The Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty stay unbeaten atop ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings because the league transitions into Commissioner’s Cup play with the beginning of June. They’re favored to satisfy within the match ultimate for the second 12 months in a row on July 1.
The Atlanta Dream, in the meantime, are winners of 4 in a row for the longest streak behind Minnesota and New York.
The Dream will not face the Liberty and Lynx till June 17 and 27, respectively, however have performed impressively. Guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Grey as soon as once more lead Atlanta in scoring, combining for 61 factors in Friday’s comeback win over the Seattle Storm. Free agent additions Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner are additionally averaging double figures in scoring.
Griner (knee) has been restricted lately, taking part in solely quarter-hour at Seattle after lacking the earlier two video games. However forwards Nia Coffey and Naz Hillmon — each identified for maximizing no matter minutes they get — have helped fill the gaps with Griner not at 100%.
New Dream coach Karl Smesko has orchestrated an offensive turnaround: Atlanta is second in scoring (85.9 factors per sport) following a last-place end in 2024 (77.0). Guard Jordin Canada (knee), who hasn’t been in a position to play but, ought to be a powerful addition when she returns after averaging 10.6 factors and 5.8 assists final season.
“[Smesko’s] system has been working effectively. You get lots of open photographs,” Grey instructed ESPN. “I really feel like now we’ve the important thing items that we have to take us to that subsequent stage.”
Earlier rating: 1
Subsequent seven days: vs. PHO (June 3), @ DAL (June 8)
Minnesota beat Seattle, Phoenix and Golden State final week. Nonetheless, the Lynx will not be impressed with how they’ve performed. Napheesa Collier, who missed Friday’s shut win over the Mercury due to a knee harm, instructed ESPN’s Kendra Andrews that the 82-77 win over the Storm on Could 27 was the Lynx’s solely “good sport” of the season — a mirrored image of the eye to element they’re demanding of themselves.
Earlier rating: 2
Subsequent seven days: @ WAS (June 5)
New York beat Golden State in back-to-back conferences, dealt with enterprise in opposition to Washington, then completed the week with its first 100-point sport of the season, flattening Connecticut by 48 in what was the second-largest margin of victory in WNBA historical past. The win made league historical past in two extra methods: The Liberty’s 53 subject aim makes an attempt are the fewest in a 100-point sport and their 19 3-pointers tie their very own report set earlier this season.
Jonquel Jones recorded double-doubles in all 4 wins, which included a season-high 18 rebounds in opposition to the Mystics.
Earlier rating: 5
Subsequent 7 days: @ CON (June 6)
Atlanta, which gained at Seattle and Los Angeles final week, is benefitting from the offensive prowess of its main scorers — Howard (20.5 PPG), Grey (19.1) and Griner (16.7) had been all high 10 in scoring for Unequalled’s 3-on-3 league earlier this 12 months.
Grey is having the perfect statistical season of her WNBA profession, averaging 21.4 factors, 4.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds. And Howard’s scoring (17.6 PPG) is almost an identical to her previous two seasons, together with her assists (5.0 APG) and rebounds (5.6 RPG) on the up.
Earlier rating: 4
Subsequent 7 days: @ MIN (June 3), vs. GS (June 5), vs. SEA (June 7)
With ahead Alyssa Thomas (calf) sidelined and guard Kahleah Copper (knee) and ahead Natasha Mack (again) but to make their season debuts, we have not seen the Mercury at full energy. However like Atlanta, Phoenix is off to a powerful begin. Final week featured wins over Chicago and Los Angeles and a loss to undefeated Minnesota on a buzzer-beater by Natisha Hiedeman. The Mercury’s main scorer, Satou Sabally, totaled 70 factors and 28 rebounds between the three video games.
They’ve additionally made some strikes over the previous seven days, waiving guard Sevgi Uzun — who’s taking part in for Turkey in EuroBasket later this month — and signing 2023 first-round choose Haley Jones to a hardship contract after spending her first two seasons with Atlanta.
Earlier rating: 7
Subsequent 7 days: @ GS (June 7)
A’ja Wilson might need been additional motivated to face former Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby when Los Angeles visited Las Vegas final Friday. Wilson had 35 factors and 6 assists, each season highs, plus 13 rebounds within the Aces’ 96-81 victory. Las Vegas then avenged its early-season loss to Seattle, holding off the Storm behind 19 factors from Wilson on Sunday.
