^{August 04, 2025 | Edition #120}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

What happens in Vegas... gets etched in the WNBA record books. Well, in the worst way possible for them this time. Meanwhile, for their opponents, it was a week full of wins and not just the on-court kind. The Lynx bagged big off it, too. And while we were busy catching our breath from certain players hopping cities post-trade, it turns out a whole franchise might be packing up for a new one soon.

The Sun Sets in CT, Rises for the W

We knew this was coming. Back in May, it was confirmed that after over 20 years in the state (since moving from Orlando in 2003), the Connecticut Sun were officially looking for a buyer. Well, that buyer has now been found.

Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca is stepping in with a massive deal to buy the Sun. It's understandable when we recall that the franchise made history as the first WNBA team owned by a non-NBA group, and the first to actually turn a profit. But it also comes with a relocation. Starting in 2027, the Sun may no longer play in Connecticut. Boston is calling.

While that should have been the biggest news, here’s the part that actually broke the internet: Pagliuca and his group are reportedly paying $325 million for the franchise. That’s not just a record for the WNBA, it’s the biggest sale ever for any women’s sports team. And sure, that’s a massive W for the league, but it also feels like a gut punch for Connecticut fans. This reasoning is valid, though.

To give you some context, the last WNBA team sold was the Atlanta Dream in 2021 for under $10 million. Even the three newest teams in the league came in at much lower buy-in prices. Toronto and the Golden State Valkyries entered at $50 million in 2023.

So, this Sun deal is huge, to say the least. Although it still requires league and team governor approval, the Mohegan Tribe has already shown its support for relocation. Pagliuca seems locked in, too. Hence, it’s likely the move will go through.

And as hard as the goodbye might be, the new chapter looks incredibly bright. Pagliuca is ready to invest $100 million into a brand-new practice facility in Boston. ​With better facilities and a fresh city, this could be the start of a whole new era.

Sideline Comfort, Anytime, Anywhere

Ever notice how the best seat in the house isn’t always in the house? Whether you’re kicking back at the park, grilling in the backyard, or catching WNBA highlights with friends, comfort is non‑negotiable. That’s where the Kijaro Elite Sling Chair comes in. It’s built for relaxation; you can take it anywhere.

Benefits:

• Sturdy frame and breathable sling seat for all‑day comfort

• Built‑in cooler to keep your drinks close and cold

• Quick‑fold design for easy grab‑and‑go portability

Right now, it’s on sale for a flat 30% off, making it the perfect time to claim your spot in style.

Dallas Played Long, Minnesota Played Smart?

When DiJonai Carrington landed in Dallas back in February, it felt like a move with purpose. The Wings needed a defensive bulldog on the perimeter. Carrington needed more room to grow offensively. On paper, it seemed like a perfect fit.

Fast forward six months, and the vibes just never really clicked. A rib injury didn’t help, but even after she returned, her shift to a bench role made it clear that the runway in Dallas was... short. From a career standpoint, she admitted, it was hard. So here comes the mid-season reset.

The Wings sent Carrington packing to Minnesota in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-rounder. Carrington might be exactly what Minnesota needed. Especially in one key area. Check out what she brings that makes the Lynx flat-out scarier!

To complete the deal, Wings also waived Teaira McCowan. Money-wise, it’s a wash and doesn’t alter either team’s salary structure. While the Lynx went all-in on experience, Dallas made a different kind of bet with a future draft pick, a young talent in Miller, and injured Samuelson, who might be out for the season, but she had solid runs in both 2023 and 2024.

And while we’re at it, something very Indiana-ish might be brewing in Phoenix (👀). The recent actions hint that their big offseason acquisitions could be on the way out.

In LA, meanwhile, we’ve got a sweet little full-circle story. The Sparks just signed Alissa Pili to a 7-day contract, reuniting the Utah alumna with her college coach, Lynne Roberts.

2025 WNBA Trade Recap! Who Nailed It and Who’s Gonna Regret Ft. Dallas, Indiana, Chicago?

Wins That Ended Streaks & Wins That Kept Them Alive

It’s a bit puzzling. Why would a win over the league-worst feel like such a big deal for a Superteam? You’re probably thinking the same thing. Surprisingly, this one was. Because for the New York Liberty, it wasn’t just about beating Connecticut. It was about finally flipping the switch, ending a 4-game slide, and getting revenge.

