are they perfect? No, but with the number of off-season movements they made, we both predicted the best-case scenario would be that it would start to click post-Olympic break. Sitting at .500, Phoenix is already head and shoulders above last season’s record (and vibe). And Tuesday’s upset over the Liberty proved that their crazy-good depth may make them contenders. Six players were in double figures, including stars Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, who both scored 19 points.

Then, they went cold against the Lynx on Saturday. They’ve shown a pattern of inconsistency, especially from beyond the arc (50% vs New York and 20% vs Minnesota in the next game). But with two games this week against Sparks and Fever, it could be a way to boost their confidence. Or they just need thee Hot Girl, Meg Thee Stallion, to hype them up!

7. Indiana Fever (7-11)

Previous Ranking: 10
Last Week: W vs Mystics 88-81, W at Dream 91-79, L at Sky 87-88
This Week: Thursday at Storm, Sunday at Mercury
Team Stats: OffRtg: 100.3 (5); DefRtg: 109.5 (12); NetRtg: -9.1 (12); eFG%: 50.7 (4)

This is the Fever team we knew they could be. It’s almost a 180-degree difference from the 1-9 start to the season, especially the ball movement; the Fever continues to establish a paint presence, which opens up the outside shooting. They shot 57% as a team in the win against ATL. Christie Sides has said they want to become an inside-out team—feed the post and utilize Aliyah Boston as a passer—and it’s been an upgrade.

The last time the Fever won four straight was in 2015. Kelsey Mitchell shot over 50% from the field in that four-game stretch, a first in her career. But Chicago snapped the streak in a down-to-the-wire battle on Sunday. Caitlin Clark set a new franchise record with 13 assists. Boston flirted with a triple-double (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists). Mitchell had a team-high 24 points. It’s coming along.

8. Chicago Sky (6-9)

Previous Ranking: 9
Last Week: W vs. Wings 83-72, W vs. Fever 88-87
This Week: Thursday vs. Aces, Sunday vs. Lynx
Team Stats: OffRtg: 98.4 (7); DefRtg: 99.6 (5); NetRtg: -1.2 (6); eFG%: 45.7 (11)

*In Latto’s voice* Angel Reese. With another monster 25 points and 15 rebounds against the Fever, she now officially holds the WNBA rookie record for consecutive games with a double-double at eight.

“I’m a dog. You can’t teach that,” she told ESPN post-game. Reese rallied late to lead Chicago to the comeback win. (Sidenote: Where can I vote to keep having Fever vs. Sky weekly?)

Reese became the first rookie to record 25+ points and 15+ rebounds in a game since A’ja Wilson in 2018. And, well, we know how the latter’s career is going.

Coach Teresa Weatherspoon switched up the starting lineup this week, moving Dana Evans to the bench and putting Lindsey Allen into the starting PG spot. Chennedy Carter, who was a shoo-in for 6th Woman of the Year, is now starting at guard, and if this alley-oop is any indication, that’s working out swell. This Chicago team is so much fun. I’m eager to see how these two huge wins this past week propel them into an upcoming gauntlet of Aces and Lynx.

9. Atlanta Dream (6-9)

Previous Ranking: 7
Last Week: L vs. Lynx 55-68, L vs. Fever 79-91, L vs. Liberty 75-96
This Week: Friday at Sun, Sunday at Liberty
Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.0 (12); DefRtg: 101.3 (7); NetRtg: -6.3 (9); eFG%: 43.7 (12)

The bad news: Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely with a left ankle injury that she suffered against the Lynx on Wednesday. When she hobbled off the court, viewers collectively sighed. Howard, who is expected to make her 3×3 Olympic debut in July, was averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals for Atlanta.

The good news: Jordin Canada is back as we saw her suit up for the Dream for the first time this season on Sunday. Some expected rust, but, as Allisha Gray joked, “About time! Dang!”

Canada tweeted after the game, “Giving myself grace and patience as I step back on the court!”

Once the point guard gets her legs under her, I’m sure it’ll help Atlanta climb from dead last in offensive rating.

10. Washington Mystics (4-13)

Previous Ranking: 12
Last Week: L at Fever 81-88, W vs. Wings 97-69, W vs. Wings 92-84
This Week: Thursday vs. Sun, Saturday vs. Aces
Team Stats: OffRtg: 97.1 (10); DefRtg: 101.2 (6); NetRtg: -4.1 (7); eFG%: 49.6 (5)

Watch out! The Mystics have won four of their last five and are out of last place in the league despite opening the season with a franchise-worst 12 straight losses. Role players have shined recently. Emily Engstler gave D.C. big minutes, going 7-11 from the field on Saturday with a 23-point, 9-rebound finish. Stefanie Dolson erupted for 18 points and 8 rebounds Sunday. They’ve been stacking wins by committee, and their best games are still ahead of them.

11. Los Angeles Sparks (4-13)

Previous Ranking: 11
Last Week: L at Sun 79-70, L at Liberty 80-93, L at Liberty 88-98
This Week: Friday at Mercury
Team Stats: OffRtg: 96.7 (11); DefRtg: 105.2 (10); NetRtg: -8.5 (10); eFG%: 48.1 (7)

Sparks, who are riding a six-game losing skid, received a worst-case scenario this week with Cameron Brink going down with a torn ACL against the Sun on Tuesday. Brink, who was starting to hit her rookie groove, is now expected to miss the remainder of the WNBA season and miss the opportunity to represent the USA in 3×3 for the Olympics this summer—a gut-wrenching blow for Brink, the Sparks, and basketball fans everywhere.

A bright spot: Zia Cooke has been cooking. She averaged 13.5 points in about 17 minutes in the last two games, earning some extra playing time with Lexie Brown sidelined. Curt Miller said she was a “hunter” on the offensive end in the back-to-back matches against New York. Miller also said that her ability to stay ready would be rewarded in the coming games as they round out their road trip.

12. Dallas Wings (3-13)

Previous Ranking: 10
Last Week: L at Lynx 78-90, L at Sky 72-83, L at Mystics 69-97, L at Mystics 84-92
This Week: Thursday vs. Lynx, Saturday at Storm
Team Stats: OffRtg: 97.5 (9); DefRtg: 106.1 (11); NetRtg: -8.6 (11); eFG%: 47.1 (9)

It’s been a rough patch for Dallas, as the Wings haven’t won a game since May. And the bad times keep on rolling; the injury reports for the Wings have been as long as a CVS receipt. Despite getting Natasha Howard back (26 points, eight rebounds, three assists on Sunday vs the Mystics), there’s been a new edition. Forward Maddy Siegrist, who broke her index finger in the first quarter against the Lynx on Monday, underwent successful surgery and is expected to return following the Olympic break after an eight-week recovery.

If the bleak 11-game losing streak could have a positive note, it would be Arike Ogunbowale’s All-Star caliber season so far. She sat one game earlier this week with a sore Achille’s tendon but returned with a 31-point special on Chicago. She had seven (!) made 3s on the night. I think Dallas will be a different team come September, but they’re digging a deep hole to get out of when their roster is at full strength.

WNBA reporter Jordan Robinson writes columns onWNBA.comthroughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at@HeyJordanR. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

2024 WNBA Power Rankings Week 6: Sky, Fever Move Up - WNBA (2024)