defense

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas and center Olivia Nelson-Ododa clench their fists and yell in celebration during a playoff game against the Indiana Fever.

6 takeaways for the Connecticut Sun from their Game 1 win

By Gabby Alfveby / September 23, 2024

Stephanie White: ‘Everybody stepped up. And that’s what it’s gonna take’

Washington Mystics players stand near midcourt after a game and put their fists together in a huddle. The players are each smiling or shouting in celebration.

‘A domino effect’: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough leads Mystics’ bench with buckets, blocks and pregame pep talks

By Jenn Hatfield / September 19, 2024

Walker-Kimbrough leads the WNBA in bench points, but her impact on her teammates goes beyond that

Several Washington Mystics players who are on the bench celebrate a play by shouting, making 3-point signs with their fingers and putting their hands in the air.

How the Washington Mystics climbed from 0-12 into playoff position

By Jenn Hatfield / September 14, 2024

Friday’s win at Atlanta was the Mystics’ seventh in nine games, pushing them into eighth place

A close-up photo of Duke guard Jasmine Thomas in a game, leaning forward with her mouth slightly open in an O shape. The phrases "WNBA Retrospect" and "All-time great defender" are overlaid at the bottom in all caps, and the orange Locked On Women's Basketball logo is in the top right corner.

Locked On Women’s Basketball: How did Jasmine Thomas fall to No. 12 in the 2011 WNBA Draft?

By The Next / September 1, 2024

Adler: ‘She might be the best point-of-attack defender I’ve scouted’

Former Washington Mystics guard/forward Alana Beard stands at a glass podium at center court and addresses the crowd during her Hall of Fame induction. Mystics general manager Mike Thibault and Beard's family and friends stand on either side of her.

‘Destructive’ defense, unparalleled scoring put Alana Beard in Mystics Hall of Fame

By Jenn Hatfield / August 24, 2024

The former No. 2 overall pick inspired current Mystics guards to strive to defend like her

Minnesota Lynx forwards Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith celebrate with a chest bump after Smith made a basket and drew a foul against the Washington Mystics.

Minnesota’s identity was on full display in back-to-back wins over the Mystics

By Terry Horstman / August 19, 2024

The Lynx matched last season’s win total with 13 games left

Four Atlanta Dream players huddle near the free-throw line.

Takeaways from the Atlanta Dream’s loss to the Las Vegas Aces

By Wilton Jackson / July 13, 2024

Tanisha Wright: ‘We have to continue to fight’

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins shoots a left-handed jump shot as a Minnesota Lynx defender tries to avoid making contact from behind.

‘It had been coming’: Explaining the Washington Mystics’ growth in their past 11 games

By Jenn Hatfield / July 11, 2024

On June 10, the Mystics were 0-12. Since then, they’ve had a winning record

The Las Vegas Aces players, including star A'ja Wilson, put one hand each into a huddle. The text "Aces are accelerating" is overlaid at the bottom in all caps, and the orange Locked On Women's Basketball logo is in the top right corner.

Locked On Women’s Basketball: A’ja Wilson dominates and Las Vegas Aces accelerate

By The Next / July 4, 2024

‘When [Wilson] scores 28, that’s normal. It sounds wild, but it’s just her’

New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones slides her feet laterally to defend Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier as Collier drives with her left hand.

For New York Liberty, avenging losses to Minnesota Lynx was ‘personal’

By Jackie Powell / July 4, 2024

The third time was the charm for New York on Tuesday