The Summitt WNBA Power Rankings, May 31 edition

3. Los Angeles Sparks

Putting the defending champs third? What are we thinking? Well, it’s more about what’s happened so far than what we expect going forward. The Sparks, specifically, are eleventh in the league so far in defensive efficiency. Really? A Brian Agler team? An Alana Beard team? That can’t last. As Agler told Howard Megdal Tuesday night, “That will change.” And Beard’s ridiculous strip of Bria Hartley served notice and helped turn the game in New York. So yes, we’re not dismissing the Sparks, not by a long shot.