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Defense wins championship, at least that's how the saying goes.
The Atlanta Dream, who have jumped up to second in the USA TODAY Sports' WNBA power rankings, have the top defensive ranking in the league at 97.3. The Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky round out the top five.
Who are the best defenders on each team? We break it down in this week's power ranking category.
Teams continue to make huge moves up and down, but the top (Las Vegas Aces) and bottom (Connecticut Sun) teams remain the the same. USA TODAY Sports will provide power rankings every Tuesday this season.
Note: All records and stats are through games played on Monday, May 25.
Key defender: A’ja Wilson
The defending champions’ sole outing this week was a 101-95 loss to the Sparks on Saturday, but the Aces maintain their top spot. Las Vegas historically has struggled in contests that included pregame ceremonies. The Aces' losses this season came after the ring ceremony (99-66 loss to Phoenix on May 9) and Saturday’s banner raising.
A’ja Wilson, who is still the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year, noted after Saturday’s loss the team’s defense was “nonexistent” against the Sparks. The four-time MVP expressed confidence the Aces will improve throughout the season, emphasizing the need to increase the “want-to” factor on that side of the ball.
Key defender: Rhyne Howard
The Dream went 2-0 this week, coming back to beat the Dallas Wings 86-69 on Friday, then using another late surge to defeat Phoenix 82-80 on Sunday. Joined by her teammates on stage at a music festival in Atlanta Sunday night, Angel Reese took to the stage and declared the Dream the “No. 1 team right now in the W!”
She’s not wrong. Atlanta has the best win percentage in the league. More importantly, the Dream have cemented gritty identity, leading the WNBA with a 97.3 defensive rating. Rhyne Howard is the anchor, and she’s in good company. Jordin Canada and Howard are averaging the No. 1 and No. 3 most steals in the league this season with 2.8 and 2.3, respectively. Reese is league’s top rebounder with 11.4 per game.
Key defender: Aliyah Boston
The Fever were also 2-0 this week. They rolled past the Portland Fire with guard Caitlin Clark sidelined Wednesday, then beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 in Clark’s return Friday. Although the team’s 101.2 defensive rating is the fourth-best in the league, they’re building cohesion as players rotate in and out of the lineup.
Aliyah Boston, an second-team All-Defense pick last season, leads Indiana in two categories with 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game this season. She made her return on Wednesday after missing the first game of her career. The Fever also benefit from Lexie Hull, a reliable disrupter.
Key defender: Gabby Williams
The Valkyries notched an 87-70 win over the New York Liberty on Thursday but lost to the Fever 90-82 on Friday in a testy matchup. With the league’s top scoring defense (77.6 points allowed per game), and the WBA’s third-best defensive rating (100.8), Golden State’s potential is clear.
To beat the Liberty, Golden State was successful in containing a previously hot-handed Marine Johanes to a scoreless night on 0-of-5 shooting. Gabby Williams is key on defense, tied with Los Angeles Sparks guard Ariel Atkins for fourth-most steals per game. The wheels fell off as tensions rose against the Fever, which Tiffany Hayes called out.
“Defense is our bread and butter, and 90 points is just too much for any team to score on us,” Hayes said after leading the team with 19 points in the loss.
Key defender: Natasha Howard
The Lynx were undefeated this week, beating the Tempo 100-72 on Thursday, then beating the Sky 85-75 on Saturday. Their 100.4 defensive rating is second-best in the league, and veteran forward Natasha Howard is helping to keep the ship steady. Howard had 26 points and 14 rebounds against the Sky, serving a crucial interior presence. Courtney Williams leads the team in steals 1.7 per game, but rookie guard Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride aren’t far behind – both of them are averaging 1.5 steals per game.
Key defender: Paige Bueckers
With a wins over the Sky and Liberty and a loss to the Dream, the Wings are at a crossroads. No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd scored a career-high 24 points off the bench against New York. Wings coach Jose Fernandez noted as effective as Fudd, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale are as offensive trio, they might not be the best defensively. Bueckers is arguably the strongest defender of the three, but Fernandez may need to toy with his rotations. The Wings have the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year in Alanna Smith, but she’s been quiet on both sides of the ball.
Key defender: Breanna Stewart
The Liberty’s 3-4 start to the season was their worst through the first seven games since 2022. New York has been impacted by injury, with Sabrina Ionescu coming in and out of the rotation due to injury. Breanna Stewart, who leads the team with 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, has also been blunt but optimistic about the defense.
