The chase for the WNBA title begins — power rankings set the stage

2. New York Liberty

• 2025 record: 27-17 (lost in first round)

• Projected starting five: Sabrina Ionescu, G, 5-11; Breanna Stewart, F, 6-4; Jonquel Jones, C, 6-6; Leonie Fiebich, F, 6-4; Satou Sabally, F, 6-4

• Most surprising cut: F Anneli Maley. Shey had a decent preseason, averaging 13 points on 48% shooting, 6.5 rebounds across two games.

• Roster

  • 0 Satou Sabally | F, 6-4, 6 years
  • 4 Marine Fauthoux* | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 7 Rebekah Gardner | G, 6-1, 3 years
  • 9 Rebecca Allen | G/F, 6-2, 10 years
  • 10 Pauline Astier | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 13 Leonie Fiebich^ | F, 6-4, 2 years
  • 14 Raquel Carrera^ | F/C, 6-3, Rookie
  • 20 Sabrina Ionescu | G, 5-11, 6 years
  • 21 Han Xu | C, 6-11, 3 Years
  • 23 Marine Johannès | G, 5-10, 4 years
  • 30 Breanna Stewart | F, 6-4, 9 years
  • 35 Jonquel Jones | C, 6-6, 9 years
  • 44 Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | G/F, 6-0, 9 years

3. Indiana Fever

• 2025 record: 24-20 (lost in the semifinals)

• Projected starting five: Caitlin Clark, G, 6-0; Kelsey Mitchell, G, 5-8; Lexie Hull, G, 6-2; Monique Billings, F, 6-4; Aliyah Boston, F/C, 6-5

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 0 Kelsey Mitchell | G, 5-8, 8 years
  • 2 Myisha Hines-Allen | F, 6-2, 8 years
  • 3 Raven Johnson | G, 5-8, Rookie
  • 7 Aliyah Boston | F/C, 6-5, 3 years
  • 8 Sophie Cunningham | G, 6-1, 7 years
  • 10 Lexie Hull | G, 6-2, 4 years
  • 12 Damiris Dantas | F/C, 6-4, 10 years
  • 13 Justine Pissott* | G/F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 21 Makayla Timpson F/C, 6-2, 1 year
  • 22 Caitlin Clark | G, 6-0, 2 years
  • 25 Monique Billings | F, 6-4, 8 years
  • 32 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | G, 5-9, 9 years
  • 52 Tyasha Harris | G, 5-10, 6 years

*Developmental player

4. Atlanta Dream

• 2025 record: 30-14 (lost in first round of playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Allisha Gray, G, 6-0; Jordin Canada, G, 5-6; Rhyne Howard, G, 6-2; Angel Reese, F, 6-4; Brionna Jones, F, 6-3

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 00 Naz Hillmon | F, 6-2, 4 years
  • 2 Te-Hina Paopao | G, 5-9, 1 year
  • 3 Jordin Canada | G, 5-6, 8 years
  • 5 Angel Reese | F, 6-4, 2 years
  • 7 Holly Winterburn | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 10 Rhyne Howard | G, 6-2, 4 years
  • 11 Madina Okot | C, 6-6, Rookie
  • 15 Allisha Gray | G, 6-0, 9 years
  • 20 Isobel Borlase | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 21 Indya Nivar | G, 5-10, Rookie
  • 23 Sika Koné | F, 6-3, 3 years
  • 42 Brionna Jones | F, 6-3, 9 years

5. Phoenix Mercury

• 2025 record: 27-17 (WNBA Finals runner-up)

• Projected starting five: Monique Akoa Makani, G, 5-11; Natasha Mack, F-C, 6-4; Kahleah Copper, G/F, 6-1; Alyssa Thomas, F, 6-2; DeWanna Bonner, G/F, 6-4

• Most surprising cut: F Chloe Bibby; Phoenix traded for Bibby on May 6, but waived her one day later.

