2024 WNBA Power Rankings Week 4: Liberty Clinch East with Hot Streak - WNBA (2024)

It’s been another full week of Commissioner’s Cup action! The New York Liberty clinched back-to-back trips to the championship game, but the West is still up for grabs. In this week’s power rankings, we’ll break it down East vs. West and tag each team’s difference maker.

Stats and analysis as of Sunday, June 9.

Eastern Conference

1. New York Liberty (11-2)

• Previous Ranking: 2
• Last Week: W at Atlanta 78-61, W at Sun 82-75, W vs. Mystics 93-88
• This Week: Saturday at Aces
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 106.7 (1); DefRtg: 94.1 (4); NetRtg: 12.6 (1); eFG%: 52.0 (2)

Jonquel Jones. Death, taxes, and JJ playing well against her former team, the Sun. In a goliath match-up in Connecticut on Sunday, Jones poured in 22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks. The last time she had four blocks in a game? In June 2023 against—yep, you guessed it—the Sun. This effort helped the Liberty remain undefeated in the Eastern Conference standings and clinch a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

Btw: Like Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball said, Stewie is elite. She’s a walking double-double, and her play was a key part of the Liberty’s seven-game win streak to start June. In the first 13 games of the season, Stewart has already had two 30-point and three 20-point performances, averaging 18.9 ppg and 9.4 rpg. This, plus Sabrina Ionescu’s fire play, is a recipe for a Commissioner’s Cup championship repeat.

2. Connecticut Sun (9-1)

• Previous Ranking: 1
• Last Week: W vs. Mystics 76-59, L vs. Liberty 75-82
• This Week: Monday vs. Fever, Wednesday at Sky, Saturday at Wings
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 101.8 (4); DefRtg: 89.7 (1); NetRtg: 12.1 (3); eFG%: 47.3 (8)

DiJonai Carrington. New year, new role for the Sun’s starting guard. Carrington’s growth has been *amazing* to witness so far this season. Last year, Carrington averaged just 17 minutes off the bench; this year, she’s averaging more than 30.

In response to Carrington’s increased role: “It’s time,” head coach Stephanie White told The Next Hoops. “The natural progression is typically between year three and four when players make that jump. She’s played behind some really good players on teams here, she’s been that spark off the bench that we’ve needed, and now she’s called upon to do more and do it consistently.”

Defense has always been the name of her game—you can thank her childhood love of football for that—but witnessing her offense explode has been a treat, too.

3. Atlanta Dream (5-4)

• Previous Ranking: 3
• Last Week: L vs. Liberty 61-78, W at Sky 89-80
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Mystics, Thursday at Fever, Sunday vs. Sparks
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.2 (11); DefRtg: 97.5 (5); NetRtg: -2.3 (7); eFG%: 45.5 (11)

Allisha Gray. The Dream is still in the third spot because I think this team is better than how they’ve been playing lately. Gray has been lights out, leading the team in scoring with over 16 ppg. She’s a human torch from 3-point land at over 46%, an area Atlanta has struggled with. Rhyne Howard was 0-17 across four games from the arc, breaking that streak Thursday against the Liberty.

But in that blowout loss against New York, head coach Tanisha Wright questioned the team’s effort calling it “piss poor.” The Dream’s offense has felt stiff and stagnant, but Gray has been a bright spot.

4. Indiana Fever (3-9)

• Previous Ranking: 4
• Last Week: W at Mystics 85-83
• This Week: Monday at Sun, Thursday vs Dream, Sunday vs Chicago
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.8 (10); DefRtg: 111.1 (12); NetRtg: -15.3 (12); eFG%: 49.7 (5)

Kelsey Mitchell. The lefty bucket-getter is the franchise’s second-all-time leading scorer for a reason, and you bet not forget. This week, Mitchell’s craftiness was on full display as a well-rested Fever squad got the win over the Mystics in front of over 20,000 fans at Capitol One Arena. And they brought rain to D.C.’s forecast; Indiana set a new franchise record for 3’s made in a single game with 16. Mitchell added three, while Caitlin Clark poured in seven.

