WNBA Power Rankings 2024: Aces, Liberty Hold Top Spots; Fever Fall Amid Winless Start
C Jackson Cowart offers his WNBA power rankings after the first week of the 2024 season, along with the best WNBA odds for each team from our best sports betting sites.
We debuted the first edition of our 2024 WNBA power rankings a week ago. After the first handful of games, we've already seen some movement.
No, we haven't made any moves at the top, where the Las Vegas Aces remain the top team by our rankings and the WNBA championship odds after winning back-to-back titles. Led by A'ja Wilson, the prohibitive favorite by the latest WNBA MVP odds, the Aces will be tough to dethrone between now and the postseason.
They aren't the only team with a shot to win this year's title. The New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun have gotten off to undefeated starts, while some early-hyped teams like the Indiana Fever have fallen short of expectations thus far.
It's important to note that these rankings reflect the current status of each team, not a projection for the entire season. Factors like injuries, recent performances, and major trades can significantly impact these rankings as the season progresses.
Here are our 2024 WNBA power rankings entering the season, with betting odds for each team courtesy of our best sportsbooks:
WNBA power rankings 2024
(Stats and analysis as of Tuesday, May 21)
1. Las Vegas Aces (2-0)
Preseason ranking: 1 (↔️)
Last week: W vs. Mercury (89-80), W vs. Sparks (89-82)
This week: Tuesday vs. Mercury, Saturday vs. Fever
Analysis: We said before the season that it would take quite a bit to knock off the Aces, who are dealing as short as -105 across our best sports betting apps to win a third consecutive title. That implies a 51.22% chance that this group makes history, per our odds converter.
While I'd rather take the field on that bet, the Aces remain the class of the W with four top-10 players — none better than Wilson — and the best coach in the league. They lost a combined seven games between the regular season and postseason but led all teams in both offensive and defensive rating in each stretch.
While two wins over middling competition doesn't exactly inspire confidence early, it's not enough to panic. Las Vegas is still without point guard Chelsea Gray, and it's still undefeated. All that is to say: I'm not worried about this team, and you shouldn't be, either.
Best odds: +110 via BetMGM
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2. New York Liberty (4-0)
Preseason ranking: 2 (↔️)
Last week: W at Mystics (85-80), W at Fever (102-66), W vs. Fever (91-80), W vs. Storm (74-63)
This week: Thursday vs. Sky
Analysis: It was quite the week for the Liberty, who shook off a slow start against the Mystics before ripping off three consecutive double-digit wins to become the first team with four wins this season.
That includes arguably the most impressive win by any team this season: a 36-point drubbing of the Fever in Caitlin Clark's home debut on national TV. That one clearly felt personal for last year's runners-up, who aren't ready to bow down to the Aces just yet.
Breanna Stewart has regained her MVP form after a strange showing in the opener, but the real story has been center Jonquel Jones, who has carried momentum from a strong postseason into a solid start to this season. If those two can stay healthy, this team will be awfully tough to beat in September and October.
Best odds: +230 via Caesars
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3. Connecticut Sun (3-0)
Preseason ranking: 4 (🔼)
Last week: W vs. Fever (92-71), W vs. Mystics (84-77), W at Fever (88-84)
This week: Thursday vs. Lynx
Analysis: Even after the Sun finished as the clear third-best team in the league last year, we had them in the fourth spot to open the year. A week later, it feels like Connecticut has earned the right to hang in the top three for a while.
Alyssa Thomas, the MVP runner-up last year, has taken her game to new heights with career highs in points (16.7), rebounds (11.7), and assists (9.3). DeWanna Bonner (21.3 PPG) is off to a career-best start, too, while fourth-year guard DiJonai Carrington (17 PPG) looks like an early favorite for the Most Improved Player award after doubling her scoring output from 2023.
It's also great to see Brionna Jones back on the court and making her presence felt after tearing her Achilles last year. It'll take some time for her to return to 100%, and this team will be that much more dangerous when she does.
Best odds: +1500 via Caesars
4. Minnesota Lynx (2-0)
Preseason ranking: 5 (🔼)
Last week: W at Storm (83-70), W vs. Storm (102-93, 2OT)
This week: Thursday at Sun, Saturday vs. Liberty
Analysis: We were among the most aggressive publications with our preseason ranking of the Lynx, who we slotted fifth, with others ranking them as low as ninth. It turns out even we were slightly underrating this group entering the season.
Fresh off a top-four showing in MVP voting, Napheesa Collier has picked up where she left off for the Lynx, stuffing the stat sheet in a two-game sweep of the Storm - previously ranked third in our power rankings. That's one way to earn respect across the league after narrowly missing the postseason in 2023.
Given Seattle's issues with early-season continuity, maybe that seemingly impressive start proves to be an aberration in a few weeks. I don't think it will, though, for one of the most underrated teams in the W.
