Valkyries Ascend to Top of ESPN's 2026 WNBA Power Rankings

Golden State Valkyries rose to the No. 1 position in ESPN’s 2026 WNBA Power Rankings after a five-game winning streak capped by a 13-point win over the Washington Mystics. The shift reflects the team’s defensive focus.

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Against Washington, the Valkyries scored 62 points on 35 % shooting, with no starter in double figures—a rarity seen only once in the past decade. Their defense held the Mystics to 49 points, the fewest any team has posted this season, and limited Washington to a league-lowest 16 second-half points. After conceding 22 paint points in the first half, they reduced that to eight in the second. ESPN Research cites the Valkyries as the second team in ten seasons to win without a starter scoring double figures.

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• “Our defense is all effort and sort of a mental thing,” — Kaitlyn Chen, Guard, Golden State Valkyries

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• “I was just really proud of them to lock in on the game plan. That's a discipline step that we took forward.” — Natalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries

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• “Now I'm coming off the bench?????? Cool” — Skylar Diggins, Guard, Chicago Sky (social media)

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• “Cool" and "The crazy part about it all is, I've been so good and quiet.” — Skylar Diggins, Guard, Chicago Sky (social media)

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The New York Liberty won the Commissioner's Cup, beating Las Vegas 93-85 and Minnesota 99-86, with Breanna Stewart posting 61 points and 18 rebounds and Sabrina Ionescu adding 43 points and 11 assists. ESPN includes the Cup result in its power-ranking calculations. The Las Vegas Aces, without center A’ja Wilson (ankle), lost three straight games; Jackie Young led with 62 points and 16 assists. The Dallas Wings rebounded with 86-83 and 89-76 wins, driven by Paige Bueckers’ 47 points and 14 assists. Indiana Fever earned an 84-68 win at Las Vegas, with Kelsey Mitchell scoring 27. Phoenix Mercury extended a three-game streak with Kahleah Copper’s 30 points. The Chicago Sky’s overtime loss followed a controversy involving Diggins, while the Los Angeles Sparks have gone 1-6 without guard Kelsey Plum.

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Analysts said the Aces “just aren’t the same without Wilson,” highlighting the injury’s impact. The Liberty faces a tough road stretch—seven of nine games away—raising fatigue concerns. The Sparks’ decline is tied to Kelsey Plum’s absence, coinciding with a sharp offensive drop.

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The Valkyries play Toronto (July 8) and Connecticut (July 10). The Liberty’s next road games are at Portland (July 9), Phoenix (July 11) and Indianapolis (July 12). The Aces face Connecticut (July 8) and host New York (July 11). Other contenders—Mercury, Wings, Sky—have packed schedules testing depth and consistency.

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