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WNBA Quarter-Season Grades: Lynx, Olivia Miles Shine as Fever Struggle, Sparks Fade Out

With every team having played at least 10 games, we assess who's excelling and who's faltering in the WNBA this quarter-season.

CBS Sports·Jun 10, 2026·via CBS Sports

WNBA Quarter-Season Grades: Lynx, Olivia Miles Shine as Fever Struggle, Sparks Fade Out

Not too long ago, we weren't sure if the 2026 WNBA season would start on time, or even happen at all. Now, in the blink of an eye, a quarter of the season is gone. Every team has played at least 10 games, which means we have enough evidence to zoom out and take stock of the league.

As expected, the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces have gotten off to a strong start, but they sit in second place behind the surprising Minnesota Lynx , powered by rookie sensation Olivia Miles . Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury , who lost to the Aces in the Finals, sit near the bottom of the standings after a confusing offseason.

But what about everyone else? Which teams have impressed? Which teams have disappointed? Who are the early title contenders, and who has work to do? Let's take a closer look at quarter-season grades for all 15 teams.

Atlanta Dream: A-

- Record: 8-3 - The basics: 7th in offense, 2nd in defense, 2nd in net rating (+8.3) - Reason for optimism: Reese has enhanced their strengths - Reason for pessimism: They're 5-0 vs. teams with a losing record and 3-3 vs. teams with a .500+ record

The Dream set a franchise record with 30 wins last season, but crashed out of the playoffs in the first round, which left them with a crucial decision to make in the offseason: run it back or make some big changes? In the end, they did both. The entire core, including Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard , returned in free agency, and they traded two future first-round picks for Angel Reese in a blockbuster deal to create one of the most talented starting fives in the league.

Despite being without All-Star forward Brionna Jones all season due to a knee injury, the Dream are on pace to set a new franchise wins record. Reese has only enhanced their strengths. They're first in offensive rebounding rate (38.4%), fifth in free-throw attempts per game (23) and second in defensive rating (100). But she was never going to fix their shaky shotmaking, and they're 11th in the league in 3-point percentage (32.4%). No matter how many games they win in the regular season, there will always be some concerns about this group come playoff time because of their middling offense.

Chicago Sky: D

- Record: 4-8 - The basics: 13th in offense, 6th in defense, 13th in net rating (-6.4) - Reason for optimism: The Mystics are bad enough that they might not have to swap their 2027 first-round pick - Reason for pessimism: They have been a complete disaster since Jackson's injury

Through a series of trades -- including sending Reese to the Dream in a deal that was widely panned -- free-agent signings and the draft, embattled Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca completely overhauled the team's roster this offseason in a desperate attempt to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. He faced plenty of criticism for short-term thinking, but there was no doubt that he had built a much more talented roster than last season, when the Sky tied a league record with 34 losses.

When they got off to a 3-1 start, it seemed that perhaps his plan had some merit. Then, leading scorer Rickea Jackson tore her ACL and everything collapsed. The offense is a complete disaster without Jackson, and they're 1-7 with a -12.6 net rating since her injury.

To make matters worse, free-agent signing Skylar Diggins , who has not been at her best, recently ripped the team for having a " loser mentality ." About the only good news for the Sky so far is that the Mystics are bad enough that the 2027 first-round pick swap they owe them might not matter.

Connecticut Sun: C-

- Record: 2-11 - The basics: 15th in offense, 14th in defense, 15th in net rating (-15.1) - Reason for optimism: Lacan's return has made them much more competitive - Reason for pessimism: This is a sad way to go out in their final season in Uncasville

The Sun signed Brittney Griner in free agency and added Nell Angloma (No. 12), Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15) and Charlisse Leger-Walker (No. 18) in the draft, but their most important offseason work was unrelated to the roster. In March, news broke that the franchise had been sold to Tilman Fertitta for a record price of $300 million and would move to Houston in 2027 to become the Comets. While a sale has been on the cards for some time, there was understandable consternation in Connecticut and New England about the team leaving the region after more than two decades, not to mention how the process went down.

On the court, the team's final season in Uncasville has gotten off to an ugly start, even for a team that was expected to be in the lottery. The cadre of rookies hasn't shown much in limited action, and aside from Aneesah Morrow , who is one of three players in the league averaging a double-double (12.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game), there has been a concerning lack of growth. They have been much more competitive since Leïla Lacan returned from France after missing the first nine games, even though she herself hasn't been at her best.

Dallas Wings: A-

- Record: 7-4 - The basics: 3rd in offense, 9th in defense, 6th in net rating (+4.8) - Reason for optimism: They have one of the best offenses in the league - Reason for pessimism: Smith has been unplayable

After a 10-34 campaign, which tied the single-season loss record, the Wings knew they needed to make some big changes. Out went coach Chris Koclanes and in came Jose Fernandez, they signed 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to big contracts in free agency and drafted Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick. All of those moves, as well as re-signing Arike Ogunbowale , signaled that the Wings wanted to jump right back into the playoff mix rather than building slowly around 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers .

They've certainly done that. Fudd isn't putting up typical No. 1 pick numbers -- 11.4 points, 1.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game -- but the shooting threat she provides opens up so much for their offense. Notably, they were 12th in the league in 3-point percentage last season (30.4%) and are fourth this season (35%). Her presence, combined with excellent frontcourt playmaking from Shepard, who has turned out to be an incredible signing, has helped the Wings build one of the league's best offenses. There are still concerns about the defense, in part because Smith has been a complete disaster, but the Wings are clearly a playoff-caliber team.

Golden State Valkyries: B+

- Record: 7-5 - The basics: 2nd in offense, 5th in defense, 3rd in net rating (+6.4) - Reason for optimism: They've been the best 3-point shooting team in the league - Reason for pessimism: They've been the best 3-point shooting team in the league

The Valkyries made history in 2025 as the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, so their rather uneventful offseason was a surprise. Signing Gabby Williams in free agency was a great addition, but their only other notable move was punting on the draft with a bizarre trade that saw them give up Flau'jae Johnson (No. 8 pick) for two second-round selections, including Marta Suarez (No. 16), who was later waived. Thus far, though, their belief in last season's core and their ability to make internal improvements has been rewarded.

The biggest jump has been their offense, particularly their 3-point shooting. They've gone from 11th last season (32.5%) to tied for first this season (37.9%) while once again putting up the most 3s in the league (31.9 per game). But as exciting as their outside shooting has been, is it sustainable? If so, they can easily be a top-four seed with their defense. If not, they could have real problems. They're 13th in restricted area attempts per game (16.1), last in points in the paint per game (30) and 11th in free-throw rate (0.293).

Indiana Fever: C

- Record: 6-5 - The basics: 9th in offense, 4th in defense, 7th in net rating (+4.8) - Reason for optimism: Clark won't keep shooting this poorly, right? - Reason for pessimism: Will the outside noise become overwhelming?

The Fever were five minutes away from the Finals in 2025 despite losing five players, including Caitlin Clark , to season-ending injuries. But even though they re-signed Kelsey Mitchell to keep their Big Three intact and Clark is (mostly) healthy now, they've been unable to recapture the magic from that playoff run. Instead of establishing themselves as a title contender, Clark and the Fever have spent the first quarter of the season putting out fires and fighting just to stay above .500.

Clark, who hit the first game-winner of her career in their most recent outing, has come under significant fire in recent weeks for poor shooting, lackluster defense and her attitude. She's still putting up big numbers and leads the league in assists (7.9 per game), but is shooting just 38.3% from the field. As her heroics in D.C. showed, much of the noise about her and the team would die down if she were making shots. But some of their issues go beyond Clark. The offense isn't clicking despite a lot of top-tier talent, and a lack of production from their free-agent additions Monique Billings , Myisha Hines-Allen and Tyasha Harris has raised questions about the roster construction.

Las Vegas Aces: A-

- Record: 8-3 - The basics: 4th in offense, 8th in defense, 5th in net rating (+5.6) - Reason for optimism: Carter has given them the reliable third scorer they needed - Reason for pessimism: No team forces fewer turnovers (15.1% opp. turnover rate)

The Aces' 2025 season was a roller coaster, but they won their third title in four years, so it was hard to fault them for largely running it back. The one notable addition they made was former lottery pick Chennedy Carter , one of the most talented scorers alive who had gone unsigned in two of the last three seasons due to questions about her conduct. While Carter has missed the last few games due to a leg injury, she's been better than the Aces could have hoped when healthy, and has provided the reliable tertiary scoring the team desperately needed behind A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young .

As for Wilson, she has once again been incredible. She's leading the league in scoring (25.9 points per game) and blocks (2.4) and is tied for fourth in rebounding (9.6). Already this season, she's passed Becky Hammon for the Aces' franchise scoring record and Diana Taurasi for the most 40-point games in league history (five). The Aces' defense has been shaky at times, but as long as Wilson stays healthy, they'll have a chance to go back-to-back.

Los Angeles Sparks: D+

- Record: 5-6 - The basics: 6th in offense, 15th in defense, 9th in net rating (-3.1) - Reason for optimism: Plum is having the best season of her career - Reason for pessimism: The defense is still a disaster

The Sparks haven't made the playoffs since 2020, which is not only the longest postseason drought in franchise history, but the longest active one in the league. In an effort to end it, they went all-in this offseason. They re-signed Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby , brought back franchise icon Nneka Ogwumike after her sojourn in Seattle and traded Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins . There were a lot of questions about the Sparks' strategy, but everyone assumed they would at least make the playoffs.

Instead, they sit in 10th place a quarter of the way through the season, have the worst defense in the league and only have one win against a top-four team -– and that required a 38-point outing from Plum and a scoreless outing from Jackie Young on the other end. Plum, who is second in the league in scoring (25.5 points per game), is having the best season of her career, but it hasn't mattered much, in part because she's missed three games. Their bench being non-existent (16.5 points per game, 14th in the league) has not helped matters.