WNBA Energy Rankings: New York is aware of it isn’t time to panic

The New York Liberty have been 9-0 and gave the impression to be hovering because the WNBA’s defending champions. However again on June 10, points have been effervescent.

Ahead Leonie Fiebich had simply performed her final Liberty recreation for a few weeks as she headed to the EuroBasket event with Germany. 5 days earlier, heart Jonquel Jones had suffered an ankle damage that later would be further aggravated, costing her 9 video games to this point this season.

Now, almost a month later, the Liberty are 12-6 and have struggled to play persistently, for apparent causes. With Jones — the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP — out and Fiebich simply getting again into the swing of issues with New York, this group is just not the identical one which began the season so sizzling.

Because the Liberty put together to host the Las Vegas Aces — a group that has been extra up and down this season than New York — on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), Jones is out once more and ahead Isabelle Harrison (knee) is questionable. After Sunday’s 79-70 house loss to the Seattle Storm, New York coach Sandy Brondello mentioned the Liberty are struggling with out Jones’ inside presence to fight opponents switching so successfully towards them.

“We have been switched on quite a bit this yr,” Brondello mentioned. “So long as we’ve got good spacing after which confidence, [we’re OK]. I believe our confidence went away.”

However New York is holding issues in perspective. Counting Tuesday’s contest, the Liberty have three video games left earlier than the All-Star Sport, for which ahead Breanna Stewart and guard Sabrina Ionescu have been voted as starters. The Liberty aren’t even midway by means of their schedule and hope Jones can return after the All-Star break.

“I believe the group morale is nice,” Ionescu mentioned. “I would not say {that a} win or a loss has actually divided the locker room and even actually put any sort of bump within the street between us. We perceive the items we have had lacking. We perceive the video games we have misplaced and the way we have misplaced them.

“It is not about pointing fingers, individuals [being] out or in, lineups we have not seen, defenses we have not seen. It is nearly understanding we have got to discover a strategy to get a win.”

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Napheesa Collier scores 22 factors vs. the Valkyries

Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier leads the Lynx to a win with 22 factors vs. the Valkyries.

Earlier rating: 1

Subsequent seven days: @ PHO (July 9), @ LA (July 10), @ CHI (July 12), @ CHI (July 14)

The Lynx’s offense abruptly went into the deep freeze throughout their 74-59 loss to Indiana within the Commissioner’s Cup last on July 1. However that recreation would not rely within the standings, and Minnesota bounced again nicely. The Lynx completed out the week at house with victories over Washington, Golden State and Chicago.

Earlier rating: 2

Subsequent seven days: vs. MIN (July 9), @ GS (July 14)

Phoenix had back-to-back losses, together with 98-89 on Thursday in Dallas. However the Mercury regarded like themselves once more Monday, beating the Wings 102-72 behind 36 factors from Sami Whitcomb and a triple-double by Alyssa Thomas (15 factors, 15 assists, 10 rebounds). Phoenix gained simply despite the fact that Satou Sabally (ankle) and Kahleah Copper (hamstring) have been out injured. That exhibits the Mercury’s depth, which is enhancing. Longtime Mercury participant DeWanna Bonner, who was waived final month by Indiana, is about to sign with Phoenix, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Earlier rating: 3

Subsequent seven days: @ IND (July 11), @ NY (July 13)

The Dream misplaced 80-79 within the closing seconds to Seattle on Thursday, and it appeared they is likely to be headed to a different house loss on Monday. However a 15-2 fourth-quarter run gave them a 90-81 victory over Golden State. Allisha Gray, who shall be an All-Star together with Rhyne Howard, had 24 factors towards the Valkyries, and Naz Hillmon put up 16.

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What a play by Brionna Jones!

What a play by Brionna Jones!, 07/03/2025

Earlier rating: 4

Subsequent seven days: vs. LV (July 8), vs. ATL (July 13)

Brondello mentioned the Liberty are being pragmatic in regards to the irritating instances they’ve confronted, particularly with Jones sidelined. “We’re not panicking,” she mentioned. “We have simply bought to get JJ again and construct some continuity and chemistry from there.” It ought to assist that New York is continuous an extended homestand, with the following six video games in Brooklyn.

Earlier rating: 9

Subsequent seven days: @ CON (July 9), vs. CON (July 11), vs. WAS (July 13)

Perhaps we have been bouncing the Storm round within the Energy Rankings a little bit an excessive amount of. However we react to their outcomes. Seattle is on the rise once more after street victories final week versus Atlanta (with Skylar Diggins getting the successful layup) and New York. Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams are all headed to the All-Star Sport.

