^{September 25, 2025 | Edition #142}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

You know, women’s sports have grown 4.5x faster than men’s in recent years (2022-24)! Sure, women’s sports never needed to be compared to men’s, and they never will, but it’s hard not to feel proud seeing these athletes finally get the shine they’ve always deserved.

The WNBA has been a huge part of this growth, maybe even the biggest push of all. Just this week, the Phoenix Mercury reminded us how far we’ve come, and the Los Angeles Sparks showed us how far we’re still aiming to go. Now, with all that in mind, let’s dive into what’s coming up on the court.

Home Sweet Home!

The lower seeds are heading back to their home courts, and both Phoenix and Indiana have already shown just how much a home crowd can swing things.

The Mercury roll in after pulling off the third-largest comeback in postseason history on Tuesday. Satou Sabally dropped a game-high 24 (tied with Napheesa Collier), but it was Alyssa Thomas who completely took over in the second half, racking up 19 points, 13 assists, and 9 boards, even picking up a few fights along the way.

It all boiled over when AT tried to back Phee down in the post late in the game. The Lynx star stood her ground, and as soon as Thomas tried to pull up for a shot, Collier grabbed her arm and smacked the ball to the floor, resulting in a foul, some sharp looks, and a few words exchanged between the two stars. Check out the heated moment here.

Now, both teams bring that same fire to Phoenix with a little something that might be bigger than the game. Remember when Disney on Ice forced the Mercury to move a playoff game to a college arena back in 2021? Well, it’s 2025 and the Mercury are bumping the Jonas Brothers out of their Sunday night concert slot!

Sure, miscommunication was the reason, but the handling says everything about how far the league has come!

Meanwhile, Indiana’s ‘bench mob’ hits their own, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, after a loss in Game 2. NaLyssa Smith, who managed just four points in the Game 1 defeat to her former team, turned up the aggression with 18 points to support A’ja Wilson (25pts, 9 reb) as the Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell had an off night. Though coach Stephanie White will tell you her team lost because “it’s difficult to find flow when there's a foul call every 10 seconds!”

Now, judging by Indiana’s Twitter post, “see you @Gainbridge on Friday,” it’s clear they trust their home court magic. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Aces can quiet the Indy crowd, or if the Fever will ride their home-court energy all the way.

Time to Sigh In Relief

If there’s one thing the WNBA teaches us, it’s that there may be one thing more important than the action. Recovery. And there’s no way better than with Theragun. It’s designed for deep muscle treatment, is portable, and simple to use. Moreover, for a limited time, their massage guns are on sale for 20% off with code FALLSALE!

Benefits:

• ⁠Relieves soreness and stiffness with percussive therapy

• ⁠Boosts mobility and circulation for healthier movement

• Compact and easy to use at home or on the go

Because feeling better shouldn’t take more than a few seconds!

The Clutch & Crazy

Phoenix says, ‘Thank you, Sami!’ We’ve talked plenty about Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas already, but the truth is, the real hero wasn’t either of them. It came straight off the Mercury’s bench. With just 3.4 seconds left on the clock in the 4th, Sami Whitcomb stepped up and drilled the game-tying three to send the game into overtime. That one shot gave Phoenix the lifeline they needed to finish off the iconic comeback.

It’s Jackie, again! Somehow, every time we talk about the Aces and “best play of the night,” Jackie Young sneaks right into it. But let’s not forget Dana Evans owned this sequence too. It all started with yet another tug-of-war between Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson in the paint.

Boston’s shot didn’t fall, and the loose ball landed in Dana Evans’s hands, who fired off the most picture-perfect pass you’ll see. Cue Jackie. She caught it, got pushed, and still finished the play while falling to the floor. Check out the wild sequence.

Sabally did everything: With just 8.4 seconds left in OT, the Lynx had the ball. Bridget Carleton inbounded, but Satou was right there in her face. Channeling her inner volleyball instincts, she swatted it away with both hands, and the ball hit Carleton, resulting in Phoenix getting the possession. Game sealed. This was the perfect exclamation!

LA’s $150M Player Paradise Coming Soon….

It’s been a rough few years for the Los Angeles Sparks. The playoff drought has stretched to five seasons, and if that wasn’t enough, the team has been bouncing around practice locations like it’s a game of musical chairs with four different spots in seven seasons!

And in a WNBA world where over 100 players will hit free agency this offseason, top-notch facilities aren’t just perks; they’re dealmakers. The Sparks had teased plans for a new practice home but left fans and players hanging.

Well… until now.

The wait is officially over, people! LA is building a brand-new $150 million training and practice facility in El Segundo, set to open in 2027. To tease what’s coming, the team shared preview designs. And trust us, these renderings will blow your mind!

This 55,000-square-foot space is basically a player’s dream. We’re talking the WNBA’s first-ever indoor-outdoor player sanctuary, complete with an outdoor spa and pool, nap rooms, yoga and meditation zones, hydrotherapy treatments, two regulation courts, weight and training rooms, and even a simulation locker room. Basically, everything a top athlete could want.

And the fact that this isn’t even what makes this iconic.

At $150 million, this is the largest investment ever for a single team in women’s sports history. Compare that to other franchises, and you’ll see the difference is VERY real. Especially the Chicago Sky’s investment might just explain why their superstars keep asking out. Check it out!

But brighter days could be ahead for Chicago Nation, too, as LA joins the Fever, Wings, Sky, and other franchises in planning brand-new facilities. For now, pair this news up with finishing just one spot out of the playoffs, and suddenly optimism officially returns to the LA women’s hoops!

Stop the ‘Exit Rumors!’ Did Sabrina Ionescu Just Confirm She’s Coming Back to NY?!

The Liberty’s Social Media Glow-Up

We’re living in the digital era, where these numbers practically define your standing. And looking at the Liberty’s stats, they’re up there around the top. Even with an early playoff exit, New York came out winning online. This season alone, the team racked up over 100,000 new followers across platforms, with +60,000 from Instagram and +42,400 from TikTok.

The players saw huge growth, too. Check out just how much Sabrina Ionescu & Co. gained… and yes, even Ellie the Mascot got a serious boost.

Unsurprisingly, engagement was up across the league. It felt like pretty much everyone was hitting their stride, but the 2025 draft class was on another level. Paige’s follower boost alone says it all!

1. Caitlin Clark Shows Positive Signs While Shooting Hoops With Stephanie White - Full Story

2. Liberty’s Brondello Decision Highlights a Troubling WNBA Trend - Full Story

3. DeWanna Bonner’s New Role in the Team Could Make or Break Mercury - Full Story

4. Chicago Sky’s Hypocrisy Exposed- And No, It's Not About Angel Reese - Full Story

5. $850M at Risk? WNBA Teams Might Be Betting All Wrong - 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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