CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries attempts a lay up against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the second quarter in game one of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 17, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

WNBA

In Game 1, The Dream And The Valkyries Tried To See How Gross They Could Get

Patrick Redford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Kaitlyn Chen #2 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Podcasts

The World’s Only WNBA Finals Preview, With Maitreyi Anantharaman And Maya Goldberg-Safir

The Atlanta Dream celebrate a 101-98 win over the New York Liberty during overtime of game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on October 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.

WNBA Capably Solves Logistical Problem

Samer Kalaf

Tom Ley

Christine Brennan during an interview with Katie Couric

Journalismism

Christine Brennan Has Not Fully Lost It, According To Christine Brennan In Two Baffling Phone Calls

Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the second half of game two of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena on October 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Motor Matters

Somebody Fucked Up

Giri Nathan

Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever in the second quarter of Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs

Christine Brennan Has Fully Lost It Over Caitlin Clark

Women's Basketball

Angel Reese #5 defends as DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Atlanta Dream steals the ball from Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty during the fourth quarter of game one of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on October 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Atlanta Dream Can Poke And Prod You To Death

Kaitlyn Chen (2) blocks a shot by Mai Yamamoto (18) in the second half as the Golden State Valkyries played the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA playoffs semifinals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.

The Valkyries Are Fighting Firepower With Frenzy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the New York Liberty reacts in the first quarter against the Minnesota Lynx during game two of the WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on September 29, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

The Too-Small Lynx Will Have To Answer Some Big Questions

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 30: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Dallas Wings celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Valkyries during game two of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at College Park Center on September 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)