[ad_1]
With solely three days left within the common season, we’ve got arrived on the ultimate version of ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings for 2025.
The Minnesota Lynx have already got wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home-court benefit for so long as they’re within the playoffs. They continue to be the championship favourite, as they’ve been for a lot of the season. However with the Energy Rankings appearing as a weekly barometer of how groups are performing proper now, the Las Vegas Aces have jumped into the highest spot of this ultimate replace — a transfer that might have appeared absurd to foretell on Aug. 2, when Las Vegas misplaced at dwelling to Minnesota by 53 factors and fell to 14-14. However the Aces have gone on a 14-game successful streak since, making them the most well liked workforce within the league heading into the postseason.
The Lynx gained the primary three matchups of the season towards the Aces earlier than Las Vegas beat Minnesota at dwelling final Thursday. The groups additionally characteristic the 2 main MVP candidates: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson.
The Lynx have had much less to play for since Aug. 30, after they clinched the league’s finest file — although they’ve burdened that they haven’t gone into cruise management since they wish to enter the playoffs competing at a excessive customary. The Aces, in contrast, are nonetheless attempting to safe the No. 2 seed.
Each groups have championship hopes and can be part of six others when the playoffs tip off Sunday, whereas the 5 groups that do not make it begin waiting for 2026. However all 13 groups have had shiny spots this season, so let us take a look at the highest spotlight for every as we shut out our weekly rankings.
Earlier rating: 2
Remaining three days: vs. CHI (Sept. 9), @ LA (Sept. 11)
The Aces have had one of the dramatic in-season turnarounds in WNBA historical past, extending their win streak to 14 with victories over Minnesota and Chicago over the previous week. The surge coincides with Jewell Loyd coming off the bench — a transfer many gamers of her stature wouldn’t have embraced, however she did. Las Vegas’ capability to work by means of its points and stick collectively as a unit stands out.
Earlier rating: 1
Remaining three days: @ IND (Sept. 9), vs. GS (Sept. 11)
The Lynx, who misplaced to Las Vegas and defeated Golden State over the previous week, are 6-4 of their previous 10 video games — partially as a result of there was much less to play for as they secured a playoff berth and home-court benefit. Sustaining the identical momentum when you recognize a loss (or perhaps a collection of losses) would not include penalties is more durable than it sounds. Nonetheless, the Lynx have been probably the most constant workforce all season, which retains them within the driver’s seat for the championship.
Earlier rating: 3
Remaining three days: @ CON (Sept. 10)
The Dream are nonetheless within the combine for the No. 2 seed with two wins over Los Angeles and one other towards Connecticut over the previous week. A 12 months after backing into the playoffs with out sufficient offense to win a collection, they’ve grow to be a contender. Their capability to embrace new coach Karl Smesko’s system — an effort led by veteran guard Allisha Grey — has been one of the spectacular developments of this WNBA season.
Earlier rating: 4
Remaining three days: vs. LA (Sept. 9), @ DAL (Sept. 11)
After opening the final week with wins over Indiana and Washington, Saturday’s loss at Connecticut dropped the Mercury from a second-place tie with Las Vegas and Atlanta. Now it appears seemingly they may get the No. 4 seed, which might imply a possible semifinal matchup towards Minnesota. Nonetheless, being within the high 4 with a very revamped roster in a brand new period of Mercury basketball following Diana Taurasi’s retirement and Brittney Griner’s departure is an enormous win for Phoenix.
Earlier rating: 6
Remaining three days: @ SEA (Sept. 9), @ MIN (Sept. 11)
The Valkyries beat New York and Dallas final week, with the latter sport clinching a playoff spot and setting off a celebration at Ballhalla. Additionally they gave Minnesota a run for its cash Saturday earlier than falling 78-72. Regardless of dropping standout Kayla Thornton (knee) for the season after the All-Star Recreation, the Valkyries have gone 13-7 with out her. Many contributors stand out in Golden State’s first season, however two potential award-winners — Natalie Nakase for Coach of the 12 months and guard Veronica Burton for Most Improved Participant — are highlights.