• Roster

  • Shay Ciezki* | G, 5-7, Rookie
  • 1 Noemie Brochant | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 2 Kahleah Copper | G/F, 6-1, 10 years
  • 4 Natasha Mack | F/C, 6-4, 3 years
  • 9 Monique Akoa Makani^ | G, 5-11, 1 year
  • 11 Valeriane Ayayi^ | F, 6-1, 1 year
  • 20 Quionche Carter | G, 6-0, Rookie
  • 22 Peyton Williams | F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 23 Kiana Williams | G, 5-7, 4 years
  • 24 DeWanna Bonner | G/F, 6-4, 16 years
  • 25 Alyssa Thomas | F, 6-2, 12 years
  • 29 Jovana Nogic | G, 6-1, Rookie
  • 31 Kyara Linskens | C, 6-4, 1 year
  • 33 Sami Whitcomb | G, 5-10, 9 years
  • 77 Marta Suarez* | F, 6-3, Rookie

*Developmental player^ Contract suspended

6. Minnesota Lynx

• 2025 record: 34-10 (lost in the semifinals)

• Projected starting five: Olivia Miles, G, 5-10; Courtney Williams, G, 5-8; Kayla McBride, G, 5-11; Natasha Howard, F, 6-2; Napheesa Collier, F, 6-1

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 0 Maya Caldwell | G, 5-11, 4 years
  • 1 Natasha Howard | F, 6-2, 12 years
  • 5 Olivia Miles | G, 5-10, Rookie
  • 7 Anastasiia Olairi Kosu | F, 6-1, 1 year
  • 8 Antonia Delaere | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 10 Courtney Williams | G, 5-8, 10 years
  • 11 Eliska Hamzova | G, 6-0, Rookie
  • 12 Nia Coffey | F, 6-1, 9 years
  • 14 Dorka Juhász | F, 6-5, 2 years
  • 21 Kayla McBride | G, 5-11, 12 years
  • 22 Emma Cechova | C, 6-4, Rookie
  • 24 Napheesa Collier | F, 6-1, 7 years
  • 25 Emese Hof | C, 6-3, Rookie

7. Los Angeles Sparks

• 2025 record: 21-23 (missed the playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Kelsey Plum, G, 5-8; Ariel Atkins, G, 5-10; Dearica Hamby, F, 6-3; Nneka Ogwumike, F, 6-2; Rae Burrell, G/F, 6-2

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 0 Ta'Niya Latson | G, 5-8, Rookie
  • 1 Sania Feagin | F, 6-3, 1 year
  • 2 Chance Gray | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 3 Nneka Ogwumike | F, 6-2, 14 years
  • 4 Laura Ziegler | F, 6-2, Rookie
  • 5 Dearica Hamby | F, 6-3, 11 years
  • 6 Jihun Park | F, 6-1, Rookie
  • 7 Ariel Atkins | G, 5-10, 8 years
  • 10 Kelsey Plum | G, 5-8, 8 years
  • 12 Rae Burrell | G/F, 6-2, 4 years
  • 17 Erica Wheeler | G, 5-7, 10 years
  • 22 Cameron Brink | F, 6-4, 2 years
  • 32 Emma Cannon | F, 6-2, 7 years

8. Dallas Wings

• 2025 record: 10-34 (missed the playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Paige Bueckers, G, 6-0; Arike Ogunbowale, G, 5-8; Azzi Fudd, G, 5-11; Alanna Smith, F, 6-4; Jessica Shepard, F, 6-4

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 1 Odyssey Sims | G, 5-8, 12 years
  • 5 Paige Bueckers | G, 6-0, 1 year
  • 6 Constanza Verona* | G, 5-7, Rookie
  • 7 Alysha Clark | F, 5-11, 12 years
  • 8 Alanna Smith | F, 6-4, 7 years
  • 10 Aziaha James | G, 5-10, 1 year
  • 11 JJ Quinerly | G, 5-8, 1 year
  • 12 Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu* | F/C, 6-3, 2 years
  • 20 Maddy Seigrist | F, 6-2, 3 years
  • 24 Arike Ogunbowale | G, 5-8, 7 years
  • 28 Li Yueru | C, 6-7, 3 years
  • 32 Jessica Shepard | F, 6-4, 5 years
  • 34 Awak Kuier | F, 6-6, 3 years
  • 35 Azzi Fudd | G, 5-11, Rookie

*Developmental player

9. Golden State Valkyries

• 2025 record: 23-21 (lost in the first round)

• Projected starting five: Veronica Burton, G, 5-9; Gabby Williams, F, 5-11; Kayla Thornton, F, 6-1; Janelle Salaün, F, 6-2; Kiah Stokes, C, 6-3

• Most surprising cut: G Kate Martin. She was one of the Valkyries top picks in its 2024 expansion draft, but Martin had inconsistent production in her lone season in Golden State.

