The WNBA is back, and the 2026 season is already delivering the kind of chaos that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Welcome to our revamped power rankings, where we're putting extra emphasis on the teams making moves—up or down. And trust us, after opening week, there's plenty of movement to track.
Let's start with the biggest shocker: the defending champion Las Vegas Aces suffered a brutal 33-point loss on their home court. That's not just a stumble—it's a warning sign. Meanwhile, last year's runners-up forgot how to play defense in the second half of a back-to-back, and two other 2025 semifinalists dropped heartbreakers at home. In fact, home teams went just 2-9 over the first three days of the season. It wasn't just the expansion squads struggling to protect their home floors.
Now, let's talk about the New York Liberty, who look like they're picking up right where they left off. Even if Breanna Stewart never finds her three-point stroke again, she's proving she's still an MVP-caliber force. In the season opener, Stewart played like she had something to prove, dominating Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow with relentless scoring and vicious blocks. She finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks—a statement game from a player who doesn't need vintage shooting to be unstoppable.
But Stewart wasn't the only star in New York's spotlight. When Jonquel Jones and Han Xu fouled out against the Washington Mystics, Stewart stepped up again, playing all of the fourth quarter and overtime to protect the rim and secure the win. It's that kind of versatility that makes the Liberty a nightmare matchup.
The Liberty also got an unexpected boost from Julie Vanloo, a name you might not recognize yet but should. With New York falling below 10 active players due to injuries, they signed Vanloo and Aubrey Griffin as hardship players. All Vanloo did was become the 16th player in WNBA history to post at least 12 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in a single game. Two years ago, she was a 31-year-old rookie who thought she'd found a home with the Washington Mystics. Instead, she was taken in the expansion draft, waived by the Golden State Valkyries after winning EuroBasket with Belgium, and then cut by the Los Angeles Sparks during training camp. Now, she's making headlines in New York.
As the season heats up, keep an eye on these power shifts—because if opening week is any indication, we're in for a wild ride.