WNBA Energy Rankings: Lynx unseat Liberty at No. 1; Sky climb

The Minnesota Lynx are on the transfer — simply in time for the Commissioner’s Cup closing.

The Lynx went 3-0 final week to take over the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings and edge in entrance of the New York Liberty, who had been the highest crew the previous two weeks.

New York, which went 3-1 final week, hosts Minnesota on Tuesday within the championship sport of the Commissioner’s Cup. It is their second assembly this season, however will not rely within the regular-season standings.

The Lynx decisively received the primary assembly 84-67 in Minnesota on Might 25. The 2024 season was solely 11 days outdated, however it was already clear then that many of the preseason projections concerning the Lynx had been off. They appear not like only a playoff crew, however a championship contender.

There was little doubt ahead Napheesa Collier would have a robust 2024 season, and he or she’s averaging 20.9 factors, 10.4 rebounds and three.5 assists. However the Lynx made some key strikes round her within the offseason — similar to bringing in Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith from the Chicago Sky — they usually have paid off.

Even with out final yr’s No. 2 draft decide, Diamond Miller (she hasn’t performed since Might 23 due to a knee harm), the Lynx are first in assists (24.0), 3-point share (39.8), defensive ranking (90.6) and internet ranking (12.9). They rank second in scoring protection (73.8 PPG) and area objective share (45.3) and third in scoring (84.5 PPG).

Kayla McBride, in her eleventh season within the WNBA, is averaging 16.1 factors and capturing 46.4% behind the arc. She and New York’s Sabrina Ionescu are tied for the league lead with 52 3-pointers. Smith (12.0 PPG) and Williams (10.4) are additionally averaging in double-figures scoring.

“One of many perks of our offense — why it is so laborious to protect us — is everyone seems to be a menace to cross, to shoot, to attain, to drive,” Collier mentioned.

There actually is not something the Lynx aren’t doing effectively. They’re fifth in rebounding (35.1 RPG), and need to be even higher there, too.

“We need to go actually far this season,” Collier mentioned. “To that, we all know rebounding must be a behavior.”

Whereas issues are trying good for the Lynx and the Liberty now, it was a tough week injurywise for the WNBA. No. 2 draft decide Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks was misplaced for the season to an ACL harm suffered Tuesday, and 2022 No. 1 decide and Rookie of the 12 months Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream suffered an ankle harm Wednesday that has her out indefinitely. Each had been named to the U.S. 3×3 Olympic crew earlier this month. Brink have to be changed; at this level, Howard hopes to be again for the Paris Video games.

Earlier rankings: Preseason | Might 20 | Might 27 | June 3 | June 10 | June 17

Earlier rating: 3

This week: @ NY (June 25; Commissioner’s Cup closing), @ DAL (June 27), @ CHI (June 30)

The Lynx are 8-1 in June, with the one loss approaching a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at Phoenix. After three victories at residence final week — over Dallas, Atlanta and Phoenix — they’ve their subsequent 4 on the highway, together with the Commissioner’s Cup closing. The Lynx have received 11 video games this season by double digits, essentially the most within the league.

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Napheesa Collier’s 23-point double-double leads Lynx to dominant win

Napheesa Collier cooks the Mercury for 23 factors and 14 rebounds to guide the Lynx to a 73-60 win.

Earlier rating: 1

This week: vs. MIN (June 25; Commissioner’s Cup closing), vs. ATL (June 30)

The Liberty dropped a spot within the Energy Rankings, however should be pleased with how they’re taking part in. After a 98-93 loss at Phoenix final Tuesday, they beat the Sparks twice in New York, then topped the Dream in Atlanta. Now, they may attempt to defend their title within the Commissioner’s Cup, which they received final yr over Las Vegas. Courtney Vandersloot, who’s coping with the loss of life of her mom, has missed the previous eight video games however is again with the crew and can return to motion when she’s prepared. In her absence, Sabrina Ionescu had accomplished effectively in working the purpose.

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Sabrina Ionescu scores 26 with 11 assists in Liberty win

Sabrina Ionescu scores 26 factors and dishes 11 assists to assist in Liberty’s win over Dream 96-75.

Earlier rating: 2

This week: @ WAS (June 27), vs. ATL (June 28)

After a win over the Sparks, the Solar made their first 2024 journey to the Pacific time zone over the weekend — and it did not go effectively. Connecticut misplaced back-to-back video games for the primary time this season, falling at Las Vegas and Seattle. The Solar scored a season-low 61 factors in opposition to the Storm and had extra turnovers (14) than assists (13). It is again to the East Coast this week, and the Solar hope meaning a return to kind.

Earlier rating: 4

This week: vs. IND (June 27), vs. DAL (June 29)

The Storm, who went 1-1 final week with a loss at Las Vegas and a win over Connecticut, might make an enormous transfer within the subsequent month. Sunday’s victory was the beginning of 9 residence video games in a row. They play simply as soon as extra on the highway — at Los Angeles on July 16 — earlier than the break for the All-Star Sport and Olympics. Skylar Diggins-Smith continues to excel as a distributor; she is fifth within the league at 6.1 assists per sport.

