The Minnesota Lynx have held onto No. 1 in ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings for the reason that opening weekend of video games in Could. This week is the closest the Lynx have come to dropping their spot.
Minnesota, in fact, nonetheless is comfortably atop the WNBA standings. However since our rankings take extra of weekly temperature of WNBA groups, the Lynx wanted Monday’s 91-78 victory over the Chicago Sky to remain put.
That accomplished their week at 2-2, simply holding off the surging Phoenix Mercury, who handed the Lynx one in every of their losses. The Mercury beat the Lynx 79-71 final Wednesday, then scrambled to a 78-77 victory at Golden State on Monday.
For now, Minnesota stays on high. That might change subsequent week relying on Wednesday’s showdown in Minneapolis because the Mercury go to the Lynx. That would be the final recreation for each groups earlier than the All-Star break.
Phoenix will attempt to give Minnesota its first residence lack of 2025, not together with the Lynx’s Commissioner’s Cup defeat towards the Indiana Fever on July 1. That does not rely within the standings, the place Minnesota is 11-0 at residence and holds a three-game lead over Phoenix via Monday’s video games. Nonetheless, the Lynx know Indiana confirmed they’ve some vulnerability at Goal Heart and can hope to maintain that from occurring once more. And preserve the Mercury firmly in second place.
Earlier rating: 1
Subsequent seven days: vs. PHO (July 16)
It is laborious to nail down an identical thread between Minnesota’s losses final week at Phoenix and Chicago. The Lynx weren’t pretty much as good as they wanted to be offensively towards the Mercury, and their protection was not as sharp vs. the Sky in an 87-81 defeat Saturday. However in each circumstances, they bounced again with victories. They beat Los Angeles 91-82 the day after dropping to Phoenix, and within the rematch at Chicago on Monday did a a lot better job controlling the sport. MVP favourite Napheesa Collier’s exceptional free throw taking pictures continued Monday: She was 11 of 11 from the road and is at 95.4% (104 of 109) for the season. She additionally made a career-high 4 3-pointers in Monday’s recreation.
Earlier rating: 2
Subsequent seven days: @ MIN (July 16)
The Mercury signed DeWanna Bonner final week after she had been waived by Indiana in June, and he or she joined the workforce Wednesday towards Minnesota. It is already paying off for Phoenix: Bonner had 7 factors and 6 rebounds within the win towards the Lynx, then led the Mercury with 22 factors and 11 rebounds in Monday’s victory over Golden State. Now image Phoenix at any time when Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper are totally wholesome.
Earlier rating: 4
Subsequent seven days: vs. IND (July 16)
The defending champions secured a pair victories to fireplace them up, defeating the Aces 87-78 on Tuesday, then rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat the Dream 79-72 on Sunday. The protection that fueled the comeback towards the Dream was a welcome sight for the Liberty, as was ahead Leonie Fiebich’s mixed 36 factors, 13 rebounds and 6 assists between the 2 wins.
Earlier rating: 7
Subsequent seven days: @ CON (July 15), @ NY (July 16)
Following an 80-61 loss to Golden State final Wednesday with an offense that regarded prefer it was filled with imposters, the Fever beat the Dream (99-82) then the Wings (102-83). The most effective model of Indiana’s assault confirmed up in each wins, with Kelsey Mitchell scoring a mixed 45 factors and Caitlin Clark dishing a mixed 22 assists. The Fever will look to maintain the momentum going with back-to-back East Coast video games earlier than returning residence to host Saturday’s All-Star Sport.
Earlier rating: 9
Subsequent seven days: @ LA (July 15)
The Mystics had a fantastic week with their second three-game profitable streak of the season. They have been all shut contests: Washington beat Chicago and Las Vegas by two factors, then Seattle by 5. Guard Brittney Sykes totaled 48 factors within the wins whereas rookie All-Star ahead Kiki Iriafen (8.5 rebounds per recreation) continued to be the Mystics’ greatest on the boards.
