WNBA Power Rankings

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 13, 2009

WNBA Power Rankings

Indiana Fever

Katie Douglas (pictured) hit a career-best six three-pointers on the way to a 28-point, 10-rebound and five-assist night as the Fever topped the Mercury 90-83 Saturday night in Phoenix. Two nights later they were knocked off track by Los Angeles in a 75-63 loss at Staples Center. Next three: 8/13 at Minnesota; 8/15 vs. Detroit; 8/20 at Sacramento

Phoenix Mercury

To hear Diana Taurasi tell it, the difference in the Mercury's 90-83 loss to the Fever was Indiana's hot start. "They came out in a blaze of glory," said the All-Star guard, who scored only 16 points and got to the line twice. But where the squad really got burned was on the boards. Indiana outrebounded Phoenix 43-26, allowing them just three offensive boards. "It really killed us," Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said. "It gives them second-chance points and free throws and it just slows down the game." Next three: 8/13 vs. San Antonio; 8/15 at San Antonio; 8/18 at Chicago

Seattle Storm

That the Storm (cheered on here by Chris Paul and Tommy Listner) continue to play so many close games suggests that it may not be able to hold onto the No. 3 spot in the rankings for long. Seattle followed up a 79-75 loss at Los Angeles last Thursday with a 70-69 home win against New York two days later. That brought the team's total of consecutive games decided by three or fewer points or in overtime to seven. We wouldn't be surprised to see the streak continue for at least two more games -- especially with a tough road slate ahead. Next three: 8/13 at Connecticut; 8/15 at Atlanta; 8/18 at Detroit

Atlanta Dream

Last year the Dream struggled all season to find a rotation that could spark their offense. But this year, not only do they have one of the league's steadier starting fives, but also one of its better benches. Anchored by veteran Ivory Latta (pictured) and rookie Angel McCoughtry, the Dream's reserves pitched in 24 points in a 92-84 victory at San Antonio, then busted out for a whopping 49 points last Sunday against Chicago, albeit in an 82-80 loss. Depth like that will make the Dream one tough out come the playoffs. (Yes, we're penciling them in for their first-ever appearance.) Next three: 8/13 vs. Detroit; 8/15 vs. Seattle; 8/20 vs. San Antonio

San Antonio Silver Stars

Seems like no matter how hard they try or whom they schedule, the Silver Stars can't put together back-to-back victories at home. Tuesday night presented yet another opportunity and the perfect opponent in league cellar-dweller Sacramento, but a poor defensive effort kept their offense from getting on track and ultimately doomed them to a 90-73 loss. "We just had too many defensive breakdowns," said Becky Hammon (pictured), who managed only 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting. "And when our defense is bad, our offense tends to not be so good." Next three: 8/13 at Phoenix; 8/15 vs. Phoenix; 8/20 at Atlanta

Connecticut Sun

Even though the Sun's defense mostly failed in a 95-88 loss vs. the Lynx last Friday, Connecticut could take encouragement from the job it did against Minnesota's perimeter shooters, holding them to just 4-of-19 from deep. Two days later, the Sun stepped up that effort against the Mystics, holding Washington to 0-of-14 shooting in a 96-67 win. Asjha Jones (pictured) scored 14 points, her 18th double-figure scoring game this season, which set a franchise record. Next three: 8/13 vs. Seattle; 8/14 at Washington; 8/19 vs. New York

Washington Mystics

After suffering consecutive losses at Connecticut (96-67) and against Detroit (81-77), Lindsay Harding (pictured) and the Mystics are looking like the East's version of the Lynx -- a team that has quickly gone cold after an incandescent start to the season. That could be because, like Minnesota, Washington is a young team that is still learning how to win games. "This team is a little bit fragile," said rookie coach Julie Plank. "There have been games that we've had leads and held on to them and made big plays down the stretch." So how do they get more late stops in the future? "I think we have to have a sense of urgency," she said. Next three: 8/14 vs. Connecticut; 8/16 vs. New York; 8/18 at Los Angeles

Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx could've gone 2-0 last week if they had played tighter defense in the fourth quarter against San Antonio last Sunday. Instead, they were a step slow in rotating over to the Silver Stars' Ann Wauters, who hit a buzzer beater from the free-throw line that dealt Minnesota an 89-87 loss. The defeat marked the Lynx's sixth in their last eight games and made their hold on the last playoff spot in the West more tenuous. Next three: 8/13 vs. Indiana; 8/15 at Chicago; 8/19 at Los Angeles

Detroit Shock

The Shock picked up critical East wins against Chicago (64-58) and at Washington (81-77) thanks to strong backcourt play. Against the Mystics, Deanna Nolan scored 23 points, including the bucket that put the Shock ahead to stay. Against the Sky, rookie Shavonte Zellous shook off a shooting slump to lead Detroit with 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting off the bench. "The last three games, I didn't think I was as efficient as I had been the first half of the season," Zellous said. "But my teammates helped me and I stayed positive and I think that's what worked -- just being aggressive." Next three: 8/13 at Atlanta; 8/15 at Indiana; 8/18 vs. Seattle

Los Angeles Sparks

The 11-foot jumper Lisa Leslie (pictured) nailed with 11.9 seconds remaining in the first half of Monday's game against Indiana might not have looked like much, but it was fraught with significance. It marked her 6,000th career point and made her the first player in league history to reach the 3,000- ,4,000- , 5,000- and 6,000-point plateaus. The milestone is one of many WNBA firsts for Leslie, who is also the league's alltime leader in points (6,010), the first to dunk in a game and the first to earn regular season, All-Star game and finals MVP awards in the same year. Next three: 8/14 vs. Sacramento; 8/15 at Sacramento; 8/18 vs. Washington

Chicago Sky

No one would confuse Erin Thorn (pictured) for a scoring threat. The backup guard had scored in double figures in only three of Chicago's first 21 games. But against Atlanta last Saturday, Thorn had 15 of the Sky's first 29 points and wound up posting a season-high 20 on the way to an 82-80 victory. Next three: 8/14 at New York; 8/15 vs. Minnesota; 8/18 vs. Phoenix

New York Liberty

Since taking over from the deposed Pat Coyle last month, Liberty assistant-turned-head coach Anne Donovan has essentially had to handle the coaching duties by herself. The extra workload exacted a price; Donovan only managed one victory in her first four games. On Monday, the Liberty finally secured her some by hiring Laurie Byrd, a Flint, Mich., native who won a ring as an assistant with Detroit in 2003. That she helped guide the Liberty to a 65-61 victory in Los Angeles on Tuesday in just her first appearance on the sideline suggest she's already having an impact on the team. Next three: 8/14 vs. Chicago; 8/16 at Washington; 8/19 at Connecticut

Sacramento Monarchs

Surprise, surprise: the Monarchs posted yet another .500 week. After getting trounced by the Liberty at home last Friday 84-66, they did some trouncing of their own in San Antonio on Tuesday, beating the reigning Western conference champs 90-73. To make good on coach John Whisenant's stated goal of making the playoffs, the Monarchs are adapting a postseason mindset early. "Tonight's game is our first round of the playoffs," he said, "and Friday night will be our second round." Next three: 8/14 at Los Angeles; 8/15 vs. Los Angeles; 8/20 vs. Indiana