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Defector

WNBA

Women's Basketball

Maitreyi Anantharaman

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

Patrick Redford

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.

Podcasts

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)

Get Well Soon, Red Panda

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the crowd before the game between the Washington Mystics and the Minnesota Lynx at Carefirst Arena on June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The WNBA And Its Expansion Fees Are Getting Bigger

Jackie Young #0 and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Las Vegas Aces talk as they wait for an Indiana Fever player to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 89-81.

Can You Count Out The Aces?

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase (left) talks with guard Carla Leite (right) during the second quarter of a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

The WNBA Had Too Much Going On Last Night

Isabelle Harrison #21 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket as Michaela Onyenwere #12, Angel Reese #5, and Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky defend during the second half at Barclays Center on June 10, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Liberty won 85-66.

Yes, The Sky Is Falling For The Sky

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21: Veronica Burton (center) #22 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates with her team after the Valkyries beat the Washington Mystics at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Golden State Valkyries Are Beloved And Ahead Of Schedule

The Dallas Wings bench reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 3, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

All The Dallas Wings Have Left Is A Prayer

Lauren Theisen

Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty mascot, performs before the game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun

The Liberty Are Godzilla And The WNBA Is A Bunch Of Tall Buildings

Kathryn Westbeld #24 (L) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Alyssa Thomas #25 after defeating the Chicago Sky 94-89 in the WNBA game at PHX Arena on May 27, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.