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The 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will feature six of 10 players named to the WNBA All-Defensive teams. Yes, you read that right.
Atlanta Dream
forward Angel Reese followed up her 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award with first-team All-Defensive honors, the WNBA announced on Thursday, Oct. 15. Reese is joined by Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, who earned first and second team honors, respectively.The Dream's trio of defensive superstars will go head-to-head in the WNBA Finals against the Valkyries, who have their own trio of All-Defensive players. Valkyries forward Gabby Williams, who finished second in DPOY voting behind Reese, was named to the first team for the second consecutive
season. Guard Veronica Burton and center Kiah Stokes were named to the second team.
Here are the WNBA players named to the 2026 WNBA All-Defensive teams:
2026 WNBA All-Defensive first team
- Washington Mystics C Shakira Austin: The 6-foot-5 center anchored the league's top rebounding team, with the Mystics averaging 37.7 rebounds per game. Austin ranked second in the league in defensive rebounds (7.6) and fourth in total rebounds (9.5). She joins A'ja Wilson and Jonquel Jones as the only three players to average at least nine rebounds and one block this season.
- Atlanta Dream G Rhyne Howard: The 6-foot-2 guard led the league in steals per game (2.3), setting a Dream single-season record (99) for steals in the process. Howard recorded three or more steals in 19 games this season, including two six-steal outings. Howard ranked third in the league in defensive win shares (3.2).
- Atlanta Dream F Angel Reese: Reese, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, picked up her first All-Defensive nod. The 6-foot-4 forward led the league in rebounds (12.1), offensive rebounds per game (4.8) and defensive win shares (3.4), while setting WNBA single-season records for total rebounds (521), total offensive rebounds (206) and double-doubles (32). Reese averaged a career-high 1.8 steals per game, which ranked third in the league behind Dream teammates Howard and Canada (1.9).
- Golden State Valkyries F Gabby Williams: The 5-foot-11 forward finished second in DPOY voting for the second consecutive season after ranking second in the league in defensive NET points (25) and fifth in steals per game (1.6). The 2025 first-team All-Defensive pick has recorded three or more steals in eight games this season. Williams, who played for France, was named the Best Defensive Player at the FIBA Women's World Cup.
- Las Vegas Aces C A'ja Wilson: The 6-foot-4 center was named All-Defense for the seventh season straight. Wilson led the league in total blocks (79), blocks per game (1.9) and steals and blocks per game (3.3). She recorded a season-high five blocks in the Aces' 79-69 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on June 2, where she added 25 points and 15 rebounds to her stat line. The 2026 WNBA MVP has recorded three or more blocks in 10 games this season and grabbed 15 rebounds in five games. She finished third in the league in defensive rebounds (7.5) and fifth in rebounds per game (9.4).
2026 WNBA All-Defensive second team
- Golden State Valkyries G Veronica Burton: The 5-foot-9 guard led the league in defensive win shares (.212) and defensive NET points (29), all while averaging a career-high 1.6 steals per game, which is tied for fifth in the league. It marks Burton's second consecutive WNBA All-Defensive second-team honor.
- Golden State Valkyries C Kiah Stokes: The 6-foot-3 center ranked second in the league in total blocks (74) and fourth in the league in blocks per game (1.7). Stokes recorded three or more blocks in 11 games this season and five or more blocks in three contests. She had season-high seven blocks in the Valkyries' win over the Atlanta Dream on June 26.
- Washington Mystics G Sonia Citron: The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in her sophomore season. She recorded three games with three or more steals, including a five-steal outing in the Mystics' win over the New York Liberty on June 19. She also had five games this season with two or more blocks. Citron became the first guard in franchise history to record 150 rebounds, 45 steals and 25 blocks in a single season.
- Atlanta Dream G Jordin Canada: The 5-foot-6 guard finished second in the league with 1.9 steals per game, finishing behind her Dream teammate Rhyne Howard. Canada recorded 14 games this season with three or more steals, including a season-high seven steals in the Dream's loss to the Las Vegas Aces on May 17.
- New York Liberty F Breanna Stewart: The 2026 WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP is leading the Liberty in points (19.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.3) in her 10th season in the league, while ranking second in rebounds (8.5). Stewart has scored double-digits in all but one game this season and her seven double-doubles is tied for the fifth-most in the league. Stewart has been named All-Defense eight times.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese, Gabby Williams headline WNBA All-Defensive team: Full list
