WNBA Power Rankings After the 2025 All-Star Break

After a way-too-short All-Star break, WNBA action is upon us once again. It's been over a month since we last took stock of the league, so for this power ranking, we'll be doing a little catching up.

This is less a measure of the best team in a vacuum, and more of a snapshot of a team's play over the last month or so. That's why, despite considering a healthy Liberty the favorites, they won't be in the top two.

Let's dig in, shall we?

All stats are current through games played on July 21.

13. Connecticut Sun (3-19)

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Previous Ranking: 13 (N/A)

Since Last Ranking (2-13): 13th in offense, 13th in defense, 13th in net rating

Next Five Games: LAS, GSV, SEA, NYL, NYL

Three Quick Thoughts

• The intrigue is with the youth at this point, and I'd like to start the bidding with rookie guard Leila Lacan. We've only gotten five games of her at this point, but I've been impressed with her work inside the arc. She's converted a pristine 64% of her twos while showcasing some legit juice on drives (39 drives, 1.22 PPP). Keep an eye out for her.

• Related to the youth bit, quick hat-tips to Jacy Sheldon (45.3% on 3.5 3s since June 3rd) continuing to hunt her shot, Saniya Rivers (2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks) putting together an under-the-radar-because-the-team-is-bad All-Defense campaign, and Aneesah Morrow (8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds) generally flying around in an effort to make things happen.

• It hasn't been the best season for Tina Charles, but I do appreciate how much fun she seems to be having -- both with this group, and with any of the young bigs she's tasked with matching up with. She's given out plenty of buckets and words of encouragement this year and I just hope we're soaking that in.

12. Dallas Wings (6-17)

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Previous Ranking: 12 (N/A)

Since Last Ranking (5-11): 9th in offense, 11th in defense, 11th in net rating

Next Five Games: @SEA, @GSV, LVA, NYL, ATL

Three Quick Thoughts

• Despite some of the pushback I've seen online, always the safe space for nuanced basketball discussion, I've enjoyed the way head coach Chris Koclanes has moved Paige Bueckers around. She's 10th in pick-and-rolls per game (23.4) and 4th in off-ball screens received per game (19.5) -- a pretty even split, all things considered. Sprinkle in the random post-ups (15 reps, 1.21 PPP) and you have a multifaceted weapon that's being deployed like one.

• JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James have brought a much-needed boost of speed and off-ball comfort to this offense. Their ability to jumpstart transition opportunities and, in general, get into the paint makes it easier for Bueckers to operate off the ball. On a related note: the Wings have only been outscored by three points in the 85 minutes these three have played together.

• While we're here, just a quick shoutout to Li Yueru who has really settled in since joining the Wings. Her screening has been a pleasant surprise; it's made life easier for her guards while also creating cleaner scoring opportunities for herself.

11. Chicago Sky (7-15)

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Previous Ranking: 9 (-2)

Since Last Ranking (5-11): 12th in offense, 10th in defense, 12th in net rating

Next Five Games: @MIN, SEA, IND, @WAS, GSV

Three Quick Thoughts

• The Angel Reese experience has been a fun one as of late. She's averaging 15.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals and nearly a block per contest over the past month and change. She's fully embraced a point forward role, though that has come with understandable growing pains (3.8 turnovers, for example). The most encouraging part of this stretch has been her growth as a finisher; she's continued to seek out contact, with better timing on her gathers and releases. If that sustains...whew, buddy.

• Rachel Banham being this good and important to the Sky is a testament to her, but also a bit of an indictment to the rest of the guard room. Still, she's shot well from deep while displaying impressive touch, placement, and timing as a passer.

• Rebecca Allen has logged nine games of 20 or more minutes this season. I really, really, really hope that number skyrockets in the second half of the season.

10. Los Angeles Sparks (8-14)

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Previous Ranking: 11 (+1)

Since Last Ranking (6-8): 6th in offense, 12th in defense, 10th in net rating

Next Five Games: @WAS, @CON, @NYL, LVA, @SEA

Three Quick Thoughts

• I won't go on the screening rant again. You're welcome. In fact, I'll go to the other end of the floor: they've been an aggressive but inconsistent group defensively, and I'm generally curious to see how much new assistant coach Latricia Trammell will help on that front.

