Note: WNBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Tuesday during the season, are the opinion of this writer and do not reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

After the Lynx escaped Los Angeles with a three-point win to keep their undefeated season alive last Tuesday, the Sparks got a chance to avenge the loss three days later in Minnesota and did just that, snapping Minnesota’s record-setting start by riding a big fourth quarter to an 18-point win.

But that wasn’t the worst loss for the Lynx this week. Before they visited the White House on Monday, the defending champs visited the Verizon Center for a game with the Mystics, who continued their strong play of late with a 24-point win over Minnesota. It was the Lynx’s biggest loss in nearly three years.

By taking out the Lynx, the Sparks and Mystics both make significant moves in this week’s Power Rankings, including our first change at the No. 1 spot.

Click here to view this week’s AP Power Poll

1. Los Angeles Sparks
Last Week: 2
2016 Record: 13-1
OffRtg: 108.3 (1); DefRtg: 90.5 (1); NetRtg: 17.8 (1)

Very impressive response from the Sparks after taking their first loss of the season with a road win over the defending champs and another W to open a six-game homestand that runs through July 10.

2. Minnesota Lynx
Last Week: 1
2016 Record: 13-2
OffRtg: 105.5 (3); DefRtg: 94.8 (2); NetRtg: 10.7 (2)

The Lynx are the last WNBA team to meet President Obama at the White House to celebrate a championship. If they want to be the first to meet the 45th President in 2017, they have to get back to their winning ways.

3. New York Liberty
Last Week: 3
2016 Record: 10-5
OffRtg: 100.0 (8); DefRtg: 96.4 (3); NetRtg: 3.6 (3)

The Liberty saw their six-game winning streak come to an end with their third overtime loss at home this season. New York is 2-3 in overtime games this season with both of their wins coming on the road, which is where they will play their next three games against tough opponents — Minnesota on Wednesday, Phoenix on Friday and L.A. on Sunday.

4. Washington Mystics
Last Week: 6
2016 Record: 8-8
OffRtg: 101.5 (7); DefRtg: 103.4 (7); NetRtg: -1.9 (7)

The Mystics have won six of their last eight games and look to get over .500 for the first time this season on Wednesday when they host the San Antonio Stars before embarking on season-long five-game road trip that covers the first two weeks of July.

5. Dallas Wings
Last Week: 4
2016 Record: 7-8
OffRtg: 104.8 (5); DefRtg: 106.4 (11); NetRtg: -1.5 (T-5)

Dallas takes the spotlight Tuesday in Los Angeles on ESPN2 as they try to slow down the top-ranked Sparks. If the Wings hope to get a win against the 13-1 home team, they will have to put forth a strong defensive effort. Dallas ranks second-to-last in defensive efficiency (allowing 106.4 points per 100 possessions) and will take on the league’s top-rated offense.

6. Phoenix Mercury
Last Week: 8
2016 Record: 6-9
OffRtg: 106.9 (2); DefRtg: 108.5 (12); NetRtg: -1.5 (T-5)

The Mercury have won back-to-back games for the third time this season, but have yet to put together a three-game winning streak. They get another chance on Wednesday as they host the 3-12 Connecticut Sun. The Mercury dug themselves a deep hole at the start of the season and need a winning streak to climb back up the standings.

7. Atlanta Dream
Last Week: 5
2016 Record: 8-6
OffRtg: 97.8 (10); DefRtg: 101.1 (4); NetRtg: -3.3 (8)

What is going on with the Dream? After winning five straight in late May/early June. Atlanta has dropped five of its past seven games, including three straight. The Dream have shown us how good they can be, but it’s been weeks since we’ve seen them play at the top of their game. They have their first chance to get back on track Tuesday in Seattle on ESPN3.

8. Chicago Sky
Last Week: 7
2016 Record: 6-8
OffRtg: 105.2 (4); DefRtg: 104.2 (8); NetRtg: 1.0 (4)

Chicago’s 80-79 loss to New York on Friday was its fourth in five games as the Sky dropped to 6-8 on the season. However, those four losses came by a combined 24 points — an average margin of defeat of just six points. They have been in most of these games, but haven’t been able to pull out wins in close games.

9. Seattle Storm
Last Week: 10
2016 Record: 5-9
OffRtg: 102.5 (6); DefRtg: 105.9 (10); NetRtg: -3.4 (9)

Seattle snapped a season-long three-game losing streak on Friday with a 98-81 win over Connecticut that saw rookie Breanna Stewart hit five threes and tie her career-high with 29 points to go with nine boards, six assists, three steals and three blocks. It was Stewart’s third-straight game with at least 20 points as the rookie continues to get better and better.

10. Indiana Fever
Last Week: 9
2016 Record: 6-9
OffRtg: 98.2 (9); DefRtg: 103.3 (6); NetRtg: -5.0 (10)

The Fever had lost five of their last six games before going into Dallas and taking down the Wings 92-87 on Saturday behind a career-best 19 points from Erlana Larkins. At 6-9, the Fever need to string some wins together to ascend in the Eastern Conference standings.

11. San Antonio Stars
Last Week: 12
2016 Record: 3-11
OffRtg: 94.9 (12); DefRtg: 101.9 (5); NetRtg: -7.0 (11)

The Stars snapped a four-game losing streak with a 73-69 win over Atlanta in front of their home fans in San Antonio. Kayla McBride, the fifth-leading scorer in the league (18.6 ppg) had 28 points in the win — her sixth game of the season with at least 20 points and the first that came in a win.

12. Connecticut Sun
Last Week: 11
2016 Record: 3-12
OffRtg: 96.8 (11); DefRtg: 105.3 (9); NetRtg: -8.5 (12)

After picking up their third win of the season on June 19, the Sun opened a four-game road trip with losses in Seattle and Los Angeles. The road trip continues this week with games in Phoenix and Dallas before returning home to face the defending champs. The Sun have been struggling and unfortunately the schedule is not playing in their favor over the next week.

ASSOCIATED PRESS POWER POLL

1. Los Angeles (13)
2. Minnesota
3. New York
4. Washington
5. Atlanta
6. Dallas
7. Phoenix
8. Chicago
9. Indiana
10. Seattle
11. Connecticut
12. San Antonio

Click here to view the full rankings on AP.org