WNBA power rankings after the regular season and before the playoffs:
1. New York Liberty: We’re thinking they’re back. Going into the playoffs, anything less than a championship will be a disappointment. And yet…
2. Minnesota Lynx: This is our pick to win it all. They’ve had some bad losses, but they should be tough to take out in a series. Napheesa Collier is the MVP if it wasn’t for…
3. Las Vegas Aces: A’ja Wilson is amazing. You can’t count out the two-time champs – especially if they start clicking again like they were before the Olympic break.
4. Connecticut Sun: They have the tools. They have the talent. Can they put it all together for a run?
5. Seattle Storm: The Aces arena tough first draw. But to be the best, you have to defeat the best.
6. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and company have reached new heights. But championships are still out of reach.
7. Atlanta Dream: Great to see Tina Charles break a pair of records before the postseason – and sneak in on the last day.
8. Phoenix Mercury: The team we least expect to make any noise, so suddenly Diana Taurasi probably will.
ELIMINATED
9. Washington Mystics: From 0-12 to a game away from the playoffs. Still a great story.
10. Dallas Wings: Just a cursed season. At least Arike Ogunbowale played 38 of their 40 games.
11. Los Angeles Sparks: Their time will come.
12. Chicago Sky: Not making the playoffs is a disappointment. At times, it looked like individual stats were a priority over wins and putting their best team on the floor. They don’t have it figured out at all.