Angel Reese Headlines WNBA All-Defensive First Team as Dream, Valkyries Dominate Honors

Angel Reese added another major defensive honor Thursday, earning the first WNBA All-Defensive Team selection of her career and landing on the First Team alongside Atlanta Dream teammate Rhyne Howard. The league’s 2026 Defensive Player of the Year was joined by Shakira Austin, Gabby Williams and A’ja Wilson on the First Team, while Jordin Canada, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Breanna Stewart and Kiah Stokes made the Second Team.

The timing gives the announcement an especially strong Finals angle. Atlanta and Golden State, who open the WNBA Finals on Saturday, combined to place six players on the two All-Defensive teams. Reese, Howard and Canada represented the Dream, while Williams, Burton and Stokes represented the Valkyries. Atlanta’s trio also made league history during the regular season by finishing first, second and third in steals per game, led by Howard at 2.3.

For Reese, the selection reinforces how quickly her impact has expanded beyond rebounding. Atlanta allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions with her on the floor, according to the Dream, and she led the WNBA in defensive win shares. More importantly for this weekend, the awards underline what could define the championship series: the two teams playing for the title are also the two most heavily represented teams among the league’s best defenders.