RANKS: Liberty, Lynx still WNBA’s elite tandem

Brittney Griner has helped the Atlanta Dream open the season 5-2, the third-best record in the WNBA, after a four-game win streak. PHOTO: Atlanta Dream

By W.G. RAMIREZ

With the first month of the WNBA season in the books, it's crystal clear that the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx are the elite teams in the league. Right now, it's last year's finalists and the rest of the league.

That's not to count out the Las Vegas Aces, who won their last two, but they're going to have to prove themselves against the upper half of the standings before they join the Liberty and Lynx in the conversation of championship contenders.

Phoenix has been commendable, but this will be a tough week as long as Alyssa Thomas is on the shelf.

Here are this week's rankings:

1. Liberty (7-0) - (LW: 1) The defending champs went 4-0 the past week in what might not have been the most daunting schedule, but three of which came against two scrappy teams, Golden State (twice) and Washington. The Liberty visit D.C. on Thursday with their only game this week.

2. Lynx (7-0) - (LW: 2) The defending runner-up made it a 3-0 week with a home win over a very good defensive Seattle team, and two impressive road wins against Phoenix and Golden State. Tuesday night's rematch against the Mercury, before the Lynx visit Dallas.

3. Mercury (5-2) - (LW: 4) Phoenix climbs one spot after going 2-1, the lone loss to the Lynx. This week will be its biggest test to date, in having to visit Minnesota, then host Golden State and Seattle. A healthy Merc team could finish a top-four seed.

4. Aces (4-2) - (LW: 5) We may finally be seeing Las Vegas reach its full potential, with Wilson looking more and more like the Defensive Player of the Year, and the bench providing top-notch results during a 2-0 week.

5. Dream (5-2) - (LW: 7) Up a couple of spots is Atlanta. The 3-0 week is no fluke, as this team is loaded with talent and has the weapons to execute Smesko's offensive scheme.

6. Storm (3-4) - (LW: 3) Seattle isn't as bad as we saw during a 0-3 week, but it needs to turn things around quickly. A boost of confidence could come Tuesday when the Storm host the Paige Bueckers-less Dallas Wings.

7. Mystics (3-4) - (LW: 10) Still trying to figure this team out, although I'm of the belief it can be a playoff team once if the chemistry comes around and the team starts playing competitively against the league's top teams.

8. Fever (2-4) - (LW: 6) Is this a playoff team without Caitlin Clark? They lost their first two games without her, and finally won one. Clark is scheduled to address the media following team practice at roughly 2:30 eastern on Thursday. Is there an update to her injury? That remains to be seen. Until then, this team needs to prove it can with and without her.

9. Valkyries (2-4) - (LW: 8) Golden State has lost three in a row heading into the week, but has a chance to snap that skid with Thursday's battle against Phoenix. If there is an area the Valkyries have shown promise, it's on defense, and that could be huge against the short-handed Mercury.

10. Sky (2-4) - (LW: 13) Kudos to coach Tyler Marsh, who is on the board with the Sky's first two wins of the season. Chicago won two of three last week and brings a little momentum into the week.

11. Sparks (2-6) - (LW: 9) Tough week for Los Angeles with three straight losses, following to Atlanta, Las Vegas and Phoenix. A trip to Dallas could resolve things, but a visit from Golden State won't be easy, considering the Valkyries already won in Los Angeles.

12. Wings (1-6) - (LW: 11) Dallas continues to struggle on the defensive end, which is problematic with first-year coach Chris Koclanes being a defensive-minded coach. The Wings are allowing 88.4 points per game - third most in the league.

13. Sun (1-6) - (LW: 12) While Connecticut got its first win of the season, and it was against former coach Stephanie White and the Fever, this is still a team looking for identity and trying to figure out its go-to player. The Sun have the worst scoring offense in the league, averaging just 70.9 points per game.