WNBA Power Rankings: New York knows it’s not time to panic

The New York Liberty were 9-0 and appeared to be soaring as the WNBA’s defending champions. But back on June 10, issues were bubbling.

Forward Leonie Fiebich had just played her last Liberty game for a couple of weeks as she headed to the EuroBasket tournament with Germany. Five days earlier, center Jonquel Jones had suffered an ankle injury that later would be further aggravatedcosting her nine games so far this season.

Now, nearly a month later, the Liberty are 12-6 and have struggled to play consistently, for obvious reasons. With Jones — the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP — out and Fiebich just getting back into the swing of things with New York, this team is not the same one that started the season so hot.

As the Liberty prepare to host the Las Vegas Aces — a team that has been more up and down this season than New York — on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), Jones is out again and forward Isabelle Harrison (knee) is questionable. After Sunday’s 79-70 home loss to the Seattle StormNew York coach Sandy Brondello said the Liberty are struggling without Jones’ inside presence to combat opponents switching so effectively against them.

“We’ve been switched on a lot this year,” Brondello said. “As long as we have good spacing and then confidence, [we’re OK]. I think our confidence went away.”

But New York is keeping things in perspective. Counting Tuesday’s contest, the Liberty have three games left before the All-Star Game, for which forward Breanna Stewart and guard Sabrina Ionescu were voted as starters. The Liberty aren’t even halfway through their schedule and hope Jones can return after the All-Star break.

“I think the team morale is great,” Ionescu said. “I wouldn’t say that a win or a loss has really divided the locker room or even really put any type of bump in the road between us. We understand the pieces we’ve had missing. We understand the games we’ve lost and how we’ve lost them.

“It’s not about pointing fingers, people [being] out or in, lineups we haven’t seen, defenses we haven’t seen. It’s just about understanding we’ve got to find a way to get a win.”

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: @ PHO (July 9), @ LA (July 10), @ CHI (July 12), @ CHI (July 14)

The Lynx’s offense suddenly went into the deep freeze during their 74-59 loss to Indiana in the Commissioner’s Cup final on July 1. But that game doesn’t count in the standings, and Minnesota bounced back well. The Lynx finished out the week at home with victories over Washington, Golden State and Chicago.

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: vs. MIN (July 9), @ GS (July 14)

Phoenix had back-to-back losses, including 98-89 on Thursday in Dallas. But the Mercury looked like themselves again Monday, beating the Wings 102-72 behind 36 points from Sami Whitcomb and a triple-double by Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds). Phoenix won easily even though Satou Sabally (ankle) and Kahleah Copper (hamstring) were out injured. That shows the Mercury’s depth, which is improving. Longtime Mercury player DeWanna Bonnerwho was waived last month by Indiana, is about to sign with Phoenix, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: @ Indy (July 11), @ ny (july 13)

The Dream lost 80-79 in the closing seconds to Seattle on Thursday, and it appeared they might be headed to another home loss on Monday. But a 15-2 fourth-quarter run gave them a 90-81 victory over Golden State. Allisha Graywho will be an All-Star along with Rhyne Howardhad 24 points against the Valkyries, and Naz Hillmon put up 16.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: vs. LV (July 8), vs. ATL (July 13)

Brondello said the Liberty are being pragmatic about the frustrating times they have faced, especially with Jones sidelined. “We’re not panicking,” she said. “We’ve just got to get JJ back and build some continuity and chemistry from there.” It should help that New York is continuing a long homestand, with the next six games in Brooklyn.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: @ CON (July 9), vs. CON (July 11), vs. WAS (July 13)

Maybe we’ve been bouncing the Storm around in the Power Rankings a little too much. But we react to their results. Seattle is on the rise again after road victories last week versus Atlanta (with Skylar Diggins getting the winning layup) and New York. Diggins, Homening Toys and Gabby Williams are all headed to the All-Star Game.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: @ IND (July 9), @ LV (July 12), vs. PHO (July 14)

After having won four of its previous five, Golden State dropped back to a .500 record with losses at Minnesota and Atlanta. But considering the inconsistency of so many other WNBA teams, the Valkyries still have to feel pretty good about how they’re playing — and about Kayla Thornton‘s selection as an All-Star reserve.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: vs. GS (July 9), vs. ATL (July 11), vs. DAL (July 13)

The Fever keep grabbing momentum before letting it slip away again. Caitlin Clark (groin injury) is still out. But the Fever won the Commissioner’s Cup final at Minnesota then throttled Las Vegas in Indianapolis, holding both opponents below 60 points. However, they then lost at home to Los Angeles for the second time. So, Indiana is still trying to establish it is better than a .500 team.

Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: @ NY (July 8), @ WAS (July 10), vs. GS (July 12)

The Aces have been in a similar situation as that of the Fever, except more extreme. Las Vegas seems to go from really good wins to really bad losses. After the Aces’ 81-54 defeat at Indiana on Thursday, coach Becky Hammon called out their “lack of professionalism” in such a poor performance. But the Aces were on the right track again Sunday, winning 86-68 at Connecticut. We’ll see if they can keep that going.

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: vs. CHI (July 8), vs. LV (July 10), @ SEA (July 13)

The Mystics dropped their only game last week, having the misfortune of playing Minnesota two days after the Lynx had lost in the Commissioner’s Cup final. There was no stopping the Lynx in that outing. Now, Washington — which will send rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron to the All-Star Game — looks to get back on track.

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: @ CHI (July 9), @ IND (July 13)

The Wings split with Phoenix, winning 98-89 at home on Thursday before falling 102-72 in Phoenix on Monday. Ariko Springile (thumb) and Dijons Carrington (rib) were out Monday, but rookie guards Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly combined for 44 points. That’s a perimeter trio to watch.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: @ WAS (July 8), vs. DAL (July 9), vs. MIN (July 12), vs. MIN (July 14)

In their only game last week, the Sky lost 80-75 at Minnesota, a team Chicago will face two more times in the next week. The Sky’s Angel Reese had 17 rebounds against the Lynx, her fifth consecutive game with at least 16 boards. She will be an All-Star for the second consecutive season.

Previous ranking: 12

Next seven days: vs. MIN (July 10), vs. CON (July 13)

For whatever reason, the Sparks seem to have the Fever’s number. Los Angeles’ only victories in its past eight games have been at Indiana, including 89-87 on Saturday after losing earlier in the week at New York. Forward Azura Stevens‘ career-best season continues; she had 21 points and 12 rebounds against the Fever.

Previous ranking: 13

Next seven days: vs. SEA (July 9), @ SEA (July 11), @ LA (July 13)

The Sun would prefer not to be the team that others bounce back against after losing. But the truth is, Connecticut is the foe everyone else is looking forward to playing, as the Sun have dropped 10 in a row.