^{September 18, 2025 | Edition #139}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

We were THIS close to having four Game 3s in the first round!

Almost… except that ‘almost’ is the kind of heartbreak Valks fans will be carrying for a while. The expansion team’s dream ride came to an end, but not without a fight and a season worth remembering. That also means Minnesota is semis-bound, just as most of us expected. So how did we get here as the opening round nears its finale? For starters, it all came in pairs: two blowouts and two big comebacks.

Indy and Phoenix Keep Their Seasons Alive

It was a first for both teams! Indiana celebrated their first home playoff win since 2016, while Phoenix bagged their first playoff victory since 2021. Similar achievement, but totally different scenarios!

Over in Indianapolis, a sea of red shirts, hometown stars including Tyrese Haliburton, and loud roars, carried the Fever to a 77-60 triumph without trailing the entire game. Again, Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with a game-high 19 points, Aliyah Boston added 15, and the bench chipped in another 15.

And to put it bluntly, the Dream lacked urgency from the jump, putting up their second-lowest total of the season. Somehow, the league’s third-best team in three-point makes could only drain 5 threes out of 19 attempts.

The Fever’s courtside energy simply overwhelmed them. Of course, Caitlin Clark was at the forefront of that. She was so hyped that she even got into an argument about the game with her boyfriend, right in front of the crowd. Watch the fun moment here!

Meanwhile, in New York, even the roaring Barclays crowd couldn't stop Phoenix from blowing out the home team & forcing Game 3. See, if we look at it, it looked fine early. The first quarter ended 25-25, and New York’s offense looked steady, if slightly rattled.

But Phoenix kept building momentum. Their lead swelled to double-digits, then 20, then 30. By the final buzzer, smooth R&B beats played over a half-empty arena as the Mercury cruised to an 86-60 win. Alyssa Thomas (15 pts, 7 ast), Satou Sabally (15 pts, 7 reb), and Kahleah Copper (14 pts) led, with the bench coming alive too.

For New York, only Emma Meesseman could reach double digits. And if you were wondering….no, Breanna Stewart’s balky knee wasn’t to blame. Phoenix simply outplayed the home team. The do-or-die Game 3 is on Saturday.

Better Latte Than Never

You know what’s the perfect cure for both your pre-game jitters and your post-game wind-downs? The Keurig K-Duo. You can brew a full carafe for friends at home or a quick iced cup when you’re heading out.

And right now, it’s a slam-dunk deal at flat 60% off. Moreover, if you opt for the Starter Kit, you can bring it home for under $50!

Benefits:

• Brews both hot and iced coffee

• Single-serve or full carafe options

• Programmable and easy to use

Keurig K-Duo is perfect for any coffee routine... and hence, perfect for you!

Comeback Queens!

Minnesota has been quick out of the gate all season, and of course, they stuck to that script by becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the semis!

But don’t let that fool you. This game almost didn’t look like theirs until the very last quarter. If people are going to remember it for Minnesota’s 17-point comeback, they have to remember the Valkyries’ fight too.

In front of a packed SAP Center, GSV started with a bang, 27 points in the first quarter, full of crafty moves and jaw-dropping assists. And it only kept getting better… until the fourth.

While the Valkyries held Minnesota to just nine points in the second, they could only score 11 themselves in the fourth. The Lynx went on an 11-0 run to start the final frame, but it all came down to the final possession. Courtney Williams hit this game-winner with 25 seconds left. Solid defense followed by a tough jumper, good basketball all around.

It was a similar case for the Storm. But Seattle had a slightly smoother ride in front of their home crowd. Trailing just 45-44 at halftime, things got dicey late in the third as the Aces stretched the lead. But basketball is a 40-minute game.

With 2:35 left, Seattle went on a 7-0 run to take the lead. Veterans Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike combined for 50 points, but it was 19-year-old Dominique Malonga who sealed the comeback with her and-1 layup on the break. Like seriously, how many 6’6” centers have you seen running the floor like this?

From staring at elimination to erasing a 14-point hole, the Storm delivered the second-largest playoff comeback in franchise history, while holding A’ja Wilson to just 21 points (five in the second half) and handing them their first loss since August 2nd.

Big W for Seattle!

Ready For Takeoff! We Were This Close to Seeing Dominique Malonga Dunk in the Playoffs

The “Golden” Standard - Natalie Nakase & Veronica Burton

The moment the buzzer rang to end the Valkyries’ season, SAP Center, which turned into ‘Ballhalla’ for a day, didn’t go silent. Instead, it erupted with chants of “G-S-V!” That shows how this team set the gold standard for expansion teams for years to come.

If nothing else, it was very much visible in the two shiny pieces of hardware they walked away with on their final night.

The Coach of the Year & Most Improved Player of the Year!

As we (and almost all of you in our poll) predicted, Coach Nakase is the WNBA COTY! And for everyone who thought Karl Smesko was right there in the race, well, the final voting results might answer it once and for all!

Other than Nakase’s season-long masterpiece on the paper, she BUILT the Valkyries from scratch. Brick by brick, she created a culture with a “never satisfied” edge that became the Valkyries’ calling card. Or as she put it herself, “we’re supposed to do this!”

She squeezed the most out of her roster, transforming role players into centerpieces. The biggest evidence is Veronica Burton. She went from averaging just 3.1 points last season in Connecticut to 11.9 this year while starting all 44 games. The most deserving MIP!

And getting that honor in front of her home crowd was special, but the real tearjerker for Veronica came when her dad shared a personal story on national television about the day Veronica was waived by Dallas. Hear straight from her dad!

Now, this group of women, who’ve carried that chip on their shoulder from day one, have already proved they’re no pushovers. And if this was just year one, just imagine where they’ll take it next.

Did She Really…? Cathy Engelbert Mispronounces Natalie Nakase’s Name

Angel Reese 1, Now Yours!

Creating hype, delivering beyond expectations, and making business moves: that’s the Angel Reese special!

As we already know, one of the most marketable athletes in W is now entering the exclusive signature shoe club! And because Reese never does anything halfway, Reebok dropped a brand-new ad titled “Fuel” to remind everyone on the eve of the launch.

In a 30-second clip, Reese herself recites a monologue, shot on a Subway. What is it about? Let’s just say it’s a message to her haters. One that only Reese could deliver!

And finally, the Angel Reese 1 officially drops today in three colorways - ‘Mebounds,’ ‘Diamond Dust,’ and ‘Receipts Ready.’

Natisha or DiJonai?! Hiedeman’s 180° Makeover Has Everyone Spiraling

1. Not Just Basketball! Broadcaster Reveals Another 'Special' Reason Caitlin Clark Games Are Must-See - Full Story

2. Why Allisha Gray Is Wrong in Indiana Fever Fan Fiasco - Full Story

3. Hobbled Stewart Forces Commentators to Beg Liberty Coach On-Air to Sit Her - Full Story

4. Angel Reese’s Exit Message Has Fans Talking Trade - Full Story

5. Coach Natalie’s NSFW Dig Reveals Golden Contrast With Star Player - 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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