As the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend nears, several teams will be satisfied with where they stand at the break, while others will be disappointed with how they are trending.
Let’s break down the top risers and fallers ahead of the All-Star break.
WNBA Teams on the Rise
Indiana Fever
2025 Record: (12-11, 3rd in conference, 6th overall)
Last 10 Games: 6-4
The Indiana Fever went on a three-game winning streak this week, which ended against the New York Liberty on Wednesday. Even so, that shouldn’t take away any momentum. Finding themselves back in the win column after two consecutive losses to the Sparks and Valkyries, Indiana stands at 12-11. Mind you, Caitlin Clark has missed 11 games this season due to multiple groin and quad injuries. While it’s been a tumultuous season for Indiana, they’ve been hampered by injuries, all while creating team chemistry under a new head coach and revamped roster. Currently, the Fever look like they are finding at least some sort of identity.
Players like Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Natasha Howard have been the main reasons behind the Fever’s victories. Opponents are used to scouting Caitlin Clark, but the Fever have built a team that has multiple stars to capture tough victories. In each win, the Fever scored above their average of 84.5 points and shot 46.1 percent or higher from the field over their recent winning streak.
Although their biggest star has missed a significant amount of games, the Fever have managed to win without Clark on the floor. The three-game win streak put Indiana over .500, and if the season were to end today, Indiana would hold the sixth seed.
A Day in Indy 🎨#NowYouKnow pic.twitter.com/j0nTPUYBPB
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 14, 2025
Phoenix Mercury
2025 Record: (15-7, 2nd conference, 3rd overall).
Last 10 Games: 7-3
The Phoenix Mercury dropped their last game to the Minnesota Lynx, 79-66; however, let’s not forget they were without top stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper against the best team in the WNBA. The Mercury head into All-Star Weekend with a 7-3 record over their past 10 games and hold the third seed behind the Lynx and Liberty. With a healthy Alyssa Thomas and the signing of DeWanna Bonner, it’s been next player up mentality for the Mercury
The Mercury are a steady team, who’s embracing the ‘positionless’ basketball scheme under head coach Nate Tibbetts. At one point, Phoenix cruised to a six-game win streak, and they are still rising as the league heads into All-Star weekend.
The Mercury are a top team in the league, and a loss to the Lynx shouldn’t sway their momentum right now. Consistency is key, and there’s no reason to doubt them, especially since they are dealing with injuries. Without their core stars on a nightly basis, the rookies and role players have been essential. In fact, the Mercury rank second behind the Valkyries in bench points per game with 25.7.
If anything, the All-Star break benefits them even more by giving their players additional rest. Recently, Satou Sabally announced she will forgo all All-Star activities this weekend.
Chasing greatness together.
The Mercury’s second-best start ever. pic.twitter.com/1l1IVofvwZ
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 16, 2025
Los Angeles Sparks
2025 Record: (8-14, 6th conference, 10th overall)
Last 10 Games: 4-6
The Los Angeles Sparks are starting to pick up steam heading into All-Star weekend. The Sparks are currently on a two-game winning streak, which includes a massive 99-80 victory over the gritty Washington Mystics on Tuesday. Although they hold a 4-6 record over their last 10 games, it’s important to remember the Sparks are in rebuild mode under new head coach Lynne Roberts.
On their first winning steak of this season, this could be the momentum the Sparks need to win consistently. In two of the last three games, the Sparks have shot over 50 percent from the field and exceeded their average of 34.7 percent from beyond the arc. Most of their success has come from consistent, dominant performances by their core four—Dearica Hamby, Azurà Stevens, Rickea Jackson, and Kelsey Plum. While this season has been a bit of a down year for Jackson in a new system, she’s averaged 20.5 points over the last two games.
Trending upward, the Sparks are just two games behind the Golden State Valkyries, and if this streak continues, we could very well see the Sparks enter playoff conversations. Building consistency, the playoff push will be interesting as the Valkyries, Fever, Aces, and Mystics all vie for playoff spots. Add Los Angeles in the mix and we could be in for a fun second half to the season.
