WNBA Power Rankings: How every team can make a playoff push
The WNBA season returns today following the All-Star break, and every team faces a narrow window to secure a playoff spot. With the regular season running through late September, performance in these final games determines who competes for the championship title.
The Minnesota Lynx lead the power rankings with a 22-6 record. Their success hinges on maintaining team chemistry while integrating Napheesa Collier, who recently returned from ankle surgery. Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries hold the league's top defense but look to improve their offensive output to ensure a deep postseason run.
Other contenders like the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever are focused on consistency. The Wings aim to reduce close-game stress by improving their 40-minute focus, while the Fever prioritize defensive adjustments to create more transition scoring opportunities. The Las Vegas Aces, trailing in the rankings, have identified defense as the primary area for improvement to reclaim their championship form.
Teams at the bottom of the rankings, such as the Seattle Storm, are focusing on player development for their roster of young talent. As the schedule tightens and the intensity rises, the path to the playoffs requires teams to balance immediate execution with their long-term goals for the remainder of the 2026 season.