Grading WNBA teams’ first month of play

The first month of the 2026 WNBA season has already delivered plenty of surprises. New teams and players have proven they have a place in the league, long-standing contenders have either surpassed or fallen way short of expectations, and a handful of teams are still searching for consistency.

While there is still a long way to go before playoff positions are finalized, the opening weeks have provided a strong early snapshot of which teams are thriving and which ones need adjustments. With roughly a month of games in the books, here are report-card grades for all 15 WNBA teams.

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Minnesota Lynx: A+

At 8-2, Minnesota owns the league’s best record despite dealing with significant roster turnover in the offseason and missing Napheesa Collier to start the campaign. Rookie Olivia Miles has looked comfortable running the offense, while Natasha Howard has stepped into a starring role. The Lynx have exceeded expectations and look like the early championship favorite.

Atlanta Dream: A

The Dream have become one of the W’s most balanced teams. Allisha Gray has been an elite scorer, Rhyne Howard remains a two-way force, Angel Reese adds an intimidating paint presence, and Atlanta’s 6-3 start reflects a team capable of competing with anyone on a given night.

Las Vegas Aces: A-

A’ja Wilson is once again playing at an MVP level, leading the Aces back to form from their opening-game defeat. A 6-3 record is strong, but the Aces have s far looked less dominant than their championship versions. Their ceiling remains as high as any team’s, though.

Dallas Wings: A-

The Paige Bueckers-Azzi Fudd era could not have started anybetter. Dallas sits at 6-3 and has shown offensive explosiveness while winning three straight games. The Wings appear ahead of schedule as a legitimate contender.

Golden State Valkyries: A

The Valkyries’ 6-4 record is one of the season’s biggest success stories. Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton have provided leadership, and the Valkyries look like a playoff-caliber team once again.

Portland Fire: B+

A true expansion success story in the making, Portland sits above .500 and has received major contributions from Bridget Carleton, Carla Leite, and Sarah Ashlee Barker. For a first-year franchise, the Fire have been remarkably competitive.

Toronto Tempo: B-

At 5-5, Toronto has been putting up respectable results for an expansion club. Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes have been outstanding offensively, and the Tempo have shown enough promise to believe they can challenge for a postseason spot.

Washington Mystics: B-

Washington’s 4-4 record reflects a team that may be inexperienced but competes hard every night. The Mystics have not generated much national attention, but they remain very much alive in the playoff race.

New York Liberty: C+

As one of the WNBA’s “superteams,” the Liberty have been anything but spectacular so far. At 6-4, New York remains in the playoff race, but inconsistency and injuries have kept the Liberty from separating themselves from the pack. However, there’s little reason to worry long term since there’s plenty of time remaining for them to find their rhythm.

Indiana Fever: C

A 5-4 record feels about right based on the Fever’s struggle to get there. Caitlin Clark continues to drive one of the W’s most entertaining offenses, but Indiana has not yet found consistent defensive answers. The Fever are currently hanging on to their playoff spot by a thread but look to be turning things around.

Los Angeles Sparks: C

The Sparks have shown flashes of talent but remain inconsistent, and defensive lapses have kept them from sustaining their momentum. A slightly sub-.500 record isn’t a death sentence for the Sparks’ season, but it is disappointing given their stacked roster.

Chicago Sky: D+

Rickea Jackson’s injury has truly hurt Chicago, but a 3-6 start still falls below expectations. Skylar Diggins has provided veteran stability, but the Sky have struggled to build continuity and close out games.

Seattle Storm: D

A 3-8 record speaks for itself. The Storm have easily been one of the 2026 WNBA season’s biggest disappointments so far, even with injuries to Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga factored in. Seattle has the talent, but it has not translated it into chemistry or victories, and the margin for error is starting to shrink.

Phoenix Mercury: D-

Phoenix has surprisingly not found its identity yet this campaign. After making the WNBA Finals just under a year ago, the Mercury are near the bottom of the standings and have struggled on both ends of the floor. A playoff push is still possible, but improvement must come quickly.

Connecticut Sun: F

The Sun own the W’s worst record and have endured a difficult transition period as they prepare for relocation. Rebuilding years happen, but Connecticut has looked overmatched too often during the opening month.

Of course, grades in early June are far from final. The WNBA season is long enough for teams to dramatically change their fortunes, whether through improved chemistry, returning players from injury, or midseason adjustments. Still, the first month has revealed clear trends across the league.

The Lynx and Dream have emerged as the early standard-bearers, expansion teams like the Tempo and Fire have exceeded expectations, and several new contenders like the Wings have put themselves in the position to make a deep postseason run. Meanwhile, teams near the bottom of the standings still have time to reverse course, but the urgency is beginning to build. As the 30th WNBA season moves deeper into the summer, these early grades will either be validated or completely rewritten.

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