WNBA Energy Rankings – Becky Hammon has Las Vegas Aces clicking, on prime in Week 1

If ESPN’s preseason rankings are decided a good quantity by educated guesswork, the Week 1 WNBA Energy Rankings are based mostly on a really small pattern dimension. Nonetheless, getting off to a robust begin is an efficient signal, and three groups are 2-Zero after the WNBA’s 2022 opening weekend. For the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics, that is particularly heartening after each missed the playoffs final season. For the Las Vegas Aces, who had the second-best file in 2021 however have been upset within the semifinals, it is a sign that issues are clicking below new coach Becky Hammon.

The Sparks, due to anticipated NBA playoff video games at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles that are not truly occurring, have 10 of their first 14 video games away from dwelling. Journey isn’t a favourite subject within the WNBA, however time on the highway can function a bonding expertise. After the Sparks’ opening wins at Chicago and Indiana, that is a great way for them to have a look at the time away from L.A.

“I am having plenty of enjoyable with the ladies; we’re rising and studying on the highway proper now,” stated heart Liz Cambage, in her first season with the Sparks. “It isn’t simple. We’re taking the optimistic out of it. I really like this group a lot. I really like working with them.”

As common for early-season video games within the WNBA, there are some vital gamers out as a result of they’re nonetheless taking part in abroad or have not returned but. Regardless of that, there have been some entertaining opening-weekend battles and a few large names corresponding to Elena Delle Donne and Angel McCoughtry, who missed most or all of final yr resulting from accidents, again in motion.

Listed below are the Week 1 Energy Rankings because the season will get underway.

Earlier rankings: Preseason

1. Las Vegas Aces
Report: 2-0
Earlier rating: 5

Hammon stated after the opener she may must get on the Aces about their protection, however they will be a reliably sturdy offensive workforce. That was the case of their two victories: 106-88 at Phoenix and 85-74 over visiting Seattle. Las Vegas shot 58.2% in opposition to the defense-challenged Mercury and 44.8% in opposition to a stronger Storm squad. In each video games, all 5 Aces starters scored in double figures. Rebounding additionally has been spectacular thus far; Dearica Hamby had 19 boards in opposition to the Storm, whereas A’ja Wilson tallied 15. These two had a mixed 18 rebounds in opposition to the Mercury.

The Aces journey east this week, with Tuesday’s contest in opposition to the Mystics trying like an early-season must-see sport.

This week: at Washington (Tuesday), at Atlanta (Friday)

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2. Los Angeles Sparks
Report: 2-0
Earlier rating: 8

The Sparks made essentially the most of getting a second life of their opener at Chicago, as guard Jordin Canada — in her first sport with Los Angeles — hit three free throws with 1.5 seconds left to drive time beyond regulation. They went on to win 98-91 on Friday. Then they made the quick journey to Indiana for an 87-77 triumph on Sunday over the Fever. To this point, Los Angeles has been led in scoring by two of their new additions this season: Canada had 21 factors versus the Sky, and Cambage posted 22 in opposition to the Fever. Canada, who spent her first 4 seasons with Seattle, additionally led the Sparks in assists in each video games, with eight and 6.

Guards Chennedy Carter and Lexie Brown — two different gamers new to L.A. — mixed for 24 factors at Chicago and 17 at Indiana. Talking of combos, sister put up gamers Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike had 46 factors and 30 rebounds on opening weekend. And one of many league’s prime defenders, guard Brittney Sykes, had 9 steals over the 2 video games. In all, a promising first weekend.

This week: at Atlanta (Wednesday), at Connecticut (Saturday)

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3. Washington Mystics
Report: 2-0
Earlier rating: 7

On Friday, Elena Delle Donne played in her first sport since August, main the way in which with 21 factors and 9 rebounds in a win over Indiana. However she did not journey to Minnesota for Sunday’s sport as initially deliberate; load administration following Delle Donne’s restoration from a number of again surgical procedures will likely be a part of the Mystics’ season. Natasha Cloud seems to be prepared to select up any slack. She had a mixed 36 factors, 10 rebounds and 12 assists within the two wins.

Whereas the Mystics are used to seeing Cloud and fellow guard Ariel Atkins (a mixed 35 factors, six rebounds, eight assists) come up large, they needed to be happy with the debut of No. Three draft decide Shakira Austin. The middle had the primary double-double of her WNBA profession (13 factors, 10 rebounds) versus the Lynx. Delle Donne is predicted again in motion this week, with two video games at dwelling.

This week: vs. Las Vegas (Tuesday), vs. Dallas (Friday)

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4. Seattle Storm
Report: 1-1
Earlier rating: 3

To this point, issues have seemed as anticipated: Breanna Stewart main the way in which in scoring and rebounding for the Storm, and Sue Bird main in assists. Seattle was very sturdy in its 97-74 opening win over Minnesota, however the Storm have been outmatched offensively and on the boards in falling at Las Vegas. The return of heart Mercedes Russell (out with a non-basketball-related damage) will assist, as will discovering a constant third scorer behind Stewart and Jewell Loyd. This week the Storm have two matchups in opposition to longtime rival Phoenix, which implies there will likely be much more hypothesis about veterans Fowl and Diana Taurasi and what number of matchups they may have left.

This week: at Phoenix (Wednesday), vs. Phoenix (Saturday)

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5. New York Liberty
Report: 1-0
Earlier rating: 10

Liberty followers have been ready for a totally wholesome Sabrina Ionescu since she suffered a extreme ankle damage that restricted her rookie season to 3 video games in 2020. They could be capable of see that this yr. Ionescu seemed like her outdated Oregon Geese self in New York’s opening 81-79 win over preseason WNBA favourite Connecticut on Saturday, as she registered 25 factors and 6 assists.

