WNBA Power Rankings

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 10, 2009

WNBA Power Rankings

Los Angeles Sparks

The temptation is to look at the Sparks' two-game split with Detroit and call these teams even, especially given L.A.'s 81-52 loss in Detroit. But the Spark is still without reigning MVP Candace Parker, who's enough of a force to tilt the scale in L.A.'s favor. Next three: 6/10 at Minnesota; 6/12 at Indiana; 6/19 at Phoenix

Seattle Storm

Lauren Jackson's (pictured) average of 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocks after three games makes plain why the Storm could ill-afford not to re-sign her in the offseason. Meanwhile, Swin Cash's 9.0 points and 4.7 boards per suggest she's near full strength after having surgery to repair a herniated disc in her lower back this spring. Tanisha Wright (11.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 spg) has emerged as a solid third option in the wake of Sheryl Swoopes's waiver, but solid enough for the Storm to hold on to the pole position? We'll see. Next three: 6/12 at Minnesota; 6/14 at Chicago; 6/19 vs. Minnesota

Minnesota Lynx

More impressive than this year's torrid start -- Seimone Augustus and Co. have averaged nearly 100 points in their first two games -- is that they're doing it without Don Zierden, who bailed as head coach five days before the season opener to reunite with new Washington Wizards coach Flip Saunders. Next three: 6/10 vs. Los Angeles; 6/12 vs. Seattle; 6/16 at Sacramento

Phoenix Mercury

As usual, the Mercury don't lack for scoring. It's their confidence that's newfound this year. It comes courtesy of rookie DeWanna Bonner (pictured) -- who, with 16 points and 11 rebounds in her WNBA debut, has thus far proven a plenty capable replacement for the still-MIA Penny Taylor. Next three: 6/10 vs. New York; 6/12 at Sacramento; 6/13 vs. Sacramento

Washington Mystics

Yes, they're undefeated -- the 2-0 start is a franchise first -- but for how long? If they can survive Detroit Wednesday night, and home games against Chicago and Phoenix in two of their next three, these Mystics might be for real. Next three: 6/10 at Detroit; 6/19 at Atlanta; 6/20 vs. Chicago

Connecticut Sun

After losing to the Mystics in the opener, they embarrassed the hustle-minded Liberty on the boards. No other player has served up more humiliation than 5-9 guard Lindsay Whalen (pictured), who helped herself to a career-high 12 rebounds -- or five more than the Liberty's 6-4 board machine Cathrine Kraayeveld. Next three: 6/14 vs. Atlanta; 6/16 at Chicago; 6/19 vs. Chicago

Detroit Shock

The Shock are smarting from infirmities and the loss of pivot Kara Braxton, who is serving a six-game league suspension after pleading guilty to an offseason drunk-driving charge, but their fighting spirit is hardly wounded. They showed impressive grit in their revenge upset of LA -- largely because of Deanna Nolan (pictured, 21.0 ppg), who's making a convincing early case for the MVP. Next three: 6/10 vs. Washington; 6/19 vs. Indiana; 6/21 at Indiana

Atlanta Dream

A spectator last season, Chamique Holdsclaw (pictured) told Dream coach Marynell Meadors that she is just the finisher the Dream needs. In her D.C. reunion last Saturday, she proved it, scoring 23 points to lead Atlanta in a double-OT victory in its home opener against Phoenix. One figures she'll be even more clutch once No. 1 overall pick Angel McCoughtry gets her WNBA legs under her. Next three: 6/12 at Chicago; 6/14 at Connecticut; 6/19 vs. Washington

Indiana Fever

As Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas go, so goes the Fever. And they appeared headed for trouble after the first game, which saw Catchings sit out the second half after re-bruising her right quadriceps and Douglas start the game with a wrap on her right (non-shooting) wrist. The good news is their supporting cast showed signs of life in Tuesday night's victory over the Storm. Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown (pictured) combined for 28 points. Next three: 6/12 vs. Los Angeles; 9. Indiana (1-2)

San Antonio Silver Stars

The Western Conference defending champs were clearly surprised in the opener by the Mercury's Bonner -- no shame, we all were -- who burned them for consecutive layups in a 9-0 fourth-quarter run that turned the game. But they won't have that excuse on Friday against a New York team that, save a few acquisitions, is fundamentally unchanged. Next three: 6/13 vs. New York; 6/19 at New York; 6/21 at Connecticut

New York Liberty

The Liberty have never been the best starters -- they're 3-10 in season openers -- and if they continue to allow themselves to get out-worked under the boards (they were minus-14 in their opener against Connecticut...) and shoot poorly from beyond the arc (...4 of 24 from three-point range), then they're in for a long game of catch-up the rest of the season. Next three: 6/10 at Phoenix; 6/13 at San Antonio; 6/19 vs. San Antonio

Chicago Sky

That not a single player logged positive minutes in the opener against the Lynx shows just how out of sorts the Sky were in Minneapolis. Coach Steve Key had better right the ship soon. There are too few teams and games for the Sky to fall much further. Next three: 6/12 vs. Atlanta; 6/14 vs. Seattle; 6/16 vs. Connecticut

Sacramento Monarchs

The Monarchs twice took their lumps against Seattle, and figure to take even more from run-and-gun Phoenix -- especially if Kara Lawson (pictured) and Nicole Powell are the only ones chipping in points. Next three: 6/12 vs. Phoenix; 6/13 at Phoenix; 6/16 vs. Minnesota