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Nneka Ogwumike strikes to No. 7 on WNBA’s all-time scoring record

Nneka Ogwumike passes Sue Chook and Cappie Pondexter on the WNBA’s all-time scoring record with these buckets.

Earlier rating: 5

Subsequent seven days: @ IND (July 9), @ LV (July 12), vs. PHO (July 14)

After having gained 4 of its earlier 5, Golden State dropped again to a .500 report with losses at Minnesota and Atlanta. However contemplating the inconsistency of so many different WNBA groups, the Valkyries nonetheless must really feel fairly good about how they’re enjoying — and about Kayla Thornton‘s choice as an All-Star reserve.

Earlier rating: 8

Subsequent seven days: vs. GS (July 9), vs. ATL (July 11), vs. DAL (July 13)

The Fever maintain grabbing momentum earlier than letting it slip away once more. Caitlin Clark (groin damage) continues to be out. However the Fever gained the Commissioner’s Cup last at Minnesota then throttled Las Vegas in Indianapolis, holding each opponents beneath 60 factors. Nonetheless, they then misplaced at house to Los Angeles for the second time. So, Indiana continues to be attempting to ascertain it’s higher than a .500 group.

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Fever snap 16-game dropping streak towards Aces with massive win

Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston lead the Fever to a 27-point win over the Aces.

Earlier rating: 6

Subsequent seven days: @ NY (July 8), @ WAS (July 10), vs. GS (July 12)

The Aces have been in an analogous scenario as that of the Fever, besides extra excessive. Las Vegas appears to go from actually good wins to essentially dangerous losses. After the Aces’ 81-54 defeat at Indiana on Thursday, coach Becky Hammon known as out their “lack of professionalism” in such a poor efficiency. However the Aces have been on the right track once more Sunday, successful 86-68 at Connecticut. We’ll see if they’ll maintain that going.

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Becky Hammon slams Aces after 27-point loss

Aces coach Becky Hammon criticizes her group’s effort after its 27-point loss to the Fever.

Earlier rating: 7

Subsequent seven days: vs. CHI (July 8), vs. LV (July 10), @ SEA (July 13)

The Mystics dropped their solely recreation final week, having the misfortune of enjoying Minnesota two days after the Lynx had misplaced within the Commissioner’s Cup last. There was no stopping the Lynx in that outing. Now, Washington — which can ship rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron to the All-Star Sport — appears to be like to get again on monitor.

Earlier rating: 10

Subsequent seven days: @ CHI (July 9), @ IND (July 13)

The Wings break up with Phoenix, successful 98-89 at house on Thursday earlier than falling 102-72 in Phoenix on Monday. Arike Ogunbowale (thumb) and DiJonai Carrington (rib) have been out Monday, however rookie guards Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly mixed for 44 factors. That is a fringe trio to look at.

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Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James mix for 51 in win

Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James mix for 51 factors because the Wings take down the Mercury.

Earlier rating: 11

Subsequent seven days: @ WAS (July 8), vs. DAL (July 9), vs. MIN (July 12), vs. MIN (July 14)

Of their solely recreation final week, the Sky misplaced 80-75 at Minnesota, a group Chicago will face two extra instances within the subsequent week. The Sky’s Angel Reese had 17 rebounds towards the Lynx, her fifth consecutive recreation with not less than 16 boards. She shall be an All-Star for the second consecutive season.

Earlier rating: 12

Subsequent seven days: vs. MIN (July 10), vs. CON (July 13)

For no matter motive, the Sparks appear to have the Fever’s quantity. Los Angeles’ solely victories in its previous eight video games have been at Indiana, together with 89-87 on Saturday after dropping earlier within the week at New York. Ahead Azura Stevens‘ career-best season continues; she had 21 factors and 12 rebounds towards the Fever.

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Plum drops 20 in Sparks’ win to enhance to 21-1 in profession vs. Fever

Kelsey Plum pours in 20 factors to energy the Sparks to victory over the Fever.

Earlier rating: 13

Subsequent seven days: vs. SEA (July 9), @ SEA (July 11), @ LA (July 13)

The Solar would like to not be the group that others bounce again towards after dropping. However the fact is, Connecticut is the foe everybody else is trying ahead to enjoying, because the Solar have dropped 10 in a row.