RANKS: Liberty and Lynx still WNBA’s best teams

Natasha Cloud recored 22 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in her debut with the New York Liberty. PHOTO: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty

By W.G. RAMIREZ

The most surprising team after opening weekend makes its debut in my weekly power rankings at No. 6, as I'm not sure how many people thought the Washington Mystics would start the season 2-0.

It's a short sample size, obviously, but five of the 13 teams have played two games, and heading into Tuesday's action, the Mystics have looked like one of the more balanced teams.

They rank tied for third with 92.0 points per game on a league-second-highest 51.2% shooting and league-best 42.4% clip from 3-point range.

Veteran guard Brittney Sykes ranks seventh in the league with 24.5 points per game and is tied for seventh with 6.0 assists per game.

The Mystics will have their hands full and will be tested this week, as they play their next three games on the West Coast.

This week's rankings:

1. Liberty (1-0) - Until someone proves them otherwise, the defending champs are the best team in the WNBA. They looked great against the Aces in a rather dominating win. Las Vegas made its run and carved into a deficit in the third quarter, but the Liberty look every bit like a championship team, again. As of now, Natasha Cloud appears to be the best offseason acquisition in the WNBA. End of story.

2. Lynx (2-0) - Road wins against Dallas and Los Angeles make Minnesota one of two teams 2-0. Who knew the other would be Washington. Coach Cheryl Reeve said she'd like her team to be better all 48 minutes. It'll have its chance with three home games over the next week. Don't be surprised if the Lynx are 4-0 in next week's rankings.

3. Aces (0-1) - Losing to the defending champs is understandable. But this team is not as bad as its shooting suggested in the season opener. Both Becky Hammon and A'ja Wilson nailed it in saying there's a lot of work to do. Good thing is, Jewell Loyd's upside is tremendous and once she catches fire, it's lights out.

4. Fever (1-0) - An impressive home opener is great, but it came it also came against a team still trying to find an identity with a new coach. Saturday's game against the Liberty will tell us more.

5. Mercury (1-0) - A defensive swarm led to a 22-point win over a very talented Seattle team on Saturday. The scary thing is it was done without Kahleah Copper.

6. Mystics (2-0) - It took 13 games, spanning 29 days, for this team to win its first game last season. It's already 2-0 this season.

7. Storm (1-1) - Seattle redeemed itself after its disappointing loss to Phoenix in the season opener by going into Dallas and knocking off Paige Bueckers and the Wings. The Storm are certainly better than we saw in their first game, and have room to grow from their second game.

8. Sparks (1-1) - Kelsey Plum made an immediate statement in her team debut in scoring 37 points. But a key loss to the team was Rae Burrell, who will miss six to eight weeks with a leg injury. With Cameron Brink still recovering, too, this team will need a well-rounded effort beyond its stars.

9. Dream (0-1) - Atlanta was one of Washington's first victims, in what appeared to be a shocking loss, until the Mystics flexed their muscles again. Next up for the Dream is a visit to Indianapolis, where the Fever started off strong with a big win over Chicago and will look to keep the momentum going.

10. Wings (0-2) - They're the only 0-2 team in the WNBA, but I think they'd beat the teams below here. Coach Chris Koclanes has a defensive mindset, but has some of the best offensive weapons. When it comes together, this team will be dangerous.

11. Sun (0-1) - The verdict is still out here, as I'm not sure how this team will respond without coach Stephanie White, or former stars Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. What is its identity? Who is the face of this team? That said, I think the person with the biggest upside is second-year guard Jacy Sheldon, how scored 11 points and grabbed two rebounds in a loss to Indiana.

12. Valkyries (0-1) - Coach Natalie Nakase coached her team well in the season-opening loss to the Sparks, as the Valkyries made a late run before fizzling out. There is some gamesmanship to keep an eye on, and Nakase is an intelligent coach.

13. Sky (0-1) - Hammon's other coaching disciple took his lumps in the season opener, as Tyler Marsh and the Sky got thumped in Indianapolis. I know Marsh has a plan and am confident he can make things work. He just needs everyone to buy in and get on the same page.