WNBA Weekly Power Rankings
Week of September 2, 2019
Well, we are already in the final week of the regular season. A full slate of games on Sunday will close out this year’s WNBA regular season — and likely play a role in teams’ playoff seeding.
As of last Thursday, the playoff field is set. Phoenix secured the final spot, leaving Indiana, Dallas, New York and Atlanta on the outs this year. However, the final week of games will still play a vital role in playoff seeding, with single and double byes on the line.
Here are this week’s rankings (movements from last week’s rankings are noted in parentheses):
1. Washington Mystics
Record: 23–8, Offensive Rating: 115.5, Defensive Rating: 100.2, Net Rating: 15.3
There’s not much new to say here. The Mystics are continuing to crush their opponents on the offensive end, and firmly hold on to the top spot. They won both of their games last week, and picked up another win over the Liberty last night. The team will be getting some rest heading into the playoffs, as sitting at number one in the standings with two games remaining on the calendar and four games ahead of the third place team secures them a double bye.
2. Connecticut Sun (↑1)
Record: 22–9, Offensive Rating: 101.6, Defensive Rating: 97.4, Net Rating: 4.2
Connecticut won both of their games last week, rebounding quickly from their loss to the Sparks the prior Sunday. Now the attention turns to three remaining games on their schedule (Dallas, Chicago, Indiana), which will determine if they hold onto their second place standing and claim a double bye — or if they have to endure a single-elimination round in the playoffs.
3. Las Vegas Aces (↓1)
Record: 20–12, Offensive Rating: 100.6, Defensive Rating: 96.4, Net Rating: 4.2
The Aces have lost three of their last four games. They picked up a big win over the Sparks at home on Saturday, but suffered a rather surprising loss at Indiana earlier in the week. Vegas has just two games, against Atlanta and Phoenix, remaining as they fight to hold a league standing that will allow them to bypass the first round of the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Sparks
Record: 19–12, Offensive Rating: 100.9, Defensive Rating: 99.2, Net Rating: 1.7
The Sparks lost two of their three games last week, but those losses came at the hands of the Mystics and the Aces. The loss at Washington was particularly concerning, as a full strength LA team scored just 66 points and lost by a 29-point margin. Still, the Sparks narrowly hold on to the fourth spot here and in the WNBA standings.
5. Minnesota Lynx (↑1)
Record: 17–15, Offensive Rating: 101.0, Defensive Rating: 97.8, Net Rating: 3.2
The Lynx have won four straight, excelling down the final stretch of the regular season. After winning both their games last week, Minnesota has just two left on their schedule (Phoenix and Los Angeles). Both games will be crucial for playoff seeding, with just 3.5 games separating 5th through 8th place in the league standings.
6. Chicago Sky (↓1)
Record: 19–13, Offensive Rating: 103.0, Defensive Rating: 101.0, Net Rating: 2.0
Chicago has been surprising down the final stretch of the season against top opponents, but struggled last week and picked up losses against the Lynx and Wings. The Sky did get back in the win column on Sunday, with a statement 28–point win over the Mercury. They sit just 0.5 games behind LA for fourth place in the league standings — but with a hard final two-game slate against Connecticut and Washington.
7. Seattle Storm
Record: 16–15, Offensive Rating: 98.7, Defensive Rating: 98.8, Net Rating: -0.1
Seattle split their pair of games last week, with a loss to Connecticut and a win over Atlanta. The Storm did announce yesterday that Sue Bird will miss the remainder of the season while rehabbing her injury. While this does not come as a huge surprise, it does mean that Seattle won’t have Bird back as an extra spark for the playoffs.
8. Phoenix Mercury
Record: 15–16, Offensive Rating: 100.9, Defensive Rating: 101, Net Rating: -0.1
Phoenix picked up wins over New York and Atlanta last week before suffering a big loss to Chicago. While Taurasi’s return to the court was expected to add the spark the Mercury needed, her impact has been quiet so far. Still, I wouldn’t bet against Taurasi showing up big in the playoffs. Even though the 8th seed looks like their most likely regular season outcome, don’t be surprised if DT (and Britney Griner and DeWanna Bonner, for that matter) are able to spoil some playoff runs in single-elimination rounds.
9. Indiana Fever
Record: 11–21, Offensive Rating: 99.6, Defensive Rating: 104.7, Net Rating: -5.1
The Indiana Fever have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
10. Dallas Wings
Record: 10–21, Offensive Rating: 97.0, Defensive Rating: 103.1, Net Rating: -6.1
The Dallas Wings have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
11. New York Liberty
Record: 9–22, Offensive Rating: 97.8, Defensive Rating: 107.4, Net Rating: -9.6
The New York Liberty have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
12. Atlanta Dream
Record: 7–24, Offensive Rating: 92.2, Defensive Rating: 102.4, Net Rating: -10.2
The Atlanta Dream have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
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