RANKS: Incoming Storm disrupts WNBA rankings
Gabby Williams, who is averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, has helped Seattle win three straight. PHOTO:Courtesy of Seattle Storm
By W.G. RAMIREZ
There is no doubt about the top two teams headed into the third week of the WNBA season, as last year's finalists are clearly the league's elite.
Both the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx remained unbeaten, and held firm atop the power rankings.
From there, the Seattle Storm made the biggest jump, as they continue to impress with a stingy defense that has them on a three-game win streak. They'll face their biggest test Tuesday night in New York against the defending champs.
This week's rankings:
1. Liberty (3-0) - As I said last week, until someone proves them otherwise, the defending champs remain the best team in the WNBA. (LW: 1)
2. Lynx (4-0) - That said, if the Lynx dominate this week and the Liberty are just getting by, as we saw in Indianapolis, there could be a power shift. (LW: 2)
3. Storm (3-1) - Up from No. 7, it's going to be hard to argue with me about this defense and how dominant it could be with the players Quinn has in place. (LW: 7)
4. Mercury (3-1) - The most impressive thing aside from this team's defensive sting is how it continues to win short-handed. Sure, Alyssa Thomas is doing what she always does - The Engine is always running - but this team gets even better with the return of Kahleah Copper. (LW: 5)
5. Aces (2-2) - Dropping this team from third, and it might even be sixth if it didn't boast the best player in the world and face of the league, A'ja Wilson. Las Vegas has a week to prepare for and find its offense before scrappy Los Angeles arrives with the Plum Dawg. (LW: 3)
6. Fever (2-2) - After their season-opening win, the Fever are 1-2. True, they're only a couple of possessions away from being 4-0. But coulda, shoulda, woulda's don't win basketball games. Teams that figure out how to win, are the ones that win playoff games. (LW: 4)
7. Dream (3-2) - Atlanta climbs two spots after winning three of four, including a split with the Fever. This will mark an interesting week for the Dream, who hit the road for two on the West Coast with questions surrounding Brittney Griner's health. (LW: 9)
8. Valkyries (2-1) - Who said this would be a rough season for the league's expansion team in San Francisco? It's still early, but coach Natalie Nakase has her team playing well since its season-opening loss. This week could be an eye-opener, though, as the Valkyries have back-to-back dates in the Big Apple against the defending champs on Tuesday and Thursday. (LW: 12)
9. Sparks (2-3) - Kelsey Plum is off to an MVP-like campaign with her new team. But she's not willing to discuss her own accomplishments as much as she wants to her team to win. And when it becomes healthy, Los Angeles could be dangerous. (LW: 8)
10. Mystics (2-3) - After a 2-0 start to the season, Washington lost three in a row away from home. The Mystics will play five of their next six at home, and with a full squad, they could be tough for their guests. (LW: 6)
11. Wings (0-4) - Dallas has a chance to pick up its first win in Connecticut on Tuesday. Don't be surprised if the Wings follow that with back-to-back wins against Chicago, on Thursday in the Windy City and Saturday in Big D. (LW: 10)
12. Sun (0-4) - Connecticut is certainly experiencing identity issues, as it's still trying to figure out what to do without key pieces to its recent successful years. Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey are the stars, for now, but this team is desperate for a pure scorer. (LW: 11)
13. Sky (0-3) - The most underperforming team with the most talent has to be Chicago. Coach Tyler Marsh has his hands full with this squad, and could be forced to make a tough decision soon. Should Rebecca Allen starting, and who would she replace in the starting lineup? (LW: 13)