Now that’s a way to end the first half of the season. 🔥
Highlights from last night’s WIN over the Mystics. pic.twitter.com/oTt1ZUAcDc
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 16, 2025
WNBA Teams on the Decline
Atlanta Dream
2025 Record: (13-9, 2nd conference, 5th overall)
Last 10 Games: 5-5
The Atlanta Dream didn’t expect to find themselves in a two game losing skid before All-Star break—however they managed to snap it with a dominant 86-49 victory against the Chicago Sky On Wednesday. With a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, Atlanta took crucial losses to the Fever and Liberty. While looking at box scores alone, the amount of close games the Dream have been in shows they are right there, they just can’t capitalize. Now, star Rhyne Howard will miss the rest of July with a knee injury.
Very good win for Atlanta today.
Asked Dream coach Karl Smesko his one word to describe his team heading into the All-Star break.
Smesko, jokingly: “Depends on what day you ask me for the word.”
Followed up with: “It’s been a little uneven.”
🧵(1/2)
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) July 16, 2025
Head Coach Karl Smesko acknowledged the Dream’s inconsistencies throughout the season.
“The challenge for us is to get to the highest level more often and for an extended period of time,” said Smesko—”Which just confirms that the Atlanta Dream can be inconsistent at times. The Dream’s offense can be inconsistent as the two losses they had in the past week they scored less than their average of 83.8 points. This is an Atlanta team that started off strong to begin the season, but they have fallen into the trap of being on a small winning streak, then losing games. There has been no consistent balance just yet, and it continues to be that way heading into the All-Star weekend.”
Golden State Valkyries
2025 Record: (10-12, 5th conference, 9th overall)
Last 10 Games: 4-6
The Golden State Valkyries are just slipping and are currently on a three-game losing streak. Holding a 4-6 record over their last 10 games, this is a Valkyries squad that went on an impressive 7-2 run in June.
Lately, the Valkyries have been in two close games, but ultimately suffered a heart breaker against the Phoenix Mercury and a tough uphill battle against the Las Vegas Aces. This isn’t the ideal situation for Golden State; however when a team averages 30.4 3-point attempts per game but only makes 31.1 percent on average, it will be tough to win games.
The Valkyries are a gritty team that will always stay in a game; however they raised expectations from fans when they started winning against heavy hitting teams. With these recent losses , should we be worried about the Valkyries? After all, this is an expansion team making it’s inaugural WNBA season debut. All things considered (injuries, Eurobasket), head coach Natalie Nakase is in the Coach of the Year conversations.
We often see every team’s identity start to form after the All-Star break, as it signifies the second half of the season is underway. Right now, the Valkyries will enter the back half of their season on a down note. Will they be able to regain momentum?
Dallas Wings
2025 Record: (6-17, 7th conference, 12th overall)
Last 10 Games: 4-6
The Dallas Wings are back to square one again this season. Even though rookie Paige Bueckers is producing at a high level, the Wings find themselves in a four game losing streak right before the All-Star weekend. Although the Wings did manage to go 4-6 in their last 10 games, the defense has been dreadful. Ranked No. 11 in defensive rating (107.7), opponents have scored an average of 102 against Dallas over the last four games.
With a 6-17 regular season record, this current losing follows an impressive 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, during which the Wings were riding a three-game winning streak.
It’s quite clear that the Wings still lack an identity heading into the All-Star Weekend, which highlights inconsistent on all sides of the court.
Led by former UConn standout Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft is averaging 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Like several other teams in the league, the Wings have been hit with significant injuries to stars Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington.
Many wonder if the Wings should have just waited for bring Ogunbowale back until after the break. Right now, the Wings have leaned heavily on their rookies to lead them and they have been showing progress from each game. While progress is great, it’s not translating into enough victories. Plus, the team has dealt with several moving parts, including hardship contracts, signings, and trades—such as Li Yueru, NaLyssa Smith, and Hayley Jones.
Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding Dallas, as they are not playoff contenders unless they start gaining momentum and synergy. With a revamped roster, a new GM in Curt Miller, and a new head coach in Chris Koclanes, it’s clear this complete rebuild will take time.
