The countdown is on. The 30th WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 8.

After a whirlwind month that saw the expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo ahead of their inaugural seasons, the college draft headlined by Azzi Fudd at No. 1 and a record six UCLA Bruins selected, a free agency storm that saw some marquee players find new homes, while others decided to run it back, 15 training camps, and 18 preseason games, the third decade of WNBA hoops is upon us.

Before rosters are finalized on Thursday (May 7 at 5 p.m. ET) and the regular season opens on May 8 with a triple-header on ION, here’s a look at how the teams stack up against one another entering the season.

1. Las Vegas Aces

Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces

• Previous Ranking: 1
• Preseason Record: 1-1

Since our offseason rankings on April 15, the defending champion Aces made it official and re-signed the league’s only four-time MVP A’ja Wilson to a multi-year deal. With the core of their championship squad intact, plus some additional depth with the additions of Chennedy Carter, Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner, the Aces open at the top of these rankings until a team knocks them off on the court.

2. New York Liberty

• Previous Ranking: 2
• Preseason Record: 1-1

Three key events went down with the Liberty since our last rankings: (1) they officially re-signed the trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones; (2) they added three-time All-Star Satou Sabally to the roster; (3) Ionescu went down during the Liberty’s preseason finale on Sunday and is set for an MRI on Monday. Assuming this is not a long-term injury that sidelines Ionescu for significant time, the Liberty’s talent and depth keep them at No. 2.

3. Indiana Fever

• Previous Ranking: 3
• Preseason Record: 2-1 

While we can’t glean too much from preseason games, the fact that Caitlin Clark appeared in all three of the Fever’s tune-ups is a welcome sight for Indiana fans after the 2024 Rookie of the Year was limited to just 13 games last season. With a healthy Clark playing alongside fellow All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, Indy will look to build on last season’s playoff run and emerge as a title contender.

4. Atlanta Dream

• Previous Ranking: 4
• Preseason Record: 1-1 

Shortly after our offseason rankings, which touted Atlanta having four 2025 All-Stars, one of those stars, Brionna Jones, underwent knee surgery, which will delay the start of her 2026 season, with no concrete timetable announced for her return. The Dream still have loads of talent on the roster, particularly with the addition of Angel Reese, but will miss Jones’ inside presence on both ends of the court as they open the 2026 campaign.

5. Dallas Wings

Azzi Fudd #35 of the Dallas Wings

• Previous Ranking: 8
• Preseason Record: 2-0

Before the Wings visit the Fever to open their 2026 season Saturday on ABC, Dallas picked up preseason wins over both Indiana and Las Vegas this past week. Paige Bueckers looked incredibly sharp in her limited minutes, averaging 15.5 points and six assists while shooting 5-for-7 from 3-point range. However, Azzi Fudd, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, got off to a slower start, averaging eight points while shooting 1-for-7 from deep. Meanwhile, the Wings recently got Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard back from overseas commitments as the season draws near.

6. Phoenix Mercury

• Previous Ranking: 7
• Preseason Record: 2-0

Unlike last season, the Mercury will open their 2026 campaign with a healthy Kahleah Cooper, who averaged 18 points in 18.7 minutes per game in two preseason contests. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas is already filling box scores in the preseason as she gets set to start her second season in Phoenix, still chasing that elusive first WNBA title after her third Finals appearance last season.

7. Los Angeles Sparks

• Previous Ranking: 6
• Preseason Record: 2-0 

Last season, the Sparks allowed more points than any team, with opponents averaging a league-high 88.2 points per game. In their two preseason games (against the expansion Tempo and the Nigerian National Team), the Sparks allowed a league-low 69.0 points per game. Of course, this is simply two preseason games, but with a healthy Cameron Brink, the addition of Ariel Atkins, and the return of Nneka Ogwumike, the Sparks defense should be improved this season.