• On a related note, Kelsey Plum recently spoke to me about the team's defense and some of the chemistry-building that's taken place so far. It's not easy to blitz as often as they do, rotate as often as they have to, and sustain that at a high level with younger pieces on the roster. Plum is, and has been, one of the best players in the league to talk actual basketball with.

• I'd like to see more intentional usage for Rickea Jackson in the second half of the season. A quick example: she has received a total of 44 screens (38 off-ball, 6 on-ball) from Plum this season, something that should be a mismatch-creating staple within their offense.

9. Las Vegas Aces (11-11)

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Previous Ranking: 5 (-4)

Since Last Ranking (7-9): 10th in offense, 9th in defense, 9th in net rating

Next Five Games: ATL, @IND, @MIN, @DAL, @LAS

Three Quick Thoughts

• A'ja Wilson, still worthy of the Best In The World title, is starting to heat up. Missing a game due to a wrist injury, following that up with 34-16-4 against an elite Valkyries defense, then following that up with 37 & 10 against the Wings are the kind of reminders the basketball world needs sometimes. I've been keeping an eye on how often teams have sent extra defenders her way, and what that does to shape the Aces' shot profile; it's an interesting subplot that could shift more responsibility to the guards to open things up.

• The Aces' defense slipping to this degree over the past month-plus is concerning, but it's also a bit frustrating to watch. They've decided to limit their help in an effort to stay out of rotation, but they've still managed to put two on the ball because of a weird switch-or-not gray area that I'm sure they're not supposed to operate in as often as they have. I'd like to see them either lean more into switching to simplify things, or have more active help defense so they can more readily put out potential fires.

• It's been a fascinating Chelsea Gray season, but I wanted to quickly highlight her hands defensively. She really has no business being as good as she is at timing out strips against bigger players.

8. Washington Mystics (11-11)

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Previous Ranking: 7 (-1)

Since Last Ranking (8-7): 11th in offense, 6th in defense, 8th in net rating

Next Five Games: LAS, SEA, PHX, CHI, GSV

Three Quick Thoughts

• I'm keeping eyes on the Kiki Iriafen-Shakira Austin frontcourt -- as is the great Mark Schindler, I see. There's a level of defensive mobility, activity, and face-up aggression between these two that works. They have a plus-11.5 net rating in nearly 250 minutes together, spearheaded by a defensive rating (91.4) that would outpace the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (94.8). I'd like to continue to see them grow and build chemistry together, especially offensively.

• Sug Sutton was one of my earliest power ranking shoutouts for the Mystics. Since the last ranking (June 3), she's drilling over 46% of her threes, making the correct passing reads (3.6 assists to 1.6 turnovers) while continuing to pressure enemy ball-handlers beyond half-court. Incredibly fun, important vet.

• We, reportedly, got the Aaliyah Edwards trade request earlier this month. In light of Iriafen and Austin playing well together, and Edwards still holding value as a versatile third big, I wouldn't mind seeing Stefanie Dolson moved to another playoff team where she could be more consistently utilized.

7. Golden State Valkyries (10-12)

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Previous Ranking: 10 (+3)

Since Last Ranking (8-8): 8th in offense, 2nd in defense, 3rd in net rating

Next Five Games: DAL, @CON, @ATL, @WAS, @CHI

Three Quick Thoughts

• I don't know if there are enough good things I can say about this Valkyries defense. Their ball pressure, off-ball physicality, aggressive help defense, and scheme versatility has popped all year long. At a minimum, it keeps them in games; at best, their defense helps shape games into their image. Natalie Nakase and the rest of the coaching staff has done a tremendous job of scheming this up. Get Kayla Thornton on an All-Defensive team, please.

• I will say, the Valkyries do have to figure something out on the road in order to solidify themselves as a sure-fire playoff team. Their 80-61 win over the Indiana Fever was, shockingly, their first road win outside of the state of California all season. Overall, they're 3-8 on the road with a minus-4.9 net rating in those outings.

