The 2026 WNBA season is here, and our Crush & Rush News 2026 WNBA Preseason Power Rankings are locked in ahead of the May 8 opener.
This is the first edition of the Crush & Rush News 2026 WNBA Power Rankings that are built on roster strength, recent performance, coaching stability, health, and overall direction.
No hype. No guesswork. Just a clear look at where every team stands right now.
Read on for our WNBA Preseason Power Rankings 2026.
2026 WNBA Preseason Power Rankings
How we rank — weighting criteria
25%
Returning offensive production Star power, depth, and continuity of scoring coming back from 2025
20%
Playoff appearances (last 5 yrs) Consistency of winning culture and postseason experience
15%
Championship pedigree (last 5 yrs) Finals appearances and titles; dynasties rewarded over one-year wonders
15%
Coaching stability & system fit Tenure, continuity, and how well the roster fits the coach’s system
10%
Offseason acquisitions Free agency additions, trades, and notable departures that shift the balance
10%
Health & availability Known injuries, suspensions, and roster question marks heading into camp
3%
Rookie impact potential ROY candidates and first-year players projected to contribute immediately
2%
Intangibles Locker room chemistry, market momentum, and gut feel
1
Championship contenders· 4 teams
1
Las Vegas Aces
Becky Hammon · Yr 5 · 30-14
Three titles in four years; the dynasty isn’t done yet.
Champ 2025Champ 2023Champ 2022PO 5/5 yrsComm. Cup 2022Dark: Barker R2
2
New York Liberty
Chris DeMarco · Yr 1 · 27-17
The most talented roster in the league, but can a first-year coach unlock it?
Champ 2024Finals 2023PO 4/5 yrsComm. Cup 2023New coach
3
Atlanta Dream
Karl Smesko · Yr 3 · 30-14
Angel Reese doesn’t need to score — she just needs to rebound and get out of the way.
PO 2025PO 2024
4
Phoenix Mercury
Nate Tibbetts · Yr 3 · 27-17
A Finals appearance last year that nobody saw coming; now the secret is out.
Finals 2025PO 2024PO 2021
2
Legitimate contenders· 4 teams
5
Minnesota Lynx
Cheryl Reeve · Yr 17 · 34-10
The best record in the league last year means nothing if Collier can’t get healthy.
Napheesa Collier (ankle) out until at least the All-Star break
Finals 2024PO 5/5 yrsComm. Cup 2024ROY: O. Miles #2Collier out
6
Indiana Fever
Stephanie White · Yr 2 · 24-20
A healthy Caitlin Clark changes everything, and everyone knows it.
PO 2025PO 2024Comm. Cup 2025
7
Los Angeles Sparks
Lynne Roberts · Yr 1 · 21-23
New coach, new identity, and just enough talent to surprise someone.
New coach
8
Washington Mystics
Sydney Johnson · Yr 2 · 16-28
This is preseason — they’ll tell us who they are soon enough.
PO 2025ROY: Betts #4Dark: Dugalić #9
9
Dallas Wings
Jose Fernandez · Yr 1 · 10-34
Azzi Fudd goes #1 overall and instantly makes this rebuild worth watching.
New coachROY: Fudd #1
10
Seattle Storm
Sonia Raman · Yr 1 · 23-21
Two promising rookies can’t paper over the veteran exodus that gutted this roster overnight.
PO 2025PO 2024Comm. Cup 2021New coachROY: Fam #3ROY: Flau’jae
11
Golden State Valkyries
Natalie Nakase · Yr 2 · 23-21
Year two is always the real test for an expansion team.
PO 2025 (debut)
4
Rebuilding / Expansion· 4 teams
12
Chicago Sky
Tyler Marsh · Yr 1 · 10-34
Too much young talent to stay this low for long.
Champ 2021New coachROY: Jaquez #5
13
Connecticut Sun
Rachid Meziane · Yr 2 · 11-33
A Finals appearance in 2022 feels like a long time ago, but the pieces to reload are there.
Finals 2022Dark: AnglomaDark: Kneepkens #15
14
Toronto Tempo
Sandy Brondello · Yr 1 · —
Canada’s first WNBA team arrives with high hopes and zero expectations to manage.
Expansion 2026New coachROY: Rice #6
15
Portland Fire
Alex Sarama · Yr 1 · —
The cupboard is bare, but every dynasty has to start somewhere.
Expansion 2026New coach
What These WNBA Power Rankings Are Based On
These rankings are not based on preseason results because there have not been any games yet.
This is about what each team looks like on paper heading into the 2026 WNBA season.
Roster strength, returning production, coaching stability, health, and offseason moves all play a role. Teams with continuity and proven success rank higher. Teams with new pieces or unanswered questions fall behind.
These will change quickly once games begin.
Most Ready Right Now
Las Vegas Aces
Nothing about this roster suggests a drop-off. Same core, same system, same expectations. They start the season exactly where they finished, on top.
Biggest Upside
Indiana Fever
The pieces are there for a jump. If everything clicks, they will not stay in the middle of these rankings for long.
Biggest Question Mark
Minnesota Lynx
This comes down to availability. On paper, they are one of the best teams in the league. But that only matters if their core is on the floor.
Final Word
This is the starting point.
No games. No results. Just a clear look at how every team stacks up before the 2026 WNBA season begins.
Once the season tips off, these rankings will move. Some teams will prove they belong. Others will fall off faster than expected.
That is the point of this.
We track it every week, adjust based on what actually happens on the court, and keep it honest the entire way.
Check back next week to see what changed.
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