The Liberty have three video games this coming week, they usually performed simply eight gamers in opposition to the Solar, one among them being guard AD Durr, again in motion after lacking the previous two seasons because of the results of COVID-19. So we’ll see New York’s depth examined early. However knocking off the Solar to get issues going was a lift for New York and new coach Sandy Brondello.

This week: at Chicago (Wednesday), vs. Indiana (Friday), vs. Dallas (Sunday)

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6. Atlanta Dream
Report: 1-0
Earlier rating: 12

The exterior expectations for the Dream aren’t excessive this season, however new coach Tanisha Wright and her workforce aren’t frightened about that. The Dream had a robust defensive effort in profitable at Dallas of their opener, holding the Wings to 24.3% (17-of-70) taking pictures. Additionally they outrebounded Dallas 47-39. No. 1 decide Rhyne Howard had 16 factors, 4 assists and 4 blocked photographs in her WNBA debut. The Dream will meet the Sparks and the Aces this week, which will likely be robust assessments, however getting a gap win on the highway was vital for the new-look Dream.

This week: vs. Los Angeles (Wednesday), vs. Las Vegas (Friday), at Indiana (Sunday)

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7. Connecticut Sun
Report: 0-1
Earlier rating: 1

The Solar did not play poorly of their first sport, with all 5 starters scoring in double figures in a loss at New York. However they allowed 10 3-pointers whereas hitting simply 4 themselves. Two key gamers have been lacking, as ahead/guard DeWanna Bonner remains to be taking part in abroad, and guard Courtney Williams is suspended by the league for the season’s first two video games resulting from an altercation she was in final yr whereas with Atlanta. The very best information for Connecticut from its first sport was ahead Alyssa Thomas, who had 25 factors, seven rebounds and 4 steals after lacking most of final season with an Achilles tendon damage.

This week: vs. Los Angeles (Saturday)

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8. Chicago Sky
Report: 0-1
Earlier rating: 2

It was an irritating method to begin the season for the defending champion Sky. They seemed like they’d their opener in hand versus Los Angeles, however a late foul on Jordin Canada — a call Chicago strongly disagreed with — and her subsequent free throws despatched the sport into time beyond regulation, the place the Sparks prevailed 98-91. The decision went in opposition to guard Dana Evans, who in any other case had a robust opener with 24 factors, 5 assists and 4 steals. Ahead Emma Meesseman, who spent her first seven seasons with Washington, had 12 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists in her Sky debut. Candace Parker began her second season in Chicago with 21 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists. And Chicago shot 51.4% from the sphere. In the end, the Sky’s 25 turnovers harm essentially the most.

This week: vs. New York (Wednesday), at Minnesota (Saturday)

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9. Phoenix Mercury
Report: 0-1
Earlier rating: 4

Phoenix seemed compromised defensively in its opening 106-88 loss to Las Vegas, however that is comprehensible. With heart Brittney Griner detained in Russia and out indefinitely, Phoenix will rely much more on ahead Brianna Turner. However Turner and guard Diamond DeShields missed the Mercury’s first sport due to abroad commitments, and the Aces took benefit, taking pictures 58.2% from the sphere. Veteran heart Tina Charles and guard Diana Taurasi have been a mixed 8-of-27 from the sphere, which put extra of the load on guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, who had 25 factors. This week brings back-to-back matchups with longtime rival Seattle, and Phoenix hopes to get new coach Vanessa Nygaard within the win column.

This week: vs. Seattle (Wednesday), at Seattle (Saturday)

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10. Minnesota Lynx
Report: 0-2
Earlier rating: 6

The Lynx’s offensive manufacturing is the largest concern because the season begins, as they’re lacking guard Kayla McBride (taking part in abroad) and forwards Damiris Dantas (foot damage) and Napheesa Collier (being pregnant). The Lynx shot 39.2% from the sphere of their 97-74 loss at Seattle on Friday and 34.8% in falling 78-66 in opposition to Washington on Sunday. It places plenty of strain on Minnesota’s protection, and the Lynx might take their lumps for the early a part of the season.

This week: at Indiana (Tuesday), vs. Chicago (Saturday)

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11. Dallas Wings
Report: 0-1
Earlier rating: 9

Two gamers who ought to have a big effect for Dallas — ahead Satou Sabally and heart Teaira McCowan — are nonetheless abroad. That contributed to the Wings taking pictures simply 24.3% of their season-opening 66-59 loss to visiting Atlanta. Guard Marina Mabrey, who had 20 factors and made Eight of 16 photographs, was the one Dallas participant who actually appeared “on” in Saturday’s sport. It was a disappointing 2022 starting at dwelling for Dallas, which now travels east this week to face two groups which have began properly.

This week: at Washington (Friday), at New York (Sunday)

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12. Indiana Fever
Report: 0-2
Earlier rating: 11

The Fever are final within the Energy Rankings as they opened with two losses, however they noticed some optimistic indicators. The No. 2 draft decide, ahead NaLyssa Smith, had a mixed 26 factors and 22 rebounds in opposition to Washington and Los Angeles. And guard Destanni Henderson, who slipped to the second spherical because the No. 20 decide, seemed just like the spark plug the Fever want, as she had 19 factors and three assists in opposition to the Sparks. The Fever’s season goes to be concerning the efficiency and progress of younger gamers like Smith and Henderson.

This week: vs. Minnesota (Tuesday), at New York (Friday), vs. Atlanta (Sunday)