Neon Gurl Sports
The WNBA didn’t waste a minute after All-Star Weekend—jumping right back into the regular season grind. But while some squads seemed like they needed an extra rest day, the Los Angeles Sparks came back looking locked in. After a rocky start, LA is riding a five-game win streak and officially has everyone’s attention.
From buzzer-beaters to injury returns, here’s how the league stacks up in this week’s Neon Gurl Power Rankings:
1. Minnesota Lynx
Last week: 2
Even with a narrow home loss to the Dream, the Lynx still hold the top spot. Napheesa Collier continues to play out of her mind—dropping 32 points on 78% shooting, along with a full stat line that included rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Minnesota has the best record in the league and the frontrunner for MVP, so they’re still the team to beat.
2. Atlanta Dream
Last week: 6
The Dream are coming in hot. Atlanta beat both the Mercury and the Lynx in one week—snapping Minnesota’s home win streak in the process. Brittney Griner’s inside game has been a difference-maker, especially with a 22-point performance in that upset over the Lynx.
3. New York Liberty
Last week: 3
Jonquel Jones returned from injury and made an instant impact, leading New York past the Fever with 18 points and 9 boards. But the team got hit again—this time losing Breanna Stewart to a lower leg issue. Without her, the Liberty dropped a game to Dallas and struggled to stay afloat.
4. Phoenix Mercury
Last week: 1
After a red-hot run, the Mercury have cooled a bit, dropping three of their last four. A win over Washington gave them a boost, thanks to Alyssa Thomas nearly going triple-double mode. Still, Phoenix needs more consistent offense if they want to stay among the elite.
5. Indiana Fever
Last week: 4
Caitlin Clark’s groin injury has kept her sidelined, but Indiana’s not folding. Kelsey Mitchell has stepped up in a major way—posting scoring lines of 35, 29, and 21 across three games. Her efficiency has carried the Fever to big wins over the Aces and Sky.
6. Los Angeles Sparks
Last week: 11
Welcome back, LA. The Sparks are on fire—winning six of their last seven. Rickea Jackson has found her rhythm, averaging over 18 points during the streak and hitting a wild game-winner at Barclays against the Liberty. Kelsey Plum has been electric too, and Cameron Brink could return any game now, giving their defense a serious upgrade. LA’s surge could be the story of the second half.
7. Washington Mystics
Last week: 5
The Mystics are struggling to find consistency, especially on offense. They’re 1–3 in their last four, with the lone win coming in a low-scoring battle against Seattle. If they can’t generate more scoring, this slide might continue.
8. Seattle Storm
Last week: 9
Seattle is unpredictable, but their defense keeps them in the fight. With one of the stingiest defensive ratings in the league, the Storm can hang with anyone. They’ve pulled off surprise wins against contenders like New York and Atlanta—but dropped games to lower-ranked teams, too. Still, rookies like Dominique Malonga are showing promise off the bench.
9. Las Vegas Aces
Last week: 7
Jewell Loyd came off the bench for the first time this season—and it worked. After struggling for weeks, she put up 20 points against Dallas and looked more like her old self. Becky Hammon might’ve found a new formula, but the Aces need more than one good night to move up.
10. Golden State Valkyries
Last week: 8
Bad news for the Valkyries: star scorer Kayla Thornton is out for the season after a knee injury in practice. They got blown out by the Sun over the weekend and are now figuring out how to recover without their offensive anchor.
11. Dallas Wings
Last week: 12
The Wings have been streaky since the break—but Arike Ogunbowale is starting to cook. She and Paige Bueckers each dropped 20 in a win over New York, and Ogunbowale tallied a career-high 14 assists. Her post-All-Star stats are way up, and if that continues, Dallas could become a threat again.
12. Connecticut Sun
Last week: 13
Tina Charles dropped her fifth 20-point game of the month in a dominant win over Golden State. It was just their fourth win of the season, but they looked sharp doing it. Is this a new spark or just a moment?
13. Chicago Sky
Last week: 10
It’s been a rough patch in Chicago. The Sky have dropped five straight—most by double digits. Angel Reese missed three of those games with a back issue, and Ariel Atkins remains sidelined. Without their top scorers, the Sky are struggling to stay competitive.
🔥 Player Spotlight: Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
LA’s second-year forward is coming into her own when it matters most—elevating her game and taking the Sparks from “early-season afterthought” to “late-season wild card.” Keep an eye on her and that slick lefty jumper.
