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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New WNBA Power Rankings Unkind to Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
New WNBA Power Rankings Unkind to Angel Reese, Chicago Sky originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 WNBA season is still in its early stages, but the top teams are beginning to separate themselves from the chasing pack. Advertisement Some may argue that the 9-0 Minnesota Lynx and the 8-0 New York Liberty already are on course to meet in the WNBA Finals for a second successive season, and it is no coincidence that these two teams are first and second respectively in ESPN's new WNBA Power Rankings published Tuesday. At the other end of the spectrum are struggling teams that are trying to reload for the future. The 1-9 Dallas Wings, without star rookie Paige Bueckers as of late, sit last in the new power rankings – and Angel Reese's Chicago Sky are situated 12th, one spot above the Wings. In Reese's second season, the Sky have started 2-5 under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh. Though Chicago plays with the second-fastest pace in the WNBA, the Sky have the second-worst net rating in the league, averaging 94.9 points per 100 offensive possessions (12th in The W) while allowing 111.1 points per 100 defensive possessions (also 12th). Advertisement "The Sky are averaging 77.4 PPG, which is exactly where they finished last season, but are allowing a league-worst 90.1 PPG, up from 82.5 last year," wrote ESPN's Michael Voepel. "Unless they can improve on both ends, it will be tough to compete." Reese has struggled for consistency under Marsh, who came to Chicago with a strong background in player development from his time with the Las Vegas Aces. Reese is shooting just 30.9 percent from the field and averages 9.1 points per game; both figures are down from her rookie season. In addition, the Sky lost veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending knee injury on Saturday. Vandersloot, Chicago's all-time leader in games, points and assists, was regarded as a key presence in the locker room, and her absence deprives the team of its most gifted playmaker. On a more positive note, Kamilla Cardoso, picked four spots higher than Reese in the 2024 draft, holds Chicago's second-best scoring average at 10.9 points per game. The South Carolina product is the Sky's second-best rebounder behind Reese, averaging 6.1 boards per game. Advertisement But on the whole, the Sky have a lot of work to do to return to playoff contention with Cardoso and Reese as building blocks. Related: Brittney Griner Breaks Silence After Fake Angel Reese Quote Goes Viral This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Liberty Hanging Tough In WNBA Power Rankings
New York Liberty Hanging Tough In WNBA Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Trying to make some headway toward the top of the WNBA world right now looks like job No. 1 for the New York Liberty. They're still playing great ball early in the season, but so are the Minnesota Lynx. Advertisement New York is 8-0 in play right now, putting them firmly in the No. 2 spot in the latest WNBA Power Rankings, according to ESPN. It's not that Breanna Stewart and Co. aren't putting solid outings together. They are but cannot make any headway against early MVP favorite Napheesa Collier and the Lynx. Still, Stewart goes out all the time and gives 100% effort. In New York's lone game last week, where the Liberty beat the Washington Mystics 86-78, Stewart scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. It was her first double-double this season and, well, won't be the last. What about other Liberty players contributing to head coach Sandy Brondello's offensive schemes? Take a look at Kennedy Burke. She scored 12 points and was a hot 80% from the floor against Washington. Burke has put herself in some early contention for the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award given out after the season. New York Liberty needs contributions from every player to keep on winning The Liberty dearly want to repeat as WNBA champions. They know that they have the players and team to make it happen. As long as Stewart keeps on rocking and the New York bench can pitch in, good things will keep on happening this season. Advertisement New York has a couple of games upcoming on their schedule. The Liberty hit the road to play the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, followed by a home game against the Indiana Fever. Liberty fans will be disappointed if Caitlin Clark is unable to play. Clark has been dealing with a concussion lately, so her availability for that game remains up in the air. All the Liberty can do is continue to pile up victories, hoping it all leads to another ring ceremony for the team. The WNBA is in the middle of Commissioners Cup play at the moment. New York wouldn't mind getting that title, too. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Lynx Hold Firm Atop WNBA Power Rankings
