Note: WNBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Tuesday during the season, are the opinion of this writer and do not reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

After an 0-4 start to the season, the Mercury have won four of the last six games and are finally starting to resemble the team that the league’s GMs tabbed as the title favorites heading into this season.

Diana Taurasi has ascended to the top of the league’s scoring leaders thanks to back-to-back 31-point games and the Mercury climb three spots to take No. 5 in this week’s Power Rankings.

Click here to view this week’s AP Power Poll

1. Minnesota Lynx
Last Week: 1
2016 Record: 10-0
OffRtg: 107.7 (2); DefRtg: 91.4 (2); NetRtg: 16.3 (2)

The Lynx have already tied their own record from 2012 for the best start in WNBA history at 10-0 and will look to establish a new mark Tuesday in a Finals rematch with the Fever on ESPN2.

2. Los Angeles Sparks
Last Week: 2
2016 Record: 9-0
OffRtg: 108.9 (1); DefRtg: 87.2 (1); NetRtg: 21.7 (1)

Of course, any record that the Lynx set may not be safe for long considering the Sparks are still unbeaten and hold the statistical edge over the defending champions. If the two teams remain undefeated until their June 21st showdown, the Sparks would have a chance to simultaneously end the Lynx’s record-streak at 12 games and tie the mark at the same time.

3. Atlanta Dream
Last Week: 4
2016 Record: 7-3
OffRtg: 100.0 (6); DefRtg: 99.5 (4); NetRtg: 0.5 (5)

Despite losing two of their last three games (including a 32-point loss to Minnesota), the Dream remain atop the East at 7-3 and hold a 1.5 game lead over all other teams for the third-best record in the league.

4. New York Liberty
Last Week: 3
2016 Record: 5-4
OffRtg: 98.1 (9); DefRtg: 94.2 (3); NetRtg: 3.9 (3)

The Liberty have won three of their first four games in June and face the struggling Wings (lost five straight) Tuesday at home, where the Liberty are just 2-3 on the season, compared to 3-1 on the road.

5. Phoenix Mercury
Last Week: 8
2016 Record: 4-6
OffRtg: 106.3 (3); DefRtg: 108.3 (12); NetRtg: -1.9 (6)

After facing the undefeated Lynx three times in their first eight games, the Mercury have a date with the undefeated Sparks on Friday in the opening night of a back-to-back with Dallas coming to Phoenix on Saturday.

6. Chicago Sky
Last Week: 5
2016 Record: 5-5
OffRtg: 105.0 (4); DefRtg: 102.1 (6); NetRtg: 2.9 (4)

The Sky saw their four-game win streak snapped with an 86-80 loss to the Mercury on Sunday and they have a tough week ahead with a matchup with the undefeated Sparks tonight and the East-leading Dream on Friday.

7. Seattle Storm
Last Week: 9
2016 Record: 4-6
OffRtg: 102.0 (5); DefRtg: 105.6 (10); NetRtg: -3.5 (7)

The Storm are in the middle of a four-game road trip after splitting the first two games in a pair of contests decided by a total of three points. The Storm will spend the next few days in Texas with a matchup with the 1-7 Stars tonight and the 3-6 Wings on Thursday. A successful Texas two-step would put the Storm back at .500 as they head back to Seattle.

8. Indiana Fever
Last Week: 6
2016 Record: 4-6
OffRtg: 99.5 (T-7); DefRtg: 103.3 (7); NetRtg: -3.8 (8)

The Fever have lost two straight and three of their last four games and now face the Lynx in their second Finals rematch of the season. The first one was decided by just three points – a 74-71 Lynx win. Can the Fever end the Lynx’s record-setting run to start the season Tuesday in Minnesota?

9. Washington Mystics
Last Week: 10
2016 Record: 4-7
OffRtg: 97.6 (10); DefRtg: 107.6 (11); NetRtg: -10.0 (11)

The Mystics had won two straight and were leading the undefeated Lynx by two at halftime on Saturday before a cold start to the second half halted their upset bid. Washington split its two games last week as Emma Meesseman was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 21.0 points and 9.5 rebounds. After Tuesday’s game in Connecticut, the Mystics have five straight games at home, where they have yet to win this season in five tries.

10. Dallas Wings
Last Week: 7
2016 Record: 3-6
OffRtg: 99.5 (T-7); DefRtg: 105.3 (9); NetRtg: -5.9 (9)

Skylar Diggins returned to the lineup on Saturday for just her second game of the season, but it was not enough to help the Wings against Nneka Ogwumike (12-12 FG) and the Sparks. The Wings have now lost five straight, but with Diggins and Glory Johnson (who also played in her second game of the season on Saturday) back, they will look to snap that streak Tuesday against New York.

11. Connecticut Sun
Last Week: 12
2016 Record: 2-8
OffRtg: 94.9 (11); DefRtg: 103.6 (8); NetRtg: -8.8 (10)

The Sun snapped a six-game losing streak with Friday’s one-point win over Seattle, but could not build on it as they lost to the Dream on Sunday in Atlanta. The Sun open a three-game homestand Tuesday against Washington.

12. San Antonio Stars
Last Week: 11
2016 Record: 1-7
OffRtg: 90.9 (12); DefRtg: 101.8 (5); NetRtg: -10.9 (12)

The Stars not only lost its two games last week, they lost them by the exact same score – falling 90-75 to the Mercury on the road and Liberty at home. The Stars will stay at home this week with games against the Storm and Fever as they look to pick up their second win of the season.

ASSOCIATED PRESS POWER POLL

1. Minnesota (14)
2. Los Angeles (1)
3. Atlanta
4. New York
5. Chicago
6. Phoenix
7. Seattle
8. Indiana
9. Washington
10. Dallas
11. Connecticut
12. San Antonio

Click here to view the full rankings on AP.org