8. Minnesota Lynx

• Previous Ranking: 5
• Preseason Record: 3-0

Among last year’s title contenders, no team saw more roster turnover this offseason than the Lynx. Three key players return in Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier, who signed a one-year deal to return to Minnesota after last year’s MVP runner-up finish. However, Collier’s debut will be delayed as she continues to recover from offseason surgery on both ankles. How long she is out, and how well the new pieces fit early, will be key to determining Minnesota’s success.

9. Golden State Valkyries

• Previous Ranking: 9
• Preseason Record: 1-0

Can the Valkyries pick up where last season’s record-breaking inaugural campaign left off? Reigning Most Improved Player Veronica Burton looks ready to make that happen, dropping 14 points with four 3-pointers in Golden State’s lone preseason game — a win over Seattle on April 25. One former Storm player, Gabby Williams, did not appear in that game as the Valkyries’ top free agent addition is listed as day-to-day. Golden State visits Seattle opening night, giving Williams a chance to debut with her new team against her former squad. 

10. Chicago Sky

Rickea Jackson #5 of the Chicago Sky

• Previous Ranking: 10
• Preseason Record: 0-2

The Sky acquired a number of new players over the offseason via trades, free agency, and the draft. However, in the preseason, we only saw Skylar Diggins (for 14 minutes), Rickea Jackson, and first-round pick Gabriela Jaquez on the floor. Meanwhile, DiJonai Carrington, Azurá Stevens, Elizabeth Williams, and Courtney Vandersloot all remain sidelined. How long will it take before this new-look roster comes together and allows the players to build some on-court chemistry this season?

11. Seattle Storm

• Previous Ranking: 12
• Preseason Record: 1-1

On draft night, the Storm selected center Awa Fam with the No. 3 overall pick to join Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga in forming a formidable frontline. Then, they acquired No. 8 pick Flau’jae Johnson from Golden State to add an athletic two-way wing to the mix. Johnson thrived in her preseason debut, scoring 20 points in just 19 minutes, giving Storm fans a glimpse of what could come this season. While Seattle added some veterans to help fill the void left by three departing All-Stars, the development of young talent will be key to a successful season. 

12. Washington Mystics

• Previous Ranking: 11
• Preseason Record: 1-1

A look at Washington’s roster shows only two players with more than a year of WNBA experience — Michaela Onyenwere (five seasons) and Shakira Austin (four seasons). The rest of the squad is packed with rookies and sophomores as the Mystics’ rebuild with young talent continues. A year ago, their two lottery picks — Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen — earned All-Star honors as rookies. Can this year’s lottery pick, No. 4 Lauren Betts, repeat that feat? And how competitive can this young roster be as the season gets underway?

13. Connecticut Sun

• Previous Ranking: 13
• Preseason Record: 1-1

The Sun open the 2026 campaign in an odd spot. While this will be the team’s final season in Connecticut, the Sun feature a roster loaded with young players built toward a future in Houston. However, with the additions of Brittney Griner, Diamond Miller, and Kennedy Burke, the Sun look to improve on last season’s 11-33 campaign and go out on a high note.

14. Toronto Tempo

• Previous Ranking: 14
• Preseason Record: 0-2

A season ago, the Golden State Valkyries set a new standard for expansion success. Can the Tempo find similar success in their inaugural season? With two-time WNBA champion coach Sandy Brondello at the helm and a number of veterans for her to lean on – including Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, and Kia Nurse – the Tempo could be competitive early this season. But for now, the expansion teams will begin at the bottom of the rankings and work their way up – similar to what Golden State did last season.

15. Portland Fire

Nyadiew Puoch #13 of the Portland Fire

• Previous Ranking: 15
• Preseason Record: 0-2

Similar to the Tempo, the Portland Fire are a bit of a mystery as the season gets set to open. Following their first two preseason games, the Fire are the only team ranked in the bottom five in both points scored and points allowed, as they were hampered by slow starts. Can they change that on Saturday, when they welcome the Sky to the Fire Pit for the first WNBA game in Portland since 2002?