The reigning WNBA MVP leads Las Vegas in factors, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Earlier rating: 10
Subsequent 7 days: @ IND (June 3) vs. NY (June 5), vs. CON (June 8)
Final week, the Mystics beat the Fever at a neutral-site sport held in Baltimore, then fell at house to the Liberty. All issues thought of, it has been a strong begin for a group that was anticipated to battle this season.
Veteran guard Brittney Sykes leads Washington in factors, assists, steals and blocks, whereas rookie ahead Kiki Iriafen leads in rebounds.
Earlier rating: 3
Subsequent seven days: vs. DAL (June 3), @ PHO (June 7)
After successful three in a row the week prior, Seattle misplaced three straight over this previous week: at Minnesota, vs. Atlanta and at Las Vegas. The house loss to the Dream was notably irritating for the Storm, who led by 17 factors early within the third quarter earlier than letting that margin slender to 3 heading into the fourth and in the end shedding 94-87. And whereas they rallied again from their very own 17-point gap in opposition to the Aces, the Storm could not shut the hole within the 75-70 defeat.
Earlier rating: 13
Subsequent 7 days: vs. IND (June 7)
The Sky climbed out of final place with their first two wins of the season: back-to-back victories over the Wings. Heart Kamilla Cardoso had a career-high 23 factors within the first matchup at house, whereas guard Arial Atkins led the best way with 26 at Dallas.
These wins adopted a five-point loss at Phoenix, so issues could be wanting up for Chicago.
Earlier rating: 6
Subsequent 7 days: vs. WAS (June 3), @ CHI (June 7)
It was a tough week for Indiana: The information that Caitlin Clark (quad) would miss no less than two weeks was adopted by losses to Washington and Connecticut, the latter of which was the Solar’s solely win of the season. Clark’s fellow guards Sydney Colson (leg) and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) had been injured in opposition to Connecticut. Neither is predicted to be out lengthy, however the Fever nonetheless signed guard Aari McDonald by way of hardship exception.
Earlier rating: 8
Subsequent 7 days: @ PHO (June 5) vs. LV (June 7), @ LA (June 9)
The enlargement Valkyries needed to face the WNBA’s finest groups final week, shedding twice at New York and as soon as at house to Minnesota. However there have been positives: The second matchup in opposition to the Liberty was a lot nearer — a five-point margin in comparison with 28 within the first assembly — and the Valkyries stayed near the Lynx in each quarter besides the third, when Golden State was outscored 17-8.
Earlier rating: 9
Subsequent 7 days: @ DAL (June 6), vs. GS (June 9)
The Sparks misplaced three in a row — vs. Atlanta, at Las Vegas and vs. Phoenix — giving up an 18-point first-half lead in opposition to the Mercury to fall 85-80 on Sunday. The larger situation, although, is the standing of ahead Rickea Jackson, who was not with the group the previous two video games due to private causes. A WNBA all-rookie choice in 2024, Jackson missed three video games earlier this season whereas within the concussion protocol earlier than returning to play 12 minutes in opposition to the Dream on Could 27. She has appeared in solely three of the Sparks’ eight video games.
Earlier rating: 11
Subsequent 7 days: @ SEA (June 3) vs. LA (June 6), vs. MIN (June 8)
Dallas acquired its first win of the season final week with a season-high 109 factors in opposition to Connecticut however then dropped back-to-back video games in opposition to Chicago. Rookie guard Paige Bueckers was positioned in concussion protocol following the Could 29 loss and missed the second assembly with the Sky. She is predicted to be out no less than yet one more sport.
Earlier rating: 12
Subsequent 7 days: vs. ATL (June 6), @ WAS (June 8)
The Solar beat the Fever 85-83 on Friday behind Marina Mabrey’s 26 factors, however the celebration of the season’s first win did not final lengthy. Connecticut misplaced 100-58 at New York two days later — the Solar shot 31.1% whereas permitting the Liberty to make 62.3% of their makes an attempt. Connecticut has misplaced by 20 or extra factors 4 occasions in seven video games.
