When it comes to winning the WNBA title, a team needs a mixture of both: a fast offense and a standout defense. While the offense makes the highlights of a game, it is the disciplined ability to prevent points that makes the game winnable.

A good defense boosts morale for the forwards as well, and it needs flawless communication and great rim protection, to be precise. This season has been no different when it comes to being vigilant on the defensive end of the court.

With most of the teams having played 10-14 games so far, we are at the brink of completing one-third of the regular season.

Let us delve into the best WNBA teams right now by examining stats such as defensive ratings, total victories, and opponent points allowed to determine who has the upper hand so far this season. The statistics and the list have been curated with sources such as the WNBA and StatMuse.

10. Washington Mystics

Mystics' defensive rating is 106.4 after playing 11 games and having a 5-6 record, ranking 10th in the league in this category.

While the record suggests otherwise, the Mystics rank ninth in points allowed per game at 86.73. They have also been blocking shots, getting 3.6 blocks per game, and ranking ninth in the league.

9. Chicago Sky

Although Chicago have not been the best when it comes to defense, they have a defensive rating of 105.6 and rank ninth in the league. They also rank second in blocked shots per game with 6.1.

They seem to stand out on transition defense, allowing 8.8 fast-break points per game and ranking seventh in the category.

8. Las Vegas Aces

This might seem like a shocker at first, as they hold a 9-3 record. But if you look at how the Aces have played, they have allowed 85.75 points per game and have a defensive rating of 105.5, ranking eighth in both stats.

It is their offense that has compensated for their weak defense, as they average 91.4 points and lead the chart in it.

7. Seattle Storm

Surprisingly, Seattle rank ahead of the Aces, with a defensive rating of 104.8, even though they stand with a 3-12 record.

This is possible because they stand at a respectable fifth place in the points-per-game allowed stat, with 83.13 points allowed per game. They have also been great at steals, ranking seventh with 7.5 steals per game.

6. Dallas Wings

Boasting a defensive rating of 104, the Wings have been in decent form, holding an 8-4 record. They have also limited second-chance points, allowing just 10.4 per game and ranking fourth in the league.

They also rank fifth in points allowed per game, allowing 83.3 points. Not only that, but they rank fifth in fast-break points allowed per game, giving up only 8.4 points per game.

5. Golden State Valkyries

Moving forward, we don't have teams with a bad record and decent defense. The Valkyries bag a 103.7 defensive rating and have also allowed the fewest points in the paint, with just 29.2.

They also come fourth in terms of allowing fast-break points, giving up just 8.2 per game. They also stand second in the league in allowing just 79.85 points per game.

4. Indiana Fever

While the Fever have not been consistent in some parts of their defense, such as ranking 13th in points allowed in the paint at 41.8, they have been excellent in other areas.

Indiana have allowed just 9.6 second-chance points, ranking first in the category. They also rank fifth in defensive rebounds and blocks per game, with 25.8 and 4.3, respectively.

The Ferver have the highest defensive rebound percentage, at 73.9% and hold a 7-5 record as of now.

3. New York Liberty

With a defensive record of 102.6, the New York Liberty have been in decent form with a 9-4 record. They stand second in fast-break points allowed, allowing just 7.6 points.

The Liberty have allowed just 10.2 second-chance points as well, ranking third in the league. New York are currently third in having defensive rebounds per game at 28.7 with a 72.9% accuracy.

2. Atlanta Dream

The Dream rank second with a defensive rating of 102.4.

Nobody beats the Dream when it comes to giving up fast-break points, allowing just seven points per game. They also rank third in points allowed per game, giving up 81 points.

The Dream also boast a remarkable steal stat, averaging 9.5 steals per game, ranking highest in the league for the same. They also rank second in allowing second-chance points per game at 9.8.

1. Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx have been the best team in the league by far, holding a 10-2 record. They are the only team to have a defensive rating under 100, at 96.5.

They are also averaging the highest defensive rebounds per game, at 28.8.

The Lynx have been dominating the points allowed per game stat as well, allowing just 78.17 points. They also rank third in steals, averaging 8.7 steals per game.

So these are the teams that have been performing well defensively. While the season is still in its early stages, a strong defensive team like the Lynx have already taken advantage, winning 10 games already.

Can the rest of the teams keep up defensively to stand a chance at the title?

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas