Smith’s defense drives Lynx, earns league’s top honour

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Australian women's basketball star Alanna Smith's 2025 WNBA campaign with Minnesota Lynx ending in a crushing 3-1 semi-finals loss to Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury but her season as a whole was historical.

Smith, 29 became only the second international player to win Defensive Player of the Year, the first was Australian legend Lauren Jackson three decades earlier. Smith shared the award with superstar Las Vegas Aces MVP candidate A'Ja Wilson.

"Honestly, I couldn't believe it, it was kind of surreal," Smith told ESPNW.

"It's been a really long year and you know it, we've had more games than we did last year so it's felt like um, just so long. And then to finally come to this point in the season where awards are given out and to be recognised, I was just in shock.

"I've had a crazy journey getting to this point so it's just yeah, like just couldn't believe it."

"It's an honour and I think being able to share it with two great defenders, especially with someone like Asia who has won this award before, I'm so proud of myself, I'm proud of Asia for being able to continue to do what she's been doing for a long time.

"That we've got two great defenders being awarded, it's really cool that we're recognising both."

The Lynx lost to Sandy Brondello's New York Liberty in the 2024 WNBA Finals and Minnesota was hellbent on returning to the Finals but the wheels came off quickly. Head coach Cheryl Reeve was suspended for Game 4 against the Mercury after star Napheesa Collier was injured on the last play of Game 3 and Reeve tore into the referees and the league in her post game press conference. Collier and Reeve both missed Game 4.

🏀 Alanna Smith Performance — 2025 Season

• Team: Minnesota Lynx
• League: WNBA
• Season (Year): 7th WNBA Season (2025)
• Position / Jersey #: Forward / #11
• Height / Weight: 6’4” / 177 lbs (193 cm / 80 kg)
• Age / DOB: 29 (September 10, 1996)
• Nationality: Australian
• Accolades: 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, 2024 All-Defensive Team

Season Snapshot

Smith was a two-way engine for the one-seed Lynx. Smith anchored coverages (switch/hedge/weak-side rim protection), connected actions on offense, and spaced the floor just enough to keep lanes open for guards. Efficiency popped (56.5 eFG, 18.1 PER) and the defense drove winning all year.

Regular Season Stats (Per Game Averages — 2025)

GMS: 42 I PTS: 9.6 I REB: 5.1 I AST: 2.9 I STL: — I BLK: — I FG%: 48.5 I 3P%: 32.9 I FT%: 47.7 I Turnovers: —

(Advanced callouts: eFG% 56.5, PER 18.1, WS 4.8)

Career Stats (Per Game Averages)

GMS: 183 I PTS: 7.3 I REB: 4.6 I AST: 1.9 I STL: — I BLK: — I FG%: 45.5 I 3P%: 31.1 I FT%: 64.2 I Turnovers: —

(Career advanced: eFG% 52.2, PER 16.3, WS 13.1)

Team Performance (2025)

• Minnesota Lynx: 34–10 (.773) — 1st overall (Home 20–2, Away 14–8, Conference 20–4), +9.4 average margin.
• Playoffs: Beat GS 2–0 (First Round). Lost to PHX 2–3 (Semi-Finals).

Player Contribution

• Defensive hub: Elite rotations, verticality, and timing; frequent weak-side shot eraser and event creator without fouling.
• Connector offense: Short-roll reads, DHO game, extra passes; 2.9 AST from the frontcourt.
• Impact: Win Shares 4.8 (Career: 13.1) underscores star-level regular-season value on a 34-win team.

Highlights

• Jun 24 vs WAS: 26 PTS, 6 BLK, 2 STL (9-17 FG, 6-7 FT) — two-way takeover.
• Aug 8 vs WAS: 25 PTS, 5 AST (10-15 FG, 4-9 3PT).
• Jun 17 vs LV: 13 REB, 3 AST in statement win.
• May stretch: 18–19–16 point outings while the Lynx opened 7–0.

Performance Trends

• Hot start → steady middle: Early shooting surge from deep (volume threes in May/June), settled around 32.9% 3PT.
• Playmaking growth: Career-best assist rate; consistent elbow actions and short-roll feeds.
• Defense traveled: Rim deterrence and block timing held even on the road.

Impact & Role

Primary front-court stopper and scheme key who toggles between 4/5. On offense, low-usage efficiency piece who elevates lineups via screening angles, slips, and quick decisions.

Coach/Media Notes (Optional)

“Defensive thermostat” — lineups consistently defended better with Smith on the floor; her communication and back-line reads set coverage integrity.

Alanna Smith's 2026 Outlook

Firmly in her prime at 29. If the FT% (47.7) normalises toward career levels and corner-3 volume ticks up, she projects as an All-Defense fixture with dark-horse All-Star equity on a contender again in 2026.