The Minnesota Lynx hold the best record in the WNBA at 25-6 as the league enters August, leading the Western Conference by five games from the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in a season that has added two expansion franchises.
The Lynx have a winning percentage of .806, the only mark above .700 in the league. Las Vegas are 20-9 and the Golden State Valkyries 19-9.
How do the conferences compare?
The Western Conference is sharply divided. Its top four teams are all at least eight games above .500, while the bottom four are all below .400. The Seattle Storm, at 6-25, hold the worst record in the league.
| Conference | Leader | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Minnesota Lynx | 25-6 |
| Western | Las Vegas Aces | 20-9 |
| Western | Golden State Valkyries | 19-9 |
| Eastern | Atlanta Dream | 18-10 |
| Eastern | Indiana Fever | 19-11 |
| Eastern | New York Liberty | 17-13 |
The Eastern Conference is tighter and lower scoring in the standings. Indiana lead on 19-11, with Atlanta close behind at 18-10 on a marginally better winning percentage. Washington are 16-12 and New York 17-13. The Connecticut Sun sit last at 7-23.
Who leads the WNBA in August 2026?
As of early August 2026, the Minnesota Lynx hold the best record in the WNBA at 25-6, a winning percentage of .806, leading the Western Conference. The defending champion Las Vegas Aces are second in the West at 20-9, followed by the Golden State Valkyries at 19-9 and the Dallas Wings at 19-11. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Fever lead at 19-11 ahead of the Atlanta Dream at 18-10. The 2026 season is the first for two expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, which are 10-18 and 11-19 respectively. Toronto is the first WNBA team based outside the United States. Regular season play continues to 30 August before a break for the FIBA World Cup, with the final stretch running from 17 to 24 September.
How are the expansion teams faring?
The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire entered the league this season, filling their rosters through an expansion draft held on 3 April. Toronto, awarded a franchise in May 2024, is the first WNBA team based outside the United States. Portland, awarded a team that September, revives a name last used in the league between 2000 and 2002.
Toronto are 10-18 and Portland 11-19, both outside the playoff places but ahead of Connecticut and Seattle. Expansion sides have historically taken several seasons to reach the postseason, and neither roster was built from a full draft class in its first year.
What shaped the first half?
ESPN placed Minnesota first in its power rankings after the All-Star break, noting the return of forward Napheesa Collier on 22 July following ankle surgery in March. She recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds in her first appearance of the season.
Golden State have the league’s strongest defence, conceding 76.4 points per game. Minnesota lost in the semi-finals last season, with Las Vegas going on to take the title.
The regular season runs to 30 August, followed by a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in Germany from 4 to 13 September. Play resumes from 17 to 24 September.
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Sources for this report
The Redline News Desk
The Redline News desk files and edits world reporting. Every story carries the sources it was built from, and corrections are published on the story itself.
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