WNBA Power Rankings: Minnesota Lynx (not the Liberty!) are clear Finals favorite

Welcome to For The Win’s 2024 WNBA season Week 15 power rankings.

This is a Minnesota Lynx apology letter. I'm so sorry that I didn't say this out loud before. I clearly wasn't familiar with your elite game. I apologize for ever doubting you or your fearless leader, Napheesa Collier.

I also am terribly apologetic that I didn't praise the evident Yeoman's work your defense has been doing MORE — silly me. I've got my clown makeup ready this week, and you will earn your rightful recognition among the WNBA's best squads.

Here’s For The Win’s WNBA power rankings for Week 15:

12. Los Angeles Sparks (7-31)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 12

The Los Angeles Sparks have lost fourteen of their last 15 games and might not win either of the two remaining games on its schedule.

The Sparks' defense is just very porous, and without a full roster, the team is on hopes, dreams and vibes until the season ends. If you know a Sparks fan, give them a hug.

11. Dallas Wings (9-30)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 11

Speaking of bad defenses, the Wings are also on a significant slide. Dallas has lost its last eight games and could have found a way to stop it by upsetting the Fever in Indy, but frustrations got the best of the team.

There's a particular Teaira McCowan ejection that just felt so reflective of the season. When Dallas was *just* close enough to put it all together and take off, it folded under the pressure.

10. Chicago Sky (13-25)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 8

Remember that cushion that the Chicago Sky had? Yeah. It's gone.

The Sky have only won one game since Angel Reese's exit, and suddenly, things don't look that great. The team has lost three straight ― allowing Atlanta and Washington to make up ground.

Also, Diamond Deshields (ankle) and Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder) have popped up on the injury report. This is not good and potentially makes Chennedy Carter's load much heavier. On September 17, Chicago plays a heavy matchup with Atlanta, which could turn things fully upside down if the Sky aren't careful.

9. Atlanta Dream (13-25)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 9

Atlanta Dream fans might need a moment to catch their breath and check to see if any new gray hairs have popped up.

The team has played THREE overtime games within the last five games and escaped with two wins from those wild matchups, including a nailbiter against the Mystics that probably made a few stomachs uneasy.

However, thanks to some of that grit, Atlanta is still alive in the playoff hunt. If the Dream wants to stay alive, it'll need tremendous performances from its starters, including one of its most underrated pieces ― Tina Charles.

8. Washington Mystics (13-25)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 10

There isn't a scrappier team in the WNBA than the Washington Mystics.

The Mystics started the season 0-12. YES ― Washington started the season down so bad that fans felt sorry for them. Going from despair to having a legitimate chance at the playoffs is nothing short of remarkable.

Still, the remaining schedule isn't very kind for its playoff hopes. Over the last two games, Washington hosts the Liberty and the Fever at home. While the team has the opportunity to do something extraordinary, it's possible it might be too much to overcome.

7. Phoenix Mercury (18-20)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 7

The Phoenix Mercury are so disappointing. Phoenix just can't get it together and be consistent. Consistency? What is that?

Also, is Kahleah Copper now banged up with a back injury? Just throw the whole team away. I'm kidding and being dramatic. But, WHEW. This stinks to watch. Truthfully, I don't expect much of the Mercury in the playoffs, and neither should you.

6. Indiana Fever (20-19)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 5

Whatever voodoo magic the Minnesota Lynx sprinkled over the Fever, I need to know about it. Since the September 6 matchup, the Fever scraped itself into an overtime win with Atlanta, lost TWICE to Vegas and then Houdini escaped against the Wings.

The Fever don't look as fluid as the team did during its 8-2 stretch after the Olympic break. I'm not panicking, but it's something to keep an eye on.

5. Seattle Storm (24-14)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 6

HEYO. Now, we're cooking with gas.

Maybe the Storm heard how much I was disgusted by the team's recent play last week. But either way, Seattle has won four straight games, and I suddenly feel alright? Calm? It's something.

Of course, the wins were against some of the league's worst teams, but Seattle has survived injuries to Ezi Magbegor (concussion) and Jewell Loyd (knee). A lot of that has to do with Skylar Diggins-Smith's stellar performance.

SDS has been relatively efficient, including a 76 percent (!!) shooting night against the Sparks, during which she tallied 26 points, five assists, four steals and three blocks. MY GOSH.

4. Connecticut Sun (27-11)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 3

*TAPS SIGN AGAIN* The Connecticut Sun continue to underachieve.

I've been saying it all season and will repeat it. When faced with real competition, the Sun have mostly folded and shouldn't be trusted. (*stares in Las Vegas Aces and one win over the Liberty*)

The Sun are in the playoffs, but I am worried that I cannot pinpoint just how deep the team's postseason run will be. Don't say I didn't warn you, Sun fans. I'm only trying to spare your feelings.

3. Las Vegas Aces (25-13)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 4

IT'S A'JA WILSON'S 1,000-POINT WORLD, AND WE ARE JUST LIVING IN IT.

Whatever sort of lower leg injury A'ja Wilson has, it's seemingly gone (at least to the naked eye), and with it, the WNBA's best player has returned to dominance. Wilson broke the scoring record TWICE in the last week ―YES, TWICE ― and I'm running out of words to describe her greatness.

It seems her teammates must have heard me paging them last week because Chelsea Gray FINALLY looked like the Point Gawd we know her to be, and Vegas' bench showed up just in time, too.

The Aces look much more sturdy heading into the playoffs.

2. New York Liberty (31-7)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 1

The New York Liberty's reign at No. 1 has ended. *SIGHHHHH*

Not to be dramatic, but losing to the Minnesota Lynx was telling for New York. Breanna Stewart had to go WILD with a 38-point performance to keep the team within arm's reach, and even that wasn't enough.

To me, that's a clear indication that the Lynx have separated from the pack ― pun fully intended ― and the Liberty might not have enough to keep up if these two teams face each other in the playoffs. Minnesota's defense is championship-caliber, and no amount of offense can outplay that.

1. Minnesota Lynx (29-9)

Previous Week’s Ranking: 2

THE MINNESOTA LYNX HAVE RISEN TO THE TOP. ALL HAIL MINNESOTA.

Remember when I said I was just a tad worried about the Lynx's defense last week? Yeah, me neither. The Lynx have only lost ONE game since the Olympic break, and they are 12-1 during that span. TWELVE AND ONE.

That's just a gnarly stretch, and I attribute it a lot to playing balanced basketball on both ends of the floor. I had the New York Liberty penciled into the Finals, but thank goodness I didn't write that in ink. (WHEW!)

I stand corrected. Minnesota is the team to beat, and I will pretend like I never said otherwise. I was CLEARLY unwell.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: WNBA Power Rankings: Minnesota Lynx (not the Liberty!) are clear Finals favorite