With more than two-thirds of the 2004 WNBA season in the books, the league has officially taken a timeout for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Several WNBA stars will be competing, but before they headed off to their respective obligations, the 13 teams staked one final claim at Power Rankings supremacy. Who knows how things will shape up in the final seven to nine games in September? Heading into the hiatus, only four teams have winning records, only two games separate first and last place in the East and many questions remain about the final picture. With an eight-way te for fifth place right now, let's just say that things are still too close to call.

2004 WNBA.com POWER RANKINGS: Week 11
	TEAM (last week)	REC.	NOTES
1	Los Angeles (1)	19-7	One of the few teams that might not be too happy with a month off before playing together again is the Los Angeles Sparks. No team played better than the Sparks over the first 25 or so games and despite the two-headed coach scenario, the Sparks are off and running towards the best overall record in the WNBA and another regular season crown.
2	Seattle (2)	17-8	But the Seattle Storm have not backed down. On the contrary, Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird are the league's best one-two punch and opposing teams have still not figured out how to contain last year's MVP. As a player that is so dangerous both inside and outside, Jackson will carry a heavy load in Athens as the star player for the Australians. If she and Bird come back with enough in the tank, they could challenge the Sparks for Conference supremacy.
3	Minnesota (3)	15-11	In rebounding from some early season struggles, the Minnesota Lynx seem to be within reach of another playoff berth. The timing could not be better as Katie Smith will return healthy in September and be on the floor to lead the way. Winning in Detroit on Sunday without Smith proves that this team has depth and balance and will be a dangerous team in its final eight games.
4	New York (5)	13-12	As the only team with a winning record in the Eastern Conference, the Liberty take the fourth spot almost by default. Of course, a win over the conference-rival Sun at Radio City on Saturday night doesn't hurt, but not even the Liberty have done too much to distance themselves too much from the pack. The most positive sign for the Liberty is that they continue to get balanced scoring from a handful of players and have taken to their temporary home quite nicely.
T.5	Phoenix (8)	12-13	Despite a week of uncertainly as a result of rookie phenom Diana Taurasi's hip injury, the Mercury are hanging on to a share of fourth place. Phoenix tacked on a win in San Antonio before losing at Washington on Sunday. The Mercury will be an interesting team to watch in September as the young team lacks playoff experience, but considering they improved seven full games from this point last season means they are doing something right.
T.5	Connecticut (5)	13-14	The Sun lost two in a row to stumble into the break, but are one of the six Eastern Conference teams within legitimate striking distance of the Liberty. Just one game back, Connecticut holds many of the tie-breakers in its favor and sent three starters to the WNBA All-Star team that will take on the U.S. team at Radio City this Thursday, including the overwhelmingly popular fan selection, rookie Lindsay Whalen.
T.5	Charlotte (6)	12-13	What can you say about yet another team that has been consistently inconsistent? The Sting have lost two in a row on the west coast since winning at Indiana last Wednesday. But Charlotte sits only a game back in the unpredictable Eastern Conference.
T.5	Detroit (10)	13-14	With their season on the line, the Shock showed some mettle last week, winning two straight games to pull back to .500 before losing at home to the Lynx on Sunday. As predicted, the Shock are very much in the hunt for the Eastern Conference crown, and 17 or 18 wins could very well take it. Especially if Swin Cash continues to play like an MVP and the rest of the team follows her lead.
T.5	Sacramento (9)	12-13	Yet another team just below .500, the Monarchs control their own destiny as they sit tied for the fourth playoff spot with the Mercury. Despite losing to the conference-leading Sparks at home, they rebounded to knock off the Charlotte Sting in a thriller.
T.5	Washington (11)	12-14	The Mystics are also right where they want to be, in perfect position for a playoff run when they get back from break. Even without star Chamique Holdsclaw, the Mystics won their last two games and are one of the only teams without a player who will be participating in Athens. Rookie Alana Beard continues her stellar play, carrying the team on her back during Holdsclaw's absence. The Mystics are actually five and a half games better than they were at this stage last season.
T.5	Houston (12)	12-14	Despite the Olympic Games looming on the horizon for the two star players and their head coach, the Comets finished out the first part of the regular season on a high note, winning two straight games. Just how much U.S. coach Van Chancellor uses Thompson and Swoopes could play a major role in just how fresh the Comets are for the playoff push.
T.5	Indiana (7)	12-15	Indiana is probably lucky to be getting this rank as they are a step below the other group here, but they are close enough in the standings to warrant consideration. The month-long break could not come soon enough for the Fever, who struggled heading into the break. Aside from Tamika Catchings, the Fever lacked a consistent scoring threat and dropped a season-high six straight games. With only seven games in September, there is little margin for error.
13	San Antonio (13)	6-20	In dropping another three games last week, the Silver Stars announced that Coach Dee Brown resigned. Brown was never able to get his team on a winning track, but the talent is certainly there to make the final games entertaining. Silver Stars fans should take pride in one of their own, Shannon Johnson, going for the gold in Athens this month.