WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award ends in historic tie, triggering fan backlash
A'ja Wilson and Alanna Smith share the DPOY honor after a 29-29 vote, drawing swift criticism from fans who called the decision a 'joke.'
The WNBA on Thursday announced co-winners of its Defensive Player of the Year award for the first time in league history, with A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx sharing the honor after tying with 29 votes apiece from a 72-member national media panel.
The surprise result drew sharp backlash from fans on social media, who labeled the decision a “joke” and argued the league was not taking the award seriously. In addition to Wilson and Smith, three other players received votes: Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm (9 votes), Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury (3 votes) and Napheesa Collier of the Lynx (2 votes).
Wilson, a two-time WNBA champion, followed a historic season with another standout year and is widely viewed as the favorite to win the league’s MVP this season. She has also been honored as AP Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four seasons. Smith has served as the Lynx’s premier rim protector and interior anchor, a role that has helped Minnesota rank among the league’s top defenses this season.
Reaction to the tie reflected a broader debate about how the WNBA recognizes players and awards. On social media, critics argued that sharing the award blurred the distinction between the league’s top defensive stopper and a star scorer, while others called the move emblematic of inconsistency in how the league celebrates its stars.
In other context from the season, the vote drew attention amid a separate controversy earlier in the week about rookie-of-the-year recognition. Some fans contended that Paige Bueckers received a different, more lavish treatment than Caitlin Clark when Clark was named rookie of the year in 2024; Clark’s selection was announced with Engelbert presenting the news in a highly publicized moment, while Bueckers learned of her honor in a more muted setting. Supporters and critics pointed to the contrasts as evidence of uneven handling of awards and recognition, though the WNBA did not indicate any policy changes tied to those moments.
The tie also comes as the league tries to balance marquee market teams and emerging stars. The Minnesota Lynx renewed prominence with Smith, and the Las Vegas Aces remain a leading team after their championship runs, a backdrop that has intensified fans’ scrutiny of individual awards. The Wings’ absence from the postseason in 2025 and the Fever’s postseason appearance last year were cited by some observers as part of a wider conversation about the league’s competitive narrative and how awards reflect it.