WNBA Energy Rankings 2024: Unbeaten Lynx leap 5 spots

Catch your breath but after a whirlwind first week, WNBA followers?

The 2024 season kicked off in memorable trend. Rookies from Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese to Cameron Brink made their skilled debuts and impacted their respective groups immediately. Superstars from A’ja Wilson to Breanna Stewart to Alyssa Thomas picked up from the place they left off in 2023. Beneath-the-radar gamers from DiJonai Carrington to Kia Nurse to Alanna Smith raised eyebrows early.

A recreation went to double-overtime Friday, two triple-doubles have been tallied on the primary two days of the season, and several other different contests had shut finishes. And we’re not even a full week in.

The highest quarter of the league — the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces, final yr’s runners-up within the New York Liberty and perennial contenders within the Connecticut Solar — appeared just about as anticipated, collectively going 7-0.

However newer-look groups that made large strikes within the offseason have had combined outcomes. The Minnesota Lynx asserted themselves early and are the one different undefeated squad heading into Week 2. After an 0-2 begin, the Seattle Storm — who may emerge because the league’s latest superteam by summer season’s finish — beat the Washington Mystics on Sunday for his or her first win.

The Phoenix Mercury gave the Aces a tricky go Tuesday earlier than beating the Atlanta Dream in a Saturday night thriller, marking new head coach Nate Tibbetts’ first profession win. That very same evening, new Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon additionally earned profession victory No. 1 because the Sky received on the Dallas Wings.

The harm bug hit the likes of Dallas, Seattle, Washington and Phoenix over the previous few days. The Wings can be with out Natasha Howard (damaged foot) for 3 to 6 weeks, whereas Brittney Sykes and Nneka Ogwumike each missed Sunday’s assembly with ankle accidents they suffered Friday. The Mystics have been with out Shakira Austin (hip harm administration) and the Storm with out rookie Nika Muhl (visa points) in that recreation.

Brittney Griner can also be out indefinitely for the Mercury after fracturing her toe. The Aces stay with out Chelsea Grey as she continues to return again from the foot harm she suffered in final yr’s WNBA Finals.

The highest three groups in ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings stay unchanged from our preseason version, however there’s loads of shuffling after that. Right here is the place issues stand heading into Monday’s video games: Connecticut travels to Indiana (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) for a rematch from opening day, whereas Seattle ventures to New York (7 p.m. ET, ESPN App).

Preseason rating: 1

This week: vs. PHO (Might 21), vs. IND (Might 25)

The champions had an eventful week. On Tuesday they acquired their rings for profitable the 2023 title and a pregame speak from group minority proprietor Tom Brady. That evening, as they defeated the Mercury 89-80, additionally they confirmed off their new silver and black uniforms, harkening again to not simply Aces proprietor Mark Davis’ Las Vegas Raiders but in addition to the franchise’s origins because the San Antonio Stars.

However throughout their Saturday contest in opposition to Los Angeles — a come-from-behind victory for Las Vegas — it was reported that the WNBA is investigating a deal through which the Las Vegas Conference and Guests Authority publicly pledged a $100,000 sponsorship to every participant on the Aces roster. “Simply one other day within the lifetime of the Aces,” Wilson, a two-time MVP, stated of the investigation after the sport. “We won’t ever begin simply regular, it is at all times going to be one thing, and that is OK.”

Wilson and Jackie Younger have led the cost on the court docket. Wilson kicked off her season with a 30-point, 13-rebound, 5-assist, 3-block outing, whereas Younger is embracing extra of a facilitating function with Grey out, averaging 8.5 assists to associate with 22.5 factors per recreation.

Coach Becky Hammon is at all times harping on her group’s protection, and Saturday she was displeased with how the Sparks asserted their will within the paint. Offensively, Hammon pressured after each video games the necessity for extra ball and participant motion, and it hurts to not have Grey on the ground to assist conduct the operation. Nobody must attempt to be Grey, however Hammon desires every participant to offer a bit extra.

Former Iowa standout Kate Martin, who was drafted within the second spherical, may be a considerably sudden particular person to assist; she was plus-8 in 26 minutes in opposition to the Sparks on Saturday.

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Preseason rating: 2

This week: vs. SEA (Might 20), vs. CHI (Might 23), @ MIN (Might 25)

After a scare in opposition to the Mystics to open the season, the Liberty cruised to 3-0 with a pair of wins over the Fever as they appear to make use of final yr’s chemistry-building season to make one other run on the franchise’s first WNBA title. “We have been shut final yr,” Breanna Stewart stated Saturday, “however we’re even nearer this yr.”

