WNBA power – Misryoum unveils where every WNBA team lands in the 2026 power rankings as the league resets with new money and expansion.
The 2026 WNBA season is about to kick off, and Misryoum’s power rankings show just how much the league has shifted behind the scenes.
Regular-season action returns this Friday. and with it comes a new competitive landscape shaped by a record-breaking free agency period. expanded league structure. and fresh contracts across the sport.. For teams plotting their path to October. the biggest takeaway from Misryoum’s list is that the top contenders look steadier than most. with the focus keyphrase. WNBA power rankings. reflecting a blend of roster stability and offseason momentum.
At the very front of Misryoum’s rankings sit the Las Vegas Aces. the team everyone else will be measuring themselves against.. Their core remains in place with A’ja Wilson. Chelsea Gray. and Jackie Young all returning. and the roster largely holding together despite the usual offseason churn.. New contracts and cap considerations may change the mechanics. but not the feel. as Las Vegas keeps its championship identity while also absorbing the league’s expansion draft impact.
Insight: These top spots matter because they tend to predict not just who starts hot, but who can survive injuries, travel, and matchup swings over a long season.
Right behind Las Vegas is the New York Liberty. built around an immediately intimidating starting five that includes Breanna Stewart. Sabrina Ionescu. Satou Sabally. Leonie Fiebich. and Jonquel Jones.. Misryoum also highlights a major behind-the-bench shift with a new head coach taking over after last season’s change at the top. as the Liberty lean further into a win-now posture.
Indiana follows at No.. 3, though Misryoum’s positioning is tied closely to one central question: will Caitlin Clark be available consistently.. Even with that uncertainty. the Fever’s ceiling is raised by the strength of their supporting pieces. and the team’s past late-season surge suggests they can threaten elite opponents when their health lines up.
Insight: In the WNBA, availability often decides more games than individual highlights, so a single health variable can swing a team’s entire placement.
The middle of Misryoum’s rankings brings several teams into sharper focus, starting with the Los Angeles Sparks at No.. 4.. After roster movement. including selections and departures tied to expansion and free agency. Misryoum notes that leadership remains a priority. especially with Kelsey Plum back and Nneka Ogwumike added to reinforce the Sparks’ competitive outlook.
Further down, Minnesota sits at No.. 5 with an important timeline concern around Napheesa Collier’s ankle. while the Lynx still found a way to add playmaking quality through the draft.. Atlanta moves into the top half at No.. 6 with Misryoum expecting continued progress after breaking through to the playoffs last season, while Dallas at No.. 7 is framed as a team that could reach a new level if its reunion core translates college chemistry into pro production.
Insight: Mid-table teams rarely surprise by accident; they usually have a clear offseason plan, and Misryoum’s order reflects where those plans look most transferable to wins.
Misryoum rounds out the remainder by looking at how each franchise is built for either immediate contention or near-term growth.. Phoenix drops after losing Sabally. Golden State is seen as edging toward the playoff line again. and Washington is treated as a work-in-progress powered by draft additions.. The league’s expansion also reshapes expectations for newer or rebuilding sides. with Seattle’s development focus and Portland’s longer-range ambitions standing out.
At the other end of the table. Misryoum places the Toronto Tempo in a strong competitive position. pointing to their aggressive approach in free agency and leadership choices.. Meanwhile, Connecticut is viewed as transitioning toward a future location while Seattle and Portland emphasize development and foundation-building, respectively.
The big picture from Misryoum is simple: the WNBA is closer to a reshuffle than a reset, and every rank here is a signal of how quickly teams can turn offseason moves into on-court rhythm.