SECAUCUS, N.J., May 21, 2008 � Like every Tuesday (or, occasionally, Wednesday) during the season, it's time for the latest edition of the WNBA.com Power Rankings. The regular season is only four days old, so we admit we're grasping at straws here. But after Saturday's epic opener, an eye-opening upset on Sunday and Tuesday's big Western Conference showdowns, we're starting to see how things might shake out.

Take a look at our full list below, then let us know what you think in our Fan Voice. Post your own Power Rankings and discuss them with your fellow fans.

2008 WNBA.com POWER RANKINGS: May 21
	TEAM (last week's ranking)	W/L	NOTES
1	Los Angeles (1)	1-0	News flash: The Sparks are really, really good. The return of Lisa Leslie did wonders for Michael Cooper's bunch in La-La Land. And everyone knew Candace Parker was going to be great, but 32 points, 12 boards and eight assists great? In her first-ever game? Temeka Johnson appears to be fully healthy, Marie Ferdinand-Harris seems to have been invigorated by the move west and Sidney Spencer continues to amaze from the outside. The Sparks are the team to beat right now.
2	Seattle (5)	2-0	The Storm looked hapless in the first half against Sacramento Tuesday night, shooting below 30 percent from the field. But Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson turned it on in the second half -- all three finished with 17 points apiece -- and Seattle ran away from the hard-fighting Monarchs. Sheryl Swoopes added 10 points and seven boards in the victory, and even though Yolanda Griffith didn't put up big numbers, new coach Brian Agler must be simply delighted at the speed with which his roster of stars is coming together.
3	Connecticut (10)	2-0	Most so-called experts, including yours truly, thought Connecticut would have a rough go in 2008 without the services of Katie Douglas, Nykesha Sales, Margo Dydek, et al., but the Sun have been impressive in their two wins. Tamika Whitmore has been brilliant in each of the victories, Lindsay Whalen just keeps solidifying her status as one of the league's top point guards and rookies Amber Holt and Jolene Anderson are providing better-than-expected boosts. Yes, it's early, but Mike Thibault is the Coach of the Year so far.
4	San Antonio (4)	1-1	Aside from All-Star forward Sophia Young, the Silver Stars looked a bit lethargic offensively in struggling to an opening day loss to Sacramento. But they looked downright impressive in topping the Mercury by six on Tuesday night. Young is averaging 23.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game through their opening two contests and despite a minor shooting slump, Becky Hammon is contributing as well. Ruth Riley appears reinvigorated by the new season and Erin Buescher seems to be nearing 100 percent. Once Ann Wauters reports from overseas, the Silver Stars should be a force to be reckoned with.
5	Minnesota (12)	1-0	Break up the Lynx! OK, so they've scored one win over the big, bad Detroit Shock... But the rookie stars in Minnesota are stepping up more quickly than even coach Don Zierden could have imagined. Third-round pick Charde Houston had 21 points in just 16 minutes in her pro debut, third overall pick Candice Wiggins had 15 points off the bench and Nicky Anosike got the start at center and put up 11 and four boards of her own. Combine that output with that of All-Star forward Seimone Augustus, and you have a formidable group of youngsters. They're still a bit of a longshot to make the playoffs in the super-tough West, but they'll surprise some teams in 2008.
6	Sacramento (9)	1-1	If it weren't for a second-half collapse against Seattle on Tuesday, the Monarchs would be higher on this list. Still, Sacramento dumped San Antonio on opening day and looked great through the first half last night. Kara Lawson has stepped into a starting role without a hitch -- though she could be re-relegated to sixth woman when two-guard Chelsea Newton returns from injury -- and Rebekkah Brunson continues her development into one of the league's top power forwards. Nicole Powell has impressed from outside, Adrian Williams-Strong has been very solid at the five and rookies Laura Harper and A'Quonesia Franklin have already become significant parts of coach Jenny Boucek's rotation.
