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Broken records, double-overtime, and sold-out arenas — what a treat for opening tip-off. Week one is done, and it did not disappoint. There’s already some movement here in the power rankings. Napheesa Collier and Minnesota jumped two spots on the list, while Seattle and Indiana slid down. As we head into Week 2, let’s break it down team by team.

Stats and analysis as of Sunday, May 19. 

1. Las Vegas Aces (2-0)

• Previous Ranking: 1
• Last Week: W vs. Mercury 89-80, W vs. Sparks 89-82
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Mercury, Saturday vs. Fever
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 107.2 (4); DefRtg: 96.4 (7); NetRtg: 10.8 (4); eFG%: 48.3 (7)

The Aces received their 2023 championship bling this week and rose their second banner in as many years. But as the reigning champs, the target on their backs looms large. They’re going to get every team’s best game. That started opening night, where a short-handed Mercury played them tough. Head coach Becky Hammon admitted her players struggled against Phoenix’s zone defense. And against the Sparks, Vegas started cold from the field. They’re without the Point Gawd, Chelsea Gray, to start the season, and they do miss her in their halfcourt sets. But as long as the Aces keep getting out in transition, few teams can keep up.

Oh, and Kate Martin is a G. 

https://x.com/its_whitney/status/1791928623244484934

     2. NY Liberty (3-0)

• Previous Ranking: 2
• Last Week: W at Mystics 85-80, W at Fever 102-66, W vs. Fever 91-80
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Storm, Thursday vs. Sky
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 112.6 (1); DefRtg: 90.8 (2); NetRtg: 21.8 (1); eFG%: 54.5 (1)

After a close call against the Mystics on opening night, the Liberty kicked into high gear versus the young pups of Indiana—times two. Reigning MVP Breanna Stewart dropped 31 points and 10 rebounds, and the Liberty soiled the Fever’s home opener in front of over 17,000 people in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Two days later, the Liberty did it again; this time, it was raining 15 3s in an electric Barclays Center. New York looks good, dominate even. They’re not far off from that top spot. 

 https://x.com/Russ_Steinberg/status/1791905402424025196

     3. Connecticut Sun (2-0)

• Previous Ranking: 3
• Last Week: W vs. Fever 92-71, W vs. Mystics 84-77
• This Week: Monday at Fever, Thursday vs. Lynx
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 108.6 (2); DefRtg: 90.8 (3); NetRtg: 17.8 (2); eFG%: 49.6 (6)

With talks surrounding the incoming draft class, there is not a single rookie on this Sun roster, and it shows. Connecticut started this season with a bang: DeWanna Bonner moved to top-5 all-time WNBA scoring list, Alyssa Thomas opened the season with a triple-double, and DiJonai Carrington already has the Most Improved Player of the Year votes pouring. They look crisp, sharp, and seasoned. The Sun continue to hang their hat on their defense (they turned the Fever over 25 times), and it’s leading to easy offense. They have another run at Indiana on Monday night. I expect more of the same. 

     4. Minnesota Lynx (2-0) 

• Previous Ranking: 6
• Last Week: W at Storm 83-70, W vs. Storm 102-93 2OT
• This Week: Thursday at Sun, Saturday vs. Liberty
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.9 (8); DefRtg: 84.0 (1); NetRtg: 11.8 (3); eFG%: 51.3 (3)

Minnesota’s 2-0 start in Week 1 is already a significant increase from last season, where their first win didn’t come until June. It wasn’t just a sweep over the touted near superteam, Seattle. It’s how they won. Napheesa Collier was a menace, and Alanna Smith was relentless. But they’ll need to clean up the week’s blatant 44 total turnovers to keep the momentum.     

 Also, Over 100 people of Samoan descent watched rookie Alissa Pili make her Lynx debut Saturday, per MPR News. “I think it just gives us hope, especially for Polynesian girls,” a fan said. “She is going to pave the way forward for young Polynesian girls to look up to. We’re going to be her cheerleaders.” I’m not crying; you are!

      5. Atlanta Dream (1-1) 

• Previous Ranking: 5
• Last Week: W at Sparks 92-81, L at Mercury 85-88
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Mercury, Saturday vs. Fever
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 107.9 (3); DefRtg: 101.8 (8); NetRtg: 6.1 (5); eFG%: 52.6 (2)

Two words for you: Rhyne Howard. The Sparks couldn’t contain her; she went off for 25 points in 31 minutes. Then she turned around and dropped 21 in a Mercury loss. Howard is oh so smooth with it, and she made moves like this look easy:

https://x.com/ReneeMontgomery/status/1790951636703039835

 It’s still unknown when ATL will get point guard Jordin Canada back at the helm. I think that’ll give a much-needed speed boost to their half-court offense. They’re currently eighth in pace with Haley Jones/Crystal Dangerfield running point. 

     6. Seattle Storm (1-2)

• Previous Ranking: 4
• Last Week: L vs. Lynx 70-83, L at Lynx 93-102, W at Mystics 84-75
• This Week: Monday at Liberty, Wednesday vs. Fever
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 84.0 (12); DefRtg: 95.9 (6); NetRtg: -11.8 (11); eFG%: 40.4 (12)

Storm fans, take a deep breath with me. *Inhale* *Exhale* Tough start, but take heart in knowing Jewell Loyd may never shoot back-to-back sub-16% shooting nights again. She may never foul out again either; Saturday’s game was the first of her career. The roster does take a blow with Nneka Ogwumike’s recent injury, but finishing the week with Sunday’s much-needed win over Washington is something to smile about. Woosah.