"We have to communicate better, it's a work in progress,” Stewart told reporters. "We just need to continue to kind of grow and learn.”
Key defender: Cameron Brink
The Sparks are trending up. In addition to beating the Aces behind Kelsey Plum’s monster scoring night, L.A. also beat the Phoenix Mercury 97-88 on Thursday. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said early this season the team would need more from Cameron Brink, who stepped up against the Aces as Nneka Ogwumike was sidelined. Brink’s 1.7 blocks per game are the fifth-most in the league this season.
Key defender: Kamilla Carodoso
The Sky took two losses this week, falling 99-89 to the Wings and coming 10 points short against the Lynx. They have the fifth best defensive rating in the league (101.6), but Rickea Jackson was a big part if it. Jackson is now out for the season with a torn ACL in her left knee. Chicago will need more defensively from Natasha Cloud and Skylar Diggins. Kamilla Cardoso is doing a little bit of everything, leading the Sky in points (14.8), rebounds (9.8) and blocks (1.3) a game. Jacy Sheldon is averaging a team-high 1.7 steals per game.
Key defender: Bridget Carleton
The Portland Fire had mixed results against the Fever, Tempo and Liberty. As a team, they rank third in the league with 7.8 steals per game. Bridget Carleton is averaging 2.3 steals while leading the team in scoring (16.5 ppg). Emily Engstler is also helping as Portland builds its defensive identity, averaging two blocks per game.
Key defender: Dominique Malonga
The Storm went 2-1 this week but the one loss came against Connecticut Sun, the league’s worst team. The bright spot was a 87-85 win over the Mystics on Sunday, which saw Awa Fam, the No. 3 overall draft pick, make her WNBA debut. The 6-foot-4 center finished with 10 points in 20 minutes and is also sure to be a key interior defender for the Storm as she acclimates. Her return was much needed as Dominique Malonga, who leads the Storm in scoring (16.0 points per game) and rebounds (7.3), missed her fourth consecutive game while in concussion protocol.
Key defender: Brittney Sykes
This week, the Tempo beat Phoenix but lost to Minnesota and Portland. Their defense isn’t great (110.8 defensive rating), but they rank third in WNBA fastbreak points with 11.4 per game. Brittney Sykes, a skilled perimeter defender, leads the team in scoring (20.6), assists (4.7), and steals (1.7). The Tempo and Storm are tied for fourth-most steals per game in the league this season (7.7).
Key defender: Alyssa Thomas
With three straight losses this week to the Tempo, Sparks and Dream, Phoenix is sliding to depths Alyssa Thomas described as “uncharted territory.” Thomas, who is averaging 1.7 steals per game, says it all comes down to the team’s defense.
“We keep harping on it, and we're just going to keep trying to find people that can play defense,” Thomas said after the loss to Atlanta. “We’ve just got to continue to grow, continue to pick people up. It's a long season, there's a lot more basketball to play."
Key defender: Sonia Citron
There’s not much to say about the Mystics right now. With their youth comes a requirement for patience as they work out the kinks. Sonia Citron leads the team with 19.2 points and 1.6 steals per game. She’s an example of the guard talent the organization should try to emulate as it continues to shape its roster.
Key defender: Aaliyah Edwards
Connecticut has the league’s worst record, so there’s no need to pile on. They could really benefit from the presence of veteran center Brittney Griner, who has played in three games season due to a right rib injury. On the bright side, they don’t have the league’s worst defensive rating. That title belongs to the Sparks. The Sun also leads the league with 8.1 steals per game. That stat has come by committee, but Aaliyah Edwards has a team-high 1.5 steals per game this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA power rankings: Best defenders in the league this season
Continue reading...
The Atlanta Dream, who have jumped up to second in the USA TODAY Sports' WNBA power rankings, have the top defensive ranking in the league at 97.3. The Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky round out the top five.
Who are the best defenders on each team? We break it down in this week's power ranking category.
Teams continue to make huge moves up and down, but the top (Las Vegas Aces) and bottom (Connecticut Sun) teams remain the the same. USA TODAY Sports will provide power rankings every Tuesday this season.
Note: All records and stats are through games played on Monday, May 25.
