Where there's smoke... Photo: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Expansion teams aren't supposed to be super successful in their first year, but the Fire didn't get the memo.
Driving the news: Rip City's newest team is 6-5 a quarter of the way through the season, good for the No. 6 spot in The Athletic's most recent power rankings.
Sarah Ashlee Barker is hitting game-winning shots, while Carla Leite — aka "the Leite show" — is orchestrating the offense like an emerging star and the whole team is playing with a giant chip on their shoulders.
They already notched wins over several quality teams, including the New York Liberty (twice) and Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever.
What's next: The Fire have another chance to improve their record tonight against the 3-8 Phoenix Mercury.
