^{October 02, 2025 | Edition #145}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

It’s been quite chaotic in the WNBA this week. Somehow, the jitters of the Finals couldn’t compare to the tsunami Napheesa Collier brought with her words. It is the talk of the town, for sure. But that frenzy stole the spotlight from an epic Game 5 between the Aces and Fever. Those forty (+5) minutes of pure basketball magic ended in heartbreak for one team (in more ways than one), and a Finals ticket punched for the other.

So, before we move to the Finals, let’s give that game the attention it deserves.

Indiana’s “Wheels” Ultimately Fell Off

The Aces are headed to the Finals for the fourth time in six seasons. As remarkable as the feat is, let’s not forget it took every ounce of effort to get there against a limping Indiana team.

Game 5’s 107-98 overtime thriller was proof of that relentless spirit- yet again!

Natasha Howard put her body on the line, Aliyah Boston was just doing everything she could, and Kelsey Mitchell gave all she had… until, in her words, “her wheels fell off.” Quite literally.

Mitchell was carried off the court in the third quarter with severe lower-body cramping. And this wasn’t just a minor tweak; it could have been life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Sports medical expert Brian Sutterer explained, “This is one of the few sports medicine emergencies. Left untreated, it can (and has before) lead to kidney failure and death.”

Thankfully, due to quick medical attention, she has now been released from the hospital and is recovering well.

Even with that setback, Indiana refused to quit. After a first half that alone featured 13 lead changes and 16 ties, the Fever entered the 4th quarter down 63-71. That is when Odyssey Sims went beast mode, contributing 14 (10 pts, 2 ast) of Indy’s 23 points in that frame.

She topped it off with a clutch game-tying shot with just 22 seconds left. Here’s the gem that straight-up silenced the Vegas crowd!

Six of their players reached double figures, led by Sims’ 27. But championship poise ultimately won out. How do you even slow Las Vegas down when A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young combine for 67 points (35 from A’ja, 32 from Jackie)? That’s the most points contribution from a duo this postseason.

Chelsea Gray briefly left with a foot injury in the third but returned to drop 8 of her 17 points in OT. And just like that, the Aces outscored Indiana 21-12 in overtime to set up a date with Phoenix.

And all Indiana was left with was a few questions….

• Would the outcome have been different if Mitchell hadn’t gone down?

• Or if Boston hadn’t fouled out with 26 seconds left in regulation, making her ineligible for OT?

Guess we’ll never know.

Things Are Heating Up

It’s almost here. That peak WNBA time. Snacks ready, drinks on hand, and TVs tuned in. And with Black & Decker, we’ve got you covered on the food front too. Their 6-Slice Crisp N’ Bake-Air Fry Convection Oven makes whipping up Finals-week bites a breeze. Crispy wings, golden fries, even a quick pizza—it’s all done in minutes. And right now, with Black & Decker’s sale, you can grab it for 40% off.

Benefits:

• Air fry technology for crispy results with less oil

• ⁠Large enough to fit a 12" pizza or 6 slices of toast

• Convection technology for fast, even cooking

• ⁠Easy cleanup with removable crumb tray

So settle in, cheer loudly, and let the oven handle the rest.

Our All-Defensive Squads

With everything happening in the league, one thing quietly slipped through the cracks: the WNBA’s All-Defensive Team announcement. It was supposed to drop yesterday, but didn’t happen. Maybe by the time you read this it’s out, but we couldn’t resist sharing our picks.

Here’s SGG’s All-Defensive First Team:

• A’ja Wilson

• Alanna Smith

• Napheesa Collier

• Alyssa Thomas

• Gabby Williams

Now, both Defensive Player(s) of the Year shouldn’t face the ‘why,’ we feel. Even though Smith didn’t quite live up to it in the playoffs, she was a menace throughout the regular season. And A’ja….well, she’s A’ja.

NBA players even admit she could handle a few of them 1-on-1. And yet, Orlando Magic star Wendell Carter Jr.’s take on a hypothetical 2-on-2 between him and Angel Reese versus Bam Adebayo and Wilson was… let’s say, “interesting.” Check it out here!

Then you have Collier, the 2024 DPOY, a smart, rock-solid interior defender, Thomas, a physical specimen who battles bigs inside with zero fear, and Gabby, who seems to do everything on the court for the Storm.

You might think Seattle’s overall defense is a work in progress, but just watch this highlight and you’ll understand why Williams is still a nightmare. Strong on the ball, lethal off it, and easily the league’s best wing defender.

For the Second Team, there were tons of contenders. We know Temi Fágbénlé, Saniya Rivers, and Rhyne Howard would get votes, too. But here’s who we went with:

• Breanna Stewart

• Brionna Jones

• Veronica Burton

• Ezi Magbegor

• Bridget Carleton

We’ll leave it here, hoping you agree with a few (if not all) of our picks.

Double Blow! Major Setback For Collier After Update on Ankle Injury

The Beat of the Fever - Aliyah Boston

We mentioned in the first story how a whistle on Aliyah Boston may have changed everything for the Fever in Game 5. With 26 seconds left in regulation and the score tied at 84-84, Boston picked up her sixth foul.

And without her in overtime, Indy had no answer in the paint, on either end. Fans couldn’t believe the call, commentators said they didn’t think it was a foul. See for yourself if it was legit or not!

But what it really showed was just how crucial Boston is to this team. Year 3, and you can already see it - the growth, the intensity, the sheer presence. Boston finished the regular season averaging 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists and sixth in MVP voting. Solid, sure. But then she cranked it up in the postseason with 4.1 assists a game. For context, the only center in WNBA history to average more in a playoff run is Candace Parker!

Plus more than anything, her value lies in the subtleties: the leadership, the consistency, her making a 4x MVP’s life tough in the paint, and the fact that she notched four double-doubles this postseason (adding to the two she dropped last year).

And we’re only talking about her third year in the league. No wonder Dawn Staley’s out here making these bold predictions for Boston.

All in all, the truth is, when we talk about Indiana’s rise, let’s not forget AB was the first piece of the puzzle. Yes, Clark has changed the conversation but Aliyah has been the backbone all along. The Fever’s future can not be without their star center’s rhythm.

Was That a Flagrant? Watch Jewell Loyd Knock Lexi Hull to the Ground

Tunnel Fashion Hits

Another postseason round has wrapped. That means it’s time to crown the best tunnel fits from the Semis. We handpicked the best ones out there for you. Some of these were straight off the runway, some had jaws dropping, and one even came with a cute “little” surprise.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark found a way to turn the tunnels into her own comedy show. All dressed up herself, she caught Sophie Cunningham in sweats, and went full “classic Clark bully mode.” She dragged Cunningham in front of the camera. You cannot miss this hilarious moment!

1. WNBA Faces Finals Test to Avoid Another Caitlin Clark Nightmare - Full Story

2. WNBPA VP Breanna Stewart Issues Subtle CBA Warning to Cathy Engelbert - Full Story

3. The Top 3 Candidates to Coach Paige Bueckers After Koclanes’ Exit - Full Story

4. Jackie Young Sends 10 Sec Message to Phoenix Ahead of WNBA Finals - Full Story

5. Is Angel Reese Not Playing in Unrivaled This Year? - 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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