• Just a quick "I see you" to Monique Billings, whose energy on both ends really encapsulates the entire Valkyries experience. Be physical, defend multiple positions, battle on the glass, give up your body on charges, screen hard, and sprinkle in the occasional three. It's been good work for Billings.

6. Indiana Fever (12-11)

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Previous Ranking: 8 (+2)

Since Last Ranking (10-7): 1st in offense, 7th in defense, 5th in net rating

Next Five Games: @NYL, LVA, @CHI, PHX, @DAL

Three Quick Thoughts

• Let's start with the obvious: it'd be nice to see Caitlin Clark have a consistently healthy run with this team. Even in a year where she hasn't scored with the same efficiency -- 47% on 2s, 28% on 3s are both below her marks from last year (53% on 2s, 34% on 3s) -- the Fever have been a much better team with Clark on the floor. Groin injuries aren't anything to play with, so I hope the appropriate time is taken to make sure she's fully okay and good to go for the second half of the season.

• Aliyah Boston has firmly established herself as one of the best players in the league -- she made my top ten in the updated player rankings -- and clearly one of the more grating matchups in the league. I chuckle every Fever game where Boston is involved in some sort of tie-up or bout of #antics. It's a plot twist I wouldn't have expected when thinking back to what her rookie campaign was.

• Three-point shooting aside, I've really enjoyed what Aari McDonald has brought to the Fever. Her ball pressure and screen navigation on defense has popped. The quickness in which she pushes pace and moves the ball has been important in the Clark-less minutes and games. I'm not sure anyone anticipated her being the unofficial DeWanna Bonner replacement, but she's filled that rotation spot admirably.

5. Atlanta Dream (13-9)

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Previous Ranking: 3 (-2)

Since Last Ranking (8-7): 3rd in offense, 3rd in defense, 2nd in net rating

Next Five Games: @LVA, @PHX, @MIN, GSV, @DAL

Three Quick Thoughts

• In the "Nah, duh" division: I really hope Rhyne Howard (knee) is able to get and stay healthy. I've always been a bit weary with the bulky knee brace she had been wearing. Now that she's out through the end of July at minimum, I just hope she isn't dealing with anything too serious. The Dream can't reach their ceiling, on either end of the floor, without Howard's dynamic talent.

• Something worth keeping an eye on: Naz Hillmon has been averaging more minutes per game (23.5) than Brittney Griner (22.5) since the last ranking. In terms of 4th quarter minutes in this span, only Allisha Gray (124) has logged more than Hillmon (117). She's become an indispensable part of their team because of her ability to defend, rebound, and keep the offense moving with screens and slick passes.

• Regardless of who the closing five is, the Dream have to find themselves at the end of games. The tempo has to perk up offensively, and they have to find a way to end possessions -- their defensive rebound rate falls off a cliff in the final frame.

4. New York Liberty (15-6)

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Previous Ranking: 1 (-3)

Since Last Ranking (8-6): 5th in offense, 8th in defense, 7th in net rating

Next Five Games: IND, PHX, LAS, @DAL, @MIN

Three Quick Thoughts

• This stretch without Jonquel Jones, who's slated to return on Tuesday against the Fever, was a very loud reminder of how important she is on both ends of the floor. There just aren't many players that can deal with Jones' unique blend of size and skill; she shapes the geometry of the floor in a way that only a handful of players in the league can. I'm sure the Liberty are ecstatic to add her back into the fold.

• To that end, can we talk about the Liberty gaining commitments from star forward Emma Meesseman and versatile wing Stephanie Talbot on the same day? Talk about the rich getting richer; there are so many interesting lineup combinations they can get to that I don't know if I can even fit half of them in this piece. Just know that, if the Liberty have reasonable health, the Lynx may be the only team in the league with any semblance of a shot at preventing the repeat.

• I keep waiting on Kennedy Burke to have a legit cold stretch from beyond the arc, but I guess it just isn't going to happen. She's drained an absurd 48.1% of her threes over the past month or so, bringing her season total to 49.3% on nearly four attempts a game. There's a reason she's firmly in the Sixth Woman of the Year conversation.

