Preseason Power Rankings

05/10/2023 Preseason Power Rankings

By: Jeff Yoder

WNBA Preseason Primer: 10 Days to 2023 WNBA Season Tip-Off

The 2023 WNBA season tips off in less than ten days, and we’re gearing up. It’s been heavy on the men’s sports as of late, but the WNBA, Women’s World Cup, and women’s tennis will enter the fold this summer. An offseason full of blockbuster moves shook the landscape of the WNBA in the last few months, and the league looks a lot different this season. Brittney Griner is back on the court for the Phoenix Mercury. The Liberty loaded up with MVP talents. And the Aces are on a repeat quest. But despite only 12 teams, the WNBA hasn’t had a back-to-back champion since 2001-02 (Sparks). Does that change this year in Las Vegas? Or is New York about to run wild? Here’s a look at our pre-season power rankings and some of the biggest off-season moves you might have missed.

 

WNBA Power Rankings

1. Las Vegas Aces (2022 Record: 26-10)

2. New York Liberty (2022 Record: 16-20)

3. Washington Mystics (2022 Record: 22-14)

4. Connecticut Sun (2022 Record: 25-11)

5. Phoenix Mercury (2022 Record: 15-21)

6. Dallas Wings (2022 Record: 18-18)

7. Chicago Sky (2022 Record: 26-10)

8. Los Angeles Sparks (2022 Record: 13-23)

9. Minnesota Lynx (2022 Record: 14-22)

10. Seattle Storm (2022 Record: 21-14)

11. Atlanta Dream (2022 Record: 14-22)

12. Indiana Fever (2022 Record: 5-31)

 

Biggest Offseason Storylines

The New York Liberty won the offseason with the acquisitions of two former MVPs in Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, effectively swiping the top talents from the Storm and Sun in the process. They also added Courtney Vandersloot — the sharpshooter from the Chicago Sky — to surround the growing legend of Sabrina Ionescu. There’s only one problem: Vegas. The defending champs still have A’ja Wilson. Two other teams look poised to make deep runs thanks to the returns of their star players. Elena Delle Donne (Mystics) and Brittney Griner (Mercury) add some missing star power that the ‘W’ lost a season ago. It’s a two-horse race, but those veteran returnees make things interesting.

 

Two-Horse Race (Odds to Win WNBA Title)

Aces (+120), 2. Liberty (+130), 3. Mystics (+1200), 4. Mercury (+2500), 5. Wings (+3500) | Full Odds

 

WNBA Season Start: May 19

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Preseason WNBA Rankings: Aces, Liberty Open as 1-2 Favorites

CBS Sports: 5 Under-the-Radar Players to Watch in 2023 WNBA Season

 

Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images