^{June 07, 2025 | Edition #95}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

The last time two teams tipped off the season 8-0, they met in the Finals. So… should we take the hint? History indeed has a funny way of repeating itself, right? The past few days gave us teams stacking wins like clockwork, and some finally breaking through with much-needed dubs. And then there was Dallas, where the slide just won’t stop. But just when we thought the only action was on the court, something else quietly stole the spotlight.

Getting in the Win Groove—Marina Took the Dare

Another double scoop of Commissioner’s Cup action came our way Friday night. In the East, the Atlanta Dream rolled into Connecticut, while in the West, the Los Angeles Sparks faced off against the Dallas Wings.

Four days after suffering the worst loss in franchise history, the Sun came in ready to flip the script. Well, more like Marina Mabrey did. Just a day ago, someone on TikTok dared her to drop 30 in the next game. She laughed it off on live… but clearly, it lit a fire.

She didn’t just drop 30- she dropped a season-high 34. Add four assists, four boards, and a block, and Connecticut snatched their first home dub of the year, 84-76. She was in her bag throughout the night. Can you imagine how tough it is to make this shot over 6’9 Brittney Griner? Now, with two wins in their last three, the tide just might be turning in Sun territory.

Over in Dallas, the Sparks and Wings both came in on three-game losing streaks. This was supposed to be a bounce-back game for someone. And well, it was all LA. The game began with a courtside view of Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink, both sidelined but present.

Dallas fought hard. They battled through LA’s onslaught, with even a fiery moment that saw DiJonai Carrington pulling a rival’s hair. But the Sparks simply had it locked.

From the get-go, the Sparks looked in the zone. Azurá Stevens led with 21 points, Rickea Jackson wasted no time making her return felt, and every starter scored in double digits. A full team effort fueled their 93-79 win, putting them at 1-1 in Cup play.

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The Slide Continues! Losing Streaks That Just Won’t Quit

We all know Washington has got the talent. No one’s denying that. But somehow, that has translated into just 3 wins in 9 games so far. Back home to face the reigning champs, the Mystics looked to stop the bleeding. And honestly, they started strong. The rookies came in hot, putting up 18 of the team’s 22 first-quarter points. But then came the dreaded second quarter.

Everything unraveled, and even though they fought hard in the third and Kiki Iriafen dropped a solid 17 points, the comeback just wasn’t on the cards. The final score was 86-78, another L for Washington. Amidst the heartbreak, however, Brittney Sykes gave us a hilarious moment, as she re-enacted Sabrina Ionescu flopping for a foul call.

While NY got the win, they also might’ve lost big as Jonquel Jones went down in the first with what looked like a rough ankle injury. Then came Phoenix vs. the Golden State Valkyries. And for a second there, it looked like the Valkyries were about to steal one on the road.

All but one starter hit double digits, with Veronica Burton leading the way with 16 points. When she laid one in with just over four minutes left, Golden State was up by 8. But then Phoenix exploded with an 18-1 run to close it out.

Their undrafted rookie, Lexie Held, was the star of the night with 24 points (Most by a rookie this season). This crazy stepback three by Held put the Mercury up for good with 1:15 left as they won 86-77.

And just like that, Golden State’s now dropped four straight. Three of them to the Liberty and Lynx. Next up might be more special as it is Kate Martin’s first face-off with her old squad, the Las Vegas Aces.

Top 5 Home-Game Attendance! First-Ever Team to Average 18K in First 3- And It’s Not Fever or Liberty

The WNBA’s Wild Mid-season Shuffle

The WNBA’s got itself a little shake-up party going on. It all started in Indiana, where the Fever handed Aari McDonald a hardship contract. She proved her worth from the very beginning. Aari came in hot, playing a key role in snapping the Fever’s three-game skid. Now, everyone’s wondering, will they make room to keep her permanently? Someone might have to get the boot for that. That’s not all, though.

Remember how brutal the offseason was for some players? Like Haley Jones, who was cut from Atlanta in a move that had fans frustrated. Well, she’s back. This time with the injury-hit Mercury. Phoenix also brought in another fresh face with Megan McConnell, and she didn’t just get a welcome from Mercury fans, she got a shout-out all the way from the NBA Finals.

And it didn’t take long for the ripple effects, as just a day after signing Haley, Phoenix waived Sevgi Uzun. Elsewhere, the Sun made their own swap. Robyn Parks left the team to compete for Greece in EuroBasket, and minutes later, they added former Fever, Jaelyn Brown.

EuroBasket Women 2025: Check out the Power Rankings ahead of tip-off on June 19. A lot of W connections at the tournament.

Back to new additions, the Lynx waived French national Marieme Badiane, who’s also off to EuroBasket, and added Maria Kliundikova, who’s had a couple of shaky stints in the league before. With Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith doing the heavy lifting, it’s a smart move to deepen the frontcourt and avoid burnout.

So, with injuries piling up and rotations shifting fast, don’t be surprised if the signing spree continues. The W’s getting a mid-season remix and we’re excited to see if there are more moves on the cards.

Flau’jae Mirrors Kim Mulkey? Johnson Crashes Out Like Her Coach During Game vs JuJu Watkins’ Team

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

Kathryn Westbeld might be the best story in the W this season. At 29, she’s a rookie playing big minutes for a surprisingly good Phoenix team. After winning a title with Notre Dame in 2018, she played in Europe and finally made a W roster—just as her little sister got drafted too. However, she had nearly given up on the dream after the pandemic and even worked another job. You’ll never guess what she was doing back then!

WNBA Watchlist: Prime-Time Without Clark, Tie-Breaker On

On Saturday, it’s Chicago vs. Indiana. While this matchup usually carries major weight - thanks to the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese storyline - this time around, it’s missing its headline act. It was supposed to be the fiery WNBA faceoff under the bright lights of prime-time TV as CBS had it lined up as the league’s first-ever prime-time broadcast on the network.

So, Clark’s quad injury keeping her off the court for the game is a big letdown for fans and (probably) CBS network execs too. It’s definitely turning some people off. Just look at how drastically the ticket prices have dropped! But this game’s still got spice.

It’s the Chicago Sky’s debut at the legendary United Center. Plus, it marks their 20th anniversary season. While it’s expected to be a competitive one, the Sky might just pull off a surprise win at home.

Then there’s Phoenix vs. Seattle. It’s Round 3 between the two. Remember that 81–59 blowout from May 17? Seattle clearly did. They came back and served Phoenix a hot plate of revenge just days later. Now, it’s tie-breaker time. With Kahleah Copper out, Satou Sabally has held down the fort for Phoenix along with the rookies.

Interestingly, the Mercury had no picks in the 2025 Draft, yet they have four rookies making history. This stat sums up their start in the W.

Seattle, on the other hand, is coming off a gritty win over Dallas. They’ve kept games under 80 five times already, while the Mercury have gone over 80 in six of their nine. So, expect it to be competitive but maybe not high-scoring. And with the way things have been going for both, Phoenix holds an edge and might sneak one in at home.

The WNBA’s Top Team Values! See How Much Your Favorites Are Worth

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Another Blow? Indiana Fever Announce Major Coaching Decision Before Angel Reese Game - Full Story

2. JuJu Watkins Trolls Flau’jae Johnson Live After OT Showdown Win - Full Story

3. Breanna Stewart Puts Refs on Spot Over Free Throw Surge Early This Season - Full Story

4. Calls Mount Against Dallas Star After Her Unprofessional Play vs LA Sparks - Full Story

5. "Deleted My Social Media”: Caitlin Clark’s Ex- Iowa Teammate Recalls Tough Final Four Run - 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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