What happened: The Golden State Valkyries rose to No. 3 in the latest weekly WNBA standings, lifted by a three-game winning streak. The Toronto Tempo climbed to No. 9, while the Minnesota Lynx remained No. 1 in the league.
Why it matters: Minnesota's hold on the top spot keeps the Lynx in pole position for home-court advantage as the season's midpoint passes. Golden State's jump into the top three signals a contender finding form at the right time, while the expansion Tempo's rise shows growth in their inaugural campaign.
By the numbers: Minnesota leads the WNBA at 18-4, outscoring opponents 89.0 to 78.1 per game behind the league's stingiest defense, and enters on a two-game win streak. The Lynx's biggest result of the year was a 111-77 rout at Phoenix on June 1. Golden State moves up on the back of three straight wins.
What to watch: Watch whether Golden State can extend its streak to keep climbing and whether Minnesota maintains separation at the top as the schedule tightens.