^{August 28 2025 | Edition #130}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

Are you over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement news? Yes, it was dreamy, the kind of moment that had Swifties screaming (including Caitlin Clark) and the internet going crazy. But while the world was swooning over that, it was anything but ‘dreamy’ for a lot of teams and their fandoms in the W. We also broke down why a lockout is the last thing basketball can afford in our Think Tank Newsletter.

Probably the only person having the perfect week was Clark. After all, her ‘prophecy’ came true, her team got a win (finally!), and she got a shiny news logo!

Indiana Back in Business on “Clark Day”

One win. That’s the fine line between slipping out of reach and chasing playoff glory when the postseason nears. The Fever made sure it was the latter. We would like to assume the home court made all the difference as Indiana finally snapped back with a 95-75 blowout win over Seattle.

But many would argue that it was pure “Caitlin Clark magic.” The court, the seats, even the vibes in the air around Gainbridge, it was all Clark. Actually, scratch that….the whole city was hers. This is how Indiana celebrated Clark’s Nike signature logo!

The stars on the court, though, have to be Aliyah Boston (27 points, 9 boards) and Odyssey Sims (22 points, 6 assists), powering a win that pushed Indiana past Seattle and Golden State into sixth.

Now, with six games left, and a schedule loaded with non-playoff opponents, Fever fans suddenly have reason to believe this climb isn’t done yet, and maybe, just maybe, we get to see Clark back on the court for the postseason.

Elsewhere, the Aces finally capped their mind-blowing streak with a playoff ticket, edging Chicago 79-74 as the Sky’s turnovers basically gift-wrapped them the win.

But when Atlanta had the same chance next, facing Vegas with home-court advantage, they couldn’t get the job done. It started sloppily for the Aces, but maybe having the road crowd cheer for them instead of their own team made things a bit too comfortable.

The MVP chants for A’ja Wilson echoed through the arena as she went off for 32 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, while Jackie Young put up a triple-double (10-11-10) to lead the Aces to an 81-75 win, their 12th straight!

We called the Dream a ‘nightmare’ last time. On Wednesday, the Aces came in as theirs.

Good Scents = Good Sense

Sometimes, treating yourself should feel like a win, not a splurge. And that’s exactly what it feels like at The Perfume Spot. They have authentic designer fragrances. We’re talking Calvin Klein, Clinique, Burberry, and more, all with free shipping on orders over $49. And that’s not even the best part. Right now, these are on sale for up to 70% off!

So whether you’re after a fresh everyday pick or a timeless classic to wear while catching the next game, these deals make it easy to indulge guilt-free. Because you should feel good, and smell even better!

The Long-Range Showstoppers

Did someone say “shooting from downtown?” Because wow, Caitlin vibes were all over the place!

From Clark range? Indiana fans, we know you’re missing some Caitlin Clark magic. It’s been weeks, but don’t worry, her teammates, new and old, are keeping her spirit alive on the court. Take Odyssey Sims, for example.

She’s adapted beautifully to her starting lineup duties, but against the Storm in the 4th quarter with a comfy lead, she went full-on Clark mode… pulling up for a shot all the way from the logo! As the broadcasters said, “Clark range!”

Just as she made it, Sims' own jaw dropped, Caitlin gave her approval from the sidelines, and the Gainbridge crowd went wild. You have to watch this one!

But little did Sims know, she wouldn’t quite claim the “longest-three medal” just yet…

Money Mabrey. Speaking of long-range fireworks, Marina Mabrey had us stunned. Not the only time this week, but more on that later. Leila Lacan led the Sun with 22 points, but Marina made sure all eyes were on her.

With the clock winding down in the second quarter, most of the players on the court had given up, except Mabrey. She pulled up from literally half-court with flair, style, and zero hesitation as the arena erupted. It was the kind of shot you’ll applaud!

She walked into the locker room with a grin, and that grin stayed all the way through the final buzzer.