1. Las Vegas Aces (4-2)
Previous rank: 1 (⬌)
Key defender: A’ja Wilson
The defending champions’ sole outing this week was a 101-95 loss to the Sparks on Saturday, but the Aces maintain their top spot. Las Vegas historically has struggled in contests that included pregame ceremonies. The Aces' losses this season came after the ring ceremony (99-66 loss to Phoenix on May 9) and Saturday’s banner raising.
A’ja Wilson, who is still the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year, noted after Saturday’s loss the team’s defense was “nonexistent” against the Sparks. The four-time MVP expressed confidence the Aces will improve throughout the season, emphasizing the need to increase the “want-to” factor on that side of the ball.
2. Atlanta Dream (4-1)
Previous rank: 3 (⬆1)
Key defender: Rhyne Howard
The Dream went 2-0 this week, coming back to beat the Dallas Wings 86-69 on Friday, then using another late surge to defeat Phoenix 82-80 on Sunday. Joined by her teammates on stage at a music festival in Atlanta Sunday night, Angel Reese took to the stage and declared the Dream the “No. 1 team right now in the W!”
She’s not wrong. Atlanta has the best win percentage in the league. More importantly, the Dream have cemented gritty identity, leading the WNBA with a 97.3 defensive rating. Rhyne Howard is the anchor, and she’s in good company. Jordin Canada and Howard are averaging the No. 1 and No. 3 most steals in the league this season with 2.8 and 2.3, respectively. Reese is league’s top rebounder with 11.4 per game.
3. Indiana Fever (4-2)
Previous rank: 9 (⬆6)
Key defender: Aliyah Boston
The Fever were also 2-0 this week. They rolled past the Portland Fire with guard Caitlin Clark sidelined Wednesday, then beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 in Clark’s return Friday. Although the team’s 101.2 defensive rating is the fourth-best in the league, they’re building cohesion as players rotate in and out of the lineup.
Aliyah Boston, an second-team All-Defense pick last season, leads Indiana in two categories with 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game this season. She made her return on Wednesday after missing the first game of her career. The Fever also benefit from Lexie Hull, a reliable disrupter.
4. Golden State Valkyries (4-2)
Previous rank: 6 (⬆2)
Key defender: Gabby Williams
The Valkyries notched an 87-70 win over the New York Liberty on Thursday but lost to the Fever 90-82 on Friday in a testy matchup. With the league’s top scoring defense (77.6 points allowed per game), and the WBA’s third-best defensive rating (100.8), Golden State’s potential is clear.
To beat the Liberty, Golden State was successful in containing a previously hot-handed Marine Johanes to a scoreless night on 0-of-5 shooting. Gabby Williams is key on defense, tied with Los Angeles Sparks guard Ariel Atkins for fourth-most steals per game. The wheels fell off as tensions rose against the Fever, which Tiffany Hayes called out.
“Defense is our bread and butter, and 90 points is just too much for any team to score on us,” Hayes said after leading the team with 19 points in the loss.
5. Minnesota Lynx (4-2)
Previous rank: 10 (⬆5)
Key defender: Natasha Howard
The Lynx were undefeated this week, beating the Tempo 100-72 on Thursday, then beating the Sky 85-75 on Saturday. Their 100.4 defensive rating is second-best in the league, and veteran forward Natasha Howard is helping to keep the ship steady. Howard had 26 points and 14 rebounds against the Sky, serving a crucial interior presence. Courtney Williams leads the team in steals 1.7 per game, but rookie guard Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride aren’t far behind – both of them are averaging 1.5 steals per game.
6. Dallas Wings (4-3)
Previous rank: 7 (⬆1)
Key defender: Paige Bueckers
With a wins over the Sky and Liberty and a loss to the Dream, the Wings are at a crossroads. No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd scored a career-high 24 points off the bench against New York. Wings coach Jose Fernandez noted as effective as Fudd, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale are as offensive trio, they might not be the best defensively. Bueckers is arguably the strongest defender of the three, but Fernandez may need to toy with his rotations. The Wings have the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year in Alanna Smith, but she’s been quiet on both sides of the ball.
7. New York Liberty (3-4)
Previous rank: 2 (⬇5)
Key defender: Breanna Stewart
The Liberty’s 3-4 start to the season was their worst through the first seven games since 2022. New York has been impacted by injury, with Sabrina Ionescu coming in and out of the rotation due to injury. Breanna Stewart, who leads the team with 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, has also been blunt but optimistic about the defense.
