WNBA power rankings put Lynx on top as playoff push resumes

The latest WNBA power rankings from ESPN keep the Minnesota Lynx at No. 1 as league play restarts after All-Star Weekend, and the timing is spicy: Napheesa Collier is back on the floor.

ESPN senior writer Michael Voepel ranked Minnesota first on July 28, with the Lynx sitting at 22-6 and leading the WNBA standings. The league resumes Tuesday and continues through Aug. 30 before a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in Germany from Sept. 4-13. The regular season then finishes from Sept. 17-24.

Who is No. 1 in the WNBA power rankings?

Minnesota holds the top spot, according to ESPN, after building the league’s best record and getting Collier back from March ankle surgery. In her season debut on July 22, Collier posted 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Voepel wrote that the Lynx’s main second-half task is keeping their chemistry intact while reintegrating one of the league’s top players. Minnesota, a four-time WNBA champion, is again positioned as a title contender after falling to Phoenix in last season’s semifinals.

Golden State stayed at No. 2 at 19-8. ESPN pointed to the Valkyries’ defense as the headline act, with opponents held to a league-low 76.4 points per game, while noting that more scoring would strengthen their playoff case.

Dallas is No. 3 at 18-9 and is on course to return to the postseason after missing it the past two years, according to ESPN. Paige Bueckers has helped the Wings survive tight games, though she told ESPN she wants the team to bring the same fourth-quarter focus for the full 40 minutes.

Which teams are chasing the Lynx?

Indiana sits fourth at 17-10 after winning eight of its past 11 games. ESPN said the Fever’s second-half ceiling depends on improving defensively enough to create the transition chances that make them dangerous.

Las Vegas, the defending champion, is fifth at 18-8. Coach Becky Hammon told ESPN the Aces need stronger defense, with the team allowing 86.3 points per game, seventh in the league, and holding a 108.1 defensive rating, fifth in the WNBA.

Atlanta is sixth at 16-10 after winning four of five before the break. Brionna Jones returned from injury on July 17, and ESPN noted her scoring and rebounding could help a Dream team shooting 43.7%, tied for 11th in the league.

Washington ranks seventh at 14-12 after wins over Golden State and Las Vegas. ESPN highlighted second-year All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, plus center Shakira Austin, who is averaging 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds.

New York is eighth at 15-12 after stopping a rough stretch with back-to-back one-point wins, one in overtime at Dallas and one against Chicago. ESPN said the Liberty need Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and All-Star Game MVP Jonquel Jones clicking together, with Satou Sabally and Leonie Fiebich still dealing with injuries.

What about the teams below the playoff line?

Chicago Sky, No. 9: ESPN noted that Chicago has lost seven games by five points or fewer, with late-game execution the key issue. Rookie guard Sydney Taylor is averaging 14.2 points.
Portland Fire, No. 10: Sarah Ashlee Barker is out for the season with a torn ACL after averaging 10.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, leaving Portland needing more offense elsewhere.
Phoenix Mercury, No. 11: Kahleah Copper, an All-Star replacement, leads Phoenix with 20.5 points per game as the Mercury search for more consistency.
Connecticut Sun, No. 12: ESPN said Connecticut is not expected to challenge for a playoff spot in its final season before moving to Houston, with the league’s lowest-scoring offense at 80 points per game.
Toronto Tempo, No. 13: Toronto has lost six of seven in July, while Marina Mabrey is averaging 21.0 points in her first All-Star season.
Los Angeles Sparks, No. 14: The Sparks have dropped five straight, with Nneka Ogwumike averaging 17.1 points and 9.1 rebounds and Kelsey Plum absent since June 21.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.