WNBA Power Rankings – Los Angeles Sparks up, New York Liberty down and Chicago Sky still No. 1

Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike turned 32 on Saturday, but the way she has played during the 2022 WNBA season, she has looked more like she’s 26 again. That was her age in 2016 when she won the MVP award. Ogwumike has led the Sparks into the top six in this week’s ESPN WNBA Power Rankings.

The Sparks have had their issues, including coach/general manager Derek Fisher being let go in early June and a brutally road-heavy early schedule. But they are 4-2 since June 21, their only losses to the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces, who are 1 and 2 in the standings. On Friday, Los Angeles — one of three “original eight” teams that is still in the city where it started in 1997, along with the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty — became the first WNBA franchise to win 500 games.

The Sparks have had moments the past two weeks when they’ve reminded everyone to keep an eye on them. Sunday, for instance, the post trio of Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike and Liz Cambage combined for 50 points on 70.4% shooting and 24 rebounds in an 84-74 victory over New York.

Los Angeles plays twice more before Sunday’s All-Star Game, including Monday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) against Phoenix. When the Sparks’ inside game performs the way it did this past weekend against New York and Dallas, Los Angeles is tough to stop.

“Our frontcourt, we just take the game very seriously,” Chiney Ogwumike said after a double-double Sunday, her second of this season. “Our goal is to play well with each other no matter who is out there.”

The Ogwumike sisters, of course, have played together since childhood. Adding Cambage into the mix this season is another twist, but one they have gladly embraced. Cambage’s two double-doubles last week were the first time she had a double-double since…