Earlier rating: 5
Remaining three days: vs. WAS (Sept. 9), @ CHI (Sept. 11)
The Liberty fell at Golden State then bounced again to defeat Seattle over the previous week. The defending champions will not have home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs, partially as a result of accidents to starters Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have disrupted their consistency. They’ve gained solely 4 of their previous 10 video games however nonetheless appear more likely to safe the No. 5 seed. The very best a part of their season might find yourself being the playoffs — if everyone seems to be wholesome.
Earlier rating: 7
Remaining three days: vs. MIN (Sept. 9)
The Fever fell to Phoenix final Tuesday, then introduced Thursday that injured guard Caitlin Clark wouldn’t return this season. Out since July 15, Clark can now deal with returning wholesome in 2026 — and the Fever adopted up the information with two victories that secured their second consecutive playoff berth. Their finest traits this season have been the resilience of their wholesome core 4 — guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull and submit gamers Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard — and the way properly they’ve adjusted to a number of substitute gamers.
Earlier rating: 8
Remaining three days: vs. GS (Sept. 9)
The Storm misplaced their one sport of the previous week to New York, which might have secured a playoff berth. They may now attempt to nail that down of their final sport of the common season on Tuesday. Struggles at dwelling (9-12) and with closing out video games have pissed off the Storm, however they in all probability saved their season by successful 4 of 5 consecutive video games on the highway between Aug. 19-28, righting themselves from a free fall popping out of the All-Star Recreation during which they misplaced 9 of 12 video games (together with six in a row).
Earlier rating: 9
Remaining three days: @ PHX (Sept. 9), vs. LV (Sept. 11)
The Sparks misplaced twice at Atlanta after which beat Dallas on Sunday to maintain their playoff hopes alive. If they do not make the postseason, they may look again on a really gradual 5-13 begin as an excessive amount of to beat. Cameron Brink — the 2024 No. 2 draft decide who returned July 29 from a knee harm that minimize brief her rookie season — has had influence defensively, however is just not but on top of things offensively. The very best a part of the season was when the Sparks’ high 4 gamers Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson and Azura Stevens had been clicking.
Earlier rating: 10
Remaining three days: vs. ATL (Sept. 10)
The Solar had arguably their finest win of the season Saturday, beating playoff-bound Phoenix 87-84 in-between losses at Chicago and Atlanta. Having misplaced their coach and whole beginning 5 from final season’s playoff workforce, reaching double-digit wins must be thought-about a plus. Six of their victories have come since Aug. 13, maintaining them forward of slumping Washington in these rankings regardless of the Mystics’ greater victory whole. With uncertainty across the franchise’s long-term future — will the Solar keep in Connecticut? — the promise of rookies Leila Lacan, Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers is the very best a part of their current and close to future.
Earlier rating: 11
Remaining three days: @ NY (Sept. 9)
The Mystics are 5-16 because the All-Star break and have misplaced 9 in a row, together with to Phoenix and Indiana this previous week. Like Connecticut, they’re in rebuilding mode with a brand new coach. Washington’s brightest spot this 12 months is getting two rookies to construct round, lottery picks Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, who had been All-Stars.
Earlier rating: 12
Remaining three days: @ LV (Sept. 9), vs. NY (Sept. 11)
The Sky defeated Connecticut, then misplaced to Indiana and Las Vegas — however on-court motion was overshadowed by second-year participant Angel Reese’s revealed remarks concerning the workforce needing to get “nice” gamers. She subsequently apologized to her teammates and obtained a head-scratching half-game suspension. There appears to be friction between Reese and the Sky entrance workplace, which brings into query how that might have an effect on 2026. The very best half about this Sky season, frankly, is that it is virtually over. Now the group should determine the right way to transfer ahead.
Earlier rating: 13
Remaining three days: vs. PHX (Sept. 11)
The Wings fell to Golden State and Los Angeles final week. Except they beat Phoenix within the regular-season finale, they may finish on an 11-game dropping streak and have their second consecutive nine-win season. Like Chicago coach Tyler Marsh, Dallas’ Chris Koclanes waits to see if his tenure lasts longer than one season. There are two shiny spots from the Wings’ season, although: Paige Bueckers is anticipated to be Rookie of the 12 months — they usually may get one other No. 1 decide in 2026.
[ad_2]