Dallas Continues Upward Trajectory
Another week, another update to the Bet Thrive WNBA Power Ratings.
These ratings are forward-looking. They are not standings, they are not a weekly reaction sheet, and they are not strictly designed to determine who would be favored on a neutral court today. They are designed to project where the season is headed. Which teams are improving? Which teams are built to sustain success? Which teams are most likely to become serious championship threats by August and September?
Objective results absolutely matter and are incorporated into the calculations. But the goal is projection, not recency bias. We are trying to identify where teams are going, not simply reward what happened last week.
At the top, the Las Vegas Aces remain No. 1 at 108.5 despite their recent loss to Los Angeles. One game is not enough to move the Aces from the top spot. In fact, we continue to believe this roster has a chance to become the most talented team in WNBA history. A'ja Wilson remains the best player in the world, Chennedy Carter has exceeded expectations early, Chelsea Gray continues to run the show, and Jackie Young's recent struggles do not concern us in the slightest. If anything, they serve as a reminder that Las Vegas still has room to improve. The ceiling remains unmatched.
The New York Liberty remain second at 107.1, but they are trending in the wrong direction. Back-to-back losses to Dallas and Portland have exposed some concerns that existed beneath the surface even during their wins. The Liberty have plenty of star power, but this group has looked a step slow at times and has yet to fully gel. That's not unusual in May, especially for a team with so many accomplished players learning how to maximize each other's strengths, but it is worth monitoring. New York remains a legitimate championship contender, yet the gap between the Liberty and the teams immediately behind them appears to be shrinking.
Dallas remains No. 3 at 105.8 and continues to be the most fascinating team in the league. Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, and Azzi Fudd form the most explosive scoring backcourt in the WNBA. Jessica Shepard has become the glue that holds everything together, Awak Kuier continues to emerge as a difference-maker, and Alanna Smith still has another level once she fully settles into Jose Fernandez's system. The Wings are young, improving rapidly, and possess a versatility that few teams can match. By the postseason, they could be as dangerous as anyone in basketball.
Atlanta remains fourth at 105.1 and continues to quietly establish itself as one of the league's most complete teams. The Dream are athletic and capable of winning in multiple ways.
Minnesota follows closely behind at 104.8. The Lynx continue to play smart, disciplined basketball and remain firmly in the contender tier once Napheesa Collier returns. They may not generate the same headlines as some of the teams above them, but they consistently look like a team nobody wants to face in a playoff series.
Indiana checks in sixth at 103.1. The Fever continue to generate more attention than any team in the league. Their talent level is obvious, but their long-term outlook remains dependent on chemistry, accountability, and a commitment to team basketball. The ceiling remains high. The consistency remains uncertain.
Phoenix and Golden State sit seventh and eighth at 102.4 and 102.3 respectively. Both teams have shown enough flashes to suggest they could become difficult playoff opponents as the season progresses.
Los Angeles remains ninth at 99.9, but the Sparks may be one of the most undervalued teams in the league. Ariel Atkins has helped stabilize the offense, Dearica Hamby continues to play at an All-WNBA level, and Kelsey Plum remains one of the league's most dangerous scorers. The recent win over Las Vegas may prove to be a turning point.
Washington and Chicago remain closely grouped in the lower-middle tier. Both teams have talent but continue searching for consistency and identity.
The most interesting movement this week comes at the bottom.
Portland rises to 89.6 and moves ahead of Connecticut for the first time this season. We have to acknowledge the possibility that we've missed badly on this squad. The Fire have been significantly more competitive than expected and continue to show toughness and resilience every night. The win over New York certainly got our attention.
That said, we're still not believers.
Expansion teams often surprise people early before depth, talent, and roster limitations become more apparent over the grind of a long season. Portland deserves credit for its start, but we remain skeptical that this level of competitiveness will be sustainable over the next several months. The rating has improved. Our long-term outlook has not changed dramatically.
That leaves Connecticut at the bottom at 89.1.
The Sun simply do not appear overly focused on maximizing wins in 2026. Whether by design or circumstance, this looks like a franchise with one eye firmly on the future. At times, Connecticut appears less concerned with immediate results than positioning itself for the next era of the organization. If that strategy eventually results in landing a transformational superstar, the patience may prove worthwhile.
As always, these ratings are designed to identify where teams are headed, not where they've been. The goal is not to tell you who had the best week. The goal is to project who will matter most when the games become most important.
Bet Thrive WNBA Power Ratings — May 26
Las Vegas Aces — 108.5
New York Liberty — 107.1
Dallas Wings — 105.8
Atlanta Dream — 105.1
Minnesota Lynx — 104.8
Indiana Fever — 103.1
Phoenix Mercury — 102.4
Golden State Valkyries — 102.3
Los Angeles Sparks — 99.9
Washington Mystics — 97.6
Chicago Sky — 97.4
Toronto Tempo — 94.1
Seattle Storm — 93.7
Portland Fire — 89.6
Connecticut Sun — 89.1
