A Look Back at Last Year's WNBA Standings and Final Rankings

I still remember opening my laptop last October, scrolling through the final WNBA standings with that familiar mix of professional curiosity and genuine excitement. The 2023 season had been one for the books, with the Las Vegas Aces finishing 34-6 and the New York Liberty close behind at 32-8 before their eventual championship showdown. What struck me most wasn't just the numbers themselves—though as someone who's tracked women's basketball for over a decade, I always appreciate clean statistics—but the human stories behind those rankings. Having covered the league since Diana Taurasi's rookie year, I've learned that standings only tell half the story. The real magic happens in the spaces between the wins and losses, in those moments of connection that fuel championship teams.

I was reminded of this recently when I came across a quote from a player discussing team chemistry. She mentioned how crucial it was that "we message each other, it really boosts our confidence and pushes us in the game because each one of us is there." That simple statement captures something essential about what separates good teams from great ones. Looking at the Aces' dominant regular season performance, where they led the league with approximately 92.3 points per game, their statistical dominance was undeniable. But having watched their games throughout the season, what impressed me more was their visible connectivity on court—the way Chelsea Gray would glance toward Kelsey Plum before a crucial possession, or how A'ja Wilson celebrated her teammates' successes as vigorously as her own. These aren't just nice moments for highlight reels; they're the foundation of championship basketball.

The Liberty's journey to the finals perfectly illustrates this dynamic. After acquiring Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot in the offseason, many analysts (myself included) predicted they'd need significant time to gel. Their early season performance seemed to confirm this, with some inconsistent stretches where their 12-6 record through mid-June didn't fully reflect their potential. But as the season progressed, you could see their communication evolving both on and off the court. I recall watching their July matchup against Connecticut and noticing how their defensive rotations had become almost telepathic. That kind of synchronization doesn't happen through practice alone—it requires the type of off-court bonding that builds genuine trust. The Liberty finished with what I consider the second-most impressive regular season, though their 32-8 record still left them two games behind the Aces in the standings.

What fascinates me about analyzing standings is identifying those turning points where teams either came together or fell apart. The Connecticut Sun's consistent performance to secure the third seed at 27-13 demonstrated remarkable resilience, especially considering they were operating with what I'd argue was less individual star power than the top two teams. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings' climb to fourth place with a 22-18 record represented one of the season's pleasant surprises. Having followed Arike Ogunbowale's career since her Notre Dame days, I've always believed in her capacity to lead, but seeing how she elevated her teammates this season was particularly rewarding. Their 9-2 record in close games (defined by margins of 5 points or fewer) suggests a team that trusted each other in crunch time—exactly the kind of confidence that comes from those off-court connections players mention.

The middle of the pack—Washington, Minnesota, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Indiana, and Chicago—presented what I found to be the most intriguing study in team dynamics. The Mystics finishing 19-21 despite Elena Delle Donne's limited availability spoke volumes about their organizational depth, while the Lynx at 19-21 showed flashes of what could become a formidable young core. But what stood out to me watching these teams was how some seemed to lack that cohesive element that the quote about messaging each other captures so well. I remember watching Atlanta's late-season collapse where they lost 8 of their final 11 games and thinking how disconnected they appeared compared to teams like Las Vegas or New York. Their defensive communication often broke down, leading to what I calculated as approximately 14.2 points per game off opponent fast breaks—one of the league's highest rates.

As I reflect on the complete standings from champions Las Vegas through Chicago's disappointing 13-27 finish, what stays with me aren't just the numbers but the human elements they represent. The Aces didn't just win because they had superior talent—though having three All-Stars certainly helped—but because they'd mastered that delicate balance of professional execution and personal connection. I've always believed that basketball at its best is a conversation, and the 2023 standings reflect which teams were having the most meaningful dialogues, both on and off the court. The final rankings give us the what, but it's understanding these human dynamics that reveals the why behind each team's position. As we look toward the next season, I'll be watching not just for roster changes and statistical trends, but for those subtle signs of connection that so often determine who rises to the top.