WNBA Power Rankings May 18
Our WNBA Power Rankings haven’t changed significantly from our final preseason rankings, but we did see some movement for last Monday’s final preseason release.
As we share our May 18 WNBA Power Rankings, we’ll tell you where your team has been and look ahead to where your favorite team is going.
How We Compiled 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, chemistry, health, and recent performance. We evaluate:
- Player Roster: Star power, new additions, and fit.
- Team Chemistry and Depth: How cores and new pieces gel.
- Health: Injuries can make or break a 44-game season.
- Recent Performance: Who’s hot, who’s not?
1. New York Liberty (No Change, 1-0)
Why They Stay at #1: The Liberty made a statement with a 92-78 home-opening win over the Aces. They hit the road on Thursday in Chicago and will face Indiana on Saturday in a popcorn matchup.
Concern: Too many second-chance points allowed (okay, I’m being nit-picky).
2. Minnesota Lynx (Up 1, 2-0)
Why They Stay at #2: The Lynx are 2-0 after a pair of solid opening week road wins over the Wings and Sparks. They could improve to 4-0 with home games this week on Wednesday (Dallas) and Friday (Connecticut).
Concern: Kayla McBride missed the first two games with personal reasons.
3. Las Vegas Aces (No Change, 0-1)
Why They Stay at #3: The Aces lost a tough road game to the Liberty, but they should have a bounce-back week with their Friday home opener against Washington sandwiched between road games at Connecticut and Seattle.
Concern: Getting Jewell Loyd going should be priority No. 1 for the Aces.
4. Indiana Fever (No Change, 1-0)
Why They Stay at #4: The Fever smoked the Sky and could make some moves with their home/away matchups with the Dream and Saturday’s home game with the Liberty.
Concern: Playing time and touches could cause issues.
5. Washington Mystics (Up 7, 2-0)
Why They Move to #5: The Mystics are 2-0 after come-from-behind victories over Atlanta and Connecticut. Reality could come quickly with a three-game road trip beginning Wednesday at Golden State, Las Vegas (Friday), and Phoenix (Sunday).
Concern: The rookies have fared well thus far, but that rookie wall is coming.
6. Phoenix Mercury (Up 4, 1-0)
Why They Move to #6: The Mercury dominated the Storm 81-59 without Kahleah Copper in the lineup. We’ll see how the Mercury fare with an away game at Seattle sandwiched between home matchups with LA and Washington.
Concern: Copper is out 4-6 weeks, and Sabally’s long history of back trouble could cause Phoenix depth issues sooner rather than later.
7. Seattle Storm (Down 1, 0-1)
Why They Drop to #7: The Storm were blown out 81-59 by the Mercury on May 17 on the road, looking outmatched on both ends. They travel to Dallas on Monday, followed by home games with Phoenix (Friday) and Las Vegas (Sunday).
Concern: Their shooting needs to improve, otherwise they’ll fall further down our WNBA Power Rankings.
8. Los Angeles Sparks (Up 1, 1-1)
Why They Move to #7: The Sparks split the week with a decent win over Golden State and a tough home loss to Minnesota. They open their week on Wednesday at Phoenix, followed by home games on Friday (Golden State) and Sunday (Chicago).
Concern: Rae Burrell’s (6-8 weeks) and Cameron Brink’s (ACL) injuries will keep them out until midseason and will hurt.
9. Atlanta Dream (Down 2, 0-2)
Why They Drop to #9: The Dream blew a 12-point lead and dropped their season opener at Washington. They’ll face the Fever twice this week, followed by home games with Dallas (Saturday) and Connecticut (Sunday).
Concern: Depth issues and a roster that doesn’t quite make sense for an offense expected to launch 30+ triples per night.
10. Dallas Wings (Down 2, 0-1)
Why They Drop to #9: The Wings fell to the Lynx 99-84 in their home opener. They have a tough week beginning Monday at home with Seattle and hit the road for a pair of games at Minnesota (Wednesday) and Atlanta (Saturday).
Concern: Defensive improvement is a must.
11. Chicago Sky (Down 6, 0-1)
Why They Drop to #11: The Sky were blown out 93-58 by the Fever on the road on May 17. They host the Liberty (Thursday), followed by a Sunday road contest at LA.
Concern: They looked lost against Indiana and might remain lost this week.
12. Connecticut Sun (Down 1, 0-1)
Why They Stay at #12: The Sun blew a 15-point lead in a home-opening loss to the Mystics. They have three games this week to get it right: Tuesday at home against Vegas, followed by road games on Thursday (Minnesota) and Sunday (Atlanta).
Concern: The Sun probably isn’t trying to win.
13. Golden State Valkyries (No Change, 0-1)
Why They Stay at #13: The Valkyries’ opening-night loss at LA was likely the first of many for this expansion team. They’ll host Washington on Wednesday in their first home opener, followed by a Friday night road matchup with LA.
Concern: It will take a while.
