For the past several years, the WNBA's big three have been the Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty.
Entering August, most experts are predicting one of them to win the championship, and they would have been right the last four seasons.
The Aces have won three of the last four, including the 2023 title over the Liberty, while New York defeated the Lynx in 2024.
Even though the first-place Lynx (25-6) and second-place Aces (21-9) are distanced from the seventh-place Liberty (19-13), they're the top three choices at DraftKings to hoist this year's championship trophy.
The Lynx, who are currently riding a 10-game win streak, are favored to win it at -105, while the defending-champion Aces are sitting second at +450. The Liberty and Golden State Valkyries are both tied as the third choice at +950.
Here are three legitimate contenders who could very easily be the last team standing alongside commissioner Cathy Engelbert when she's presenting the trophy.
The official #WNBA standings through 8/6.
Who can make a playoff push? Will the Lynx finish No. 1? pic.twitter.com/PiSxqWFlZx
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Golden State Valkyries (+950)
The Valkyries deserve to have their name mentioned in the conversation, considering they have the No. 1 defense in the league. Golden State (21-9) is the only team limiting its opposition to less than 80 points per game, as it's allowing 77.1 PPG on a league-low .427 shooting percentage.
The second-year franchise does an excellent job of forcing turnovers, contesting nearly every shot, rebounding collectively and converting defensive stops into baskets. The Valks rank fourth in the WNBA with 16.5 points off turnovers. And while many teams tend to rely on star power, Golden State has built its success on more than defense, with intangibles such as depth, chemistry and disciplined basketball.
The Valks have been able to attack opponents with waves of contributors, as no player is averaging 15 points and nine players are contributing between 5.0 and 14.7 PPG. Meanwhile, Gabby Williams has been mentioned as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and Janelle Salaün is someone to watch as a Sixth Player of the Year candidate.
As most expansion teams spend years rebuilding, the Valkyries have accelerated the process by prioritizing versatile defenders, high-IQ veterans, international talent and players willing to sacrifice individual numbers for winning. Last season's continuity, paired with smart roster additions, has allowed the franchise to leap into title contention.
Atlanta Dream (+1000)
Under the careful watch of coach Karl Smesko, the Dream (19-11) are a legitimate championship threat because they can beat opponents in multiple ways. Whether it's with star power, rebounding, perimeter shooting, or suffocating defense, Atlanta has the versatility to match up with virtually anyone in the league.
Allisha Gray leads the team with 18.8 PPG, with Rhyne Howard (17.0) and Angel Reese (16.1) close behind. Reese is one of two players in the league averaging a double-double this season, as she's also grabbing 11.7 rebounds per contest. The three-time WNBA All-Star makes it difficult to defend because she frequently draws double teams, leaving Howard or Gray open on the perimeter, where both can get hot very easily and take over games.
But it goes beyond their big three, as the Dream have seasoned veteran and defensive specialist Jordin Canada, who is contributing with 11.1 points, 7.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Canada also brings championship experience to the lineup after winning two titles in Seattle. Naz Hillmon rounds out the starting five with 9.2 points per game, while Madina Okot and Isobel Borlase have consistently contributed meaningful minutes off the bench, allowing the starters to stay fresh late in games.
Atlanta's reserves are shooting the league's fifth-highest .449 from the floor. Eight of Atlanta's final 14 games are against teams that wouldn't make the postseason right now, which gives them a favorable schedule the rest of the way and a chance to earn the homecourt edge in at least the first round.
Indiana Fever (+1100)
The Fever (19-11) have the same record as Atlanta, but the tiebreaker has them in fifth place. The bottom line here is the combination of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark makes Indiana a legitimate threat to win this year's championship. The dynamic duo has been on a rampage the last six games, combining to average 57 points per game.
For the season, Mitchell leads all guards with 24.0 PPG, while Clark is sitting in third with 21.5 PPG. Clark's pace, transition passing, and ability to create open looks have turned Indiana into an offensive juggernaut capable of overwhelming opponents with scoring bursts. The Fever, who lead the league with 96.5 PPG, play with the fastest tempo in the WNBA, boasting the league's highest offensive rating (115.6).
And while the dangerous scoring tandem tends to play with the flash and pizazz that steals headlines, Aliyah Boston has turned in the blue-collar work to become one of the league's best two-way centers. Boston is the perfect centerpiece who gives Indiana exactly what championship teams need in the middle, anchoring the defense, protecting the rim, rebounding at a high level and scoring efficiently in the paint.
Much of the roster from last year's team that took the Aces to a fifth and decisive game in the semifinal round is still intact, with the talent, experience and depth to compete with anyone in a playoff series.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at Ballislife.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.
