Valkyries and Dream dominate WNBA All-Defense honors
The WNBA revealed its All-Defense First and Second Teams, with six players from the upcoming Finals represented. Golden State and Atlanta each placed three players on the teams, while Washington also had multiple selections. Angel Reese earned Defensive Player of the Year and headlined the First Team.
The league’s defensive awards slate placed ten players across two teams. Golden State and Atlanta each had three honorees, while Washington had two. The First Team featured Austin, Howard, Reese, Williams, and Wilson; Reese also took Defensive Player of the Year. The Second Team comprised Burton, Canada, Citron, Stewart, and Stokes.
The Valkyries, Dream, and Mystics owned the league’s top three defensive ratings—99.3, 103.5, and 104—and each landed multiple players. Stewart and Wilson were the only selections from outside the top four defenses. Williams and Wilson repeated on the First Team; Burton and Stewart repeated on the Second. Howard moved up, while Austin, Reese, Citron, and Stokes debuted.
This recognition could raise the profile of defensive specialists, especially as several honorees enter the Finals. Fans may pay closer attention to stops, rotations, and rebounding, while young players could see less glamorous roles validated. Teams and sponsors might use the awards to market these athletes, and the Valkyries-Dream matchup may benefit from added defensive storylines. The impact likely remains gradual, but it may broaden how viewers value contributions beyond scoring.