The Minnesota Lynx finally climbed to the top of the Crush & Rush 2026 WNBA Power Rankings. The hard part starts now.
After spending the first month of the season chasing Atlanta, New York, and Las Vegas, the Lynx enter this week as the league’s top-ranked team.
They’ve won seven straight games, own the WNBA’s best defense, and lead the league in CrushRush Power Score.
Now comes the week that could validate their rise, or end it.
Minnesota hosts Dallas on Tuesday before traveling to Las Vegas on Saturday in two games that could completely reshape next week’s rankings.
Read on for our Crush & Rush News WNBA Power Rankings for Monday, June 8.
Featured Matchup: Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx
This isn’t just a battle between No. 1 and No. 3.
The Minnesota Lynx won the first meeting 90-86 in Dallas on May 14, but both teams have improved dramatically since then.
- The Streak: The Lynx have won seven straight games.
- The Response: The Wings have gone 6-1 since that loss.
The Dallas Wings enter the week with the WNBA’s highest Offensive Rating. Minnesota enters with the league’s best Defensive Rating and Net Rating.
Something has to give.
If Dallas wins, the Wings immediately enter the conversation for the No. 1 spot. If Minnesota wins and follows it with a road victory in Las Vegas, the Lynx could begin creating separation from the rest of the league.
Crush & Rush WNBA Power Rankings for June 8, 2026
1. Minnesota Lynx (9-2) ↑3
The Minnesota Lynx finally take over the top spot, and they’ve earned it. Minnesota leads the WNBA in Net Rating, Defensive Rating, and CrushRush Power Score while riding a seven-game winning streak.
Olivia Miles has helped transform an already talented roster into the league’s most complete team. The celebration may be short-lived, however. Dallas comes to Target Center on Tuesday before Minnesota travels to Las Vegas on Saturday.
- This Week: vs. Dallas, at Las Vegas
2. Atlanta Dream (7-3) ↓1
The Atlanta Dream drops a spot despite doing very little wrong. The Dream remains one of only two teams to beat Minnesota this season and still owns one of the league’s strongest overall résumés.
Jordin Canada continues to drive one of the WNBA’s most disciplined teams, and Atlanta’s physical style makes every game uncomfortable for opponents. Thursday’s showdown with New York could have major implications near the top of these rankings.
- This Week: at Chicago, vs. New York, at Toronto
3. Dallas Wings (7-3) ↑4
Nobody has a bigger opportunity this week than the Dallas Wings. The Wings have gone 6-1 since losing to Minnesota and currently boast the league’s best offense.
Jessica Shepard has quietly become one of the most impactful players in the WNBA while helping fuel Dallas’ rise. Tuesday’s rematch with the Lynx is the biggest game of the week.
- This Week: at Minnesota, vs. Phoenix, at Portland
4. Golden State Valkyries (6-5) ↑1
At some point, everybody needs to stop acting surprised. The Golden State Valkyries rank among the league leaders in several advanced metrics and continue proving they belong in the playoff conversation.
Gabby Williams has been a welcome addition for a second-year team that looks far more polished than anyone expected. Golden State isn’t sneaking up on anybody anymore.
- This Week: vs. Phoenix, at Seattle
5. New York Liberty (7-4) ↑1
The New York Liberty have won four straight games despite getting only one appearance from Sabrina Ionescu all season. That’s the story.
New York continues piling up wins while waiting for one of the league’s best players to return. Thursday’s trip to Atlanta is their toughest test in weeks and should tell us much more about where this team stands.
- This Week: at Connecticut, at Atlanta, vs. Washington
6. Las Vegas Aces (7-3) ↓3
The Las Vegas Aces remain dangerous, but they haven’t consistently looked like the dominant force many expected entering the season.
Chennedy Carter leads the WNBA in Player Efficiency Rating and has added another dimension to an already talented roster. Saturday’s showdown with Minnesota could be one of the most important games of the Commissioner’s Cup schedule.
- This Week: vs. Seattle, at Portland, vs. Minnesota
7. Indiana Fever (5-5) ↓5
The Indiana Fever remains one of the league’s biggest mysteries. The talent is obvious. The consistency is not.
