WNBAAnnounces A'ja Wilson of the Aces and Alanna Smith of the Lynx as Joint Recipients of the Defensive Player of the Year Award in a Voting Decision
Aces' A'ja Wilson and Lynx's Alanna Smith Share 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
In a historic move, the 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been shared by A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx. This is the first time in league history that two players have shared this prestigious honour.
A'ja Wilson, a three-time recipient of the award, has once again proven her defensive prowess. Standing at 6-foot-4, Wilson took her game to new heights, leading the league in total rebounds with 407 and blocks per game with 2.3, a feat she has achieved for the fourth consecutive season. Her impressive defensive statistics also included a combined 156 steals and blocks, the highest in the WNBA.
On the other hand, Alanna Smith, despite being undersized, has been a vital cog in the Lynx's defensive machine over the past two seasons. Her ability to take on bigger matchups, protect the rim, and be a help defender has been instrumental in the team's success. Smith averaged 1.3 steals and a career-high 1.9 blocks, ranking third in the league for blocks.
The Lynx's dominance on defense helped them tie the league's single-season wins record (34-10) and earn the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The team boasted a league-best 97.5 defensive rating, finished first in opponent free-throw rate, and second in opponent turnover rate, even without Napheesa Collier for a quarter of the season.
Bridget Carleton, a Lynx forward, praised Smith's defensive impact on the team, stating that she is their anchor. Collier was the only other player in the top-five in both blocks and steals, besides Wilson. Gabby Williams, Alyssa Thomas, and Napheesa Collier also received votes for the 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Aces, despite Wilson's individual brilliance, struggled defensively for much of the season, finishing eighth in the league with a defensive rating of 101.9, making them the worst defensive team among playoff teams. However, the team had a significantly better defensive rating with Wilson on the floor (98.8) compared to when she sat (105.3).
Sylvia Fowles, Tamika Catchings, and A'ja Wilson are the only players to earn the top defensive award three-plus times. The announcement of the joint winners was made on September 18, 2025, with both Smith and Wilson receiving 29 votes from a panel of 72 sportswriters and broadcasters.
This marks a special moment for Alanna Smith, who received her first major award, while A'ja Wilson adds another accolade to her impressive resume, now a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. A tweet accompanying the announcement included a picture of A'ja Wilson, celebrating her achievement.
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