RANKS: Lynx and Liberty still to decide who is No. 1
After an extended absence to be by her mother’s side before she passed, New York Liberty point guard Courtney Vandersloot returned to the lineup last week.
PHOTO: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Let the arguments begin.
Despite a few teams going undefeated last week, and a loss by the top team, the first five spots remain the same.
And for good reason.
Understandably, the Lynx came into Dallas flat, so they get a pass.
Let's see what takes place in Brooklyn on Tuesday, when the Lynx return to New York, in the Liberty's home arena.
Now, let's get to the updated rankings as we head into Week 8:
1. Minnesota Lynx (14-4, previous 1) - They're the Commissioner's Cup champs. I'll give them that. And I was going to drop them from the top, but I'm not. The loss in Dallas earlier this week was not indicative of the Lynx. They were coming off the win in Long Island for the Cup, riding high, and it was a mid-week matinee game. I'm giving them a pass. The rematch against the Liberty this week, there will be no pass.
2. New York Liberty (16-3, previous 2) - They officially went 1-0, but, let's not forget they went 1-1 after losing in the Commissioner's Cup. Tough decision to make, right? Eh, not really. The Liberty will have their chance for revenge when they face the Lynx this week. At 16-3, the 2024 Liberty are off to the team’s best start through 19 games in franchise history. And let's be real, the best story in Brooklyn is that Courtney Vandersloot is back in the lineup after the passing of her mother, Jan.
3. Las Vegas Aces (10-6, previous 3) - With the return of Chelsea Gray, the Aces bring the longest active winning streak in the league into the week having won four straight after Saturday's 88-77 road victory over the Washington Mystics. All four of the team’s wins have been by double figures.
4. Seattle Storm (12-6, previous 4) - It was a perfect week, but with the top three staying the same, so will the Storm. Balance continues to the be the key with this bunch, as all five Storm starters reached double-digit scoring in their wins last week. Been impressed by Jordan Horston, who, in her third consecutive start, authored her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Dallas.
5. Connecticut Sun (14-4, previous 5) - Not sure what to make of this team at this point. The Sun go 1-1 this week, after losing to the Atlanta Dream, albeit on the second leg of back-to-back nights. The Sun turned the ball over 18 times against Atlanta, and the Dream capitalized by scoring 17 points. Two tough road games start the week - in Phoenix and Minneapolis - before they host the Dream for a revenge game on Sunday.
6. Indiana Fever (8-12, previous 8) - The Fever overcame a 15-point deficit in Phoenix on Sunday for an 88-82 win. It was impressive, I'll give the Fever that. That 25-9 run in the second half is what did it, and it's enough to bump them two spots and drop the Mercury one from last week.
7. Phoenix Mercury (9-9), previous 6) - Phoenix will face Indiana two more times this season, both in Indiana, and I'm not so sure you want to bet against the Mercury after what took place Sunday. Tough stretch for them, as they will play their third game in four days when they host the Sun on Monday.
8. Atlanta Dream (7-10, previous 10) - Though the Dream are coming off a loss, they bump after a 1-1 week. The addition of Jordin Canada will be a boost. In her first start for the Dream, Canada finished with nine points, a season-high nine assists, one block, and one steal in Sunday's loss to the Liberty.
9. Chicago Sky (6-11, previous 7) - Two losses this week for the Sky, but Angel Reese remains the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, as she comes into the week leading the league with 11.4 rebounds per game. Reese reached 10 straight double-doubles in Sunday's loss to Minnesota, breaking the single-season consecutive double-double record set by Candace Parker in 2015.
10. Dallas Wings (4-14, previous 12) - The Wings split their games last week, and it's hard to judge them on their loss considering they played one of the best teams in the league, losing at Seattle. They took advantage of Minnesota team fresh off its Cup win, which boosted morale. They play twice at home this week, hosting Phoenix and Atlanta, before visiting Vegas next Sunday. A sweep at home would next boost confidence.
11. Washington Mystics (4-15, previous 9) - An 0-2 week, and they dip two spots. But the Mystics are still a better team than they were two weeks ago. The Mystics shot 45.8% from 3-point range against the Aces, and if they can find consistency on the offensive end of the floor, they could make a run in the second half of the season.
12. Los Angeles Sparks (4-14, previous 11) - The Sparks lost their only game this week, and now have four straight in Los Angeles. Not that they'll be easy, however, as Washington, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Minnesota are all headed to town.
