The WNBA made its return on Thursday, and the season is now officially back from their midseason Olympic break! The Olympians are back with gold medals and the rest of the league’s players were able to get some much-needed rest! Each team now gets about one month to make a final playoff push, as the season ends on September 19th, with the playoffs starting September 22nd. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, make the playoffs, so let’s get into the current standings, as well as each team’s outlook to get yourself ready for the rest of the season!
1. New York Liberty (23-4)
The Liberty have been the best team in the league all year, led by the continued breakout performance of Center Jonquel Jones and the superstar play from both Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. Jones started her breakout during last year’s playoffs and hasn’t looked back. Her improved play along with Sabrina Ionescu’s lethal scoring ability has taken some of the load off of Breanna Stewart and has allowed her to perform at an MVP level. The Liberty are the obvious favorites to win the championship, especially after beating the Aces earlier today.
2. Connecticut Sun (19-6)
It’s hard to overstate how good Alyssa Thomas has been over the last two seasons. She came so close to winning MVP last season and even though she’s unlikely to win the award this season, it’s obvious she’s here to stay as one of the best players in the league. Her incredible play along with the return of DeWanna Bonner has turned the Sun into legit contenders. Their defense has been impressive and among the best in the league and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by both Brionna Jones and Dijonai Carrington this season. Don’t be surprised to see them in the Finals.
3. Minnesota Lynx (19-8)
Napheesa Collier has carried the Lynx to new heights this season coming off back-to-back losing seasons. They look legit and although Collier has to do the heavy lifting for this team, Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams have all played well around her to bring this team to the third seed. Diamond Miller is out indefinitely after her knee surgery but when she does return (even if it’s not until next season), the Lynx will be a force to be reckoned with. I am also a big fan of rookie Alissa Pili. As she gets more playing time, I think she could end up being a good starter for Minnesota. Minnesota is set up to be a great team for years to come.
4. Seattle Storm (17-9)
Seattle loaded up their roster this offseason bringing in both Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, and the team has lived up to expectations. They are in the same tier as every non-New York team and have begun to mesh together quite well. One would have thought Jewell Lloyd would have had to take more of a backseat to Ogwumike, but Lloyd has been just as good this season even with Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith being major focal points of the offense. With as much star power as they have, they’ll be a tough out in the playoffs.
5. Las Vegas Aces (16-9)
The Aces have really missed Candace Parker after she retired right before the season. A’ja Wilson is still the best player in the world and has been more than capable of carrying this team on most nights but without having 5 top tier starters like they had with Parker, the Aces just aren’t as dominant. Obviously A’ja, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum are still as great as ever, but they just seem to be missing something to get them over the top.
6. Phoenix Mercury (14-13)
It’s great to see Brittney Griner back playing basketball after everything that happened in Russia. Seeing her in tears during the star-spangled banner after winning a gold medal was heartwarming and it’s hard not to just be joyous that she’s back. The team has been somewhat underwhelming though. Griner and Diana Taurasi (even at 42 years old) have kept them from being a bad team, but the team doesn’t seem good enough to be considered a contender. If Kahleah Copper can take her impressive Olympic performance and have that hot streak continue into the rest of the year, they should be able to avoid New York in the first round and at least have a chance in the first round. They just have to keep the Fever and Sky from catching up to them.
7. Indiana Fever (12-15)
Caitlin Clark is already one of the best players in the league and an exhilarating player to watch. She has already broken the most assists in a game, and she is on pace to break the single season assists record, as well as countless rookie records. Her elite floor vision has opened the game up for the rest of her teammates and has particularly helped Kelsey Mitchell, who had a great game last night in their win against the Mercury. Aliyah Boston seemed to be struggling to get on the same page with Clark in the beginning of the season, but they seemed to be gelling before the break. With some more time to prepare they should only continue to grow together and elevate the Fever into a formidable foe. The Fever are just getting started and should be a tough out in the first round.
8. Chicago Sky (11-15)
Chicago is going to be one of the best teams in the league once Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese reach their primes. Reese has already been historically good. She broke the record for most consecutive double doubles (15) and is likely going to end up breaking her own record multiple times over. She’s one of the best rebounders in the league and plays with such a relentless style. It’s hard to overstate how much fun Angel Reese is, and as she grows her game and gets stronger, she should only become more of a superstar. Cardoso has also been great ever since she returned from her preseason injury. Her size and athleticism are a great combination that should allow her to lead the league in blocked shots once she gets enough playing time. The rest of the team is solid, with Chennedy Carter leading the team on most nights. If the Sky can avoid New York in the first round their physical style of play will give them a real chance at an upset in the first round, but regardless of what happens, this team is set up incredibly well for years to come.
9. Atlanta Dream (8-17)
Injuries have kind of ruined the Dream’s season. Rhyne Howard and Aerial Powers have both missed significant time and the offense has been dreadful in their absence. Howard is back from injury and Powers might return next week which gives them some hope of making it to the playoffs, at least. I just believe this season might just be a lost cause for them after digging such a deep hole. Even if they get the eighth seed, they likely wouldn’t have a chance against New York in the first round. I’m sorry Dream fans, it’s been a tough year. At least Allisha Gray has played well this season!
10. Los Angeles Sparks (6-20)
After Cameron Brink tore her ACL, this season has been completely lost, and even before her injury they weren’t very good. Brink played in just 15 games, but at least she showed her potential and why she’s going to be one of the best players in the league. Her mix of shot blocking and scoring ability is truly special and even though she wasn’t very efficient this year, the talent is obvious. it’s just such a bummer that she was injured, but at least the Sparks had another top five pick. Rickea Jackson, the fourth overall pick, has been very good this season, and her scoring ability is obvious. With only 6 wins at this point it’s time for LA to think about the young players and the draft, so having Jackson play well, along with Zia Cooke showing some flashes is what the rest of the year is all about. A healthy Brink next season could carry them to the playoffs, so they just need to find players that Brink can rely on.
11. Dallas Wings (6-20)
Dallas is in a similar position as Atlanta as they just haven’t been healthy. Their best player, Satou Sabally missed the first half of the season, but at least she just returned to action! Maddy Siegrist has also been cleared to return from her injury, so hopefully both of their returns can allow Dallas to stop them from being the worst team in the league. Arike Ogunbowale has just seemed incapable of carrying the entire offense on her back. She has been one of the most inefficient players in the league, shooting a remarkably low 36% from the field. Hopefully with Siegrist and Sabally back, Ogunbowale can improve her efficiency in a lessened role.
12. Washington Mystics (6-21)
Without Elena Della Donne the Mystica just aren’t any good. They need Shakira Austin to continue to develop, but honestly this team has just been tough to watch ever since Della Donne stepped away from basketball earlier this year. Ariel Atkins and Austin have both been solid this year, but it just hasn't been close to good enough. Hopefully they can earn the first overall pick and draft Paige Bueckers next year because they need a really cornerstone of the franchise to fill the void of Della Donne.
Photos via Darron Cummings (AP Photos), David Berding (Getty Images), Joe Camporeale (USA TODAY), Melissa Tamez (Getty Images), Adam Hagy (Getty Images), Ryan Sun (AP Photo), LM Otero (AP Photos), and Chris Poss
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