Defense is difficult to quantify, yet crucial to acknowledge. So, who stands out as the top defender in the WNBA?
Could it be a rising star who anchors a versatile defense for one of the league’s elite teams? Or perhaps a record-breaking honoree on the verge of claiming her third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award – a feat never before accomplished in WNBA history – to add to her already impressive collection of accolades? Maybe it is a longstanding defensive linchpin who, as the linchpin of the league’s top-rated defense, is finally poised for recognition?
Josh Felton delves into the defensive impact of the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, Mykah Horrell highlights the ongoing brilliance of the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, and Cat Ariail champions the cause of the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas.
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx)
At first glance, it is apparent that the Minnesota Lynx’s defensive efficiency shifts significantly when Napheesa Collier is on or off the court. Her impact on defense, with an eight-point swing, could mean the difference between the Lynx ranking first or fifth in the league.
Collier’s versatility and basketball IQ have made the Lynx’s defense historic this season. Despite playing power forward at an undersized stature, she effectively guards a range of positions, from smaller guards to big forwards. Opponents shoot six percent worse at the rim when she is on the court, displaying her value in various defensive aspects of the game.
As a help defender, Collier excels in making timely rotations to disrupt post entries, pick-and-roll plays, and back cuts to the basket. Surrounded by talented defenders and a rim-protecting center, Minnesota’s defense under Collier’s leadership is legendary and ranks among the best in WNBA history. – Josh Felton
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
A’ja Wilson seems destined to secure another Defensive Player of the Year award. Leading the WNBA in blocks and steals per game, she continues to dominate defensively and elevate the Aces’ suffocating defense. – Mykah Horrell
Wilson’s impact on the court has propelled the Aces to a top-five defense this season, with opponents shooting 43.1% from the field. Her defensive versatility, shot-blocking prowess, and ability to guard any position make her a formidable force on the court.
With the Aces eyeing a third consecutive championship, Wilson’s exceptional defensive season positions her as a frontrunner for another DPOY award. Her defensive presence and ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor make her a standout in WNBA history. – Mykah Horrell
Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun)
Having finished as a runner-up for the DPOY award in past seasons, Alyssa Thomas is a key component of the Connecticut Sun’s league-leading defense in 2024. Despite a slight dip in her statistical output, her defensive versatility and gritty play style embody the Sun’s defensive identity. – Cat Ariail
Thomas’s ability to adapt to various defensive schemes and guard multiple positions makes her indispensable to the Sun’s defensive success. Her tenacity on the court, willingness to battle against bigger opponents, and disruptive defensive skills set her apart as one of the top defenders in the league. – Cat Ariail
At 32 years old, Thomas’s career is approaching its twilight, making her pursuit of a DPOY award even more significant. With a legacy of defensive excellence and multiple All-Defense honors, she is a deserving candidate for the award this season. – Cat Ariail
