WNBA Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2026 Season

To help set the stage for the 2026 WNBA season, I’ve put together my initial power rankings of all 15 teams. 

The New York Liberty lead the way as the WNBA championship favorites, but there are several teams ready to challenge them this year.

WNBA Power Rankings 2026

Best WNBA Teams 2026

1. New York Liberty

The Liberty have assembled arguably the most talented roster in WNBA history, landing All-Star forward Satou Sabally to join a core that includes Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.

If New York can stay healthy, the championship banner could be coming back to Brooklyn.

2. Las Vegas Aces

The defending champions brought their entire core back, with four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, and NaLyssa Smith all returning to chase a fourth title in five years.

3. Indiana Fever

With Caitlin Clark returning from injury, the Fever have a roster capable of competing for a championship. Even without Clark, they pushed the Aces to five games in last year’s semifinals.

4. Atlanta Dream

Atlanta added Angel Reese to a team that was good enough to claim the No. 3 seed in Karl Smesko’s first year at the helm. There is a reason why the Dream’s championship odds have gone from +1200 to +550 since the start of the offseason.

5. Los Angeles Sparks

After missing out on the playoffs by one game last year, the Sparks are hoping a reunion with 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike will help get them over the hump. Kelsey Plum will certainly appreciate another veteran scorer after shouldering much of the offensive burden in 2025.

6. Dallas Wings

The Wings expect to level up in their second season with Paige Bueckers. They reunited her with Azzi Fudd by taking the sharpshooter with the No. 1 overall pick, while also landing Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard in free agency to bolster their frontcourt.

7. Phoenix Mercury

As long as Alyssa Thomas is in town, the Mercury have a high floor. I’d be surprised if they reached the WNBA Finals again after losing Sabally, but this is still a potential playoff team.

8. Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries set a high bar for all expansion teams, reaching the playoffs in their debut season. They followed that up with a huge get in free agency, bringing in two-way wing Gabby Williams.

9. Minnesota Lynx

It’s difficult to bet against head coach Cheryl Reeve. She has her work cut out for her after losing a handful of rotation players from what was considered the best team in the league last year. It doesn’t help that Napheesa Collier will be injured to start the year, either.

10. Washington Mystics

The Mystics might have crushed another draft, landing rookie Lauren Betts with the No. 4 pick to join a young core that includes Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

11. Chicago Sky

Following a questionable trade of Reese, the Sky built a competitive team by adding Rickea Jackson, Skylar Diggins, and Jacy Sheldon.

12. Seattle Storm

Seattle lost multiple veterans in free agency, turning its focus toward a youth movement. Ezi Magbegor, Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam, and Flau’jae Johnson offer plenty of potential.

13. Toronto Tempo

Head coach Sandy Brondello doesn’t expect the Tempo to be a contender in their first season, but she’s hoping to be competitive behind a duo of Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey.

14. Connecticut Sun

There are still spacing concerns with the Sun’s roster, but they have an athletic bunch that can disrupt things on the defensive end.

15. Portland Fire

The Fire are taking a long-term approach to team building ahead of their first year as an expansion franchise.

Who is the Best WNBA Team this Season?

According to these power rankings, the New York Liberty are the best WNBA team during the 2026 season.

Who is the Worst WNBA Team this Season?

The Portland Fire are ranked No. 15 in the league according to these updated power rankings.