Atlanta Dream Tops ESPN WNBA Power Rankings
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- Atlanta Dream climbed to #1 in ESPN’s Power Rankings after a 4‑1 stretch, beating Dallas and Phoenix as Rhyne Howard tallied 46 points across the two wins.
- New York Liberty fell from the top spot, dropping three straight games—including an 81‑74 home loss to Portland where Sabrina Ionescu sat out and Satou Sabally left with illness.
- Minnesota Lynx rose to #2 after a 4‑2 record, highlighted by Natasha Howard’s 26‑point, 14‑rebound effort against Chicago following Emma Cechova’s season‑ending knee injury.
- Indiana Fever jumped seven places to #3 with a 4‑2 record, despite a late injury ruling that left Caitlin Clark out less than two hours before tipoff.
- Karl Smesko praised the Dream’s resilience, noting they have outscored opponents in the fourth quarter of all five games this season.
Why it matters: The Dream’s surge to the top boosts their marketability and fan engagement, while the Liberty’s slump threatens ticket sales and sponsor confidence, reshaping playoff odds for both teams.
