WNBA Power Rankings 2024: Unbeaten Sun Challenging Aces for Top Spot; Liberty, Fever Fall
C Jackson Cowart offers his WNBA power rankings after the second week of the 2024 season, along with the best WNBA odds for each team from our best sports betting sites.
Two weeks into the 2024 WNBA season, the top spot in our weekly power rankings remained unchanged. After that? Buckle up.
It's been an eventful fortnight for the W, though the Las Vegas Aces remain the clear favorites by the WNBA championship odds even after a bit of a tumultuous start. They check in ahead of the New York Liberty, who haven't looked right after a run to the WNBA Finals in 2023.
Those two are led by two of the favorites in the WNBA MVP odds: A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, winners of four of the last six MVP awards. But we've already seen a handful of breakout stars in the most hyped season in league history.
It's important to note that these rankings reflect each team's current status, 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 Wednesday, May 29)
1. Las Vegas Aces (3-1)
Previous ranking: 1 (↔️)
Last week: L vs. Mercury (98-88), W vs. Fever (99-80)
This week: Wednesday at Lynx, Friday at Dream
Analysis: Another week, another No. 1 ranking for the Aces, who are dealing as short as +100 across our best sports betting apps to win a third consecutive title. Per our odds converter, that implies a 50% chance that this group will make history.
Somehow, this appears to be a controversial ranking, with virtually every other major publication knocking Las Vegas off this perch in favor of the undefeated Connecticut Sun. I can understand the instinct to do so given how lackadaisical the Aces looked before Saturday's blowout win over the Indiana Fever.
That said, my aim for these rankings is to be proactive, not reactive, and I'd still take Las Vegas on a neutral court against any other team in the league. The gap is narrowing, though, especially with Chelsea Gray (foot) still sidelined with a lingering injury she suffered in last year's WNBA Finals.
Without her, the Aces are clearly a bit disjointed offensively, though Wilson remains the single-most dominant force in women's basketball amid a historic start to this season. Until that changes, I'd have a tough time awarding this prized No. 1 ranking to any other team.
Best odds: +110 via bet365
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2. Connecticut Sun (6-0)
Previous ranking: 3 (🔼)
Last week: W at Fever (88-84), W vs. Lynx (83-82), W at Sky (86-82)
This week: W vs. Mercury (70-47), Friday vs. Wings, Sunday at Dream
Analysis: A trendy pick to be ranked No. 1, the Sun are the only undefeated team left in the W after winning their first six games by 10 points on average.
Once again, Alyssa Thomas is at the center of it all and is a legitimate threat to win MVP after getting snubbed in 2023. DeWanna Bonner (20.3 PPG) has seemingly discovered the fountain of youth, leading a starting lineup that features five double-digit scorers and ranks first in net rating (+12.8).
Three of Connecticut's last four wins came by four or fewer points, so it's only fair to pump the brakes a bit on jumping this team above the two-time champion Aces. The early schedule hasn't been daunting, either, as this group faced just one team that currently boasts a winning record.
It's OK to be impressed with the Sun's hot start without anointing them as the best in the WNBA. We'll learn more about them in June, when they face last year's two finalists for the first time.
Best odds: +1400 via Caesars
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3. Minnesota Lynx (4-1)
Previous ranking: 4 (🔼)
Last week: L at Sun (83-82), W vs. Liberty (84-67), W at Dream (92-79)
This week: Wednesday vs. Aces, Friday vs. Mercury, Sunday vs. Wings
Analysis: We took an aggressive stance on the Lynx before the season, when we ranked them fifth overall - well above any other publication of note. And they've just kept climbing since then.
Napheesa Collier, who ranked fourth in MVP voting in 2023, is averaging career highs in points (23.0), rebounds (10.4), assists (4.0), steals (2.8), and blocks (2.2) in a ridiculous start to the season. Her 31-point effort nearly ended the Sun's undefeated start, while Kayla McBride (17.2 PPG) and Alanna Smith (16.0 PPG) have rounded out one of the best trios in the WNBA.
Minnesota quietly leads the league in scoring margin (+10.2) and defensive rating (91.2) and owns possibly the best win of the season with last week's blowout of the Liberty. None of it feels like a fluke for Cheryl Reeve and Co., who look well on their way to another postseason berth.
Best odds: +3000 via DraftKings
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4. New York Liberty (4-2)
Previous ranking: 2 (🔽)
Last week: W vs. Storm (74-63), L vs. Sky (90-81), L at Lynx (84-67)
This week: Wednesday vs. Mercury, Friday vs. Mystics, Sunday vs. Fever
Analysis: A week ago, the Liberty boasted the best record in the WNBA (4-0) with three straight wins by double figures. What a difference a week makes.