3. Seattle Storm (14-9)

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Previous Ranking: 6 (+3)

Since Last Ranking (11-5): 7th in offense, 4th in defense, 4th in net rating

Next Five Games: DAL, @CHI, @WAS, @CON, LAS

Three Quick Thoughts

• I continue to enjoy the musical stylings of the Skylar Diggins-Nneka Ogwumike partnership. Diggins is incredibly good at engaging bigs when operating against drop coverage, probing just enough to open up a passing window to Ogwumike to set up an attack. She's also shot well enough (38.6% on 4.4 attempts since June 3) to punish "unders" if teams try to wall off the paint. To her credit, Ogwumike has been equally comfortable rolling and attacking, or popping into space for threes (37.3% on 3.7 attempts). There's no easy solve against this duo.

• From July 6 to July 13, Ezi Magbegor put together four straight double-digit scoring outings (15.0 points on 66.8 True Shooting) -- her longest streak of the season. Head coach Noelle Quinn was asked about Magbegor's uptick in production, and she referenced Magbegor finally starting to look healthy -- and, man, did that put a lot of her season into perspective. Here's hoping we're able to see her turn the corner post-All-Star break.

• Tiffany Mitchell, recently waived by the Las Vegas Aces following their trade for NaLyssa Smith, could wind up being a godsend for the team. Her drives and willingness to defend multiple positions feel pertinent in light of what the Alysha Clark season has been.

2. Phoenix Mercury (15-7)

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Previous Ranking: 3 (+1)

Since Last Ranking (10-5): 4th in offense, 5th in defense, 6th in net rating

Next Five Games: ATL, @NYL, @WAS, @IND, @ATL

Three Quick Thoughts

• On a basic level, it'd be nice to see the Mercury's big three of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper play together in earnest. That we've gotten through half of the season with those three logging 78 minutes is a buzzkill; the fact that they're 15-7 anyway is a testament to the collective resilience of the group. Still, I (and many Mercury fans, I'd be) would love to see the sample grow in the second half of the year.

• In the meantime, DeWanna Bonner making her return to the Mercury and immediately giving them good minutes on both ends of the floor (13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals in 26.8 minutes) is at least a little bit funny. The Mercury being able to close games with Monique Akoa-Makani, Copper, Bonner, Sabally, and Thomas feels incredibly rude -- I need to see it immediately.

• A lot has been made about Mercury role players in the perimeter room: Akoa-Makani, Sami Whitcomb, Kitija Laksa, Lexi Held (get well soon!) have all provided a nice blend of shooting, screening, and defensive intensity. But I think Natasha Mack deserves some frontcourt love for being a versatile defender in her own right, as well as an absolute monster on the offensive glass. I've enjoyed her season.

1. Minnesota Lynx (20-4)

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Previous Ranking: 2 (+1)

Since Last Ranking (13-4): 2nd in offense, 1st in defense, 1st in net rating

Next Five Games: CHI, LVA, ATL, NYL, @LVA

Three Quick Thoughts

• Here's your obligatory "Napheesa Collier is absurd" bullet point. The current frontrunner for MVP, Collier leads the WNBA in scoring (23.0) on career-best efficiency (61.9 True Shooting) while ranking in the top five in steals (1.7) and blocks (1.7). The MVP and DPOY double-dip isn't out of the question for Collier, even if I'd personally lean towards her teammate Alanna Smith for DPOY if I had a ballot. Speaking of which...

• I'm keeping an eye on Smith for three reasons. One, she's been incredibly good and impactful this year on both ends of the floor. I thought she deserved All-Star consideration, but she should factor heavily into DPOY and All-Defense conversations at least. Two, the three-point shooting is once again slipping (27.3% on 3.9 attempts) and I'll be curious to see how teams choose (not) to react. Third, part of the Smith DPOY/All-Defense case has been her willingness to defend bigger 5s. That naturally takes a physical toll. I just wonder which version of Smith we'll see by the time we reach the postseason.

• Shout out to the StudBudz for being the highlight of All-Star Weekend.

Stats are courtesy of WNBA.com (basic player stats/advanced team stats), PBP Stats (lineup combinations and on/off data), or Second Spectrum (player or team tracking/play-type data) unless otherwise noted.