Stewart demonstrated but once more why she’s a two-time MVP, popping out with a 31-point, 10-rebound, 4-assist, 3-steal and 2-block effort in Indianapolis on Thursday. Jonquel Jones — who in contrast to final yr is wholesome to start out the season — has been sturdy to start out (17.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG), as has Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (15.0 PPG) on each ends of the ground.

New York retooled its bench within the offseason, and we have seen coach Sandy Brondello go to her reserves extra ceaselessly already, with at the least 5 bench gamers averaging between 9 and 11 minutes per recreation. Nyara Sabally, specifically, confirmed nice flashes Saturday in opposition to the Fever.

Washington and Indiana are a mixed 0-6, so upcoming conferences in opposition to the Storm, Sky and Lynx ought to inform us extra about the place the Liberty really are, particularly on the defensive finish. That is the world, Jones stated, the place they wish to develop essentially the most this yr.

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Preseason rating: 3

This week: @ IND (Might 20, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN), vs. MIN (Might 23), @ CHI (Might 25)

Connecticut has largely picked up the place it left off final season — and a few. All-Star Brionna Jones has returned to the lineup after final yr’s Achilles tear, and whereas she’s nonetheless working her method again, her influence within the paint is simple. No Solar participant has taken a much bigger leap than Carrington, a fourth-year guard. The previous Baylor standout first shined with a robust defensive effort on Clark through which she additionally scored 16 factors, after which adopted with 21 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists in opposition to the Mystics.

Coach Stephanie White stated the workers trusted Carrington to take this type of leap in her profession, that it was only a matter of her turning into extra disciplined. Carrington’s continued development could be an enormous boon for a Solar group that has tended to be stronger within the frontcourt than backcourt.

After a convincing season-opening win over the Fever, Friday’s matchup in opposition to the Mystics was harder with the Solar’s offense stalling, however White credited the group’s veteran management (spearheaded by DeWanna Bonner’s 14 factors within the remaining body) in serving to them overcome a six-point fourth-quarter deficit.

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Preseason rating: 9

This week: @ CON (Might 23), vs. NY (Might 25), @ ATL (Might 26)

Expectations have been combined on how the Lynx would look this yr, however they took it to Seattle, sweeping their opening week home-and-home in opposition to the Storm. After a slew of poor begins lately (0-6 in 2023, 0-4 in each 2022 and 2021), the Lynx notched their first 2-0 begin since 2019. And it wasn’t fully shocking to educate Cheryl Reeve after her gamers had a “hell of a coaching camp,” she stated Friday, with their competitiveness, willingness to assist one another and communication. “The artwork of accelerating chemistry, this group has type of placed on a clinic in what that takes,” Reeve stated after their second win.

Napheesa Collier, who completed fourth in MVP voting in 2023, is doing Napheesa Collier issues, coming away with 29 factors, 9 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 assists and a couple of blocks within the Lynx’s double-overtime win Friday regardless of coping with foul hassle. Former Stanford standout Alanna Smith has been stellar in her new chapter in Minnesota, recording a career-high 22 factors in her first recreation as a Lynx and a career-best six blocks the following. And Reeve is absolutely excited concerning the synergy the 2 posts are creating with one another, particularly on protection.

Might Minnesota be a title contender? Wins over Connecticut and New York this week would assist push the Lynx into that dialog.

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Preseason rating: 6

This week: @ LV (Might 21), vs. WAS (Might 23), vs. DAL (Might 25)

Regardless of being with out Griner for the foreseeable future, the Mercury are off to a stable begin. They overcame a tough first quarter to play Las Vegas tight and pulled inside three with 1:17 to play, helped largely by Diana Taurasi’s 7-for-11 capturing from the 3-point arc. Phoenix sank 15 of 36 makes an attempt from deep that evening, aligned with Tibbetts’ offensive system that prioritizes appears from 3 (35-40 makes an attempt per recreation) and within the paint/on the rim.

He wasn’t as happy with the Mercury’s shot choice the following recreation in opposition to the Dream, after they gave up the lead late earlier than clawing again to return away with the victory. However new addition Kahleah Copper was unstoppable, ending with a career-high 38 factors, which included 16 journeys to the free throw line.