It feels like an overreaction to drop this team any lower than fourth, but clearly something isn't quite right for New York, which was outclassed on its home court by the youthful Chicago Sky before getting blown out in Minnesota two days later.
Part of the issue is Stewart's see-saw start. The reigning MVP, Jonquel Jones (four points) went missing in that loss to the Lynx, and Sabrina Ionescu (38.6%) can't seem to find her shot this season. Eventually, it should all come together for last year's runners-up, but they're tough to trust right now.
Best odds: +180 via DraftKings
5. Seattle Storm (4-3)
Previous ranking: 7 (🔼)
Last week: L at Liberty (74-63), W vs. Fever (85-83), W vs. Mystics (101-69)
This week: W at Sky (77-68), Thursday at Fever
Analysis: After opening Seattle at No. 3 in my preseason rankings, I dropped the Storm down to seventh last week as they struggled with poor shooting, injuries, and visa mishaps. Those appear to be (mostly) a relic of the past for Noelle Quinn's group.
Seattle has since ripped off three straight wins, including a 32-point win over the Washington Mystics on Saturday in one of the biggest blowouts by any team this season. Nneka Ogwumike (19 points) was one of five double-digit scorers in that one, and her return to the court has been critical on both ends of the court.
Jewell Loyd (19.4 PPG) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (13.9) haven't fully shaken off those early-season woes, but they're playing at a higher level as of late. I'd expect the arrow to be up for this team in the coming weeks.
Best odds: +1800 via DraftKings
6. Dallas Wings (3-2)
Previous ranking: 8 (🔼)
Last week: L at Dream (83-78), W at Mercury (107-92), W at Sparks (84-83)
This week: Friday at Sun, Sunday at Lynx
Analysis: The Wings are one of six teams with a winning record thus far and rank sixth in net rating (+2.4), so it only makes sense to slot them into this spot as the last team in the league's top half.
I had Dallas ranked sixth before the season before a rash of injuries knocked it down two spots last week. Latricia Trammell's team has navigated those deftly, in part because of the scoring brilliance of Arike Ogunbowale (28.8 PPG) and the key contributions from recently promoted starters Monique Billings (15.3) and Maddy Siegrist (13.0).
If those two can hold down the fort while Natasha Howard (foot) and Jaelyn Brown (nose) are on the mend, this group just might be OK as it awaits the return of Satou Sabally (shoulder). At that point? The sky is the limit.
Best odds: +4500 via Caesars
7. Phoenix Mercury (3-3)
Previous ranking: 6 (🔽)
Last week: W at Aces (98-88), W vs. Mystics (83-80), L vs. Wings (107-92)
This week: L at Sun (70-47), Wednesday at Liberty, Friday at Lynx
Analysis: If we did these rankings just a few days earlier, the Mercury might be higher on this list after handing the Aces their lone defeat of the season. But it's only been downhill from there for first-year coach Nate Tibbetts.
Following an uninspiring win over the winless Mystics, Phoenix was blown out in successive games by the Wings and Sun, with its defense and offense taking turns as the primary culprit. That's to be expected for a group that profiled as the WNBA's worst in 2023 and isn't at full strength in 2024.
On a positive note, Kahleah Copper (25.5 PPG) has been a revelation for this group, which has already hit double-digit 3-pointers in four of six games thus far. They shot a stunning 1-for-27 (3.7%) in Monday's 23-point loss to the Sun, highlighting the extreme volatility that we can expect with this four-guard lineup.
Best odds: +4000 via DraftKings
8. Atlanta Dream (1-1)
Previous ranking: 5 (🔽)
Last week: W vs. Wings (83-78), L vs. Lynx (92-79)
This week: Wednesday at Mystics, Friday vs. Aces, Sunday vs. Sun
Analysis: The gap between the sixth and eighth spots on this list is razor-thin, so this is less an indictment of the Dream as much as a nod to the two teams above them.
Atlanta did beat one of them early last week, but it followed that with a home loss to the Lynx even with Rhyne Howard (21 PPG) scoring 23 points in that one. She's been the early bright spot for this group, while Allisha Gray (15.5) has served as an effective No. 2 option after her first All-Star nod in 2023.
We'll learn a lot more about this group this week when it faces a winnable road test against the last-place Mystics before hosting the top two teams on this list. If the Dream can win two of those three games, they'll shoot up this list in a hurry.
