WNBA Energy Rankings: Sparks, Valkyries headed in reverse instructions

The WNBA’s two California groups, the Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries, appear to be heading in reverse instructions.

The 11-14 Sparks have the league’s longest lively successful streak at 5 video games — they soar three spots on this week’s ESPN Energy Rankings in consequence — whereas the 11-13 Valkyries have misplaced six of their eight video games to date this month.

Los Angeles additionally returns a key participant from harm as Golden State loses one.

Sparks ahead Cameron Brink, the No. 2 decide within the 2024 draft, returns to action Tuesday towards the Aces. The previous Stanford star was restricted to fifteen video games as a rookie after struggling an ACL harm in June 2024. She averaged 7.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds and a couple of.3 blocks earlier than the harm.

Brink’s much-anticipated return appears much more fortuitous with how the Sparks are enjoying. Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens and Rickea Jackson are all averaging double-figure scoring, and Julie Allemand has settled into the place to begin guard position with two 10-assist video games previously two weeks.

In the meantime, the Valkyries have misplaced their main scorer and rebounder, Kayla Thornton, for the remainder of the season after knee surgical procedure. She was the growth franchise’s first All-Star.

There’s some excellent news for Golden State: French heart Iliana Rupert joined the crew final week after lacking the primary half of the season due to abroad commitments.

We have seen some abrupt turnarounds — for good and dangerous — from groups all season. However for now, the Sparks look extra like a playoff crew than the Valkyries do, which wasn’t the case a month in the past.

Earlier rating: 1

Subsequent seven days: vs. NY (July 30), @ LV (Aug. 2)

Minnesota beat Chicago and Las Vegas final week, however the Lynx’s protection was too lax in Sunday’s 90-86 loss to Atlanta — their solely house lack of 2025, save for the Commissioner’s Cup last. It was additionally simply the third time this season that the league’s prime defensive crew allowed 90 or extra factors in a recreation.

Minnesota’s long-awaited rematch with final yr’s WNBA Finals opponent, New York, lastly comes Wednesday.

Earlier rating: 2

Subsequent seven days: @ MIN (July 30), @ CON (Aug. 1), @ CON (Aug. 3)

The Liberty gained their first two video games following Jonquel Jones‘ return from harm however had been shaky with out Breanna Stewart. She left Saturday’s 101-99 loss to Los Angeles early due to a leg harm, then did not play in Monday’s 92-82 loss at Dallas. The Liberty appeared listless towards the Wings till the fourth quarter, however the gap was dug too deep at that time.

Whereas they await the arrival of Emma Meesseman, who signed with the team earlier this month, the Liberty will hope Stewart is best quickly. Their first of 4 video games towards first-place Minnesota is Wednesday.

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Wings maintain on to defeat Liberty 92-82

The Wings get out to an enormous lead and maintain on to defeat the Liberty.

Earlier rating: 7

Subsequent seven days: vs. GS (July 29), @ DAL (July 30), vs. PHO (Aug. 1), vs. WAS (Aug. 3)

Like Los Angeles, Atlanta made an enormous soar on this week’s rankings due to victories at Phoenix and Minnesota to shut out a six-game street swing, with Brittney Griner posting a season-high 22 factors towards the Lynx. Whereas the Dream did fall to the Aces final Tuesday, it was a helpful week total for the Dream, who await Rhyne Howard‘s (knee) return to the lineup.

Earlier rating: 3

Subsequent seven days: @ IND (July 30), @ ATL (Aug. 1), @ CHI (Aug. 3)

Phoenix misplaced two of three video games final week regardless of welcoming Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper again from harm: to Atlanta and at New York. However the Mercury did have an enormous second half at Washington to beat the Mystics 88-72 on Sunday — a much-needed win with three extra video games left of a five-game street swing.

Earlier rating: 4

Subsequent seven days: vs. PHO (July 30), @ DAL (Aug. 1), @ SEA (Aug. 3)

The Fever adopted up their 14-point loss at New York final Tuesday with an 80-70 win at house towards Las Vegas and a 93-78 victory at Chicago. With Caitlin Clark (groin) out indefinitely, guard Kelsey Mitchell has taken over. She has led Indiana in scoring in every of the previous eight video games, together with a season-high 35 factors towards the Sky on Sunday, and is averaging 20.2 factors on the season.

