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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.

Defector

Tom Ley

WNBA

Phee’s Back

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Olivia Miles #5 of the Minnesota Lynx handles the ball against Azzi Fudd #35 of the Dallas Wings in the third quarter at Target Center on June 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lynx defeated the Wings 100-76.

Olivia Miles Is The Throwback Point Guard Of The Future

Israel Daramola

I Have Been Olivia Miles-Pilled

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert poses with MVP Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx following the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Napheesa Collier Put A Face To The Fight

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx congratulates Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at PHX Arena on September 28, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 86-81 to advance to the WNBA finals.

So Much For The Lynx’s Revenge Season

Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter during Game Two of the WNBA Semifinals at Target Center on September 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 89-83 in overtime.

Sami Whitcomb Stayed Ready, And It Paid Off

Cheryl Reeve head coach of the Minnesota Lynx calls to her team against Phoenix Mercury in the first quarter during Game One of the second round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Lynx Are Stone-Cold Killers

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

Patrick Redford

Podcasts

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


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Three images, stills from a baby race on a basketball court at a Las Vegas Aces WNBA game. The first one is the baby, clad in pink, crawling. The second is the baby taking her first steps! The third is the baby hugging her mom as she reaches the finish line walking. The crowd is going wild the whole time.

Baby Racer Stunts On Competitors By Standing Up And Walking

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

Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx passes around Marine Johannes #23 of the New York Liberty during the first quarter at Target Center on July 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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.

It’s Time To Lock In On The Lynx And Liberty

Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after a made three-point basket at Target Center on July 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

At The Very Least, The Atlanta Dream Are Worth Watching

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase (left) talks with guard Carla Leite (right) during the second quarter of a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

The WNBA Had Too Much Going On Last Night

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Was That The Greatest WNBA Finals Game Ever?

Giri Nathan

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

Courtney Williams Helps The Lynx Slide Their Way Into The Finals

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

Napheesa Collier Keeps The Lynx Cool

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

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 5, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Minnesota Lynx