Best odds: +5000 via Caesars
9. Chicago Sky (2-3)
Previous ranking: 10 (🔼)
Last week: W at Liberty (90-81), W vs. Sun (86-82)
This week: L vs. Storm (77-68), Thursday vs. Sparks, Saturday at Fever
Analysis: OK, so we might have been a little harsh by ranking Chicago dead last in our preseason power rankings, as this group has gotten off to a better start than anyone could have imagined.
After splitting their first two games with the Wings, the Sky stunned the Liberty on the road behind 21 points from leading scorer Marina Mabrey (16.8 PPG). They've also enjoyed a tremendous start from rookie Angel Reese (12 PPG, 8.6 RPG), who has scored double figures in her first five career games.
When fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder) returns, that'll bolster a Chicago frontcourt that already looks like it can hold its own against the W's best.
Best odds: +6000 via FanDuel
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10. Indiana Fever (1-7)
Previous ranking: 9 (🔽)
Last week: L at Sun (88-84), L at Storm (85-83), W at Sparks (78-73), L at Aces (99-80)
This week: L vs. Sparks (88-82), Thursday vs. Storm, Saturday vs. Sky, Sunday at Liberty
Analysis: The WNBA schedule-makers didn't do the Fever any favors to open the year, forcing them to face the Aces, Sun, and Liberty - three of our top four teams - a combined five times in their first seven games across an 11-day stretch.
Unsurprisingly, this young Indiana team has fallen short in nearly every game thus far, though three of its last four losses came by two possessions or fewer. The last one came Tuesday when Caitlin Clark scored a career-high 30 points in a rematch with the Los Angeles Sparks - the only team to lose to the Fever thus far.
Read more: Caitlin Clark odds and prop bets for 2024 rookie season
On paper, this remains the worst team in the WNBA by net rating (-15.6), but the early schedule has played a big part in that. The wins are coming for this group, and it'll be interesting to see how it responds when it's afforded proper rest instead of being the guinea pig for multiple back-to-backs in the early going.
Best odds: +6600 via BetMGM
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11. Los Angeles Sparks (0-2)
Previous ranking: 11 (↔️)
Last week: W vs. Mystics (70-68), L vs. Fever (78-73), L vs. Wings (84-83)
This week: W at Fever (88-82), Thursday at Sky, Sunday at Mercury
Analysis: A win over the Fever on Tuesday wasn't enough to jump the Sparks above them on this list after those two teams battled to a different result last week.
Still, the signs are there for Los Angeles, which has been in every game this season and has taken the Aces and Wings to the wire. Rookie Cameron Brink has been as advertised, leading all rookies in win shares (0.4) while pacing the entire WNBA in blocks per game (3.0) through her first six career games.
With Dearica Hamby (20 PPG, 12.7 RPG) playing out of her mind thus far, the Sparks have a shot on any given night. I'd be surprised if they climb much further without some drastic changes, but they certainly aren't a walkover opponent to this point.
Best odds: +13000 via DraftKings
12. Washington Mystics (0-6)
Previous ranking: 12 (↔️)
Last week: L at Sparks (70-68), L at Mercury (83-80), L at Storm (101-69)
This week: Wednesday vs. Dream, Friday at Liberty
Analysis: Somebody has to be last, and unfortunately for the winless Mystics, this was the easiest call on this entire list.
To its credit, Washington had been fairly competitive in every game this season until a 32-point drubbing in Seattle, when the Mystics' 12th-ranked offense reared its ugly head. We said that might be a problem entering the year, and nothing to this point has provided evidence to the contrary.
It might be unfair to fully judge this group until Brittney Sykes (ankle), the Mystics' best two-way player, returns to the court. As of right now, though, this is clearly the worst team in the league and will remain in this spot until further notice.
Best odds: +15000 via DraftKings
2024 WNBA championship odds
(Odds via DraftKings as of May 29)
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | +100 |
| New York Liberty | +180 |
| Connecticut Sun | +1100 |
| Seattle Storm | +1800 |
| Minnesota Lynx | +3000 |
| Dallas Wings | +3500 |
| Phoenix Mercury | +4000 |
| Atlanta Dream | +5000 |
| Indiana Fever | +5500 |
| Chicago Sky | +6000 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | +13000 |
| Washington Mystics | +15000 |
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 29)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| A'ja Wilson | -110 |
| Breanna Stewart | +1000 |
| Alyssa Thomas | +1000 |
| Napheesa Collier | +1200 |
| Kahleah Copper | +1500 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | +2500 |
| Jackie Young | +3000 |
| Jewell Loyd | +4500 |
| Sabrina Ionescu | +5000 |
| Kelsey Plum | +5000 |
| Caitlin Clark | +5000 |
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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