1. Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx won their last seven games to head into the All-Star break at a WNBA-best 22-6. The Lynx are certainly the best team in the W and have dominated the Western Conference, with their only conference setback coming against Las Vegas by three points. They are one of two teams ranked in the top five in offensive (third) and defensive rating (second). Plus, their +8.7 scoring margin is almost three points better than everyone else. Five of their six losses are against teams with a .500 record.
Minnesota has accomplished all this without star Napheesa Collier. Collier made her debut on Wednesday, producing a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double in the Lynx’s win over the Seattle Storm. Collier now anchors the Lynx defense and frontcourt along with all-star Natasha Howard. The Lynx have held their opponents to 75 points or less 11 times and are holding opponents to a league-low 42.1% from the field.
Without Collier, the Lynx three-headed backcourt has led the way. Kayla McBride has been balling out recently, averaging 25.2 points and four three-pointers while shooting 53.2% from the field and 49.3% from the 3-point line in July. Rookie Olivia Miles has been outstanding, leading the Lynx for the season with 19.3 points and 5.9 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field. Courtney Williams is having her best season since 2022, averaging 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists with shooting splits of 46.1/38.0/85.7.
Minnesota Miles popped off in Chicago 🦾
Olivia Miles logged 11 PTS, 12 REB & 8 AST to become the third rookie in WNBA History to record a double-double in an All-Star game! She joined Angel Reese (2024) and Kiki Iriafen (2025).#WNBAAllStar2026 | @ATT pic.twitter.com/crmIoTgyUm
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 27, 2026
Collier’s return remedies many of the Lynx’s potential issues, specifically related to depth. The Lynx now can go 9 or 10 deep. But one concern is that Miles may hit a wall, as she has been playing basketball almost straight through since last November. So, their biggest need at the trade deadline is to acquire a veteran guard who can defend on the perimeter and either bring shooting or secondary playmaking gravity.
While the Lynx are second in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.9%, they are seventh in three-pointers made (8.5) and 13th in 3-point attempts (22.5). Defensively, the Lynx are allowing the most three-point attempts (27.8) and the fifth-most 3-pointers (8.9).
2. Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas is looking for its eighth straight top-3 regular season finish. The Aces are elite offensively, led by perennial MVP candidate and 4-time regular season MVP A’ja Wilson, though they are vulnerable defensively against the league’s top offenses. The Aces, who have reached the 100-point mark nine times (9-0), are third in the W in scoring and efficiency. However, they are 0-3 when their opponents top the 100 mark and 8-7 against teams with a .500 record.
Vegas is well-balanced and very deep with eight players averaging at least five points a game, including four in double-figures. The Aces are an excellent shooting team, leading the league in field goal percentage at 49% and fourth in 3-point percentage (35.5%). The Aces don’t get to the free throw line much and are only an average rebounding squad.
Defensively, the Aces are average at best, though they are fantastic at protecting the rim. However, the Aces don’t force many turnovers and struggled guarding the 3-point line, allowing nine triples at 35.1%.
The good news is that Vegas is getting healthy at the right time. Dana Evans, who was a valuable member of the Aces bench last season, made her season debut on July 12. Kierstan Bell has been sidelined with a leg injury the past two weeks, though she is expected to return this week.
The Aces ‘ biggest need is a bench stabilizer. They need someone who can score points in bunches, like Chennady Carter, in limited minutes.
