2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Lady Liberty the Team to Beat (Preseason)
The 2025 WNBA regular season is approaching, so it’s time to present the Crush and Rush News, 2025 WNBA Power Rankings!
We’ll publish a new WNBA Power Rankings list every Monday, but for now, let’s look at Phil Naessens’ 2025 WNBA Power Rankings, the preseason variety.
How We’ll Compile the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings
The Crush and Rush News 2025 WNBA Power Rankings are compiled through a detailed analysis of each team’s roster, offseason moves, and potential for the upcoming season. We evaluate key factors such as:
- Player Roster: Assessing star power (e.g., A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark), new acquisitions (e.g., Natasha Cloud to the Liberty), and how players complement each other.
- Team Chemistry and Depth: Consider how returning cores (e.g., Lynx’s defense) and new additions (e.g., Fever’s veterans) add to or diminish a team’s depth.
- Health: Long-term injuries could destroy a WNBA team in a short, 42-game season.
- Recent Performance: Who’s hot, and who’s not?
2025 WNBA Preseason Power Rankings
1. New York Liberty
The New York Liberty tops the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings, with Natasha Cloud’s trade boosting the defending champs ‘ repeat title bid hopes. The trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones should dominate, with Cloud’s defense and playmaking (6.9 APG) a major upgrade to an already elite offense.
2. Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx fell one game shy of winning the 2024 title. Adding Karlie Samuelson’s 39.8% three-point shooting to the mix certainly helps Minnesota. MVP candidate Napheesa Collier leads the league’s best defense, with sharpshooters Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton returning to form a solid core of veteran leadership.
3. Las Vegas Aces
2024 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson powers the Las Vegas Aces in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings. 2023 WNBA leading scorer Jewell Loyd’s replacing Kelsey Plum might make Las Vegas stronger. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Kiah Stokes bolster the frontcourt, but depth and Chelsea Gray’s health are always concerns.
4. Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell’s return alongside offseason acquisitions Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham, and Dewanna Bonner rocket the Indiana Fever in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings. WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston shine, with Howard, Bonner, and Cunningham’s defense tightening its leaky stop unit.
5. Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky soar in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings with Ariel Atkins, Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, and Kia Nurse. Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and rookies Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld should shine, but will a new offensive system slow the young but talented Sky?
6. Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm surge in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings with Alysha Clark, and Erica Wheeler joining Nneka Ogwumike. Rookie Madison Conner adds spark, but Jewell Loyd’s trade hurts. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor drive a playoff push but Katie Lou Samuelson’s ACL injury hurts their depth.
7. Atlanta Dream
Offseason acquisitions Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones anchor the Atlanta Dream in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings. Griner, Jones, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard should lift the Atlanta defense to an elite level. Health and bench depth might keep them from a deep postseason run.
8. Dallas Wings
Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale dazzle for the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings, with DiJonai Carrington’s two-way play. Rookies Madison Scott and Luisa Geiselsöder add grit, but no coach and a weak defense hurt. Depth from NaLyssa Smith fuels a playoff sleeper bid.
9. Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks made nice offseason moves, reuniting Kelsey Plum and Dearika Hamby. They’ll join Mercedes Russell, Rickea Jackson, and rookie Liatu King. Plum makes them competitive immediately, but we won’t know much about LA until we see how quickly Cameron Brink returns to form following ACL surgery.
10. Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury has some holes to fill. Olympians Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, joining fellow Olympian Kahleah Copper, give the Mercury a solid trio, but how quickly they gel together and the Mercury’s depth will likely prevent Phoenix from achieving much, if any, postseason success.
11. Connecticut Sun
The rebuilding Connecticut Sun lands toward the bottom of the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings. Jacy Sheldon, Diamond DeShields, and rookie Aneesah Morrow join vets Marina Mabrey and the legendary Tina Charles. The Sun should be competitive, but they are what they are.
12. Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen should dazzle but losing rookie Georgia Amoore to an ACL injury will hurt the Mystics. Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin will make the Mystics a fun watch, but their lack of depth might make reaching the WNBA postseason difficult.
13. Golden State Valkyries
The expansion Golden State Valkyries debut last in the 2025 WNBA Power Rankings with Cecilia Zandalasini and Julie Vanloo leading the way. They have enough experienced players to make games competitive, but their lack of true star power and inexperience as a team spells a rough first WNBA season.
Don’t forget to tune into the weekly, Crush and Rush WNBA podcast, with host Phil Naessens. Naessens is an experienced radio host and has followed the WNBA since 1997.
2024 WNBA Final Standings