     7. Phoenix Mercury (1-1)

• Previous Ranking: 8
• Last Week: L vs. Aces 89-80, W vs. Dream 88-85
• This Week: Tuesday at Aces, Thursday vs. Mystics
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 99.4 (5); DefRtg: 105.5 (10); NetRtg: -6.0 (8); eFG%: 46.8 (2)

I, for one, am genuinely impressed with the Mercury’s start. After playing the defending champs tough, Phoenix pulled out a gritty win over the Dream in their home opener for head coach Nate Tibbetts’ first WNBA win. Kahleah Copper poured in a career-high 38 points in the victory. 

 When asked what Phoenix did to get them off their game early, Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright said, “Uh, yeah. They’re four guards.” I was suspicious about how this offense would look without Brittany Griner on the floor, but the small-ball attack is working so far.

     8. Dallas Wings (1-1)

• Previous Ranking: 7
• Last Week: W vs. Sky 87-79, L vs. Sky 74-83
• This Week: Tuesday at Dream, Saturday at Mercury
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 94.2 (10); DefRtg: 95.3 (5); NetRtg: -1.1 (7); eFG%: 44.6 (10)

The injury plague has torn through Dallas early. Satou Sabally, Jaelyn Brown, and now Natasha Howard decorate the Wings’ bench. Higher-ups have already had to sign Monique Billings to a hardship contract four days into the season. Still, they were able to split the series with the Sky thanks to Arike Ogunbowale’s heroic efforts. She averaged 30 points, 40% from the arc, and five assists this week.

 Also, Dallas may be ranked eighth on this list, but Ogunbowale, proposing to her girlfriend after scoring 35 points Saturday, is number one in our hearts. 

     9. Chicago Sky (1-1)

• Previous Ranking: 10
• Last Week: L vs. Sky 79-87, W vs. Wings 83-74
• This Week: Thursday at Liberty, Saturday vs. Sun
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.3 (9); DefRtg: 94.2 (4); NetRtg: 1.1 (6); eFG%: 42.5 (11)

The Sky stole their first win of the season against the Wings. They rallied late and outpaced Dallas 28-11 in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese finished with 11 points, nine boards, and a plus-17. But this win was done by the committee as six Sky players finished in double figures, led by Diamond Deshields’ 16. (I have to say, it’s wonderful seeing Deshield back on a basketball court again.) Chicago’s depth could keep moving them up the ranks.

P.S. Thank you, Latto, for giving Chicago fans the soundbite of the summer:

https://x.com/Latto/status/1790934479051096403 

    10. Los Angeles Sparks (0-2)

• Previous Ranking: 11
• Last Week: L vs. Dream 92-81, L at Aces 89-82
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Mystics, Friday vs. Fever
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 98.8 (6); DefRtg: 109.7 (11); NetRtg: -10.9 (2); eFG%: 51.1 (4)

Despite being winless, the Sparks’ offense is clicking. Coach Curt Miller’s squad wants to get out and run. Against two uber-athletic opponents this week in Atlanta and Las Vegas, the Sparks averaged 20.9 points off turnovers and 18.4 fast-break points. 

 One thing was made clear in LA’s first week: Dearica Hamby has officially started her MVP campaign. She shot 75% from the field in Saturday’s loss for a career-high 29 points; she is LA’s motor on defense, on offense, and on the boards. Kia Nurse has also been wildly efficient and looks 100% healthy two years after her ACL injury. Cameron Brink may have had the most impressive rookie debut, but fouling has proven to carry over from college. Sparks need her versatility on the court, not on the bench for long stretches.

     11. Indiana Fever (0-3)

• Previous Ranking: 9
• Last Week: L at Sun 71-92, L vs. Liberty 86-102, L at Liberty Mercury 80-91
• This Week: Monday vs. Sun, Wednesday at Storm
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 87.1 (11); DefRtg: 115.9 (12); NetRtg: -28.7 (12); eFG%: 47.4 (8)

Let’s start with the bad news first. Indiana’s opening schedule is tough. Playing the Sun (twice), Liberty (twice), and the Aces in a two-week span isn’t for the weak, and it’s not going to get easier. Coming into the season, we knew that the Fever would have their struggles, but with the “Caitlin Clark Effect” in full effect, the spotlight is getting hot. Indy’s glaring issue is defense. Teams have been able to get whatever they want on offense—heck, the Liberty set a new franchise record for made 3s in a half. 

 OK, now the positives. It’s still early. No one panic! I’ve already been super impressed with Clark’s ability to adjust. Her gameplay from the first half of opening night against the Sun versus the first half on Saturday against the Liberty has been night and day—and that was only four days apart. She’ll get used to the physicality and lessen her turnovers. Classic rookie moves. Plus, Coach Christie Sides has already tinkered with the line-ups. It’ll click, eventually. 

     12. Washington Mystics (0-3)

• Previous Ranking: 12
• Last Week: L vs. Liberty 80-85, L at Sun 84-77, L vs. Storm 77-84
• This Week: Tuesday at Sparks, Thursday at Mercury, Saturday at Storm
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 96.3 (7); DefRtg: 103.7 (9); NetRtg: -7.4 (9); eFG%: 50.4 (5)

Unfortunately, someone has to be last, but the Mystics made a statement this week. They went down to the wire against the league’s top teams, but each time ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. Positives: Karlie Samuelson earned a career-high 18 points in the loss against the Sun and seems to have found a home in the nation’s capital. Plus, Julie Vanloo, you have our attention. Negatives: Shakira Austin is still on a minute restriction for her hip, and Brittney Sykes could be out for multiple games with a recent ankle injury. That makes an already shaky team shakier.