WNBA Power Rankings Week 1 by Her Hoop Stats
WNBA Power Rankings Week 1 by Her Hoop Stats
Where do teams stand after the first round of games on opening weekend?
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After a 10-week delay to the WNBA season, all 12 teams tipped off this weekend. Angel McCoughtry and Skylar Diggins-Smith returned with new teams after missing last season, the Atlanta Dream scored the most points of the weekend after posting the worst offensive rating last season, and 15 rookies made their professional debut, including New York’s Sabrina Ionescu and Atlanta’s Chennedy Carter. For more in-depth analysis of this weekend’s games, check out Calvin Wetzel’s five takeaways from each of the WNBA’s six opening-weekend games.
The Her Hoop Stats team took another vote on where we thought teams stood after the first round of games. Moving forward, we will be using a point-based system to show how close, or how far ahead, teams are in the poll. Out of 1,200 total points, each team gets 1,200 points for a first-place vote, 1,100 for second place, and so forth, and then we take the average for the overall ranking.
1. Seattle Storm (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Points: 1,182
Breanna Stewart had no problem returning to her old form as she played her first WNBA game in nearly two years on Saturday. The 2018 MVP totaled 18 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while Sue Bird put up 11 points and five assists, shooting 3-for-5 from deep. The Liberty kept the score surprisingly close in the first half, but Seattle eventually pulled it together. The rust should wear off for the Storm as the season continues.
Next up: vs. Minnesota Lynx (1-0); 10 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
2. Los Angeles Sparks (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Points: 1,055
The chemistry issue between the team and head coach Derek Fisher was a common storyline after last year’s playoff exit. Those concerns subsided as the Sparks gave Brittney Griner trouble in the post and ran away with the game in the third quarter. Nneka Ogwumike tallied 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting (2-of-2 from behind the arc) and seven rebounds, and newcomer Seimone Augustus was a perfect 6-of-6 coming off the bench. Oh, and 5-foot-9 guard Brittney Sykes blocked Griner.
Next up: vs. Chicago Sky (1-0); 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
3. Chicago Sky (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Points: 982
Chicago got their revenge for last year’s playoff loss against the Aces. Allie Quigley hit a game-winning three with 14.7 seconds left, but it was Kahleah Copper who made the biggest impression with 18 points and a place in the starting lineup. Gabby Williams scored 14 and Azurá Stevens chipped in 12 points. Diamond Deshields was limited with knee inflammation, scoring only five points in 15 minutes, so imagine this team when everyone’s healthy.
Next up: vs. LA Sparks (1-0); 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
4. Washington Mystics (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Points: 891
The Mystics silenced their doubters (including our poll) with a dominant win over the Fever. Myisha Hines-Allen had one of the best performances of the weekend with 27 points and 10 rebounds, a career-high. Even without Elena Delle Donne, the defending champions shouldn’t be underestimated.
Next up: vs. Connecticut Sun (0-1); 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
5. Las Vegas Aces (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Points: 873
Vegas looked like they were set to win, then let Chicago go on an 11-0 run in the last 3:45. Despite the loss, Angel McCoughtry looked stellar in her debut with the Aces, scoring 25 points and grabbing eight boards, and A'ja Wilson had 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Next up: vs. Atlanta Dream (1-0); 10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
6. Minnesota Lynx (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Points: 718
The Lynx showed resilience in their impressive fourth-quarter comeback against the Sun. Sylvia Fowles was classic Syl with 17 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks. Napheesa Collier scored nine of her eleven total points in the last five minutes of the game. Reunited with her former Husky teammate Collier, Crystal Dangerfield had ten points and showed up big in the fourth quarter of her professional debut by sinking a crucial three.
Next up: vs. Seattle Storm (1-0); 10 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
7. Connecticut Sun (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Points: 573
Fatigue clearly got to the Sun in their fourth-quarter collapse. Alyssa Thomas led with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, and DeWanna Bonner scored 19, but the Sun only shot 2-for-19 from deep. The Sun should improve on defense and from three once Briann January eventually returns.
Next up: vs. Washington Mystics (1-0); 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28
8. Phoenix Mercury (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Points: 527
Phoenix fell the farthest in this week’s poll, and its 27 turnovers may be to blame. Phoenix trailed the Sparks by four going into halftime, but was outscored 30-8 in the third quarter. Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith combined for 30 points, and second-year standout Briana Turner continues to be a bright spot for the Mercury’s future with eight points, six rebounds, and four steals in her first start of the season.
Next up: vs. Indiana Fever (0-1); 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
9. Atlanta Dream (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Points: 364
Chennedy Carter had the best rookie debut of the weekend with 18 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, and Monique Billings was the weekend’s top scorer with 30 points and 13 rebounds. All five Dream starters scored at least 16 points, and Courtney Williams hasn’t even joined the team yet.
Next up: vs. Las Vegas Aces (1-0); 10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
10. Dallas Wings (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Points: 273
The Wings put up an impressive 95 points, but also let their opponents score 105. Former South Carolina teammates Alisha Gray and Ty Harris thrived off the bench, contributing a combined 32 points and three treys each, giving Arike Ogunbowale the backcourt help she lacked last season. Arike scored 19, Isabelle Harrison scored 18 and grabbed 11 rebounds, and rookie Satou Sabally had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Next up: vs. New York Liberty (0-1); 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
11. Indiana Fever (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Points: 218
Teaira McCowan did not start for the Fever and only played 14 total minutes with one point and three rebounds. It might take longer than expected for McCowan to prove she is one of the better centers in the league.
Next up: vs. Phoenix Mercury (0-1); 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
12. New York Liberty (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Points: 145
The Liberty kept it close in the first half against the top-ranked Storm, but lost steam after Kia Nurse left the game with an ankle injury. First overall pick Sabrina Ionescu shot a disappointing 4-for-17 from the field and 0-for-8 from three, but she tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Layshia Clarendon made a big difference as one of the only veteran presences on the Liberty. Clarendon led all players with 20 points and should continue to make the rookie-filled team better.
Next up: vs. Dallas Wings (0-1); 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also buy Her Hoop Stats gear, such as laptop stickers, mugs, and shirts!
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