• Roster

  • 1 Gabby Williams | F, 5-11, 7 years
  • 2 Kaitlyn Chen | G, 5-9, 1 year
  • 3 Laeticia Amihere | F, 6-3, 3 years
  • 4 Justė Jocytė^ | G/F, 6-0, Rookie
  • 5 Kayla Thornton | F, 6-1, 10 years
  • 6 Kaila Charles | G/F, 6-1, 5 years
  • 7 Miela Sowah* | G, 5-10, Rookie
  • 12 Iliana Rupert** | C, 6-4, 3 years
  • 13  Janelle Salaün | F, 6-2, 1 year
  • 15 Tiffany Hayes | G, 5-10, 13 years
  • 22 Veronica Burton | G, 5-9, 4 years
  • 24 Cecilia Zandalasini | F, 6-2, 4 years
  • 41 Kiah Stokes | C, 6-3, 10 years

*Developmental player** Out indefinitely/Pregnancy^ Contract suspended

10. Chicago Sky

• 2025 record: 10-34 (missed the playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Skylar Diggins, G, 5-9; Dijonai Carrington, G, 5-11; Rickea Jackson, F, 6-2; Azurá Stevens, F, 6-6; Kamilla Cardoso, C, 6-7

• Most surprising cut: G Hailey Van Lith. She looked promising in preseason after a tough rookie season, but Chicago waived the former TCU guard and later signed veteran Natasha Cloud.

• Roster

  • 0 Jacy Sheldon | G, 5-10, 2 years
  • 1 Elizabeth Williams | F/C, 6-3, 11 years
  • 4 Skylar Diggins | G, 5-9, 11 years
  • 5 Rickea Jackson | F, 6-2, 2 years
  • 7 DiJonai Carrington | G, 5-11, 5 years
  • 9 Natasha Cloud | G, 5-10, 10 years
  • 10 Kamilla Cardoso | C, 6-7, 2 years
  • 11 Gabriela Jaquez | G, 6-0, Rookie
  • 12 Sydney Taylor | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 21 Maddy Westbeld* | F, 6-3, 1 year
  • 22 Courtney Vandersloot | G, 5-8, 15 years
  • 24 Rachel Banham | G, 5-10, 10 years
  • 30 Azurá Stevens | F, 6-6, 8 years
  • 35 Aicha Coulibaly* | G/F, 6-0, Rookie

*Developmental player

11. Washington Mystics

• **2025 record:**16-28 (missed the playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Georgia Amoore, G, 5-6; Sonia Citron, G, 6-1; Michaela Onyenwere, F, 6-0; Kiki Iriafen, F, 6-3; Shakira Austin, C, 6-5

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • Alicia Flórez* | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 0 Shakira Austin | C, 6-5, 4 years
  • 3 Rori Harmon | G, 5-6, Rookie
  • 4 Alex Wilson | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 5 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs* | G/F, 6-1, Rookie
  • 6 Georgia Amoore | G, 5-6, Rookie
  • 12 Michaela Onyenwere | F, 6-0, 5 Years
  • 18 Cassandre Prosper | G, 6-3, Rookie
  • 22 Sonia Citron | G, 6-1, 1 year
  • 23 Cotie McMahon | G, 6-0, Rookie
  • 32 Angela Dugalić | F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 33 Lucy Olsen | G, 5-10, 1 year
  • 44 Kiki Iriafen | F, 6-3, 1 year
  • 51 Lauren Betts | C, 6-7, Rookie

*Developmental player

12. Toronto Tempo

• 2025 record: Expansion franchise

• Projected starting five: Julie Allemand, G, 5-10; Marina Mabrey, G, 6-1; Brittney Sykes, G/F, 5-11; Nyara Sabally, F, 6-5; Temi Fágbénlé, C, 6-5

• Most surprising cut: G Aaliyah Nye. She was drafted in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft by the Tempo on April 3.

