best offseason – From Minnesota’s Natasha Howard stepping in during Napheesa Collier’s rehab to Atlanta’s Angel Reese fitting in quickly, the 2026 WNBA power rankings show how a handful of offseason acquisitions are already changing games—while some teams are still waiting for
A season can turn on one decision in the offseason—and by early June, the WNBA’s changes are showing up in the standings. Teams didn’t just add names; they changed lineups, roles, and expectations.
The latest WNBA power rankings place Minnesota Lynx at the top as multiple teams move up and down. The Connecticut Sun remain at No. 15 in USA TODAY Sports power rankings, released every Tuesday this season. Records and stats cited here are through games played on Monday, June 1.
1. Minnesota Lynx (7-2)
Previous rank: 5 (4)
Top acquisition: F Natasha Howard
With Napheesa Collier continuing to rehab from ankle surgery. Howard has stepped into a major scoring role and become the team’s leading scorer (17.3 ppg). Minnesota is riding a four-game win streak. and during that span Howard has produced two 20-point performances. including 26 points on 73.3% shooting. 14 rebounds and five assists on May 23 against the Chicago Sky.
2. Atlanta Dream (5-2)
Previous rank: 2 (⬌)
Top acquisition: F Angel Reese
Reese’s integration into Atlanta’s system has been “pretty seamless.” The Dream forward is second in the WNBA in rebounds per game (11.0) and has four double-doubles this season. She also recently reached 900 rebounds in 71 games, the fastest in WNBA history.
3. Dallas Wings (6-3)
Previous rank: 6 (3)
Top acquisition: F Jessica Shepard
Shepard is averaging career highs in points (13.0). rebounds (11.4) and assists (6.5) per game. She leads the league in rebounds per game and has already recorded two triple-doubles this season. including 22 points on 61.5% from the floor. 20 rebounds and 10 assists against Las Vegas to close out May.
4. Las Vegas Aces (5-3)
Previous rank: 1 (3)
Top acquisition: G Chennedy Carter
Carter is giving the Aces a major early lift. She has four 20-point games off the bench and is averaging 17.5 points per game, firmly second in scoring for Las Vegas behind A’ja Wilson.
5. Minnesota’s neighbors—Atlanta and Dallas—share momentum; the Aces surge continues
Previous rank: 4 (1)
Top acquisition: F Gabby Williams
Williams has proved she can connect on both ends of the floor in her first season with the Valkyries. Guard Veronica Burton and Williams are developing into a “nice one-two punch.” Over her last three games. Williams is averaging 18 points per matchup. 4.0 rebounds. 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals.
6. Portland Fire (6-4)
Previous rank: 10 (4)
Top acquisition: G Carla Leite
Leite has made the biggest shots feel less like surprises and more like a habit. Whether it’s a dagger shot over the New York Liberty or driving directly to the cup against Caitlin Clark. Leite is showing a comfort level that shows up in her numbers. After spending a season in Golden State. she has found her footing with Portland while averaging career-best points (15.9). assists (5.0) and field goal percentage (48.1).
7. New York Liberty (5-4)
Previous rank: 7 (⬌)
Top acquisition: G Marine Johannès
Johannès rejoined the team this offseason and hasn’t missed a beat. She has filled in fairly well for Sabrina Ionescu, who has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. Known for electric 3-point baskets, Johannès leads the league in total shots behind the arc with 29.8.
8. Toronto Tempo (5-4)
Previous rank: 11 (3)
Top acquisition: G Brittney Sykes
Sykes is having an early breakout as she settles into her new franchise. She is averaging a career-high 19.9 points a game and has only had one game where she scored less than 10. The best matchup of her Toronto tenure came against the Sparks on May 17. when she scored 38 points with three steals and one block.
9. Indiana Fever (4-4)
Previous rank: 3 (6)
Top acquisition: F Monique Billings
Billings hasn’t reached the double-digit scoring the Fever likely need her to average. But she has shown flashes of what she can do, disrupting on both ends of the floor. Her best stat lines have been two near-double-doubles. including 10 points. nine rebounds. three steals and two blocks against the Mystics on May 15.
10. Los Angeles Sparks (—)
Previous rank: 8 (2)
Top acquisition: F Nneka Ogwumike
Ogwumike’s return to Los Angeles has paid dividends for the Sparks. She’s been a welcome extra scoring presence and is shooting an efficient 53.2% from the field. while averaging close to 16 points and seven rebounds per game.
11. Washington Mystics (3-4)
Previous rank: 14 (3)
Top acquisition: F Michaela Onyenwere
Onyenwere has played three games for Washington due to injury. so the verdict on her overall impact is still out. At 26. she is one of the foremost veterans on the team. and a young squad will need that experience down the stretch. In those three games, she is averaging roughly eight points, including 14 points on 50% shooting against Seattle on May 27.
12. Chicago Sky (3-5)
Previous rank: 9 (3)
Top acquisition: F Rickea Jackson
Jackson isn’t playing anymore this season after suffering an ACL tear. Still. her impact on the Sky has been undeniable: since Jackson exited the lineup. Chicago has yet to win a game. She had been averaging a team-high 18 points per game and posting 1.8 blocks per contest. tied for the team lead with center Kamilla Cardoso.
13. Seattle Storm (3-7)
Previous rank: 11 (2)
Top acquisition: G Natisha Hiedeman
Hiedeman has had one of the best starts of her career. A former Lynx guard now in her starter role with the Storm, she is averaging a career-best 13.6 points and 4.1 assists per matchup.
14. Phoenix Mercury (2-8)
Previous rank: 13 (1)
Top acquisition: G Jovana Nogić
The Mercury are the lone exception to this week’s power rankings in terms of new additions coming in as rookies rather than veterans. Nogić has been on a historic tear—introducing herself with a 19-point debut and following up with 27 points against Chicago on May 15. With 25 made 3-pointers this season and 13.3 points per matchup. she leads all rookies in made shots behind the line and is second in rookie scoring.
15. Connecticut Sun (2-8)
Previous rank: 15 (⬌)
Top acquisition: C Brittney Griner
Griner has been the Sun’s best offseason acquisition. She leads a youthful Connecticut team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and is tied for second in minutes (24.3). At 35 years old. she is still writing her name in the record books and recently became the 18th player in WNBA history to score 6. 000 career points.
The shape of the season so far is being drawn by who stepped into roles—and who didn’t. Collier’s injury rehab left space for Howard to take on more than just minutes. Atlanta’s move brought Reese into a system where her rebounding production already fits. In other places. new additions are delivering—like Carter off the bench or Leite’s big-moment scoring—while some teams are still dealing with setbacks that make offseason expectations feel out of reach.
By early June, the rankings aren’t waiting for the offseason storyline to finish. They’re already responding to it.
WNBA power rankings 2026 offseason acquisitions Minnesota Lynx Natasha Howard Napheesa Collier injury Atlanta Dream Angel Reese Las Vegas Aces Chennedy Carter Dallas Wings Jessica Shepard Portland Fire Carla Leite Connecticut Sun Brittney Griner Jovana Nogić Brittney Griner 6000 points