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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.

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Defector

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

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.

Chicago Sky v Phoenix Mercury

WNBA

The Mercury Are Getting Plenty Of Help From Their Intriguing Randos

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Samer Kalaf

Caitlin Clark reacts after a turnover in a game against the Liberty.

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Media Meltdowns

Christine Brennan Won’t Rest Until Caitlin Clark’s Muscle Strain Is Treated As A National Crisis

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) drives past Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) and goes in for two during a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever on May 24, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

WNBA: MAY 24 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever

Natasha Cloud Is A Kid In New York’s Candy Store

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and Napheesa Collier #24 talk with referee Tim Greene after a foul call in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during Game Five of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime to win the championship.

2024 WNBA Finals – Game Five

An Old Grudge, A New Team, A Swole Caitlin: The 2025 WNBA Season Preview

<p>Maya Goldberg-Safir writes about women’s basketball and splits her time between Chicago and Oakland, where she was born and raised. She is the creator of <a href="https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/">Rough Notes</a>, a newsletter chronicling women’s basketball from the court, the road, and the heart.</p>


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Maya Goldberg-Safir

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History

How The Japanese-American Basketball Leagues Built Natalie Nakase

French player Dominique Malonga speaks to the press during the 2025 WNBA Draft at the Shed in New York City on April 14, 2025.

BASKET-US-DRAFT

Dominique Malonga Is Ready To Light Up The WNBA

Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts during the first quarter against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 04, 2024 in Seattle, Washington

Phoenix Mercury v Seattle Storm

Who Had Diana?

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Giri Nathan

Diana Taurasi bites her sixth Olympic gold.

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Diana Taurasi Retires After Winning Everything There Is To Win

Marina Mabrey #4 of the Connecticut Sun reacts against the Minnesota Lynx in the third quarter of Game One of the Semi-Finals during the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 29, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Sun defeated the Lynx 73-70

Connecticut Sun v Minnesota Lynx – Game One

Marina Mabrey Does Not See Her Future In Connecticut

Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun at Crypto.com Arena on September 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Connecticut Sun v Los Angeles Sparks

The Sun And Mercury Join The WNBA Trade Fun

Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm look on during the fourth quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on July 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm

We Got A Real WNBA Trade, With Stars And Everything

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Women's Basketball

Unrivaled Could Be A New Solution To The WNBA’s Old Problems

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase during the expansion draft party in San Francisco on Friday, Dec. 06, 2024.

Golden State Valkyries Draft

The Valkyries’ Expansion Draft Is Prep For Next Year’s Free-For-All

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Ray Ratto

A screengrab of the Toronto Tempo's new logo as seen on a Canadian news program.

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They’re Really Going With “Toronto Tempo”

Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky complains about a call against her team during the fourth quarter of a home basketball game against the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena on August 28, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Washington Mystics v Chicago Sky

What Happened To All The WNBA Coaches?

Jonquel Jones #35 and Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty celebrate after winning Game Five of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime to win the championship.

The Liberty Were Built, Bought, And Blessed

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty defends against Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx d2q in Game Four of the WNBA Finals at Target Center on October 18, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

New York Liberty v Minnesota Lynx – Game Four

The Lynx And Liberty Are Getting Too Close For Comfort

Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts after hitting a game winning three point basket to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 80-77 in Game Three of the WNBA Finals at Target Center on October 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

New York Liberty v Minnesota Lynx – Game Three

The Liberty Can Always Count On The Big Three

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty reacts during the second quarter of Game Two of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center on October 13, 2024 in New York City.

2024 WNBA Finals – Game Two

The Liberty Too-Smalled The Lynx

Courtney Williams #10 and Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx react after being fouled during the second half against the New York Liberty during Game One of the WNBA Finals at the Barclays Center on October 10, 2024 in New York City.

2024 WNBA Finals – Game One

Was That The Greatest WNBA Finals Game Ever?

Courtney Williams #10 and Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx celebrate their victory against the Connecticut Sun

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Courtney Williams Helps The Lynx Slide Their Way Into The Finals

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the New York Liberty shoots a layup against Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces in the fourth quarter of Game Four of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Liberty defeated the Aces 76-62 to win the series three games to one. 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)

New York Liberty v Las Vegas Aces – Game Four

The Liberty Get To Talk The Crap Now

A collage of shitty YouTube videos with fake news about how various WNBA players have quit or argued with Caitlin Clark.

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The WNBA’s Season Of Clash Is Big Business For The Permanently Aggrieved

Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun celebrates her basket against the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter of Game One of the Semi-Finals during the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 29, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Sun defeated the Lynx 73-70.

Alyssa Thomas Knows Only One Way To Hit A Dagger

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to shoot against Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter in Game Two