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

Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream shoots against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena on July 4, 2026 in College Park, Georgia.

WNBA

The Atlanta Dream Are Getting Drowsy

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Head coach Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries smiles on the side of the court during the first half of their game against the Chicago Sky at Chase Center on May 13, 2026 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)

Even A Bad Valkyries Game Is A Pretty Great Time

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Flau'jae Johnson (L) of LSU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (R) after being selected with the 8th pick in the first round by the Golden State Valkyries during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. 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 Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)

Valkyries GM Declines To Explain Why She Traded Flau’jae Johnson For Two Second-Rounders

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

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

The two podcast logos, placed onto the faces of the two StudBudz

Podcasts

Nothing But Rough Notes, With Maya Goldberg-Safir

The Defector Era Of ‘Nothing But Respect’ Is Here, With Maitreyi Anantharaman And David Roth

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

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

<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>


Maya Goldberg-Safir

History

How The Japanese-American Basketball Leagues Built Natalie Nakase

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