WNBA Power Rankings: Biggest question facing every team after All-Star

WNBA began the second half of its schedule on Tuesday, with three teams emerging as the most likely for the championship: Minnesota Links, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury.

The biggest question at the league level will be answered from the court: Can the WNBA and Players Association reach the collective bargain agreement in this calendar year – or at least by January? With a draft expansion to Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, with a huge free free agency period in 2026, a CBA is later important soon.

The players put up labor talks in the spotlight in the weekend in Indianapolis, discussed the CBA during the availability of every media and wearing T-shirts, who read “what you out of us out” in Saturday’s all-star game. Players focus on public opinion and have strong support among fans, although it may not affect the WNBA and its ownership approach negotiations.

So far, the conversation has gone expected; Nor has the side not yet put all its cards on the table. We will monitor how close the two sides can be in this heat and decline.

There are also questions that face every team after the all-star break, so let’s go through the largest for each because the back of the season begins.

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: Vs. Chi (22 July), vs LV (25 July), vs ATL (27 July)

Will crime be sufficient to maintain links for championship run? He has the second best scoring average in WNBA (84.7 PPG), while opponents are placed for League-L 75 PPG. In short, both his crime and defense have been very reliable, but coach Cheryl Reve is likely to worry about the possible vulnerability of the crime-enemies if all collapses on MVP favorite Nefeesa colir,

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: Vs Ind (22 July), vs. Pho (25 July), vs la (26 July), @dal (28 July)

Can Liberty overtake the links for the first place? Both teams still have all four regular-seasons, which have started in Minnesota on 30 July.

Defending Champion on Monday: Very good news for the center Zoncl Jones It is expected to return to Tuesday’s game against Indiana, while Belgium forward Emma miseman It is committed to joining freedom in it Return to wnbaThe New York League may have the most formidable frontcourt.

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: Vs ATL (23 July), @ NY (25 July), @ Tha (27 July)

Desire Satou sabally And Kahlih Copper Come back strong from injuries? Saballi has played 18 out of 22 matches of Mercury; Copper is played in just six. Nevertheless, Phoenix is sitting third in standing, led by All-Star Elisa ThomasThomas is used to carry a heavy load, but mercury needs sabili and copper to make a run in the championship.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: @ NY (July 22), vs LV (24 July), @ Chi (27 July)

How much will the second half of the season be Cetleen Clarke Be able to play? She has been excluded for Tuesday, which will mark the 11th regular season game which she has missed this year. He was also sidelined for the Commissioner Cup final and all-star game on 1 July. He is only 23 years ahead, so if his back injury requires significant rest, then it is possible that fever can take a conservative approach and sit it indefinitely.

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Can the fever be patient with Cateline Clarke’s injury?

The description of the Ari Chambers is why the fever will need to be 100% to Cataline Clarke to create a Postsen run.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: Vs dal (22 July), @ Chi (25 July), @ Tha (26 July), @ Con (28 July)

Can do forward Easy Magbegor Provide more crime? At 8.1 PPG, he is on its lowest scoring average of the last four sessions. Since joining the WNBA in 2020, he has never completed shooting shooting worse than 50% from the ground; He is currently at 49.0%. 4 out of 23 from behind the arch did not help. Skiler Digins, Nanka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams And Erica Wheeler Each average is in double figures, but the storm scoring is at the eighth position in the average (80.9 ppg). Magbegor may help more than an aggressive danger.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: Vs La (22 July), vs C (26 July), vs. Pho (27 July)

Can do crooks Sonia citron And Kiki Irafen Finish the second half of the season? Both were all-stars and have been a large part of the Mistics Game Plan, but they have been playing since the beginning of the last college season, without any break, all WNBA miscreants should get through fatigue that they can experience in the second part of the season. We must be seeing how well Nos contests elections with 3-4 pics.

Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: @ LV (22 July), @ Pho (23 July), @ Minute (27 July)

Desire Rhine Howard Be effective when she returns? He has a very good season, which is in The Dream in Assistes (4.5 APG) and theft (1.6 SPG), while scoring (16.5 PPG). But on 11 July, no timetable was set for Howard’s return to a loss in Indiana on 11 July – Atlanta said only on 14 July that it would be out for the rest of the month. She was sitting out of the all-star game in Indianapolis.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: Vs ATL (22 July), @ Industries (24 July), @ Min (25 July), @ Dal (27 July)

Can do forward Nalisa Smith Put some pressure A’aza Wilson Inside? Initial guard trio Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray And Jewel Lloyd Youth, gray and not quite productive as Kelsey plum From 2021 to ’24. They are still a good group when they are performing their best, but Wilson – who is in controversy for the fourth MVP award – can use some more help inside. Ac was traded for Smith in late June and would benefit from improving 6.8 PPG scoring average.

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: Vs. Dal (25 July), @ Con (27 July)

Can Golden State get out of its July bad odor? The expansion Valkyries had a good June with 7-4 runs, but it is hard sledging since: they are 1-5 in July, and their schedule is not going to help with five of his next six matches on the road.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: @ (July 22), @ Con (24 July), @ NY (26 July)

Desire Cameron Brink Play before the season ends? The number 2 pick in the 2024 draft was making an effect as a cheater until her season was reduced with a knee injury, until she continued in the last June. with Kelsey plum (20.1), Deerica hambi (17.2), Azura stevens (14.7) and Ricia jackson (13.1) Average in double-figure scoring, sparks have a good core, but the brink back can help them to score playoff runs.

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: @ Min (22 July), vs C (24 July), vs Ind (27 July)

Be able to do Angel Reese Maintain his aggressive bounce? It is an average of 14.0 points this season, but in eight matches since June 24, Mark increases to 19.1 PPG. He shot better than 50% of those games-an impressive stretch for the second year.

Previous ranking: 12

Next seven days: @ C (22 July), @ GS (25 July), vs LV (27 July), vs NY (28 July)

How much can the crook guards make? Piege Beukers, Aziaha James And JJ Quinly Otherwise it has been the best part of looking at disappointing wings. One may believe that some veterans will not return to Dallas in the next season, but this guard will be trio. Their energy and Udham in 2026 can be one of the foundations for a team of wings in a new form in 2026. They will help determine how the rest of this season plays.

Previous ranking: 13

Next seven days: Vs La (24 July), vs GS (27 July), vs C (28 July)

Will the Sun produce any speed for 2026? This has actually been a thick season for connecticuts, which lost all five starts from 2024 with coach Stephanie White. It is difficult to call it a reconstruction year; This will be the “Just Gate Through It” over the year that will be the way to improve for the next season. But right now, the sun is at speed to win only five games, as he has just one win in May, June and July.