Earlier rating: 5

This week: vs. L.A. (June 28), vs. IND (June 30)

The Mercury are in the identical spot as final week: nonetheless at .500 and a crew everyone seems to be cautious about dealing with. They appeared good offensively in beating New York 99-93 on Tuesday. But it surely was simply the alternative Saturday at Minnesota, when the Mercury had been held to 60 factors and shot 31.1% from the sector. Now can be a good time for the Mercury to seek out consistency as they play only one crew — Connecticut, twice — at present within the high eight within the standings of their 9 video games remaining earlier than the Olympic break.

Earlier: 6

This week: @ CHI (June 27), @ WAS (June 29)

The Aces stayed put within the Energy Rankings, however in a great way: They beat Seattle and Connecticut final week and obtained Chelsea Grey again. Grey, who had not performed since a foot harm suffered in Sport 3 of the WNBA Finals final yr, obtained an enormous ovation when she returned Wednesday in opposition to the Storm. After the Aces had misplaced 4 of 5, the 2 wins in a row significantly lightened the temper in Vegas. A’ja Wilson continued to cook dinner, combining for 53 factors and 25 rebounds.

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A’ja Wilson fuels Aces previous Solar with double-double

A’ja Wilson dominates the sport with 26 factors and a whopping 16 rebounds within the Aces’ win over the Solar Friday evening.

Earlier rating: 11

This week: vs. LV (June 27), vs. MIN (June 30)

The Sky’s large soar was due to their victories over Dallas and Indiana, but in addition the truth that different groups like Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas are struggling. Sky submit gamers Angel Reese (41 factors, 34 rebounds) and Kamilla Cardoso (25, 21) had their greatest week thus far. Guard Chennedy Carter additionally stood out with a mixed 42 factors within the two video games.

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Angel Reese powers Sky previous Fever with eighth straight double-double

Angel Reese’s 25 factors and 16 rebounds propel the Sky previous the Fever.

Earlier rating: 8

This week: @ SEA (June 27), @ PHO (June 30)

The Fever beat Washington and Atlanta final week for his or her third and fourth victories in a row, one thing the franchise hadn’t accomplished since 2015. Then they let a 15-point lead get away in a one-point loss at Chicago. Nonetheless, being a basket wanting a five-game profitable streak is nice information for the Fever as they head West this week. Caitlin Clark had a mixed 51 factors, 26 assists, 22 rebounds and eight steals within the three video games.

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Caitlin Clark scores 17, dishes 13 in last-second loss to Sky

Try all of Caitlin Clark’s buckets as she drops 17 factors and 13 assists in a tense 88-87 loss to the Chicago Sky that went all the way down to the wire.

Earlier rating: 9

This week: vs. CON (June 27), vs. LV (June 29)

The Mystics held regular after two extra victories. Admittedly, each had been at residence over free-falling Dallas. Nonetheless, Washington has received 4 of its final 5. After beginning 0-12, the Mystics have 4 extra losses than Atlanta, however they’re forward of the Dream within the Energy Rankings based mostly on current play. Veteran heart Stefanie Dolson had her greatest week of the season with a mixed 48 factors and 25 rebounds within the three video games.

Earlier rating: 7

This week: @ CON (June 28), @ NY (June 30)

There’s concern, after all, for Howard, who turned her ankle on a drive to the basket in a loss at Minnesota final Wednesday. That was adopted by losses to Indiana and New York. The Dream have dropped three in a row and 5 of their final six. Some excellent news: Guard Jordin Canada made her injury-delayed season debut on Sunday, getting 6 factors, 4 rebounds and a pair of assists in 14 minutes vs. the Liberty. Canada beforehand performed with Seattle and Los Angeles earlier than being traded to Atlanta in February.

Earlier rating: 10

This week: @ PHO (June 28)

It was a crushing week for the franchise with Brink’s season-ending harm. Her rookie yr ends after 15 video games, wherein she averaged 7.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds and a pair of.3 blocked pictures. The Sparks signed Queen Egbo, a middle who ought to be capable to assist off the bench. If there’s some excellent news for the Sparks, it is that their seven-game highway stretch — they’ve misplaced the primary six — will probably be over with a visit to Phoenix this week.

Earlier rating: 12

This week: vs. MIN (June 27), @ SEA (June 29)

The Wings misplaced all 4 video games final week, and their dropping streak is now 11 in a row. Ahead Natasha Howard returned from harm — she was sidelined after the opener Might 15 — and had 58 factors and 17 rebounds in her first three video games again. Nonetheless, ahead Maddy Siegrist was misplaced till after the Olympic break with a damaged finger. At this level, the Wings are simply hoping for one thing to go proper.