Defense Wins Championships: Reese, Howard and Canada Earn WNBA All-Defensive Honors

ATLANTA (Oct. 15, 2026) — The Atlanta Dream are preparing to compete for their first WNBA championship, but before taking the Finals stage, three of the team’s biggest defensive playmakers are receiving well-deserved recognition.

Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada have been named to the 2026 WNBA All-Defensive Teams, further highlighting the defensive identity that has helped propel Atlanta into its first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013.

Reese and Howard earned All-Defensive First Team honors, while Canada was selected to the Second Team, marking another significant achievement for a Dream franchise enjoying one of its most memorable seasons.

It’s only the second time in franchise history that Atlanta has placed two players on the All-Defensive First Team and the third time three Dream players have received All-Defensive recognition in the same season.

While offensive performances often dominate headlines, Atlanta’s ability to pressure opponents, force turnovers and turn defensive stops into scoring opportunities has been equally important to its success.

And the numbers tell quite a story.

Reese, Howard and Canada combined to average 6.0 steals per game during the regular season, becoming the first trio of teammates in WNBA history to occupy the league’s top three spots in steals per game.

Howard led the league with 2.3 steals per contest, followed by Canada at 1.9 and Reese at 1.8.

That defensive production helped Atlanta lead the WNBA in steals while ranking among the league’s top three teams in defensive rating at 103.5.

The Dream also led the league in points off turnovers, averaging 18.1 per game, while allowing a league-low 6.9 opponent fast-break points per contest.

Those statistics reflect a team that didn’t simply force mistakes. Atlanta consistently capitalized on them while limiting opponents’ opportunities to do the same.

For Reese, the recognition adds another accomplishment to an already historic season.

The 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year became the first player in Dream franchise history to receive the league’s top individual defensive honor. Now, she adds her first career All-Defensive First Team selection.

Reese led the WNBA in defensive win shares at 3.4, ranked fourth in defensive rating at 100.0 and finished the regular season with 32 blocks.

Perhaps one of the most telling statistics was Atlanta’s defensive performance with Reese on the floor. The Dream allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when she played, the largest defensive on/off differential among the team’s rotation players.

Her impact goes beyond traditional statistics. Whether battling for position in the paint, challenging shots or helping teammates defend, Reese has established herself as an essential part of Atlanta’s defensive foundation.

Howard, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate that her value extends well beyond her offensive abilities.

After earning All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2025, Howard takes another step forward with her first First Team selection and second career All-Defensive honor.

She led the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game and established a new Dream franchise record for steals in a single season.

Howard also ranked third in the league in defensive win shares at 3.2 and 15th in total blocks with 39.

Her combination of length, anticipation and versatility makes her a difficult matchup for opposing offenses. Whether disrupting passing lanes or challenging shots, Howard has developed into one of the league’s most impactful perimeter defenders.

And then there’s Canada, whose relentless defensive pressure has become a familiar sight for Dream fans.

Canada earned her third career All-Defensive Team selection, adding Second Team recognition to two previous First Team honors.

She finished second in the WNBA with 1.9 steals per game and ranked ninth in defensive win shares at 2.6.

Canada’s quick hands, defensive instincts and ability to pressure opposing guards have helped set the tone for Atlanta throughout the season.

Her contributions have also played an important role in creating transition opportunities, allowing the Dream to turn defensive stops into offensive momentum.

Together, Reese, Howard and Canada ranked among the league’s top 10 in defensive win shares, providing Atlanta with three players capable of changing the direction of a game without necessarily taking a shot.

Their recognition arrives at an especially meaningful moment for the franchise.

After sweeping the New York Liberty in the WNBA Semifinals, Atlanta is preparing for its fourth Finals appearance and its first opportunity to compete for a championship in 13 years.

The Dream will open the championship series against the Golden State Valkyries on the road at Chase Center in San Francisco before returning to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.

In another major development, the WNBA announced that both Atlanta home games will take place at State Farm Arena rather than Gateway Center Arena, giving the Dream a larger stage for their historic championship run.

Game 3, originally scheduled for Thursday, October 22, has been moved to Wednesday, October 21, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on USA Network and CNBC and stream on Peacock.

Game 4 remains scheduled for Saturday, October 24, but tip-off has been moved from 3:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.

The schedule adjustment also creates an exciting basketball doubleheader in downtown Atlanta.

To accommodate the Dream’s Finals matchup, the Atlanta Hawks agreed to move their October 24 regular-season home opener against the Houston Rockets from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET, allowing both teams to play at State Farm Arena on the same day.

For Atlanta basketball fans, the arrangement represents a rare opportunity to experience WNBA championship basketball and the start of a new NBA season under one roof.

The Dream’s return to State Farm Arena also comes ahead of the franchise’s planned move to the downtown venue for the 2027 WNBA season.

Before returning home, however, Atlanta must first handle business in San Francisco.

The 2026 WNBA Finals schedule begins with Game 1 on Saturday, October 17, and Game 2 on Monday, October 19, at Chase Center, located at 1 Warriors Way in San Francisco.

With the championship series approaching, Atlanta will be looking to carry its defensive identity into its biggest challenge of the season.

The Dream have reached this stage through a combination of offensive balance, veteran leadership and a defensive mentality that has become central to their success.

As Atlanta prepares for the Finals, the All-Defensive honors reinforce something the team has demonstrated throughout the year: championship aspirations require more than scoring.

They require discipline, toughness, communication and players willing to do the work that doesn’t always appear in the highlight reels.

For Reese, Howard and Canada, the individual recognition is significant. But with the WNBA Finals approaching, there’s an even bigger prize still within reach.

Three All-Defensive selections. One historic season. And one championship still left to chase.