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The Minnesota Lynx are the team of the week in our Weekly power rankings. Week 12 saw plenty of action with top teams vying for better seeding as the regular season hits the final stretch. Three teams — the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun and Lynx have already made the playoffs, but the five slots are still up for grabs.
While the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm are sure to form the top five, the midfield three-way battle between the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky makes for an intriguing second half of the season.
On that note, here's a look at the power rankings for the week, with the Minnesota Lynx leading the pack.
WNBA Power Rankings: Top 5 teams ft. Minnesota Lynx (Week 12)
#5 Seattle Storm
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The Seattle Storm haven't looked formidable since the WNBA restart. Three losses in five games pegged them to fifth place. The loss to the Washington Mystics earlier laid bare their erratic offense. The biggest development was inking Gabby Williams for the remainder of the season.
Williams has elevated them to bonafide title contenders and came off the 2022 season averaging 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 36 games with the team. In 2023, she averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 10 games played. Only time will tell if they can bounce back with wins this week.
#4 Las Vegas Aces
It has been an unremarkable week for the Aces, and if not for A'ja Wilson's buzzer-beater, the back-to-back losses against a belligerent Minnesota Lynx would be followed by a defeat at the hands of the Chicago Sky. Like Seattle, Las Vegas is 2-3 in the second half and is yet to bag a playoff spot. The offensive rating has dipped to ninth (97.0), while their 102.5 defensive rating has managed to keep them hanging on to fourth place in our weekly rankings.
#3 Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun's three wins on the bounce saw them punch a ticket to the playoffs. Mid-season acquisition Marina Mabrey has been the catalyst for the side and her 24 points in the team's win over the Chicago Sky shows how she bolstered the team's offense. The team has the best defensive rating (93.9) in the league. They are placed sixth on offensive rating, but Mabrey's contributions have given them that much-needed boost to stack up wins.
#2 Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx showed why they belong in the playoffs. Two consecutive wins over two-time defending champions, Aces saw them showcase their versatility and dominance on both ends of the floor. Napheesa Collier continues her MVP-level run, and that has propelled the Lynx to comprehensive wins. Minnesota is third in offensive rating (103.2) and third in defensive rating (94.2).
#1 New York Liberty
Inconsistent shooting is one major chink in the New York Liberty's so far solid armor. They are the league's No. 1 team on offense, and when shooting lights out, NY is a delight to watch. Having clinched the postseason berth as the top seed, they can look at working on their shooting and hope that their starters are in prime form as the regular season inches closer to an end. Barring the loss to the Sun, the Liberty have been on a roll.
