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Defector

WNBA

Women's Basketball

Patrick Redford

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on September 16, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

A’ja Wilson Is The Smoothest Operator

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts after making a three-point shot against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of Game Two in the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Sap Center on September 17, 2025 in San Jose, California.

Ballhalla Is A Mindset

Aliyah Boston #7 and Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever celebrate during the second half against the Atlanta Dream in game two of the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The WNBA Won Won Won With 1-1-1

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty cries on the bench after getting hurt during overtime against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena on September 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

This Liberty Season Can Always Get Grimmer

Head coach Becky Hammon of Las Vegas Aces draws a play during a game between the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream

Eight Teams, Eight Questions: A Guide To The 2025 WNBA Playoffs

Podcasts

A WNBA Playoff Preview For Everyone, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Hailey Van Lith #2, Ariel Atkins #7 and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky look on from the bench in the third quarter of their game against the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena on September 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sky 80-66.

Angel Reese And The Sky Are Ready To End This Dismal Season

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm celebrates against the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter at Target Center on August 28, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Storm defeated the Lynx 93-79.

Skylar Diggins Is Queen Of The Productive Crashout

A'ja Wilson #22 and head coach Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces laugh as Wilson waits to check in during the fourth quarter of a game against the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Wings 106-87.

The Aces Agenda Is Back In Full Swing

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings celebrates reacts to a Wings three pointer during an 81-80 Los Angeles Sparks win over the Dallas Wings at Crypto.com Arena on August 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Now Imagine What Paige Bueckers Could Do With Better Teammates

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the media prior to the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The WNBA And Connecticut Sun Continue To Fight Over What A Sale Would Look Like

Sonia Citron #22 and Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Washington Mystics interact during the first half of the game against the Golden State Valkyries at CareFirst Arena on July 31, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The Mystics’ Rookies Have Made The Team Better Than Intended

Brandy Jensen

Shakira Austin #0 of the Washington Mystics shoots the ball against Maria Kliundikova #77 of the Minnesota Lynx in the first quarter at Target Center on August 08, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Why A Bunch Of Real Dicks Keep Throwing Fake Ones

Tom Ley

The Indiana Fever down in the second half of the game against The Los Angles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.

Lamest Members Of Society Claim Responsibility For WNBA Dildo-Throwing Epidemic

Cameron Brink #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks gestures after a call during the second half against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on August 01, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Cameron Brink Is Back And Ready To Swat

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Sky during the first half at the United Center on July 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Media Meltdowns

Wall Street Journal Calls For Congressional Investigation Into Caitlin Clark Getting Fouled

Samer Kalaf

Blaze, the Connecticut Sun mascot, waves a flag during starting lineup introductions before a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden

A WNBA Team In Boston Seems Like A No-Brainer


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Three images, stills from a baby race on a basketball court at a Las Vegas Aces WNBA game. The first one is the baby, clad in pink, crawling. The second is the baby taking her first steps! The third is the baby hugging her mom as she reaches the finish line walking. The crowd is going wild the whole time.

Baby Racer Stunts On Competitors By Standing Up And Walking

David Roth

Isabelle Harrison and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty making some fantastic What Can You Do faces on the bench during a July 25 game against the Phoenix Mercury.

A Huge W, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx passes around Marine Johannes #23 of the New York Liberty during the first quarter at Target Center on July 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

It’s Time To Lock In On The Lynx And Liberty

Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after a made three-point basket at Target Center on July 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

At The Very Least, The Atlanta Dream Are Worth Watching

Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm blocks a shot by Elizabeth Williams #1 of the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena on July 24, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dominique Malonga Gets It Done In Small Doses

Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics holds a "Pay the Players" sign following the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WNBA Players Want To Share In The League’s “Hypergrowth”

Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media during a press conference before the match-up against the Brazil National Team, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 4, 2025 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Christine Brennan’s Caitlin Clark Book Is More About Gripes Than Greatness

Ray Ratto

UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 18: Red Panda performs during halftime of a WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun on May 18, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)