Lynx's Sylvia Fowles Named AP Defensive Player Of The Year

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles has won the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award for the third time.

The AP announced Fowles' win Wednesday afternoon.

Fowles averaged 1.8 blocks, 1.8 steals and 8 defensive rebounds a game this year for the Lynx, who are the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Their first game will be Sunday. They'll play the winner of Thursday night's game between the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 2: Sylvia Fowles #34 of the Minnesota Lynx passes the ball against the Los Angeles Sparks in the second half of the game at Target Center on September 2, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lynx defeated the Sparks 66-57. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Fowles herself is no stranger to awards. Aside from her two other AP defensive player awards since 2016, she was named league MVP in 2017. She's won two championships with the Lynx, and was named Finals MVP each time. She's made All-WNBA First Team three times (once with the Lynx) and is an Olympic gold medalist.

The WNBA has not yet announced its league awards.