WNBA Power Rankings June 3, 2025: Liberty Still the Team to Beat!
We’re wrapping up the second week of the WNBA season, and what a week it was.
Injuries to Caitlin Clark, Alyssa Thomas, Rickea Jackson, and Paige Bueckers have provided opportunities for WNBA teams to rise in this week’s WNBA Power Rankings, and some teams did.
Join me as I share my WNBA Power Rankings for June 3, 2025.
How We 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, 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 40-game season.
Recent Performance: Who’s hot, who’s not?
1. New York Liberty (No Change, 7-0)
Why They Stay at #1: The Liberty went 4-0 this past week and are playing like the defending champions they are. Natasha Cloud continues to dazzle, Sabrina Ionescu is heating up, and NY remains one of two unbeaten teams.
This Week: at Washington (Thursday)
Concern: The Liberty is the worst offensive rebounding squad in the WNBA.
2. Minnesota Lynx (No Change 7-0)
Why They Stay at #2: The Lynx continue to find ways to win ball games. They beat Phoenix without Napheesa Collier on the floor, and Kayla McBride scored at least 15+ points in her return to the lineup this past week.
This Week: Phoenix (Tuesday), at Dallas (Sunday).
Concern: They’ve been great, but their seventh-best, first-half defense (4th overall) needs to improve.
3. Phoenix Mercury (Up 1, 5-2)
Why They Move to #3: Phoenix improves despite Alyssa Thomas missing a pair of games. They’d be cooked without Satou Sabally (22 ppg), and rookies Monique Akoa Makani and Kathryn Westbeld have been strong additions.
This Week: at Minnesota (Tuesday), Golden State (Thursday), Seattle (Saturday).
Concern: Thomas will miss her third consecutive game (Tuesday). Kahleah Copper and Natasha Howard have yet to suit up.
4. Atlanta Dream (Up 1, 5-2)
Why They Move to #4: The Dream is rolling. They’ve won four straight, and Allisha Gray (21ppg) and Brionna Jones (13ppg, 9.3 rebounds) are leading the way. They rank second in free-throw attempts (22) and are knocking down 32% of their 31 long-range attempts.
This Week: at Connecticut (Friday).
Concern: Gray and Howard are elite defenders, but the Dream are dead last in points off turnovers (11) and steals (6) per game.
5. Las Vegas Aces (Up 1, 4-2)
Why They Move to #5: The Aces went 2-0 with a huge road win over Seattle. A’ja Wilson averages a 23-point double-double and is shooting 47% from the field. Las Vegas averages a league-best 12.5 turnovers and 16.5 fouls.
This Week: at Golden State (Saturday).
Concern: Las Vegas doesn’t win a ‘ship with Jewell Loyd shooting only 30% from the field for 10 points per night.
6. Seattle Storm (Down 2 4, 3-4)
Why They Drop to #6: They’ve lost three straight games (Minnesota, Atlanta, Las Vegas) and two straight at home. Fourteen turnovers per game, while allowing a tenth-best 36 points per game in the paint, is why the Storm has struggled against the league’s elite. Gabby Williams is averaging a career-best 14 ppg, but they need more from than just defense from Alysha Clark.
This Week: Dallas (Tuesday), at Phoenix (Sat).
Concern: The defense has been very good, but the dark clouds are ahead if this group can find a way to get their offense going.
7. Washington Mystics (Up 1, 3-4)
Why They Move to #7: The Mystics beat Indiana but were blown out by the Liberty. Sonia Citron, Jade Melbourne and Kiki Iriafen are having outstanding rookie campaigns while Brittney Sykes is fourth in scoring. The Mystics lead the league in opponents follow-back points (6.7) with the fifth-best Defensive Net rating on the third-fewest points per game in the paint.
This Week: at Indiana (Tuesday), New York (Thursday) and Connecticut (Sunday).
Concern: The defense is surprisingly good, but the offense needs to score more than 77 ppg.
8. Indiana Fever (Down 2, 2-4)
Why They Drop to #8: The Fever dropped both games without Caitlin Clark. She’s set to miss at least an additional week, which should make things interesting for an offense with a banged-up 35-year-old running point. Kelsey Mitchell is in a shooting slump, but Dewanna Bonner’s 24 points this week hopefully mean she’s out of a rough start to her WNBA season.
This Week: Washington (Tuesday), at Chicago (Saturday).
Concern: Clark being out is one thing. The Fever don’t have a backup point guard, and Sophie Cunningham is out for Tuesday.
9. Golden State Valkyries (No Change, 2-4)
Why They Stay at #9: The Valkyries lost all three (twice to New York, Minnesota), but they were competitive in their previous two. Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton have revitalized their WNBA careers, while rookie Janelle Saluan is having an outstanding start to hers.
This Week: at Phoenix (Thursday), Las Vegas (Saturday).
Concern: The Valkyries allowed nearly 24 ppg from turnovers in their last three games.
10. Chicago Sky (Up 2, 2-4)
Why They Move to #10: A five-point loss and consecutive victories over Dallas might be the spark the Sky needed. Ariel Atkins is having a fine season, while Angel Reese leads the WNBA in rebounds (12.3).
This Week: Indiana (Saturday).
Concern: 17 turnovers per game with the second-worst NET Rating (-12.9) doesn’t lend itself to a successful season.
11. Los Angeles Sparks (Down 2, 2-6)
Why They Drop to 11: They dropped all three games this week and are 1-5 SU at home. Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Azura Stevens have made solid offensive contributions, while Odyssey Sims is dishing and swishing.
This Week: at Dallas (Friday).
Concern: Rickea Jackson is out for personal reasons, which is not good for a Sparks squad with a WNBA 10th-best Defensive NET rating (108.5).
12. Dallas Wings ( Down 1 , 1-6)
Why They Drop to #12: Dallas secured their first victory this past week, but they enter this week’s play riding its familiar two-game losing streak. Arike Ogunbowale is the inconsistent scoring leader. Paige Bueckers is playing well when she plays, and Maddie Siegrist is giving Dallas 10+ points from the bench.
This Week: at Seattle (Tuesday), Los Angeles (Friday), Minnesota (Sunday).
Concern: The Wings can’t fly with as much ISO ball they deploy.
13. Connecticut Sun (Down 1, 1-6)
Why They Drop to #13: Big road win over Indiana sandwiched between two lopsided losses. Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey are all this team has, but Mabrey looks disinterested. This is a poorly constructed WNBA team.
This Week: Atlanta (Friday), at Washington (Sunday).
Concern: Allowing 20+ points per night from turnovers is the main reason why they are last on my list.
