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Defector

WNBA

Women's Basketball

Maitreyi Anantharaman

(L-R) Diana Taurasi #3, Brianna Turner #21, Sophie Cunningham #9, Brittney Griner #42 and Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Phoenix Mercury stand on the court during the second half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime.

The Mercury Are The Villains Who Can’t Be Killed

Candace Parker Simply Loves Getting Trampled

Shey Peddy #5 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates as time expires in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-84 to win the series.

The Old, Bruised, Dying, Dead, Shorthanded Phoenix Mercury Are In The WNBA Finals

The Sky-Sun Series Gave Us Some Last-Second Shambles, As A Treat

Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against the Las Vegas Aces during Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 117-91.

Call An Ambulance, But Not For Diana Taurasi

Jonquel Jones #35 of the Connecticut Sun in the second quarter at Staples Center on September 09, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Simply Get The Ball To Jonquel Jones

The Joy Of The Playoffs Is In The Texture, Not The Stakes

Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after hitting a three-point shot over Rebecca Allen #9 of the New York Liberty during the second half of the first round WNBA playoffs at Grand Canyon University Arena on September 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Liberty 83-82.

Sophie Cunningham Talked Some Shit And Saved The Mercury’s Season

Brionna Jones #42 and Jasmine Thomas #5 of the Connecticut Sun celebrate on the court after Jones scored against the Las Vegas Aces and was fouled during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 72-65.

The Connecticut Sun Are Dealing, Stealing, And Healing

Jewell Loyd #24 and Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm react during the second quarter against the Washington Mystics at Angel of the Winds Arena on September 07, 2021 in Everett, Washington.

The Seattle Storm Are In The Bad Zone

The “Guru” Of Women’s Basketball Gets His Due

A worker sweeps the court before the second half of the game between the Washington Mystics and the Chicago Sky at Entertainment &amp; Sports Arena on May 15, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Elena Delle Donne Is Back, But The Mystics Are Running Out Of Time

Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces runs back on defense after scoring against the Los Angeles Sparks during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sparks 97-69.

These Aces Will Find A Way To Win

Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm attempts a layup while being defended by Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun during the first half of the 2021 Commissioner's Cup Championship Game at Footprint Center on August 12, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Seattle Storm Are Wide Awake

Liz Cambage (C) of the Las Vegas Aces attends an exhibition game between Nigeria and the United States at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Olympics

Liz Cambage Makes A Mysterious Exit From The Olympic Team

Danielle Robinson #3 of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up the court in the game against the New York Liberty at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 16, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Indiana Fever Won A Game, And Then Another One, And Then Another One!

Center Sylvia Fowles #34 of the Minnesota Lynx reacts to a call against the Los Angeles Sparks in game three of the 2016 WNBA Finals at Galen Center on October 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

Sylvia Fowles Is So Good At Her Job

Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky huddles with teammates Kahleah Copper #2 and Allie Quigley #14 during the first half of the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment &amp; Sports Arena on May 15, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Let The Chicago Sky’s Great Resurgence Begin

Jasmine Thomas #5, DeWanna Bonner #24, Jonquel Jones #35, Natisha Hiedeman #2 and Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun huddle on the court before their game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 72-65.

Oh No, The Connecticut Sun’s Best Player Has To Go Be Bosnian Real Quick

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury attempts a free-throw shot against the Seattle Storm during game three of the WNBA Western Conference Finals at Talking Stick Resort Arena on August 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Phoenix Mercury Need This Brittney Griner Every Night

Liz Cambage #8 of the Las Vegas Aces is guarded by Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 72-65.

Connecticut Columnist Unwisely Ignores Liz Cambage’s Warning

Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty dribbles during the first half against the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center on May 14, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Sabrina Ionescu Has Zapped The Liberty Back To Life

Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 15, 2021 in Everett, Washington.

Bring On Storm 2.0

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass against the Los Angeles Sparks during their game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sparks 83-70.

Well, Well, Well, If It Isn’t The 2021 WNBA Season: A Preview

Patrick Redford

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Megan Rapinoe of the United States warms up before playing Haiti during a Group A CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying match at BBVA Compass Stadium on January 28, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)