The Fever’s top-heavy schedule is over; they’ll get time to re-group, practice, and scheme. I believe their best game is still ahead of them.

5. Chicago Sky (2-2)

• Previous Ranking: 5
• Last Week: W at Mystics 79-71, L vs. Dream 80-89
• This Week: Wednesday vs. Sun, Friday at Mystics, Sunday at Fever
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 96.8 (10); DefRtg: 97.8 (6); NetRtg: -1.0 (6); eFG%: 44.1 (12)

Isabelle Harrison. We all love a comeback story. After sitting out the entire last season due to a knee injury, Harrison’s new role as the vet off the bench has suited her well. She has been a lightning bolt for Chicago. In Thursday’s win over Washington, Harrison and Chennedy Carter combined for nearly 40 bench points, making them a hard-to-stop second-unit duo.

For a squad with both speed and length—hello, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso—Harrison compliments this roster well. With news of Elizabeth William’s torn meniscus injury, Harrison will have even more opportunities to shine.

6. Washington Mystics (0-12)

• Previous Ranking: 6
• Last Week: L vs. Sun 59-76, L vs. Sky 71-79, L vs. Fever 83-85, L vs. Liberty 88-93
• This Week: Tuesday at Dream, Friday at Sky
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 92.2 (12); DefRtg: 103.3 (11); NetRtg: -11.1 (11); eFG%: 47.3 (7)

Aaliyah Edwards. OK, rook, we see you! Her Herculean 23-13 performance against Chicago, shooting 90% from the field, put on a show in front of over 10,000 fans at Capitol One Arena. The first rookie to have a 20+ points and 10+ rebound effort this season. After Thursday’s loss, Edwards joined Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) as the only Mystics rookie to lead the team in both points & rebounds in consecutive games, per ESPN.

To prove her star power in Washington, D.C., may I present Exhibit A:

Western Conference

1. Seattle Storm (7-4)

• Previous Ranking: 3
• Last Week: W vs Mercury 80-62, W at Aces 78-65, L at Lynx 64-83
• This Week: Tuesday vs Sparks, Thursday at Wings, Sunday at Mercury
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 97.2 (6); DefRtg: 91.9 (3); NetRtg: 5.3 (4); eFG%: 46.3 (10)

Ezi Magbegor. After a sputtered start, the Storm’s six-game win streak was epic. Magbegor got a contract extension this week and continues to reveal why she is worth all the money, OK? The 24-year-old started her week with a season-high 21 points on the Mercury. Then, in a massive win over the defending champs, Magbegor grabbed her third double-double of the season (14 points, 15 rebounds). The streak was snapped against the Lynx on Sunday.

“That’s a super team,” said A’ja Wilson after the loss. They’re tough to stop, with Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, and Magbegor all averaging double figures.

2. Las Vegas Aces (5-4)

• Previous Ranking: 1
• Last Week: W at Dallas 95-81, L vs. Storm 65-78, L at Sparks 92-96
• This Week: Tuesday vs. Lynx, Thursday at Mercury, Saturday vs. Liberty
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 103.8 (2); DefRtg: 99.3 (7); NetRtg: 4.4 (5); eFG%: 48.5 (3)

A’ja Wilson. I teetered about keeping the Aces ranked this high after two losses this week, but it’s because of Wilson’s dominance. The six-year vet has had a history-making, record-breaking absurd start to this season, so of course, she’s been a major difference-maker for the Aces. It’s more like, “We’re winning because we have A’ja Wilson, and you don’t.”

She’s averaging eye-popping numbers (28.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.0 bpg); cutting up the defense surgically; and probably leading the league in bloody noses (proof). But two more dropped games to Seattle and Los Angeles—and offensive dry spells—put the Ace’s approach in question.

“Our approach sucks. I can’t articulate enough how badly teams want to beat us,” head coach Becky Hammon said post-game. “We’ve just had a very ‘satisfactory show-up and think we’re going to win the game’ approach.”

