The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

The GIST: Nearly two weeks in, this WNBA season is already a parity party. In fact, no undefeated teams remain. There’s still plenty of hoops to be played, but here’s our unofficial power rankings heading into Week 3, plus one lingering question.

🥇 Las Vegas Aces: After an inauspicious season opener, the Aces have returned to form: They’ve rattled off four straight wins, the most impressive coming yesterday when they held off the Atlanta Dream’s fourth-quarter surge for an 85–84 W. And that’s on a good education.

🥈 Atlanta Dream: Yesterday’s nail-biting loss was the Dream’s first, but it reiterated that this team is one of the W’s deepest. Certified bucket Allisha Gray is averaging an impressive 25 points per game, and her supporting cast of Angel Reese, Jordin Canada, and Te-Hina Paopao is top-tier, too.

🥉 Golden State Valkyries: Yes, the Valks’ only loss was ugly. That blip aside, this team has shown it can score. Already a defensive juggernaut with Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams, they’ve put up at least 90 points in two of three games, a feat they managed just six times total in 2025.

☝️ One lingering question — are the Washington Mystics legit?: The youngest team in the league is red-hot after beating the title-contending Indiana Fever Friday and taking the NY Liberty to overtime last Sunday. The ’Stics’ roster averages less than a year of W experience, but that hasn’t fazed them.

• Their early success can be traced to their do-it-all trio — 25-year-old Shakira Austin and second-year stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. The next test awaits tonight at 8 p.m. ET vs. another youth-driven offense in the Paige Bueckers–led Dallas Wings. Buckets, loading.