"We have to communicate better, it's a work in progress,” Stewart told reporters. "We just need to continue to kind of grow and learn.”
8. Los Angeles Sparks (3-3)
Previous rank: 13 (⬆5)
Key defender: Cameron Brink
The Sparks are trending up. In addition to beating the Aces behind Kelsey Plum’s monster scoring night, L.A. also beat the Phoenix Mercury 97-88 on Thursday. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said early this season the team would need more from Cameron Brink, who stepped up against the Aces as Nneka Ogwumike was sidelined. Brink’s 1.7 blocks per game are the fifth-most in the league this season.
9. Chicago Sky (3-3)
Previous rank: 5 (⬇4)
Key defender: Kamilla Carodoso
The Sky took two losses this week, falling 99-89 to the Wings and coming 10 points short against the Lynx. They have the fifth best defensive rating in the league (101.6), but Rickea Jackson was a big part if it. Jackson is now out for the season with a torn ACL in her left knee. Chicago will need more defensively from Natasha Cloud and Skylar Diggins. Kamilla Cardoso is doing a little bit of everything, leading the Sky in points (14.8), rebounds (9.8) and blocks (1.3) a game. Jacy Sheldon is averaging a team-high 1.7 steals per game.
10. Portland Fire (4-3)
Previous rank: 12 (⬆2)
Key defender: Bridget Carleton
The Portland Fire had mixed results against the Fever, Tempo and Liberty. As a team, they rank third in the league with 7.8 steals per game. Bridget Carleton is averaging 2.3 steals while leading the team in scoring (16.5 ppg). Emily Engstler is also helping as Portland builds its defensive identity, averaging two blocks per game.
11. Seattle Storm (3-4)
Previous rank: 14 (⬆3)
Key defender: Dominique Malonga
The Storm went 2-1 this week but the one loss came against Connecticut Sun, the league’s worst team. The bright spot was a 87-85 win over the Mystics on Sunday, which saw Awa Fam, the No. 3 overall draft pick, make her WNBA debut. The 6-foot-4 center finished with 10 points in 20 minutes and is also sure to be a key interior defender for the Storm as she acclimates. Her return was much needed as Dominique Malonga, who leads the Storm in scoring (16.0 points per game) and rebounds (7.3), missed her fourth consecutive game while in concussion protocol.
12. Toronto Tempo (3-4)
Previous rank: 11 (⬇1)
Key defender: Brittney Sykes
This week, the Tempo beat Phoenix but lost to Minnesota and Portland. Their defense isn’t great (110.8 defensive rating), but they rank third in WNBA fastbreak points with 11.4 per game. Brittney Sykes, a skilled perimeter defender, leads the team in scoring (20.6), assists (4.7), and steals (1.7). The Tempo and Storm are tied for fourth-most steals per game in the league this season (7.7).
13. Phoenix Mercury (2-5)
Previous rank 4 (⬇9)
Key defender: Alyssa Thomas
With three straight losses this week to the Tempo, Sparks and Dream, Phoenix is sliding to depths Alyssa Thomas described as “uncharted territory.” Thomas, who is averaging 1.7 steals per game, says it all comes down to the team’s defense.
“We keep harping on it, and we're just going to keep trying to find people that can play defense,” Thomas said after the loss to Atlanta. “We’ve just got to continue to grow, continue to pick people up. It's a long season, there's a lot more basketball to play."
14. Washington Mystics (2-3)
Previous rank: 8 (⬇6)
Key defender: Sonia Citron
There’s not much to say about the Mystics right now. With their youth comes a requirement for patience as they work out the kinks. Sonia Citron leads the team with 19.2 points and 1.6 steals per game. She’s an example of the guard talent the organization should try to emulate as it continues to shape its roster.
15. Connecticut Sun (1-7)
Previous rank: 15 (⬌)
Key defender: Aaliyah Edwards
Connecticut has the league’s worst record, so there’s no need to pile on. They could really benefit from the presence of veteran center Brittney Griner, who has played in three games season due to a right rib injury. On the bright side, they don’t have the league’s worst defensive rating. That title belongs to the Sparks. The Sun also leads the league with 8.1 steals per game. That stat has come by committee, but Aaliyah Edwards has a team-high 1.5 steals per game this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA power rankings: Best defenders in the league this season
Continue reading...
