WNBA Power Rankings: Mystics up, Liberty down and ...

The Washington Mystics, the WNBA's youngest team, are riding an unexpected three-game win streak, including a victory over a team they hadn't beaten since 2023. That was the New York Liberty, who had won eight in a row and were ranked No. 1 in ESPN's WNBA Power Rankings. But then the Liberty barely escaped having a three-game losing streak. It was that kind of stretch in the WNBA, a reminder that no matter how well a team might be playing, danger can lurk around every corner. The result: The Atlanta Dream are back at No. 1, a spot they previously held in the last week of May. Right behind are the Las Vegas Aces, who earned their spot in the Commissioner's Cup final vs. New York by completing a 6-1 record in Cup play. The Mystics, whose average age of the roster is 23.4, moved up to No. 7 after winning three in a row for the first time this season. All the victories came on the road, which made it even more impressive. "It's huge signs of growth, things that we've talked about with the team," Washington coach Sydney Johnson said. "I'm just really proud of them. There's a whole lot of goodness, but they need their time to grow." Next seven days: @ GS (June 24), @ GS (June 26), @ SEA (June 27) The Dream got back-to-back victories over Indiana Thursday (108-101) and Saturday (113-96), then beat Toronto 94-87 on Monday. What stood out in those games? The scoring of guards Rhyne Howard (60 points) and Allisha Gray (57), the rebounding of forward Angel Reese (28) and the playmaking of guard Jordin Canada (30 assists). The Dream have won four in a row and are 7-2 in June. Can they keep it going with their next four games on the road? Next seven days: vs. NY (June 23), vs. Dallas (June 25), @ CHI (June 28) The Aces quickly put their 30-point loss at Dallas on June 15 in the rearview. They went 2-0 this past week, winning 86-76 at Phoenix on Wednesday and 92-73 against Golden State on Sunday. Center A'ja Wilson had a combined 52 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals in the two games, while guard Jackie Young had a combined 41 points and 14 assists. This week, the Aces get their third shot at the Wings, who are 2-0 against the Aces this season. Next seven days: @ WAS (June 24), @ DAL (June 28) Rookie guard Olivia Miles had 31 points on 12-of-15 shooting in Minnesota's 99-83 win at Los Angeles on Wednesday. Then she had her first dud scoring game with a season-low seven points on 1-of-10 shooting Friday at Golden State. But the Lynx still won 81-75, led by Nia Coffey's 22 points. Then came the surprise: The Lynx fell at home Sunday to Washington 84-79. It was one of the rare times this season their opponent executed better in the fourth quarter than the Lynx did. Minnesota has a chance to make up for that quickly as it faces the Mystics again Wednesday. Download the ESPN app and enable Alexa Philippou's news alerts to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here. Next seven days: @ LV (June 25), vs. MIN (June 28) The Wings were living on the razor's edge this past week, but they came out of it 2-1. After falling 91-80 at Golden State on Wednesday, they trailed Chicago by as much as 15 on Saturday. Just when it looked as if the Sky were going to pull an upset, the Wings escaped with a 93-92 win. Then on Monday, Dallas was pushed to overtime by Seattle but prevailed 112-110 in overtime behind 27 points from Paige Bueckers and 26 from Azzi Fudd, the past two No. 1 draft picks. Considering the Sky and the Storm combined have lost 17 games in a row, it might be concerning that Dallas had to fight so hard to put both away. But on the other hand, wins are wins. Next seven days: vs. ATL (June 24), vs. ATL (June 26), vs. NY (June 28) The Valkyries went 1-2 this past week. But it's hard to ding them too much based on who they lost to: 81-75 to Minnesota on Friday and 92-73 at Las Vegas on Sunday. Forward Cecilia Zandalasini had a career-high 23 points against the Lynx and then led Golden State again with 12 points against the Aces. The Valkyries started last week with a 91-80 win against Dallas on Wednesday behind Gabby Williams' 25 points. Next seven days: @ LV (June 23), @ SEA (June 25), @ GS (June 28) The Liberty were playing well -- until they weren't. They were nearly upset at Chicago on Wednesday, needing a late layup from Sabrina Ionescu to escape 96-95. Then they lost 86-83 at home to Washington, ending their eight-game winning streak this season and a 12-game winning streak against the Mystics dating to 2023. Sunday at Los Angeles, the Liberty held a 17-point third-quarter lead but fell 98-97 to Nneka Ogwumike's last-second 3-pointer. New York hit 16 of 19 shots at the foul line against the Sparks, but two late misses by Breanna Stewart cost them. The Liberty will stay on the road for the next week before returning to Barclay's Center to host the Commissioner's Cup final June 30. Next seven da

WNBA Power Rankings: Mystics up, Liberty down and ...

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