2024 WNBA Power Rankings Week 2: Unbeaten Connecticut stay on top

The Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty and two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces jumped out to quick starts to begin the 2024 WNBA season, although the Aces have lost a little ground of late.

While much media and fan attention focuses on Caitlin Clark, three of last year’s final four teams got down to business at the start of the 2024 WNBA season.

The Connecticut Sun sit atop the league standings, as well as the regular season’s first power rankings. Below are our latest rankings now the season is firmly up and running. 

1. Connecticut Sun

(7-0, 1st Eastern Conference)

DeWanna Bonner (20.3 ppg) and 2023 WNBA MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas (14.5 ppg, 9 rpg, 7.8 apg) have the Sun revving early. DiJonai Carrington (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and Tyasha Harris (10.3 ppg) are also scoring in double figures, while Brionna Jones (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) appears healthy after missing most of last season.

Connecticut has shown the ability to both win close – including an overtime victory over Minnesota and close wins over Indiana and Chicago – as well as pull away in blowout wins.

2. New York Liberty

(6-2, 2nd Eastern Conference)

Sabrina Ionescu (16.4 ppg, 5.7 apg) had 22 points and nine rebounds as the Liberty defeated Phoenix midweek, 81-78, to halt a brief two-game losing streak. Last year’s WNBA MVP, Breanna Stewart, leads New York in scoring (18.6 ppg), rebounding (9 rpg), blocks, and steals.  

3. Minnesota Lynx

(5-2, 1st Western Conference)

The Lynx are looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance. After starting 0-6 in 2023, Minnesota swept Seattle and knocked off New York en route to a 5-2 start. Napheesa Collier ranks in the league’s top five in scoring (22.2 ppg), rebounding (10.8 rpg) and steals (2.7 spg). 

4. Las Vegas Aces

(4-2, 2nd Western Conference)

A’ja Wilson is already in mideason form. She leads the two-time defending champs in points, rebounds, and blocks. She is second in the WNBA with 26.2 points per game and leads the league with 13.2 boards a game. Wilson led the team to an 80-66 victory over Minnesota midweek with 29 points and 15 rebounds. 

Plus, five-time All-Star and reigning Commissioner's Cup MVP Chelsea Gray hasn't suited up yet this season due to injury.

5. Atlanta Dream

(4-2, 3rd Eastern Conference)

Rhyne Howard (19 ppg), Allisha Gray (16.2 ppg), and veteran addition Tina Charles (14 ppg, 9.4 rpg) have positioned the Dream as a dark horse top-four team. The Dream have alternated wins and losses so far this season.

6. Seattle Storm

(5-3, 3rd Western Conference)

Seattle has won four straight, but four of the team’s five wins so far this season have come against Indiana and Washington, who are a combined 1-15. Friday’s trip to Las Vegas should give a true account. Jewell Lloyd leads the team at 19.8 points a game. 

7. Dallas Wings

(3-3, 4th Western Conference)

Arike Ogunbowale (28.8 ppg) has been on fire to start the season, leading the WNBA in scoring. Monique Billings (15.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg), Teaira McCowan (13.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Maddy Siegrist (13 ppg, 5 rpg) have all picked up the slack with the loss of forward Natasha Howard for several weeks.

8. Chicago Sky

(3-4, 4th Eastern Conference)

With wins over Dallas and New York, the Sky plan on being a factor in the league this season. Angel Reese (11 ppg, 8.2 rpg) has started off strong, with fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso expected back in the lineup any day. Marina Mabrey leads the team with 17.3 points per game.

9. Phoenix Mercury

(3-5, 5th Western Conference)

A four-game losing streak has cooled the Mercury after a split with Las Vegas and a win over Atlanta highlighted a 3-1 start. Kahleah Copper is third in the league in scoring with 24.7 points per game. 

10. Los Angeles Sparks

(2-5, 6th Western Conference)

The Sparks’ only wins are over Indiana and Washington. Dearica Hamby leads the team with 20.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals a game.

Rookies Cameron Brink (9.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, team-leading 2.7 blocks per game) and Rickea Jackson (10.1 ppg) have adjusted well to the professional game. 

11. Indiana Fever

(2-8, 5th Eastern Conference)

Caitlin Clark (team-leading 17.6 points and 6.6 assists per game) already has Fever fans excited for the long-term future.

But this is going to be a long season. Indiana is allowing a league-worst 91.2 points a game and have already surrendered over 100 twice.

12. Washington Mystics

(0-8, 6th Eastern Conference)

The Mystics’ three playoff appearances the past four seasons feels eons ago after the team’s horrid start to the 2024 campaign. Washington ranks dead last offensively, scoring more than five points a game less on average than the next worst team. 

Life without two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne, who is sitting out this season to contemplate her future, has been difficult so far.