Sure, Emma Meesseman's debut might be the luck factor, but we can’t deny that Sabrina Ionescu was the flamethrower behind it all. No signs of fatigue, no signs of funk…just pure takeover mode. And if you missed her effortless sequence with the new arrival, you have to watch this now!

Sab dropped a season-high 36 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and quietly became the fastest player since 2003 to reach 1000 assists (4 assists) and push the Liberty past the Sun, 87-78.

While the Libs were snapping streaks, the Fever and Atlanta were doing the opposite: keeping theirs alive. For the first quarter, the Dream couldn’t buy a bucket against the Mystics. Down 10 early, it looked rough. But they flipped the switch. What started as a 13-point deficit turned into a dominant 99-83 win, led by a spark from Te-Hina Paopao.

Meanwhile, if you have a Seattle Storm fan in your life, please go check on them. After a double OT thriller on Friday, on Sunday the Fever handed Storm another heartbreak, 78-74 in front of a sold-out Seattle crowd. While the Storm entered with the same record as Indiana, it was Seattle who added to the L column as Indy’s win stamped their name next to a record they haven’t touched in a decade. Find out what it is!

With 21 from Natasha Howard, 17 from Sophie Cunningham, and a 16-12 double-double from Aliyah Boston, Indy solidified their playoff credentials.

Whistle Drama Goes Global! Olympic Medalist Publicly Throws Shade at Marina Mabrey’s Move

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

Olivia Nelson-Ododa is the bridge between two Sun timelines. In her four years, she has seen the contending version of this franchise. Yet, she’s only two years older than rookies. While her performances prove she doesn’t need flashy plays to make an impact, let’s not pretend she doesn’t have that in her bag. You might be surprised, but not shocked...Olivia was dunking before she even touched college hardwood! See for yourself!

Lynx Hand Aces a Record-Breaking Reality Check

Saturday was brutal for the Aces and historic for the Lynx. Minnesota handed Las Vegas the worst home loss in WNBA history, 111-58. The Lynx couldn't miss from deep, especially Kayla McBride. She started the game on a heater, going 8-8 from deep for 24 points! On the other end, the Aces could barely get anything going.

And yet, it wasn’t all good vibes for the Lynx. Their captain, Napheesa Collier, left the game in the third quarter after rolling her ankle on a teammate’s foot. The way she was wincing in pain didn’t look good at all. Let’s just hope it doesn’t ruin her MVP season.

But things got better for the Aces on Sunday, thanks to a 101-77 win over the Valkyries, who were finishing up a 5-game road trip. From the jump, the Aces were locked in. A’ja Wilson held it down at the rim, and Vegas forced four turnovers in the first quarter alone.

For GSV, things unraveled fast, especially after Janelle Salaün got ejected in the second quarter with a flagrant 2. However, once you see how brutally she shouldered Jewell Loyd, that felt warranted. That now puts the Aces at 13-13 and sitting eighth in the standings.

Meanwhile, Chicago keeps sinking. The Sky dropped their eighth straight game, this time to Phoenix, who rolled to a comfortable 83-67 win. Kahleah Copper poured in 25, and Alyssa Thomas logged another triple-double to lead the way. The biggest missing piece was Angel Reese, again. She’s now missed four of the last five games with a back injury, but was still courtside.

The Cutest Tradition! Aces’ Halftime Baby Race Took the Most Adorable, Surprising Turn

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Did Paige Bueckers Just Avoid an Ejection for Clear Referee Contact? - Full Story

2. DiJonai Carrington’s Goodbye Post Hints Not "Everything" Was Sweet in Dallas - Full Story

3. Diana Taurasi’s Caitlin Clark U-Turn Has Fans Yelling “Reality Check!” - Full Story

4. Feud Over? Angel Reese’s Sweet Courtside Moment With WNBA Vet Breaks the Internet - Full Story

5. Caitlin Clark’s Absence Exposes Fever’s Key Offensive Weakness - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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