Best odds: +4500 via BetMGM
5. Atlanta Dream (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 7 (🔼)
Last week: W at Sparks (92-81), L at Mercury (88-85)
This week: Tuesday vs. Mercury, Saturday vs. Fever
Analysis: This feels like the toughest ranking on this list, as there's a sizable gap between the top four teams on this list and the next eight.
I've been impressed with the Dream, who opened sixth in my rankings and would have been higher if not for a preseason injury to new acquisition Jordin Canada (hand). They've made up for it with a strong start from Rhyne Howard, who ranks sixth in scoring (23 PPG) with the second-best efficiency (51.6%) of that group.
This team quietly ranks fifth in net rating (+6.1) and third in offensive efficiency (107.9) even without their table-setter in Canada. I don't expect Atlanta to finish the season ranked this highly, but for now, this team has earned it.
Best odds: +5000 via BetMGM
6. Phoenix Mercury (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 9 (🔼)
Last week: L vs. Aces (89-80), W vs. Dream (88-85)
This week: Tuesday at Aces, Thursday vs. Mystics
Analysis: I had some major questions about this group entering the season. Truthfully, I still do. But first-year coach Nate Tibbetts has hit the ground running with an impressive start for the short-handed Mercury.
Even without star forward Brittney Griner (toe), Phoenix held serve for nearly 40 minutes with the mighty Aces and followed that with a gutsy win over the Dream, which saw Kahleah Cooper score a career-high 38 points to lead the way offensively.
One of the biggest issues for the Mercury was the depth behind Griner and Diana Taurasi. They're testing that early wtih four-guard looks that, so far, have passed the test. Color me intrigued.
Best odds: +5000 via DraftKings
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7. Seattle Storm (1-3)
Preseason ranking: 3 (🔽)
Last week: L vs. Lynx (83-70), L at Lynx (102-93), W at Mystics (84-75), L at Liberty (74-63)
This week: Monday at Liberty, Wednesday vs. Fever
Analysis: I can't in good conscience drop the Storm any lower than seventh on this list, especially after I had this team ranked third to open the year. Still, it's hard to sugarcoat what has been a disastrous start for Seattle.
Nneka Ogwumike (ankle) missed the last two games, and Jewell Loyd (16.8 PPG) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (14.5) struggled mightily to carry the load without her. Meanwhile, rookie guard Nika Muhl was still trying to get her visa approved this week to even make her debut.
The result is the least efficient offense (87.1) in the entire WNBA. That won't last the entire season, and Seattle's defense ranks third in efficiency (94.1) even without its star forward. I'd still take this team over the bottom half of the league, but it might take some time before the Storm climb back into the vaunted top four.
Best odds: +2000 via DraftKings
8. Dallas Wings (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 6 (🔽)
Last week: W vs. Sky (87-79), L vs. Sky (83-74)
This week: Tuesday at Dream, Saturday at Mercury
Analysis: When we opened with Dallas ranked sixth in our preseason power rankings, we acknowledged that this would be a top-five team at full strength.
Since then, the Wings are even more snakebitten: Satou Sabally (shoulder) is already out for months, and now Jaelyn Brown and Natasha Howard are on the mend. That has forced star scorer Arike Ogunbowale into action, as she currently leads the league in points (30.0) and made threes per game (4.0).
That isn't going to be sustainable all season, and Sabally's absence in particular is going to wear on this group. Still, I like the Wings on any given night more than the other four teams on this list - at least if they can avoid more injuries.
Best odds: +3000 via FanDuel
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9. Indiana Fever (0-4)
Preseason ranking: 8 (🔽)
Last week: L at Sun (92-71), L vs. Liberty (102-66), L at Liberty (91-80), L vs. Sun (88-84)
This week: Wednesday at Storm
Analysis: I'm somewhat shocked to see the Fever ranking dead last across most major publications following the first week of the season. Frankly, it feels like a bit of a publicity move to generate clicks.
Many will point to the fact that Indiana ranks 12th in offensive rating (92.0), defensive rating (115.1), and net rating (-23.1), though much of that is the result of a 36-point loss to the Liberty, which skews this four-game sample. That loss came as part of easily the toughest early schedule for any team in the WNBA.
If you've actually watched Indiana play, you'd realize this is a flawed group that seems to be figuring things out in real time. The fact that Clark and Co. nearly knocked off the Sun on Monday, less than a week after looking outclassed by the same group, is evidence of the very growth we can expect all season long.
Read more: Caitlin Clark odds and prop bets for 2024 rookie season
So much of what seems to ail this group is a lack of chemistry. Clark and Aliyah Boston clearly aren't on the same page when it comes to basic pick-and-roll actions, and Clark herself is still adjusting to the physicality of the league - exacerbated by veterans seeking her out with hard screens at every turn.
All of that said, I'd take the Fever over any of the other three teams below them, especially as Clark continues to find her footing in the W.
