WNBA Power Rankings: Evaluating playoff landscape entering Olympic break

The Minnesota Lynx rank No. 1 in the WNBA in defensive rating, opponent field goal percentage, and opponent three-point field goal percentage. It's a pivotal reason Minnesota is regarded as a team that's perfectly suited for the postseason environment.

After jumping out to a 13-3 record, however, the Lynx have gone 4-5 over the past nine games—and it'd be difficult to rank a team in the midst of an extended below-.500 stretch higher than this.

A recent loss to the Indiana Fever called the order on these rankings into question a bit, but the disparity in overall record was too much to discount. Even with the recent woes, the Lynx have been one of the best teams in the WNBA this season.

The best defensive team in the league, Minnesota will look to Team USA star Napheesa Collier to help it get back on track after the Olympic break.

The Connecticut Sun are the No. 2 seed in the WNBA, making a No. 4 ranking tough to justify. The reality, however, is that the Sun have hit something of a wall since beginning the season at 13-1—while the teams in front of them have gained steam.

Connecticut has gone 5-5 over its past 10 games, falling to each of the three teams ahead of it in the power rankings and routinely struggling to overcome the No. 1 ranked squad.

Connecticut fell 85-74 to the Las Vegas Aces on June 21 and lost 72-61 against the Seattle Storm the next time out. It's since lost a 78-74 game to the Atlanta Deam and fallen twice against the New York Liberty, albeit while defeating the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.

Connecticut can easily climb back up this list, and remains one of the top contenders in the WNBA, but the recent woes can't be overlooked.