7	Detroit (2)	1-1	The Shock took care of business in their opener against Houston, but looked surprisingly overmatched against Minnesota on Sunday. Sure, it's never easy playing the second of back-to-back games, but Deanna Nolan has struggled mightily so far in 2008 and neither Sheri Sam nor LaToya Thomas has paid dividends to this point. Still, Katie Smith, Cheryl Ford and Plenette Pierson are holding down the fort, so the Shock remain among the East's elite.
8	Indiana (6)	1-0	Tamika Catchings will miss at least one more game for the Fever, but they didn't seem to miss her a whole lot in their win over the Mystics on Saturday. Katie Douglas had 24 in her return to her home stateand looks to be fitting in wonderfully in Lin Dunn's system. Tan White needs to get more involved in the offense, but Alison Bales and Khadijah Whittington both contributed nicely off the bench. And Indy wins with defense, defense and defense, so regardless of the Fever's lack of offensive punch, they'll be in nearly every game because of the fierce, aggressive perimeter defense played by Tully Bevilaqua, Douglas and Catchings, when she returns.
9	Phoenix (3)	0-2	What?!?! The defending champs are 0-2? Yes, it's hard to believe, but the Mercury have fallen to Los Angeles on opening day and last night in San Antonio. Are they missing Aussie All-Star Penny Taylor? Certainly. Are they going through growing pains with new coach Corey Gaines? Perhaps. But fear not: The Mighty Merc started 7-7 in 2007 before making a huge second-half run. And Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi are respectively averaging 27.5 and 22.0 points per game. Things will heat up soon in Phoenix.
10	New York (7)	0-1	The Liberty struggled in their opener Sunday against Connecticut, though they showed during a second-half run that they're a quick, confident team that can be exciting to watch when it's on its game. But Janel McCarville's recent arrival from overseas coupled with the injury to Jessica Davenport left New York looking confused inside. Shameka Christon had 14 points, but seven turnovers in the loss to the Sun. Second-year forward Tiffany Jackson remains lightning quick around the basket and she has shown signs of having matured during her offseason in France.
11	Chicago (8)	0-1	Sylvia Fowles certainly can't be happy with her regular season debut, a six-point loss to Seattle in which she played just 15 minutes before fouling out with six points, seven rebounds and four blocks. But once she gets used to the refereeing style, Fowles will be among the top Rookie of the Year candidates. Candice Dupree also struggled against the Storm, going 2-11 from the field and posting just seven points. Veteran Chasity Melvin showed her value, leading the way with 15 points in the opener, and Armintie Price and Jia Perkins will surely contribute more as the team gels.
12	Washington (11)	0-1	Washington is probably better than the 12th best team in the WNBA, but they were less than inspiring in their season-opening loss in Indianapolis, posting a league-low 53 points. Nakia Sanford looks ready to take her game to the next level and Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Monique Currie will get their points. But the missing ingredient right now is All-Star guard Alana Beard, who could make her return to the lineup later this week. Point guard Nikki Blue also needs to improve on her 0-5, 0-point opener against the Fever.
13	Houston (13)	0-1	The Comets were down only one at halftime against the defending Eastern Conference champs, but they struggled in the second half and ended up falling by 19. Tina Thompson remains her dominant self and newcomers Mwadi Mabika and Matee Ajavon posted 12 points apiece in their Houston debuts, but there isn't much scoring punch beyond those three.
14	Atlanta (14)	0-1	We knew the Dream would struggle in their premier season in the WNBA. And they certainly lived up to expectations in their opener, falling 100-67 in Connecticut. Veteran guard Betty Lennox provided some solid scoring and will continue to do so and Stacey Lovelace was good down low, but Atlanta's younger players need to step up and perform. Iziane Castro Marques had nine points, but needs to be more involved offensively. Jen Lacy was 2-8, Ivory Latta was 1-5 and Kristin Haynie shot 0-5 from the field, and that's just not gonna get it done at this level.