• Roster

  • 1 Kiki Rice | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 2 Laura Juškaitė | G/F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 3 Marina Mabrey | G, 6-1, 7 years
  • 7 Teonni Key | F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 8 Nyara Sabally | F, 6-5, 3 years
  • 10 María Conde | G/F, 6-3, Rookie
  • 11 Kia Nurse | G, 6-0, 7 years
  • 12 Lexi Held | G, 5-9, 1 year
  • 14 Temi Fágbénlé | C, 6-5, 5 years
  • 20 Brittney Sykes | G/F, 5-11, 9 years
  • 21 Isabelle Harrison | F, 6-5, 8 years
  • 22 Julie Allemand | G, 5-10, 3 years
  • 34 Mariella Fasoula* | C, 6-4, Rookie

*Developmental player

13. Seattle Storm

• 2025 record: 23-21 (lost in the first round)

• Projected starting five: Natisha Hiedeman, G, 5-8; Lexie Brown, G, 5-9; Flau'jae Johnson, G, 5-10; Ezi Magbegor, F/C, 6-4; Dominique Malonga, C, 6-6

• Most surprising cut: G Taina Mair. Seattle waived Mair after drafting her No. 14 overall in the 2026 draft. She later returned on a developmental contract.

• Roster

  • 2 Natisha Hiedeman | G, 5-8, 7 years
  • 4 Flau'jae Johnson | G, 5-10, Rookie
  • 5 Jade Melbourne | G, 5-10, 3 years
  • 7 Zia Cooke | G, 5-9, 3 years
  • 8 Lexie Brown | G, 5-9, 8 years
  • 11 Awa Fam^ | C, 6-4, Rookie
  • 13 Ezi Magbegor | F/C, 6-4, 6 years
  • 14 Dominique Malonga | C, 6-6, 1 year
  • 22 Taina Mair* | G, 5-9, Rookie
  • 23 Jordan Horston | F, 6-2, 2 years
  • 31 Stefanie Dolson | C, 6-5, 12 years
  • 33 Katie Lou Samuelson | F, 6-3, 5 years
  • 40 Grace Vanslooten | F, 6-3, Rookie
  • 54 Mackenzie Holmes | F, 6-3, 1 year

*Developmental player^Contract suspended

14. Connecticut Sun

• 2025 record: (missed the playoffs)

• Projected starting five: Leila Lacan, G, 5-11; Saniya Rivers, G 6-1; 6-3; Brittney Griner, C, 6-9; Aneesah Morrow, F, 6-1; Kennedy Burke, G/F, 6-1

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 1 Diamond Miller | F, 6-3, 3 years
  • 2 Hailey Van Lith | G, 5-9, 1 year
  • 3 Ashlon Jackson* | G, 6-0, Rookie
  • 5 Gianna Kneepkens | G, 5-11, Rookie
  • 8 Aaliyah Edwards | F, 6-3, 2 years
  • 4 Charlisse Leger-Walker | G, 5-10, Rookie
  • 10 Olivia Nelson-Ododa | C, 6-5, 4 years
  • 11 Shey Peddy | G, 5-7, 6 years
  • 15 Raegan Beers | F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 22 Saniya Rivers | G, 6-1, 1 year
  • 24 Aneesah Morrow | F, 6-1, 1 year
  • 25 Kennedy Burke | G/F, 6-1, 6 years
  • 33 Nell Angloma^ | F, 6-1, Rookie
  • 42 Brittney Griner | C, 6-9, 12 years
  • 47 Leila Lacan^ | G, 5-11, 1 year

*Developmental player^Contract suspended

15. Portland Fire

• 2025 record: Expansion team

• **Projected starting five:**Nyadiew Puoch, F, 6-3; Carla Leite, G 5-9; Bridget Carleton, F, 6-2; Haley Jones G/F, 6-1; Luisa Geiselsöder, C 6-4

• Most surprising cut: N/A

• Roster

  • 0 Carla Leite | G, 5-9, 1 year
  • 1 Sug Sutton | G, 5-8, 4 years
  • 2 Jordan Harrison | G, 5-6, Rookie
  • 3 Sarah Ashlee Barker | G, 6-0, 1 year
  • 6 Bridget Carleton | F, 6-2, 7 years
  • 7 Teja Oblak^ | G, 5-8, Rookie
  • 8 Kamiah Smalls^ | G, 5-10, 3 years
  • 13 Nyadiew Puoch | F, 6-3, Rookie
  • 15 Luisa Geiselsöder | C, 6-4, 1 year
  • 17 Megan Gustafson | C, 6-4, 7 years
  • 20 Frieda Bühner | F, 6-1, Rookie
  • 21 Emily Engstler | F, 6-1, 4 years
  • 25 Serah Williams | C, 6-4, Rookie
  • 30 Haley Jones | G/F, 6-1, 3 years
  • 44 Karlie Samuelson | G, 6-0, 7 years

^Contract suspended

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Season-opening WNBA power rankings: Starting lineups, cuts and rosters