Aliyah Boston continues to anchor the Fever on both ends of the floor, but a .500 record keeps Indiana outside the top tier. This week’s schedule offers a chance to build momentum before tougher tests arrive.
- This Week: at Washington, vs. Chicago, at Connecticut
8. Toronto Tempo (5-5) ↑5
The Toronto Tempo owns one of the league’s most efficient offenses, and Marina Mabrey remains at the center of everything the Tempo do well offensively.
The problem continues to be on the defensive end, where Toronto has struggled against stronger opponents. The potential is obvious. The consistency still needs work.
- This Week: vs. Connecticut, vs. Atlanta
9. Phoenix Mercury (4-8) ↑1
The Phoenix Mercury may be the most disappointing team in the league relative to expectations. Natasha Mack has been one of the WNBA’s most efficient players, but the Mercury continues searching for answers.
The talent is there. The results are not. Another difficult week lies ahead.
- This Week: at Golden State, at Dallas, vs. Los Angeles
10. Portland Fire (6-6) ↑2
The Portland Fire continues to exceed expectations and just added another convincing win by routing Los Angeles. Megan Gustafson has provided a steady presence for a team that refuses to go away.
The Fire may not be contenders yet, but they’re becoming one of the toughest outs in the WNBA.
- This Week: vs. Las Vegas, vs. Dallas
11. Los Angeles Sparks (4-7) ↓3
The Los Angeles Sparks can score with almost anybody. Defending anybody remains another story.
Kelsey Plum’s return should provide a major boost after her recent absence, but Los Angeles continues to struggle defensively. If Plum can spark another offensive surge, the Sparks could climb quickly.
- This Week: at Seattle, at Phoenix
12. Chicago Sky (4-6) ↓3
The Chicago Sky remain difficult to figure out. The Sky already owns a victory over Minnesota this season, proving the potential exists.
Kamilla Cardoso continues to give Chicago a strong foundation in the paint, but offensive consistency remains a major obstacle.
- This Week: vs. Atlanta, at Indiana
13. Washington Mystics (4-5) ↑1
The Washington Mystics have been more competitive than many expected entering the season. Shakira Austin remains the centerpiece of a young roster that continues to battle every night.
Washington keeps games close. The next step is finding a signature win.
- This Week: vs. Indiana, vs. Toronto, at New York
14. Seattle Storm (3-9) ↓3
The Seattle Storm’s season has been difficult, and the absence of Dominique Malonga has played a major role.
The Storm have struggled offensively all season and simply haven’t had enough firepower to consistently compete with the league’s better teams, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier this week.
- This Week: at Las Vegas, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Golden State
15. Connecticut Sun (2-10) (—)
The Connecticut Sun remain at the bottom of the rankings, but Aneesah Morrow continues to give fans a reason to watch. T
The second-year forward from LSU has emerged as one of the league’s elite rebounders and one of the few bright spots during a difficult season.
- This Week: vs. New York, at Toronto, vs. Indiana
Biggest Movers Since Our Last Rankings
- 📈 Toronto Tempo: Up 5 spots (No. 13 to No. 8)
- 📈 Dallas Wings: Up 4 spots (No. 7 to No. 3)
- 📈 Minnesota Lynx: Up 3 spots (No. 4 to No. 1)
- 📉 Indiana Fever: Down 5 spots (No. 2 to No. 7)
- 📉 Las Vegas Aces: Down 3 spots (No. 3 to No. 6)
- 📉 Los Angeles Sparks: Down 3 spots (No. 8 to No. 11)
Three Games That Could Change Next Week’s Rankings
Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx (June 9)
The game of the week. Minnesota won the first meeting by four points. Since then, both teams have looked like championship contenders.
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream (June 11)
Atlanta’s physical defense against a Liberty team that continues to win despite missing Sabrina Ionescu.
Minnesota Lynx at Las Vegas Aces (June 13)
If Minnesota survives Dallas and wins in Las Vegas, the Lynx may begin creating real separation at the top.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota spent the last month proving it belonged among the league’s elite. This week, the Lynx get two opportunities to prove they belong above everyone else.
