Defensive Player of the Year races are usually shaped by the possessions that stand out. Blocks get replayed, rebounds end threats and elite defenders earn reputations that can follow them for years.
The 2026 race has become harder to read because two of its biggest names are making their cases in very different ways. Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson are both having seasons that give voters plenty to consider as the playoffs approach.
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Wilson started the season with the best reputation among all the candidates. She has won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times, and in the WNBA’s preseason survey of general managers, she was voted the top defensive player with 53% of the votes.
Her performance in 2026 still supports that reputation. Wilson is tied for the league lead with 2.0 blocks per game, and her team, Las Vegas, is ranked fifth in defensive rating at 108.3.
Reese is making her case with a different set of stats. She leads the WNBA in defensive win shares with 2.88, which is better than Wilson’s 2.76. Reese also ranks second in both Defensive VPM and Defensive RAPM, according to Atlanta.
However, this award isn’t just about numbers. It does show why Reese has become an important part of the discussion.
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Her rebounding adds another strong point to her case. Reese leads the league with 12.4 rebounds per game and has set a record for the season with 29 double-doubles. Atlanta also has the fourth-best defensive rating in the league at 106.0.
The strongest part of Wilson’s case is still the things that have always shown how she defends throughout her career. She protects the area near the basket, grabs defensive rebounds, and makes opponents pay attention to her when they get close to the hoop.
On the other hand, Reese is having a season that goes beyond what just a box score shows. Atlanta says their defensive rating improves by 15.1 points per 100 possessions when she’s playing, the biggest defensive impact in the WNBA.
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This helps explain why the current award discussions are still open. USA Today mentions Wilson, Reese, and Gabby Williams from Golden State as top candidates, while a recent voter from SB Nation argued for Reese.
Wilson has the past achievements and rim protection. Reese has impressive defensive numbers and is the league’s best at rebounding.
As the regular season gets closer to the end, these two kinds of defensive value are coming together in one award race.