Natasha Mack, again within the league after being drafted within the second spherical in 2021, has helped the Mercury discover their footing. Tasked with serving to compensate for Griner’s absence, Mack collected a game-high 11 boards in opposition to Atlanta and has been lauded for her protection. That finish of the ground, Tibbetts stated, is what the group labored on extensively in coaching camp and can be its precedence transferring ahead.

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Preseason rating: 7

This week: vs. DAL (Might 21), vs. MIN (Might 26)

The Dream kicked off 2024 with a pair of street tilts out west — beating the Sparks after which narrowly dropping to the Mercury — earlier than returning house for his or her house opener Tuesday. Former No. 1 draft decide Rhyne Howard resides as much as the billing, scoring 20 factors in every of her video games in her third season on an environment friendly 51.6% capturing (50% from the 3-point arc).

Future Corridor of Famer Tina Charles made her return to the league after not taking part in within the WNBA final yr, averaging 13.5 factors, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals, whereas crediting coach Tanisha Wright, her former teammate in New York, for at all times bringing out the very best in her.

Wright has harped on her group needing to remain disciplined and constant for 4 quarters, a problem relationship to final season. She felt the Dream lacked vitality in opposition to Phoenix at first, wanted to defend higher and likewise play smarter after failing to benefit from Natasha Cloud guarding Charles for big stretches of the sport. Atlanta — which remains to be with out Jordin Canada however picked up Crystal Dangerfield — has an opportunity to work on that sharpness this week with simply two house video games.

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Preseason rating: 4

This week: @ NY (Might 20), vs. IND (Might 22), vs. WAS (Might 25)

The Storm garnered loads of hype coming into the season after bringing in Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith in free company to pair with Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor. It has taken a while for the expertise to coalesce, comprehensible given how early it’s within the season. Following a pair of losses to the Lynx, the second in double extra time, Seattle earned its first win of the season Sunday over the Mystics in D.C. regardless of being with out Ogwumike.

Coach Noelle Quinn thought her group completed performs higher and confirmed extra focus, self-discipline and toughness — qualities the Storm might want to come out with one other win to conclude their back-to-back Monday at New York. Relying on how she feels, Ogwumike may be out there for the matchup, Quinn stated.

Seattle’s largest points are on the offensive finish. The Storm’s offensive score (89.5 factors per 100 possessions) ranks second-worst within the league, and so they’re additionally final in help share (48.9%) and efficient discipline aim share (41.7%). A part of that could be a product of Loyd’s capturing hunch; she has made 13 of 59 makes an attempt from the sphere, however Quinn stated she thought the guard discovered a greater rhythm Sunday.

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Preseason rating: 12

This week: @ NY (Might 23), vs. CON (Might 25)

Rookie Reese had a difficult matchup for her first professional video games, going through the scale of the Wings’ Teaira McCowan, Kalani Brown and Stephanie Soares, all of whom are 6-foot-6 or 6-7. However it was obvious with Saturday’s comeback win over the Wings that Reese, her Sky teammates and Weatherspoon are discovering their method behind a defensive-minded id and balanced offense.

Reese (11.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG) continues to carry vitality on the glass and get to the free throw line (7.5 makes an attempt per recreation), whereas fellow publish participant Elizabeth Williams (12.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG) has had a stable begin to the season as effectively. These two have helped the Sky emerge as the highest offensive rebounding group within the league (42.2% offensive rebounding charge).

Within the second recreation of the season, six gamers — the starters plus reserve Chennedy Carter — reached double figures, one thing the Sky did solely as soon as final season. Weatherspoon was complimentary of Carter on Saturday, saying the guard — who previous to this week hadn’t performed within the WNBA since 2022 — is discovering her method and her function. Diamond DeShields is one other participant making a comeback of types with the Sky; she was sidelined with an harm in 2023 however is prospering again in Chicago (15.0 PPG).

Chicago has solely two video games this week however they’re in opposition to robust competitors within the Liberty and Solar. The sport in opposition to Connecticut will mark Chicago’s house opener, ultimately.

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Preseason rating: 5

This week: @ ATL (Might 21) @ PHO (Might 25), @ LA (Might 26)

Dallas has began its 2024 marketing campaign in rocky trend. The Wings have been already with out Satou Sabally till after the Olympics, after which Jaelyn Brown and Howard have been sidelined this week with their respective accidents (Brown is predicted to be per week). The Wings introduced in Monique Billings on a hardship contract within the meantime.