Minnesota Lynx Hold Firm Atop WNBA Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There's no doubt that the Minnesota Lynx have a goal in mind. They want to win the WNBA championship this season. So far, it's been a perfect run through the WNBA for the team. Advertisement Behind Napheesa Collier's incredible play, the Lynx are 9-0 on the season and firmly hold on to the No. 1 spot in the latest WNBA Power Rankings from ESPN. While Collier keeps grabbing the headlines for Minnesota (and rightfully so), there are other Lynx players who are contributing to the team's success. For instance, take guard Natisha Hiedeman. In two wins last week over the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings, Hiedman scored 27 a combined points and shot the ball at an awesome 61% clip. That type of extra effort from her lets Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve know that she can turn to her at any time. Napheesa Collier earns early-season MVP accolades from ESPN for stellar play Back to Collier for a minute. Her stellar play in nine games earned her early-season MVP recognition from ESPN. Collier is the anchor to the Lynx offense, making sure she's combining scoring, rebounds, and assists in every game. Advertisement In eight games of action, Collier is averaging 25.5 points and 8.9 rebounds. She's a solid player who doesn't mind carrying most of the scoring load for Minnesota. The Lynx have a road game against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday and a home game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 14. They want to keep their winning ways going, so look for Collier and Co. to bring their best to the WNBA court all the time. Napheesa Collier was the unanimous pick for MVP in the first edition of our season awards tracker because of the amount of responsibility she carries when it comes to Minnesota's success, but the Lynx still get what they need from the rest of the roster. In victories over Phoenix and Dallas last week, guard Natisha Hiedeman was particularly effective off the bench, combining for 27 points on 61.1% shooting. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever climb in WNBA Power Rankings as Caitlin Clark readies for return
The WNBA, the Indiana Fever, and their fans are eager for any news regarding Caitlin Clark, as she is on the cusp of returning to action after suffering a quad injury. While she is close, the Fever are continuing to be cautious with Caitlin Clark, as she has not yet returned to action. The decision to hold Clark out seems to be to get her conditioning up to par, as it is still early in the season. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White elaborated on the decision. Advertisement "No. I think for us, we've got to work both her and Sophie back into are they in basketball condition? What does it mean to go live? It's one thing to do some shooting drills. It's another thing to get out there on the floor, get back into movement patterns, rhythm, timing," White said. Even with Clark's absence, the Indiana Fever steadied the ship after some rocky times following Clark's departure from the lineup. After dropping three straight in late May, the Fever bounced back and have won their last two games. Those wins have them once again climbing in the CBS Sports WNBA Power Rankings as they currently sit at No. 4. 4. Fever The story in Indianapolis this week was Aari McDonald, whom signed with the Fever on an emergency hardship exception contract. She helped stabilize things while Caitlin Clark remained sidelined, and the Fever have now won two games in a row to get back to .500. McDonald showed she deserves a spot in the league, but she'll have to be released when Clark or Sophie Cunningham returns from injury. Will the Fever figure out some way to bring her back afterward? Or will another team sign her up long-term? - Jack Maloney, CBS Sports Aari McDonald has proven to be a catalyst for the Fever. In her two games, she has played at least 25 minutes. She has had stat lines of 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals against Washington and followed that up with 12 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in the dominant win over the Chicago Sky. If the Indiana Fever can find a way for her to stick around on the roster, their depth receives an instant boost that could handle any further injuries while also taking some minutes away from the starters to prolong them ahead of the playoffs. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7 This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Indiana Fever ascend WNBA Power Rankings ahead of Caitlin Clark return
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Lynx Stay Strong At Top of WNBA Power Rankings
Minnesota Lynx Stay Strong At Top of WNBA Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's no surprise to see the Minnesota Lynx at the top of the WNBA Power Rankings once again. They have been performing at a high level and don't seem to be sinking anytime soon. Advertisement When the new WNBA Power Rankings were released on Tuesday by ESPN, the Lynx were securely at the No. 1 spot. There have been few weaknesses shown by Minnesota. They were still owners of a 7-0 record heading into a Tuesday night, June 3, home matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx recorded victories over the Seattle Storm, Mercury, and new franchise Golden State Valkyries. Still, these players are simply not satisfied with their play. Can Minnesota get any better? It appears so. Napheesa Collier continues to play impressively for Minnesota Lynx this season Forward Napheesa Collier, who has been lights out for the Lynx so far this season, had a couple of things to say in an interview with ESPN reporter Kendra Andrews. Collier pointed toward the team's 82-77 win over the Storm on May 27 and told Andrews that this was the Lynx's only "good game" so far this season. Advertisement Collier missed Minnesota's showdown against the Mercury on Friday, May 30, with a knee injury. Still, the sixth-year standout from Connecticut leads all WNBA scorers with a 26.3 ppg. average. Collier also is among WNBA leaders in steals with 2.3 per game. Teammate Alanna Smith, a sixth-year veteran out of Stanford, is second league-wide in blocks, averaging two per game. Despite the team's win over Golden State, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wasn't totally happy with the Lynx's efforts on the court. "That's the thing with expectations — we have to do more because our goals are high," Reeve said, ESPN reported. Don't look for the Lynx to slow down. As long as Reeve has her way, Minnesota will look to stay atop the league for a bit longer. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
