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

L.A. Sparks’ Dearica Hamby takes photos with her 8-week-old son Legend Scandrick during media day at El Camino College in Torrance on May 4, 2023.

WNBA

Dearica Hamby Sues The Aces And WNBA For Pregnancy Discrimination And Retaliation

MAY 21: Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on May 21, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Small Mercury Are Big Fun

Lauren Theisen

Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu high five during a game

It’s A Long, Long Road To Las Vegas For The Liberty

Alysha Clark (L) #7 and Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces react after receiving their 2023 WNBA championship rings before the team's home opener against the Phoenix Mercury on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mercury 89-80.

The Aces Are Also A Superteam At Being Investigated

Caitlin Clark #22, Erica Wheeler #17, and Assistant Coach Jessie Miller of the Indiana Fever look on before the game against the Dallas Wings

A 2024 WNBA Season Preview For Casuals And Gatekeepers Alike

Candace Parker #3 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts after receiving her fourth foul against the Minnesota Lynx during the second quarter of Game One of the WNBA finals at Williams Arena on September 24, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Candace Parker Remade The Game In Her Image

Patrick Redford

Samer Kalaf

Liberty Fans Found Weeping After Realization That The Aces Are Matchless

Alysha Clark #7 of the Las Vegas Aces helps teammate Jackie Young #0 up off the court in the second quater against the New York Liberty during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City.

The Aces Are The Aces Are The Aces

Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty and Breanna Stewart #30 high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals on October 15, 2023 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

New York Showed Up In A Big Way

Billy Haisley

Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts after a basket against the Las Vegas Aces during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 15, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

The New York Liberty Finally Won

Giri Nathan

Kelsey Plum attempts a layup in the WNBA Finals

Kelsey Plum Asks Teammate If Kelsey Plum’s Finger Is Broken Or Not

Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter of Game Two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Liberty Are Going Down Without A Fight

Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces handles the ball under pressure from Jonquel Jones #35, Betnijah Laney #44 and Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the New York Liberty in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 99-82.

Jackie Young’s Game 1 Barrage Arrived Right On Schedule

Betnijah Laney #44 of the New York Liberty looks on against the Connecticut Sun on September 29, 2023 in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun Arena.

It’s Betnijah Laney’s Turn To Be The Playoff Hero

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives as Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun defends at Barclays Center on May 27, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Everyone Made Their MVP Case Last Night

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a play in the third quarter of Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Wings 97-83.

A’ja Wilson Is Everywhere

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 28, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York.

The Liberty Rocked The Baby

Chelsea Gray jumps in the air and celebrates as the Aces beat the Liberty.

Upon Further Review, The Aces Have Not Met Their Match

Sabrina Ionescu and Marine Johannes celebrate on the court

You’re Goddamn Right The Aces Have Met Their Match

Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket during the 2023 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship on August 15, 2023 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Aces Have Met Their Match

Tom Ley

Sabrina Ionescu Is An Avalanche

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 28: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces passes as Tiffany Mitchell #25 of the Minnesota Lynx defends in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 28, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Lynx 94-73.

Chelsea Gray Serves Aces Wins In Every Flavor

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 13: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives against A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their preseason game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 84-77.

The Superteams And The Other Teams: A Preview Of The 2023 WNBA Season


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Dearica Hamby #5 of the Las Vegas Aces looks on in the locker room before Game 2 of the 2022 WNBA Finals on September 13, 2022 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Dearica Hamby Trade Will Always Sting

Becky Hammon coaches the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals

Las Vegas Aces