The Wings break up their two-game sequence in opposition to the Sky, within the first recreation overcoming a late deficit to win and within the second relinquishing a lead in a loss. Coach Latricia Trammel was pleased with her shorthanded group’s effort — Maddy Siegrist and Soares earned their first profession begins in consequence — however 26 turnovers and 19 Sky offensive boards finally spelled doom. Dallas will look to scrub up each these areas because it heads right into a five-game cross-country street journey.

Arike Ogunbowale’s blistering offense — together with her eighth profession 35-point recreation Saturday — was a typical thread all through each contests. She’s averaging 30 factors per recreation whereas capturing 40% on 3s, and till Howard and Sabally return, the Wings will proceed to lean on her to maintain issues afloat. Can this be the yr she asserts herself within the MVP dialog?

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Preseason rating: 10

This week: vs. WAS (Might 21), vs. IND (Might 24), vs. DAL (Might 26)

The Sparks nonetheless await their first win of the season, although they have been inside hanging distance of their losses to Atlanta and Las Vegas. Their protection has a lot room for development — it is a restricted pattern measurement, however their defensive effectivity (109.7 factors per 100 possessions) ranks eleventh within the league — however they’ve had some shiny spots, and coach Curt Miller stated after their loss to the Aces he is inspired with the place his group can go.

Dearica Hamby is off to a blistering begin, averaging 24.5 factors, 11.5 rebounds and a couple of.5 steals per recreation via two contests, bolstered by her 29-point outing in opposition to the Aces, her former group, on Saturday.

Layshia Clarendon recorded their first profession triple-double within the season opener, whereas Nurse is taking part in the very best basketball of her WNBA profession. Lottery picks Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink are impressing early, too — the latter placing on a defensive clinic with 5 blocks and eight boards in opposition to the Aces.

Los Angeles has a reasonably favorable schedule with the winless Mystics and Fever coming to city, adopted by the Wings, to spherical out a three-game homestand.

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Preseason rating: 11

This week: at LA (Might 21), at PHO (Might 23), at SEA (Might 25)

The Mystics have been perplexing to observe. In some stretches, they appear a lot better than many anticipated for a group that noticed a number of stars go away within the offseason. Washington has really led heading into the fourth quarter in every of its first three video games in opposition to the Liberty, Solar and Storm.

However their fourth-quarter collapses — they have been outscored by double figures within the remaining body in every contest — have resulted of their first 0-3 begin since 2016. It hasn’t helped to be with out Sykes a lot of the previous two video games, after which sans Austin on Sunday. Coach Eric Thibault stated Sykes will journey on the group’s upcoming three-game street journey and can be thought-about day-to-day.

The newcomers have been thrilling for the Mystics to this point. Karlie Samuelson, lastly on a protected contract, is capturing 47.1% from 3, whereas WNBA rookies Aaliyah Edwards and Julie Vanloo earned their first profession begins Sunday. The latter, a 31-year-old guard from Belgium, is main the group in assists with 5.7 dimes per recreation regardless of averaging simply 23.2 minutes.

The schedule would not get a lot simpler this week, because the Sparks can be hungry for his or her first win as effectively. The Mercury and Storm need to set up themselves as contenders following large offseason strikes and are robust groups to play on their house flooring.

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Preseason rating: 8

This week: vs. CON (Might 20, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN), at SEA (Might 22), at LA (Might 24), at LV (Might 25)

The going has been robust for the Fever, who’ve arguably the hardest schedule within the league to start out the season with seven video games (together with 5 on the street) in 12 days. By Saturday, they will have performed the Liberty and Solar twice, plus the Storm and, on the tail finish of a back-to-back, the two-time defending champs.

Their first two video games, at Connecticut and versus New York, have been significantly tough, as Indiana misplaced by a mixed 57 factors. However Saturday’s loss to New York in Brooklyn was by a decent 11 factors as Indiana bounced again to win the second half. The Fever’s present minus-68 level differential is the second worst via the primary three video games of a season in league historical past.

There was quite a lot of give attention to the offense given Clark’s function in it, and the teamwide want for higher chemistry, stream and execution on that finish of the ground. Coach Christie Sides undoubtedly desires to see progress defensively too, significantly after her group allowed New York to hit 12 3-pointers within the first half Saturday. Their 285 factors allowed are the fourth most via the primary three video games of a season in league historical past. Indiana ranks final within the league in each offensive and defensive effectivity.