Wilson has been out of this world, and now the rest of the team needs to step up if Las Vegas wants to get back to the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

3. Minnesota Lynx (8-3)

• Previous Ranking: 2
• Last Week: W at Sparks 86-62, L at Mercury 80-81, W vs Storm 83-64
• This Week: Tuesday at Aces, Friday vs Sparks
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 103.5 (3); DefRtg: 91.2 (2); NetRtg: 12.4 (2); eFG%: 53.2 (1)

Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith. Head coach Cheryl Reeve wanted to add depth to the Lynx roster this offseason. Plus, a point guard and players who can pressure the ball. The duo of Williams and Smith has been consistent for Minnesota in all those areas. They decided to come over from Chicago together in the off-season and have been ballin’ out for the Lynx ever since. The two-player lineup contributes to nearly 50 points per game, 13.3 assists, and 5.0 steals per game.

Also: Have yourself a week, Kayla McBride! She drilled a career- and franchise-high eight 3-pointers in the loss against Phoenix on Friday but then put up a 32-piece to shut down Seattle on Sunday.

Also x2: Reeve became the second-winningest coach in WNBA history after Wednesday’s 24-point bout over the Sparks. She’s second only to Mike Thibault (379) for the most all-time.

4. Phoenix Mercury (6-6)

• Previous Ranking: 4
• Last Week: L at Storm 62-80, W vs. Lynx 81-80, W at Wings 97-90 2OT
• This Week: Thursday vs. Aces, Sunday vs. Storm
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 96.9 (7); DefRtg: 102.7 (9); NetRtg: -5.9 (10); eFG%: 47.3 (9)

Natasha Cloud. Boy, was it tough to pick just one player for the Mercury. Brittney Griner is back in the starting lineup. Kahleah [Freaking] Copper hitting a last-second 3 over the Lynx. Diana Taurasi aging like fine wine. But, Cloud has been their difference maker.

She’s the point guard, controlling the offense at every turn, and she’s been the team’s defensive specialist. Like Cloud said post-game as she pulled the mic closer: “If you leave me off a defensive team this year, I’m going to lose my mind. I’m guarding one through five.” She pauses, and then repeats for emphasis, “One through fiiiiive.”

The Mercury’s hot shooting nights have kept them afloat, but having both BG and Bec Allen back in rotation will propel Phoenix up in the rankings.

5. Los Angeles Sparks (4-7)

• Previous Ranking: 6
• Last Week: L vs. Lynx 62-86, W vs. Wings 81-72, W vs. Aces 96-92
• This Week: Tuesday at Storm, Friday at Lynx, Sunday at Dream
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 96.8 (8); DefRtg: 102.4 (8); NetRtg: -5.5 (9); eFG%: 48.0 (4)

Dearica Hamby. Alright, I’ve seen enough. We have to talk about Hamby’s incredible start to the season, as she’s currently averaging over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. She’s been insufferable on the glass, and her touch around the rim has grown exponentially. She set goals for the season—including earning an MVP vote— and night in and night out, she’s been consistently achieving them.

After LA earned their first Commissioner’s Cup win Friday against Dallas, Hamby became the 6th player in WNBA history to have eight double-doubles in the first 10 games of the season, per ESPN. Cameron Brink also notched her first-career double-double against the Wings. With a narrow win over the Aces, these two commanding the paint for the Sparks have proven to work. Now, they embark on a seven-game road tour.

6. Dallas Wings (3-7)

• Previous Ranking: 5
• Last Week: L vs Aces 81-95, L at Sparks 81-72, L vs Mercury 90-97 2OT
• This Week: Thursday vs. Storm, Saturday vs. Sun
• Team Stats: OffRtg: 99.0 (5); DefRtg: 102.9 (10); NetRtg: -3.9 (8); eFG%: 47.4 (6)

Maddy Siegrist. Wow, seeing Siegrist jump into a prominent role for the Wings has been fun. In just 10 games this season, she is only five points away from surpassing her production from all 39 games last season. No sophom*ore slump over here! But it’s not just points. Her minutes are up, and her rebounding has been tenacious. With early injuries to Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally, Siegrist has answered the call. Dallas, however, has not been able to ink out a Commissioner’s Cup win, as they’re on a five-game losing streak.

WNBA reporter Jordan Robinson writes columns onWNBA.comthroughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at@HeyJordanR.The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.