The WNBA has been praised in the past as a leader for its diversity hiring practices.

WNBA enters final month of the season with 11 of 12 teams in contention for playoff spots and five franchises within three games of each other atop the standings.

With less than a week remaining before the WNBA begins its Olympic break, teams are jockeying for position in the standings knowing that it will be a sprint to the finish once play resumes in August following the Tokyo Games and a monthlong hiatus.

NEW YORK The Seattle Storm are healthy to begin the season with Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird back in the lineup and sit atop the preseason Associated Press WNBA poll. 1 in the preseason since the AP has been doing the poll. You have to go out there and play the games, said Bird, who missed last season while recovering from knee surgery. Connecticut and Washington, who met for the WNBA title last year, were sixth and seventh in the poll. The first regular season power poll will be released on Tuesday, July 28___Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg

Player-wise, none of the squad has opted out and they will be returning WNBA veteran Sue Bird. With a 22-12 record in 2018, the Sparks added some new faces to the squad including WNBA star Kristi Toliver, Tea Cooper and Reshanda Gray. The team signed WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith creating the leagues Big 3 which is comprised of the all-star along with WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi and center Brittney Griner. The squad brings back Victoria Vivans, who had a good rookie season in 2018 but was out last season due to a knee injury. The team added newcomer Layshia Clarendon, whos entering her eighth WNBA season.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 26: Kayla McBride of the Las Vegas Aces competes during the 3-Point Contest of the WNBA All-Star Friday Night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 26, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington Mystics 99, Phoenix Mercury 93The Washington Mystics beat the Phoenix Mercury 99-93 in a game that broke the Mercury three game winning streak. Elena Delle Donne score 33 points for Washington, while veteran Kristi Toliver added 25 points and Natasha Cloud scored 12 points for the Mystics. Las Vegas Aces 86, Dallas Wings 54The Las Vegas Aces continue to stay hot as they defeat the Dallas Wings 86-54. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 15 points and the Wings shot less than 30 percent from the field.

Jonquel Jones had 27 points and 11 rebounds while Jasmine Thomas added 18 points and Alyssa Thomas and Courtney Williams each scored 12 points. Washington Mystics 99, Phoenix Mercury 93The Washington Mystics beat the Phoenix Mercury 99-93 in a game that broke the Mercury three-game winning streak. Elena Delle Donne scored 33 points for Washington, while veteran Kristi Toliver added 25 points and Natasha Cloud scored 12 points for the Mystics. Las Vegas Aces 86, Dallas Wings 54The Las Vegas Aces continue to stay hot as they defeated the Dallas Wings 86-54. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 15 points and the Wings shot less than 30 percent from the field.

ET)The Chicago Sky often appear to be the odd team out when potential WNBA title contenders are considered. The Sky have averaged 85 points in their four wins, with Vandersloot, the WNBA's leader in assists at 8 per game. Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces Preview (tip off 10 p.m. ET)The Las Vegas Aces come out of the All-Star break tied for the best record in the WNBA. Ogunbowale scored 25 and Thornton pulled down 10 boards as the Wings shot 28 percent at Vegas last month.

ET)The Chicago Sky often appear to be the odd team out when potential WNBA title contenders are considered. The Sky have averaged 85 points in their four wins, with Vandersloot, the WNBA's leader in assists at 8 per game. Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces Preview (tip off 10 p.m. ET)The Las Vegas Aces come out of the All-Star break tied for the best record in the WNBA. Ogunbowale scored 25 and Thornton pulled down 10 boards as the Wings shot 28 percent at Vegas last month.

(Photo by KatharineTwo games happened Wednesday, with the Mystics and Sun getting wins before WNBA All-Star break. Tina Charles led New York with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Bria Hartley added 12 points and 3 rebounds. Washington Mystics 79, Minnesota Lynx 71Kristi Toliver scored a season-high 32 points and the Washington Mystics beat the Minnesota Lynx 79-71. Delle Donne, wearing a protective mask after fracturing her nose, finished with 11 points as Washington won for the third straight time. Lexie Brown scored 19 points and Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost three in a row.

Two games happened Wednesday, with the Mystics and Sun getting wins before WNBA All-Star break. Jonquel Jones added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Connecticut. Tina Charles led New York with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Bria Hartley added 12 points and 3 rebounds. Washington Mystics 79, Minnesota Lynx 71Kristi Toliver scored a season-high 32 points and the Washington Mystics beat the Minnesota Lynx 79-71. Lexie Brown scored 19 points and Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost three in a row.

Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky Preview (tip-off 12 p.m. EST)Coming off a win against the Dallas Wings, the Chicago Sky are looking to continue their three-game win streak in a noon battle against the Atlanta Dream. The Mercury hope for a much better outing than their first meeting with the Wings this season on June 20. Griner and Bonner were held to a combined 20 points as Phoenix shot 24.6 percent and was outrebounded 49-28. The Dallas Wings are looking to avoid a third straight loss as they square off with the Phoenix Mercury. Sims, meanwhile, totaled 20 points in those two contests.