Into the Crowd?! A’ja Wilson Humiliates Angel Reese With Monster Block

Alyssa’s “Seventh” Wonder and Connecticut’s Mistimed Peak

“What else more do you need to see?” DeWanna Bonner had perfectly summed up Alyssa Thomas’ MVP campaign. A game later, AT somehow gave us something “more”. Another triple-double. Her 7th of the season. A 12-15-15 line that not only broke her own single-season record but also stamped her name in basketball history books.

That puts her in the company of only three all-time greats. All NBA royalty, NO WNBA player! Spotting your favorite legend’s name on this list won’t be a shocker!

But the win wasn’t a one-woman show. Kahleah Copper added 18, Sami Whitcomb came in hot off the bench, and the Mercury proved too much for the Sparks even with Dearica Hamby’s 25-point fight. Now Phoenix sit pretty in that No. 4 seed, while LA slip further back, a game and a half behind the playoff cut.

Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun continued their bittersweet run of “peaking at the wrong time.” They pushed New York to the very edge, only for the Liberty to sneak out with a much-needed 81-79 win.

Breanna Stewart’s return was probably the ‘good luck charm,’ but the biggest surprise was seeing Marine Johannès, usually the quietest one on the court, mix it up in a scuffle with none other than Marina Mabrey. Things got so heated that even Saniya Rivers shoved Johannès back in defense of her bestie! Check out the shoving battle.

The Libs walked away with the W with Stewie’s game-high 19. However, the Sun weren’t about to sulk. They bounced right back, taking down a Paige Bueckers-less Dallas squad in a 101-95 win on Wednesday night.

Caitlin the Oracle! Clark Predicted Her Pop Star’s Destiny TWO YEARS Ago

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

As we already mentioned, Caitlin Clark had multiple reasons to smile this week. The biggest being her official Nike logo. She unveiled it in a special video on her socials, and the whole city cheered her on with billboards. But that wasn’t enough. She wore it all over on her way to the game as well! And when we say all over, the details are absolutely striking. Watch her break down her special clothing & accessories!

2026 WNBA Mock Draft: Who’s Going No. 1?

One of the biggest debates on the internet right now is the Rookie of the Year race. And while we all have our opinions, what it really shows is just how deep this talent pool is, especially when we thought 2024 set the bar the highest. But we’re only getting better. If tradition holds, 2026 might blow us all away.

The mock draft is here, and some of the rankings aren’t going to sit right with everyone. But remember, once the college season tips off, everything can change.

Starting at No. 5, we’ve got Azzi Fudd. Yes, Fudd was projected No. 1 by ESPN back in April. Now, many think that’s criminal, especially after her Final Four Most Outstanding Player nod. And we must remember that injuries are the only thing that has held her back.

However, she’s healthy now and expected to lead the defending champs, UConn. Oh, by the way, she’s gained some unexpected fans outside hoops. An NFL star who’s literally the talk of the town at the moment. Check out this unexpected friendship!

At No. 4, we have LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, coming off a career-best scoring season as a junior. With Kim Mulkey’s mentorship, expect her to keep rising. While the 7th pick has been lucky for the Tigers for the past two years, can Big 4 go higher?

No. 3 goes to Lauren Betts, the Bruins’ star who was projected No. 1 after her junior season. Betts carried UCLA to their first NCAA Final Four, grabbed DPOY, and made the college hoops world take notice.

And before we move to No. 1, if you’re curious about the full three-round mock draft, we have got you covered. Check the full list here!

And finally, the No. 1 pick is Olivia Miles. Yes, the former projected No. 2 pick from 2025. She shocked everyone by skipping the draft and transferring to TCU, but with her starting every game last season at Notre Dame, the WNBA is betting on her. Let’s see what happens!

WNBA’s Best Under-25! ESPN Chooses Between Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Paige Bueckers Misses the Crucial WNBA Edge Caitlin Clark Mastered - Full Story

2. Skip Bayless Rips Sophie Cunningham for Exploiting Caitlin Clark’s Injury - Full Story

3. Dawn Staley’s Disclosure on $40M Paycheck Leaves Basketball Community Divided - Full Story

4. Caitlin Clark’s New Nike Look Exposes Major Physique Change - Full Story

5. Paige Bueckers Mania Blinded Fans to Another Team’s Downfall? - 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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