WNBA Power Rankings Week 2 by Her Hoop Stats
WNBA Power Rankings Week 2 by Her Hoop Stats
Who deserves the top spot in the poll with four teams tied for first place?
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Each team played four games in a jam-packed week of women’s basketball, and the Her Hoop Stats team once again ranked where we thought teams currently stand. After four games in the Wubble, the battle for the top spot in the poll was already more competitive than last week, and the team came to our first unanimous vote of the season. In a league already showing more parity, the competition is intensified as teams have only 18 more games to fight for a postseason spot.
In our points-based ranking system 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. Chicago Sky (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Points: 1,136
With Courtney Vandersloot at the helm, Chicago leads the league in assists per game. Six players are averaging double-digit points, with Kahleah Copper (14.8), Azurá Stevens (14.0) and Cheyenne Parker (13.2) leading the way. The team’s only loss so far came against Minnesota in another game that went down to the wire.
Next up: 8/4 vs. Dallas Wings (10), 8/6 vs. Phoenix Mercury (7), 8/8 vs. Connecticut Sun (9), 8/10 vs. Seattle Storm (2)
2. Seattle Storm (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Points: 1,118
Seattle continues to be the best defensive team in the league, and Breanna Stewart has had no problem coming back from injury. The team’s only loss so far has come against the Mystics.
Next up: 8/4 vs. Connecticut Sun (9), 8/6 vs. Atlanta Dream (11), 8/8 vs. Phoenix Mercury (7), 8/10 vs. Chicago Sky (1)
3. Washington Mystics (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Points: 1,045
The Mystics were the last undefeated team before the Sky beat them by two points on Saturday. So far, the team has averaged the highest margin of victory, and boast the second-best offensive rating and third-best defensive rating in the league. The Mystics have shot the three better than anyone, and Ariel Atkins leads the league with 3.8 threes per game (on 57.7 percent shooting from behind the arc). Atkins and Aerial Powers are both in the top 10 in scoring, and Eastern Conference Player of the Week Myisha Hines-Allen has already scored 70 points, passing her total of 63 from last season.
Next up: 8/5 vs. Las Vegas Aces (4), 8/7 vs. New York Liberty (12), 8/9 vs. Indiana Fever (8)
4. Las Vegas Aces (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Points: 818
Vegas’ lack of shooters showed as the team shot 0-for-6 from the three in their opening game against Chicago. The Aces turned around from behind the arc and ended this week fourth in three-point percentage, shooting 37.2 percent on a league-low 10.8 attempts per game. A’ja Wilson leads the team with 19.8 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game, while star newcomer Angel McCoughtry is shooting 53.5 percent from the field.
Next up: 8/5 vs. Washington Mystics (3), 8/7 vs. LA Sparks (6), 8/9 vs. New York Liberty (12)
5. Minnesota Lynx (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Points: 800
After a week of play, the Lynx are tied with the Storm, Sky, and Mystics for the best record in the league. The Lynx have exceeded preseason expectations, but what else can you expect from Cheryl Reeve’s team? Sylvia Fowles (15.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG) and Napheesa Collier (14.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.2 APG) are doing what they need to do to keep this team in the top tier.
Next up: 8/5 vs. New York Liberty (12), 8/7 vs. Indiana Fever (8), 8/9 vs. LA Sparks (6)
6. Los Angeles Sparks (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Points: 709
The Sparks haven’t lived up to the offensive potential they showed in the opening game against Phoenix, but their two losses were against the top two teams on our poll. Seimone Augustus has been huge off the bench with 10.5 points per game on 54.5 percent shooting (66.7 percent from three), and Nneka Ogwumike leads the team with 15.5 points per game.
Next up: 8/5 vs. Indiana Fever (8), 8/7 vs. Las Vegas Aces (4), 8/9 vs. Minnesota Lynx (5)
7. Phoenix Mercury (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Points: 591
Phoenix’s first two games may have caused fans to panic, but Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner looked more like their old selves ending the week with back-to-back wins. Bria Hartley has proven to be a good signing through week one, leading the team with 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game (currently tied with A’ja Wilson for second-best scoring average in the league).
Next up: 8/4 vs. Atlanta Dream (11), 8/6 vs. Chicago Sky (1), 8/8 vs. Seattle Storm (2), 8/10 vs. Dallas Wings (10)
8. Indiana Fever (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Points: 445
Through four games, Julie Allemand has been a consistent contributor for the Fever as they await Erica Wheeler’s return. Allemand posted 10 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists against Atlanta on Sunday and is currently tied with Chelsea Gray for second in the league with 6.3 assists per game. Candice Dupree is also off to a great start in her 15th season. She dropped 23 points and made a pair of three-pointers in a win against Phoenix, her first make from beyond the arc since 2011.
Next up: 8/5 vs. LA Sparks (6), 8/7 vs. Minnesota Lynx (5), 8/9 vs. Washington Mystics (3)
9. Connecticut Sun (0-4)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Points: 427
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas have looked stellar, as expected, but the Sun and its stars have had issues finishing strong in the fourth quarter. Bonner and Thomas are averaging 37.1 and 36.9 minutes respectively, the only two players in the league currently averaging more than 35 minutes per game. Theresa Plaisance returned from injury on Sunday and could help spell the starters, but newcomers Beatrice Mompremier, Kaila Charles, and Jacki Gemelos have played just 47 minutes over three games.
Next up: 8/4 vs. Seattle Storm (2), 8/6 vs. Dallas Wings (10), 8/8 vs. Chicago Sky (1)
10. Dallas Wings (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Points: 336
The Wings’ rookies Satou Sabally and Tyasha Harris were the bright spots for the Wings this week. Sabally put up 23 points and 17 rebounds in her third WNBA game and Harris is averaging 7.5 points and 4.0 assists per game in 18.2 minutes through four games. Arike Ogunbowale is taking more shots than anyone in the league (20.8 per game) but has struggled to capitalize on her 7.0 attempts per game from three.
Next up: 8/4 vs. Chicago Sky (1), 8/6 vs. Connecticut Sun (9), 8/8 vs. Atlanta Dream (11), 8/10 vs. Phoenix Mercury (7)
11. Atlanta Dream (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Points: 273
Atlanta had a mixed week, with good individual performances and the anticipated Dream debut of Courtney Williams and Glory Johnson, but two losses. Betnijah Laney, who the Dream signed in late June, has been a consistent performer and is averaging 17.5 points per game. Through the first week, Chennedy Carter is averaging 15.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, and is still an early contender for Rookie of the Year.
Next up: 8/4 vs. Phoenix Mercury (7), 8/6 vs. Seattle Storm (2), 8/8 vs. Dallas Wings (10), 8/10 vs. Connecticut Sun (9)
12. New York Liberty (0-4)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Points: 100
The only unanimous decision on this week’s poll (and all three Her Hoop Stats polls so far) is that the Liberty are in last place. Sabrina Ionescu could recover from the severe ankle sprain she suffered on Friday before the end of the season, but it has always been a rebuilding year for New York. First-year head coach Walt Hopkins might decide it’s better to not risk any further injuries in the shortened season. It was good to see Sabrina on the bench with her team on Sunday, though, and Hopkins can focus on developing good team chemistry throughout the rest of the season.
Next up: 8/5 vs. Minnesota Lynx (5), 8/7 vs. Washington Mystics (3), 8/9 vs. Las Vegas Aces (4)
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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