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

[ASFN Admin]

The 2026 WNBA season is officially here.

On Friday, the league opens its 30th season with more teams, more talent and perhaps more excitement than ever. As the action unfolds, there are several questions that will arise, including who will win it all. Will the Las Vegas Aces earn their fourth championship in five seasons? Can the New York Liberty or the Phoenix Mercury make it back to the WNBA Finals? Or will a new team add its name to the history books?

The answers to those questions remain a mystery, but the rosters for each team might provide some insight into who has the best chance to win a title. Here are USA TODAY'S power rankings with projected starters, most surprising cuts and final rosters:

1. Las Vegas Aces​

• 2025 record: 30-14 (WNBA Finals champions)
• Projected starting five: Chelsea Gray, G, 5-11; Jackie Young, G, 6-0; A'ja Wilson, C, 6-3; Stephanie Talbot, F, 6-2; NaLyssa Smith, F, 6-4
• Most surprising cut: N/A
• Roster
  • 0 Jackie Young | G, 6-0, 7 years
  • 1 Kierstan Bell | F, 6-1, 4 years
  • 2 Janiah Barker | F, 6-4, Rookie
  • 3 NaLyssa Smith | F, 6-4, 4 years
  • 7 Stephanie Talbot | F, 6-2, 7 years
  • 11 Dana Evans | G, 5-6, 5 years
  • 12 Chelsea Gray | G, 5-11, 11 years
  • 21 Brianna Turner | F/C, 6-3, 7 years
  • 22 A'ja Wilson | C, 6-3, 8 years
  • 23 Chennedy Carter | G, 5-9, 4 years
  • 24 Jewell Loyd | G, 5-11, 11 years
  • 32 Cheyenne Parker-Tyus | F, 6-4, 11 years

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

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