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If ESPN’s preseason rankings are determined a fair amount by educated guesswork, the Week 1 WNBA Power Rankings are based on a very small sample size. Still, getting off to a strong start is a good sign, and three teams are 2-0 after the WNBA’s 2022 opening weekend. For the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics, that’s especially heartening after both missed the playoffs last season. For the Las Vegas Aces, who had the second-best record in 2021 but were upset in the semifinals, it’s a signal that things are clicking under new coach Becky Hammon.
The Sparks, because of expected NBA playoff games at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles that aren’t actually happening, have 10 of their first 14 games away from home. Travel is not a favorite topic in the WNBA, but time on the road can serve as a bonding experience. After the Sparks’ opening wins at Chicago and Indiana, that’s a good way for them to look at the time away from L.A.
“I’m having a lot of fun with the girls; we’re growing and learning on the road right now,” said center Liz Cambage, in her first season with the Sparks. “It’s not easy. We’re taking the positive out of it. I love this group so much. I love working with them.”
As usual for early-season games in the WNBA, there are some important players out because they’re still playing overseas or haven’t returned yet. Despite that, there were some entertaining opening-weekend battles and some big names such as Elena Delle Donne and Angel McCoughtry, who missed most or all of last year due to injuries, back in action.
Here are the Week 1 Power Rankings as the season gets underway.
Previous rankings: Preseason
1. Las Vegas Aces
Record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 5
Hammon said after the opener she might need to get on the Aces about their defense, but…
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Source : espn
