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

Tom Ley

WNBA

Phee’s Back

Maitreyi Anantharaman

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots over Alanna Smith #8 of the Dallas Wings

Role Players, Ring Chasers, And A Shadow GM: Your Guide To The 2026 WNBA Season

Women's Basketball

Unrivaled Is A Great Source Of Unlikely Athletic Friends

Bryce Young hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Capital

Whose League Is It Anyway?

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the media ahead of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 03, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Hottest Ticket In Vegas? Cathy Engelbert’s Press Conference

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

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.

Podcasts

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

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

Napheesa Collier competes against Katie Lou Samuelson in the first round of the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament

Unrivaled’s 1-On-1 Tournament Is A New Place To Blow Off Steam

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

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

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

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.

Napheesa Collier Grows In Every Direction

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx and DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Connecticut Sun looks on during the game on September 17, 2023 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The Lynx Tank Has Gone Off The Rails

Gabrielle Williams of ASVEL Basket Landes Feminine in action during the Women's French Cup Final basketball match.

The Prioritization Rule Will Haunt WNBA Players For A Long Time

Crystal Dangerfield #2 of the Minnesota Lynx dribbles during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury in Game One of their Second Round playoff at Feld Entertainment Center on September 17, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida.

Napheesa Collier