It’s time for the final WNBA power rankings of the 2022 WNBA regular season! The last games of the regular season take place over the weekend and there are still five teams fighting for the last two playoff spots. These rankings account for records through Thursday, August 11th, but the statistics are from the games prior to that. You can check out our previous rankings to see where teams have come from here.
With that let’s get to the rankings!
1. Las Vegas Aces (25-10) +1
The Las Vegas Aces are back to first in the standings and first in the power rankings with an impressive 7-2 record since 7/22. That’s tied for the best record since that date, and they are back to being a dominating force. In their last eight games they’ve been the league’s top offense and are first in net rating and are fourth in defense. They’ve beaten the Seattle Storm, and the Chicago Sky twice in this stretch.
The Aces went through a small lull in the middle part of the season, but are back to looking like the championship favorites as we near the end of the regular season.
2. Chicago Sky (25-10) -1
The Sky are now taking their turn to play .500 basketball going 5-5 since 7/22. That includes two losses to the Aces, but wins against the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics. In their last eight games they are second in the league in offense, but just 11th in defense – their lowest mark of the season. This brings them to sixth in the league in net rating over that stretch.
There’s no reason to panic. The Sky still have a good chance at a deep playoff run. If they can get their defense back on track, they’ll be right there when it’s all said and done.
3. Connecticut Sun (24-11) +1
The Connecticut Sun are tied for the best record at 7-2 since our 7/22 rankings. In the last eight games they are third in both offensive and defensive ratings and are second in net rating overall. They took advantage of a weaker schedule getting five of their six wins against the Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks. While they are very much in the hunt for a championship, they are just 6-7 against the other four best teams of the league.
4. Seattle Storm (21-13) -1
The Seattle Storm have been an even 4-4 since our last power rankings. After vaulting their way to the top three last time around, they’ve cooled a bit and now sit at four. In their last eight games they are fourth in offensive rating, but just 10th in defensive rating, earning them seventh in net. It is their lowest defensive rating in a power ranking since our first one back in May. They did have two big wins against the Sky and Mystics which is good down the stretch, but are just 5-7 against the other top four teams on the season as a whole.
5. Washington Mystics (20-14) +0
The Mystics have also held steady since our last rankings going 3-3 in their last six games. Over their last eight games they are seventh in offensive rating and second in defensive rating, giving them a solid fourth in net rating. They also had two good wins over the Storm and Aces. They are 6-6 against the other top teams throughout the season. Washington’s win percentage on the season is just under 60%. But when Elena Delle Donne plays it balloons to 70%. Hopefully the rest days and prep for the playoffs pays off. If Delle Donne can play the whole playoffs, the Mystics could really be in the mix.
6. Dallas Wings (17-17) +1
The Dallas Wings are enjoying their best stretch of the year – and it couldn’t come at a better time. 6-3 since 7/22 and boasting wins agains the Sky and Aces. In the last eight games they are fifth in offense, seventh in defense and fifth in overall net rating. At .500 on the season they have already secured a playoff birth heading into the final weekend of games. I’ve noted all season how the Wings have been “league average” and stayed in the middle all season. That consistency has paid off. While some team’s below them have swayed throughout the year, the Wings are now sitting in a good position as the season comes to a close.
7. New York Liberty (14-20) +1
One of those teams that has had ups and downs is the New York Liberty. They are 5-3 in their last eight games and are first in defense during that run. They are also sixth in offense and third in net rating. A big win against the Sky buoyed them in these rankings as well. The Liberty end their regular season against the Atlanta Dream. Both teams are tied in the standings and competing for a playoff spot, and are 1-1 against each other this season.
8. Minnesota Lynx (14-20) +2
Like Dallas, the Minnesota Lynx have saved their best for last. Climbing up three spots over the last two power rankings. They are 4-3 since 7/22, and are eighth in offense and fifth in defense over their last eight games. They’ve done well for themselves both in the power rankings, and playoff scenarios by getting wins against the Dream, Sparks and Mercury over this stretch. They are in the driver’s seat going into the final games, but unfortunately have to face the Storm and Sun to finish the season.
9. Phoenix Mercury (14-20) +2
The Mercury are 3-4 since our last rankings and will be without guards Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith for the last weekend of regular season action. In the last eight games they are 10th in offense, sixth in defense, and ninth in net rating. They have had two good wins over the Storm and Liberty, but this might be the end of the line for the Mercury this season.
10. Atlanta Dream (14-20) -4
Since climbing back into the top half of the league in our last rankings, the Dream are just 2-5. In the last eight games they are ninth in both offense and defense and 10th in net rating. They currently hold eighth place in the standings, and with two big games coming up against the Liberty, the hope they can maintain their position.
11. Los Angeles Sparks (13-22) -2
The Sparks are just 1-8 since 7/22, and have all but fallen off the rails. In the last eight games they are actually last in offense and eighth in defense, bringing them to 11th in net rating. It has been a tough season for the Sparks this year, and they are all but out of it before even the last weekend of the regular season.
12. Indiana Fever (5-29) +0
I think everyone, including the Indiana Fever, are ready for the end of this Fever season. They’ve lost their last five games (which is all their games since the last power rankings) and are last in defensive and net ratings and 11th in offensive rating in the last eight games. With two games against the Mystics we could see our first 30 loss season since the Tulsa Shock in 2011.
Conclusion
If you’ve been following along with these power rankings all season – thank you! If this is your first time, go back to the top for a link to the previous power rankings. Each iteration has a link to the one before it in the opening. Here’s to a great playoffs!
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