Best odds: +4000 via Caesars
10. Chicago Sky (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 12 (🔼)
Last week: L vs. Sky (87-79), W vs. Wings (83-74)
This week: Thursday at Liberty, Saturday vs. Sun
Analysis: You can make a compelling argument for the Sky to be ranked higher after an encouraging start to the year, but this feels appropriate for a team that entered the season ranked 12th on our list.
That's a reflection of the available roster talent for this group, which is still without rookie Kamilla Cardoso for the foreseeable future. Fellow rookie Angel Reese (11.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG) has picked up the slack for Chicago, which features five scorers averaging double figures through the first week.
This team is still overly reliant on its frontcourt in a league full of superior talent down low, but Teresa Weatherspoon has found some early magic with this group. For now, that's enough to earn the top spot among the bottom fourth of the league.
Best odds: +5000 via bet365
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11. Los Angeles Sparks (0-2)
Preseason ranking: 10 (🔽)
Last week: L vs. Dream (92-81), L at Aces (89-82)
This week: Tuesday vs. Mystics, Friday vs. Fever
Analysis: The Sparks technically dropped a spot on this list, but there were actually signs of optimism in the first week of the season.
Los Angeles boasts an above-average offensive rating (98.8) through two games, thanks in large part to Dearica Hamby, who is tied for fourth in points (24.5 PPG) and third in rebounds (11.5) in a blistering start to her second season in L.A.
If Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in April's draft, can stay on the court, she can help this struggling defense turn things around in a hurry. The arrow is up for the Sparks, and they might be making moves up this list in the coming weeks.
Best odds: +10000 via BetMGM
12. Washington Mystics (0-3)
Preseason ranking: 11 (🔽)
Last week: L vs. Liberty (85-80), L at Sun (84-77), L vs. Storm (84-75)
This week: Tuesday at Sparks, Thursday at Mercury, Saturday at Storm
Analysis: We had some serious doubts about the Mystics' ability to score entering the season after losing Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud this offseason.
That remains an issue for Washington, which features just three players scoring more than nine points per game. Yet Karlie Samuelson (12.7 PPG) has been one of the biggest surprises (and best stories) of this young season after bouncing around the league for the last six years.
It doesn't help that Brittney Sykes (ankle) and Shakira Austin (hip) have been out or limited early on, though both should return to form in the coming weeks. For now, Washington remains in this unenviable spot in what is clearly a rebuilding year.
Best odds: +10000 via DraftKings
2024 WNBA championship odds
(Odds via DraftKings as of May 21)
| Team | DraftKings |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | +100 |
| New York Liberty | +180 |
| Connecticut Sun | +1000 |
| Seattle Storm | +2000 |
| Dallas Wings | +3000 |
| Indiana Fever | +4000 |
| Minnesota Lynx | +4000 |
| Atlanta Dream | +4500 |
| Chicago Sky | +5000 |
| Phoenix Mercury | +5000 |
| Washington Mystics | +10000 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | +10000 |
For more analysis on the WNBA title picture, check out our breakdown of the latest WNBA championship odds.
2024 WNBA MVP odds
(Odds via DraftKings as of May 21)
| Player | DraftKings |
|---|---|
| A'ja Wilson | +110 |
| Alyssa Thomas | +550 |
| Breanna Stewart | +900 |
| Napheesa Collier | +1400 |
| Kahleah Copper | +3000 |
| Nneka Ogwumike | +3500 |
| Caitlin Clark | +3500 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | +3500 |
| Jackie Young | +4000 |
| Jewell Loyd | +4500 |
For more analysis on the WNBA MVP race, check out our breakdown of the latest WNBA MVP odds.
2024 WNBA schedule, key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 15 | WNBA Draft |
| April 28 | Training camp begins |
| May 3-12 | Preseason |
| May 13 | Final roster cuts |
| May 14 | Opening night |
| June 1-13 | WNBA Commissioner's Cup tournament |
| June 25 | WNBA Commissioner's Cup final |
| July 18-21 | WNBA All-Star break |
| July 20 | WNBA All-Star Game |
| July 21 - August 14 | Olympic break |
| Aug. 20 | Trade deadline |
| Sept. 19 | Regular season ends |
| Sept. 22 | Playoffs begin |
| Oct. 20 | Last possible Finals date |
2024 WNBA FAQs
Who won the WNBA title last year?
The Las Vegas Aces won the 2023 WNBA championship, securing a 3-1 series victory over the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals to win their second consecutive title.
Who won the WNBA MVP last year?
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart won the 2023 WNBA MVP, beating out Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun) and A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) to win the award for the second time in her career (2008).
When are the 2024 WNBA playoffs?
The WNBA regular season began on Tuesday, May 14 and will end on Thursday, Sept. 19. The WNBA Finals will likely take place sometime in early October and end no later than Sunday, Oct. 20.
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