WNBA.com Power Rankings: July 30, 2009
With the All-Star break over the weekend, we pushed the latest edition of the WNBA.com Power Rankings back a couple of days this week.
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.
Note: These rankings reflect games played through July 29.
| 2009 WNBA.com POWER RANKINGS: July 30 | |||
| TEAM (last ranking) | W / L | NOTES | |
| 1 |  Indiana (1) |
13-4 | The Fever had not lost back-to-back games since the beginning of the season and Katie Douglas made sure it stayed that way Tuesday against Washington, posting a career-high 34 points to help the Fever start the second half of the season on the right foot after losing two of three before the break.
Looking back: 7/21 @ WAS (W 82-70), 7/23 @ SAN (L 84-65), 7/28 vs WAS (W 85-81) Looking ahead: 7/30 vs CON, 8/2 @ WAS |
| 2 |  Phoenix (2) |
14-5 | The Mercury are nipping at the Fever's heels, especially after opening the second half of the season with a pair of impressive road wins in New York and Connecticut. With Diana Taurasi back from suspension and Penny Taylor working her way back to the court, the Mercury look poised to make a run at the top spot on this list.
Looking back: 7/22 vs MIN (L 99-86), 7/26 @ NY (W 94-88), 7/28 @ CON (W 95-80) Looking ahead: 7/30 @ ATL, 8/1 @ MIN |
| 3 |  Connecticut (3) |
9-7 | Despite Tuesday's loss to Phoenix, Connecticut remains among the league's top defensive teams (third in points allowed). They are also one of the league's best road teams; at 3-3 away from Mohegan Sun they are one of only four teams that is playing .500 or better away from home. They will need to keep it up with as they open a four-game road trip Thursday in Indiana.
Looking back: 7/22 vs SAC (W 83-75), 7/28 vs PHX (L 95-80) Looking ahead: 7/30 @ IND, 8/1 @ CHI, 8/2 @ DET |
| 4 |  Seattle (4) |
11-7 | The Storm had a great showing at the All-Star Game with Swin Cash winning MVP honors (WNBA-record 22 pts) and Sue Bird posting an impressive double-double (16 pts, 10 ast), but the magic did not carry over during their first game out of the break as Sophia Young hit a buzzer-beater to send the Storm home with the loss. Seattle doesn't have to wait long to avenge the loss as San Antonio visits KeyArena on Saturday.
Looking back: 7/22 vs LA (W 98-87), 7/28 @ SAN (L 74-71) Looking ahead: 8/1 vs SAN |
| 5 |  Minnesota (5) |
9-7 | The Lynx took advantage of the Taurasi-less Mercury prior to the All-Star break to pick up a 99-86 win over West-leading Phoenix. Minnesota holds a 2-1 lead in the season series with the Mercury, which concludes Saturday in Minnesota. We'll need to keep an eye on Candice Wiggins, who sat out the fourth quarter of Tuesday's loss to L.A. with fluid buildup in her right knee. She is expected to play on Friday in Detroit.
Looking back: 7/22 @ PHX (W 99-86), 7/28 vs LA (L 76-70) Looking ahead: 7/31 @ DET, 8/1 vs PHX |
| 6 |  Washington (6) |
9-8 | In the past 10 days the Mystics have had two shots at East-leading Indiana, but fell both times, once at home and once on the road. The Mystics have made a giant leap already this year when compared to the last two seasons, but if they want to contend in the East, they will need to find a way to beat the conference's top team. They get another shot on Sunday at home.
Looking back: 7/21 vs IND (L 82-70), 7/23 vs CHI (W 75-64), 7/26 vs SAC (W 87-73), 7/28 @ IND (L 85-81) Looking ahead: 7/30 @ NY, 8/2 vs IND |
| 7 |  San Antonio (8) |
8-8 | Sophia Young for three!!! That's right, the All-Star forward is now hitting game-winning threes at the buzzer to go along with her play in the post. Her shot on Tuesday gave the Silver Stars a win over Seattle and brought the Silver Stars back to .500 for the sixth time this season. They have a chance to get over .500 on Thursday against Sacramento. A win would also put the Silver Stars on a season-best three-game win streak.
Looking back: 7/23 vs IND (W 84-65), 7/28 vs SEA (W 74-71) Looking ahead: 7/30 @ SAC, 8/1 @ SEA |
| 8 |  Atlanta (9) |
8-10 | Prior to the All-Star break, the Dream picked up an OT win over Detroit to finish their season-long five-game road trip with a 2-3 record. Atlanta will now play eight of its next nine games at the friendly home confines of Phillips Arena, where they are 5-3 on the year. The Dream also have the benefit of rest as they have not played since July 22 and play only two games over the next week before the schedule picks up the pace again.
Looking back: 7/22 @ DET (W 98-95) Looking ahead: 7/30 vs PHX, 8/1 vs NY |
| 9 |  Chicago (7) |
9-10 | The Sky had a tough month of July but ended it on a positive note with Wednesday's home win over Los Angeles. Even with the win, the Sky finished July with a 3-7 record and went from 6-3 at the beginning of the month to 9-10 heading into August. The good news is that they Sky are still in the middle of the pack in the East as they fight for their first playoff berth in franchise history.
Looking back: 7/22 vs NY (L 77-70), 7/23 @ WAS (L 75-64), 7/29 vs LA (W 75-63) Looking ahead: 8/1 vs CON |
| 10 |  New York (10) |
6-10 | The Liberty has not taken advantage of a home-heavy schedule (seven of nine games at MSG) during July, going just 4-4 so far with the final game on Thursday against Washington. Looking ahead, the Liberty will play seven of their first eight games of August on the road, beginning with a five-game trip. The Liberty will need to improve on its 2-5 road record if they hope to turn their season around.
Looking back: 7/22 @ CHI (W 77-70), 7/23 vs SAC (L 88-73), 7/26 vs PHX (L 94-88) Looking ahead: 7/30 vs WAS, 8/1 @ ATL |
| 11 |  Los Angeles (12) |
5-10 | After logging plenty of travel miles during July, when they played all but one game at home, the Sparks will not have to leave California for the next three weeks as they play seven home games and two road games in Sacramento during that stretch. Some home cooking as well as the return of Lisa Leslie should be just what this team needs to get their season back on the right track.
Looking back: 7/22 @ SEA (L 98-87), 7/28 @ MIN (W 76-70), 7/29 @ CHI (L 75-63) Looking ahead:8/1 @ SAC |
| 12 |  Detroit (11) |
5-9 | Can Monday's trip to the White House to commemorate the 2008 championship serve as a spark for the Shock in the second half of the season? The defending champs open the second half with three straight home games. Also, since they have not played since July 22 (with the exception of All-Star Katie Smith), the Shock had time over the break to rest, which should help the likes of Deanna Nolan, who has been nursing injuries all year.
Looking back: 7/22 vs ATL ( L 98-95) Looking ahead: 7/31 vs MIN, 8/2 vs CON |
| 13 |  Sacramento (13) |
4-15 | The Monarchs have already suffered through the longest losing streak in the WNBA this season (six games) -- twice. They do play 10 of their final 15 games at home, but as they currently sit 5.5 games out of the fourth and final playoff spot, they may need to win every game at Arco Arena in order to have any chance of extending their six-year playoff appearance streak.
Looking back: 7/22 @ CON (L 83-75), 7/23 @ NY (W 88-73), 7/26 @ WAS (L 87-73) Looking ahead: 7/30 vs SAN, 8/1 vs LA |