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

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.

WNBA

We Got A Real WNBA Trade, With Stars And Everything

Ray Ratto

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)

The Liberty Get To Talk The Crap Now

Tom Ley

Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after assisting Alysha Clark #7 of the Aces on a basket against the Seattle Storm in the second quarter of Game One of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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.

The Aces Come From Every Direction

Sydney Colson #51 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against Cecilia Zandalasini #9 of the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Guide To The Future Bench Heroes Of The 2024 WNBA Playoffs

Patrick Redford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 21: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Lynx in the second quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ian Maule/Getty Images)

A’ja Wilson’s Game Is Joyfully Precise

Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx goes up for a basket past Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Defending Champs Aren’t Defending

Head coach Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces and Dearica Hamby #5 of the Los Angeles Sparks look on during the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Becky Hammon Says She Treated Dearica Hamby With “Over The Top Care”

Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Seattle Storm and Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces talk during the second quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on July 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

What’s Everyone’s Deal Again? A Quick Guide To The WNBA’s Second Half

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.

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

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.

Las Vegas Aces