Earlier rating: 3
Subsequent seven days: @ CHI (July 16)
The Dream have hit a tough patch. They’ve misplaced 5 of their previous seven video games, falling 99-82 at Indiana and 79-72 at New York final week. Then on Monday, they came upon All-Star Rhyne Howard — second on the workforce in scoring and assists — will miss the remainder of July with a knee damage.
One constructive is Jordin Canada averaging 17.2 factors and seven.2 assists over her previous 5 video games.
Earlier rating: 6
Subsequent seven days: @ SEA (July 16)
The Valkyries weren’t removed from a 3-0 week, which might have moved them into the Energy Rankings’ high 4. However after an 80-61 victory at Indiana on Wednesday — their second win this season towards the Fever — they misplaced two one-possession video games. They fell 104-102 at Las Vegas on Saturday, then 78-77 at residence to Phoenix on Monday. Natalie Nakase is perhaps in her first season as a WNBA head coach, however she seemed like a veteran in being irritated with the officiating that despatched the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas to the road with 1 second left for what was the profitable free throw. Nonetheless, Golden State has confirmed it could actually compete with anybody within the league.
Earlier rating: 5
Subsequent seven days: vs. GS (July 16)
Do we’ve got a deal with on the Storm but? No, as they proceed to experience the Energy Rankings elevator up and down. Over the previous week they misplaced 93-83 at last-place Connecticut, beat the Solar 79-65 at residence, then misplaced 74-69 to Washington at residence. The Mystics outscored the Storm 27-14 within the fourth quarter.
Some excellent news for Seattle, although: Veteran guard Tiffany Mitchell has supplied a lift since becoming a member of the workforce after being waived by Las Vegas on June 30.
Earlier rating: 8
Subsequent seven days: @ DAL (July 16)
Aces star A’ja Wilson injured her proper (non-shooting) wrist in an 87-78 loss to New York final Tuesday, then missed Las Vegas’ 70-68 loss to Washington on Thursday. However the three-time MVP was again on Saturday, getting 34 factors and 16 rebounds in a 104-102 win over Golden State. Jackie Younger additionally had 30 factors towards the Valkyries within the Aces’ highest-scoring recreation of the season.
Earlier rating: 11
Subsequent seven days: vs. ATL (July 16)
Chicago went 2-2 in a busy week, with victories over Dallas and Minnesota, and losses to Washington and Minnesota. Ariel Atkins suffered a leg damage within the first half of Monday’s loss to the Lynx and did not return. The Sky cannot afford to lose extra expertise at guard, so it could be pricey if she misses vital time.
Earlier rating: 12
Subsequent seven days: vs. WAS (July 15)
Los Angeles has but to win two video games in a row, dropping to Minnesota 91-82 then beating Connecticut 92-88 final week. However three Sparks are taking part in effectively — All-Star Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens — and their offense has been first rate (82.5 PPG.) Now the query is whether or not they can climb the standings by enhancing their protection after permitting 87.2 PPG via the primary half of the season, the second-most within the league.
Earlier rating: 10
Subsequent seven days: vs. LV (July 16)
Dallas fell 87-76 at Chicago then 102-83 at Indiana in two dispiriting video games final week. Arike Ogunbowale returned from a thumb damage towards the Fever however went 0-of-10 from the sector. And it is apparent that heart Teaira McCowan would not match inside first-year coach Chris Koclanes’ system: After averaging double-figure scoring in every of her first six WNBA seasons, she is now averaging 5.6 factors and taking part in simply 14.1 minutes per recreation, each profession lows.
Earlier rating: 13
Subsequent seven days: vs. IND (July 15)
There hasn’t been a lot for the Solar to have fun in 2025, however they did safe their first win since early June final Wednesday, beating the Storm 93-83 earlier than following the victory up with losses to Seattle and Los Angeles.
One constant shiny spot has been Tina Charles, who — at 36 years previous and in her 14th WNBA season — is main the Solar in scoring (15.4 PPG). She had season highs of 29 factors and 11 rebounds within the win over Seattle.