Earlier rating: 5

Subsequent seven days: vs. LA (Aug. 1), vs. IND (Aug. 3)

The Storm went 2-2 this previous week, with wins over Chicago and Connecticut and losses to Dallas and Washington. Skylar Diggins, who had the primary triple-double in WNBA All-Star Sport historical past earlier this month, had one other Monday as Seattle beat Connecticut 101-85. The Storm’s largest concern is inconsistency: They’ve alternated wins and losses for the previous 9 video games, relationship again to July 6.

Earlier rating: 10

Subsequent seven days: vs. LV (July 29), @ SEA (Aug. 1)

The Sparks’ five-game successful streak included two victories every towards Connecticut and Washington, however these weren’t as spectacular as Saturday’s 101-99 win at New York, secured by Rickea Jackson’s layup on the buzzer. Sure, Breanna Stewart was injured early and left the sport. And sure, the Liberty had been enjoying on back-to-back days. However a street win over the defending league champions is gas for a crew already on a roll.

Earlier rating: 8

Subsequent seven days: @ LA (July 29), vs. MIN (Aug. 2), vs. GS (Aug. 3)

Las Vegas is a .500 crew that had a .500 week, with wins towards Atlanta and Dallas and losses at Indiana and Minnesota. The Aces did file their season-high in scoring with 106 factors towards the Wings on Sunday. Jewell Loyd got here off the bench for the primary time since becoming a member of the crew to file 20 factors, whereas Kierstan Bell, who changed Loyd within the beginning lineup, had 19.

Earlier rating: 6

Subsequent seven days: vs CHI (July 29), vs. GS (July 31), @ ATL (Aug. 3)

The Mystics have misplaced three of their previous 4 video games, with two of these coming this previous week to Los Angeles and Phoenix. Control All-Stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, as WNBA rookies generally can present the consequences of fatigue within the second half of the season. The Mystics are at present in playoff place, and truly reaching the postseason could be a notable accomplishment for Washington’s yr.

Earlier rating: 9

Subsequent seven days: @ ATL (July 29), @ WAS (July 31), @ CHI (Aug. 1), @ LV (Aug. 3)

The Valkyries’ first recreation after it was introduced Kayla Thornton could be out for the season was an 86-76 win over the Wings on Friday. Then on Sunday, they had been blown out 95-64 by the Solar within the first of 5 consecutive street video games. Golden State might want to dig deep to search out its id with out Thornton.

Earlier rating: 12

Subsequent seven days: vs. ATL (July 30), vs. IND (Aug. 1)

The Wings beat Seattle and New York whereas shedding to Golden State and Las Vegas over this previous week. Arike Ogunbowale shot a mixed 50% from the sector, her finest taking pictures stretch over 4 video games this season. The Wings’ largest lead in Monday’s victory over the Liberty was 30 factors, however New York ultimately lower it to 6 earlier than falling 92-82. Nonetheless, at this level, successful in any approach is an effective recreation for Dallas.

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Bueckers, Ogunbowale mix for 40 in Wings’ win

Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers each drop 20 factors within the Wings’ 92-82 victory over the Liberty.

Earlier rating: 11

Subsequent seven days: @ WAS (July 29), vs. GS (Aug. 1), vs. PHO (Aug. 3)

Chicago misplaced to Minnesota, Seattle and Indiana final week to increase the Sky’s shedding streak to 5 video games, averaging simply 66 factors per recreation over that stretch. All-Star Angel Reese has been out the previous two video games due to a again harm. The Sky are actually hurting with guards Ariel Atkins (leg) and Hailey Van Lith (ankle) additionally out.

Earlier rating: 13

Subsequent seven days: vs. NY (Aug. 1), vs. NY (Aug. 3)

The Solar welcomed again guard Marina Mabrey, who final performed June 20 and missed 9 video games due to a knee harm. Between losses to Los Angeles and Seattle, Connecticut clobbered Golden State by 31 factors on Sunday. The Solar stay firmly within the cellar, however that win was no less than a ray of sunshine.