Defense wins championships. It’s an adage as old as time, but it’s a saying for a reason: it’s true.
When the game reaches its highest levels and things tighten up, excellent defense that suffocates your opponent and prevents them from their usual production likely will be the difference between winning or losing. This also holds true in the regular season, as the list of the best teams in terms of defensive rating and the order of the WNBA standings looks nearly identical.
In the last two seasons, the Las Vegas Aces have been the best team in the W. Their best player, A’Ja Wilson, was named the Defensive Player of the Year for both years. She still has that dominant defense, but other candidates are making a case for the award in 2024. Here are the top DPOY candidates at the halfway mark of the season:
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
Sure, there may be voter fatigue, but if you watch her play, she’s the best defender on the floor every night.
A’ja Wilson leads the league in total blocks with 57, but it’s not just her rejections that stand out; it’s her tenacity. She…
