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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.

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The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Podcasts

Cathy Vs. Phee In The Basketball Court Of Public Opinion, With Jordan Robinson And Maitreyi Anantharaman

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball between Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kathryn Westbeld #24 of the Phoenix Mercury in the first quarter of Game Two of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2025 WNBA Finals – Game Two – Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces

WNBA

The Aces Like It When The Game Gets Uncomfortable

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.

2025 WNBA Finals – Game One

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

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A Double Dose Of ‘Nothing But Respect,’ With Maitreyi Anantharaman And Max Wolf Friedlich

Chelsea Gray #12, A'ja Wilson #22, Megan Gustafson #17 and Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces react as they are interviewed after the team's 107-98 overtime victory over the Indiana Fever in Game Five of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces won the series three games to two.

Indiana Fever v Las Vegas Aces – Game Five

The Aces’ Superstar Trio Is The Reason To Watch

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.

AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025

Napheesa Collier Put A Face To The Fight

Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever celebrates the win after the game three of the first round of WNBA Playoffs between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on September 18, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. 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 Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream – Game Three

What Aliyah Boston Does Is Simple, But Not Easy

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.

Minnesota Lynx v Phoenix Mercury – Game Four

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.

Phoenix Mercury v Minnesota Lynx – Game Two

Sami Whitcomb Stayed Ready, And It Paid Off

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 22: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty gestures during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

New York Liberty v Seattle Storm

New York Liberty Shock WNBA World By Firing Underperforming Coach

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.

Phoenix Mercury v Minnesota Lynx – Game One

The Lynx Are Stone-Cold Killers

Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever speaks with ESPN reporter after the game three of the first round of WNBA Playoffs between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on September 18, 2025 in College Park, Georgia.

Kelsey Mitchell Is Making Up For Lost Time In The Playoffs

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on September 16, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm – Game Two

A’ja Wilson Is The Smoothest Operator

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.

Minnesota Lynx v Golden State Valkyries – Game Two

Ballhalla Is A Mindset

Aliyah Boston #7 and Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever celebrate during the second half against the Atlanta Dream in game two of the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Atlanta Dream v Indiana Fever – Game Two

The WNBA Won Won Won With 1-1-1

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty cries on the bench after getting hurt during overtime against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena on September 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

New York Liberty v Phoenix Mercury – Game One

This Liberty Season Can Always Get Grimmer

Head coach Becky Hammon of Las Vegas Aces draws a play during a game between the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream

Las Vegas Aces v Atlanta Dream

Eight Teams, Eight Questions: A Guide To The 2025 WNBA Playoffs

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A WNBA Playoff Preview For Everyone, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

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.

Minnesota Lynx v Connecticut Sun – Game Two

The Lynx Tank Has Gone Off The Rails

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 02: Courtney Vandersloot #22 and Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky celebrate against the Dallas Wings during the second half at Wintrust Arena on August 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dallas Wings v Chicago Sky

Eight Teams, Eight Killers: A Guide To The Pure Hoopers Of The WNBA Playoffs

WNBA playoffs