^{September 29, 2025 | Edition #144}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

There’s this old tournament saying, “survive and advance.” It sounds simple, almost cliché, until you see a team live it out on the court. The Phoenix Mercury didn’t just survive the No. 1 seed; they flat-out outlasted and outplayed them. And just like that, despite everything, we’ve got ourselves the first finalist of 2025!

But the story isn’t done yet. Because somewhere else, another lower seed refused to go down without a fight, too!

‘Drive for Five’ Denied by Phoenix

All season long, this was about starting fresh, stepping out of the Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner era. But the moment Satou Sabally grabbed the mic after Phoenix punched their ticket to the Finals for the first time since 2021, her words were: “This is for DT!”

Every single soul who’s lived through both eras felt that one!

The new core has done it for the Valley, coming all the way from the projected 7th-best team. Yes, Minnesota finished seven games ahead in the standings and had Mercury’s number last year (actually, they’ve had it for many years now). But if you watched this series, it sure didn’t feel like it. This time, Phoenix took the revenge, outlasting Lynx 86-81.

And as much as you credit the players, you have to give it to the front office. They’ve pulled a feat no team in the history of the WNBA has ever managed. This is unbelievably impressive!

But, you know, Game 4 looked done and dusted with Phoenix trailing 68-55 heading into the fourth. Outscoring Minnesota 31-13 in the final frame, they leaned on their signature switching defense. And obviously, the real comeback wouldn’t have happened without those clutch threes by DeWanna Bonner (finished with 13 pts, 6 rbs).

Sabally added her 21. And say what you want about Alyssa Thomas, but that’s not gonna stop her. With 23-8-10, she became the first to lead her team in all three primary stats in multiple series-clinchers. For Minnesota, Kayla McBride gave everything, finishing with a career playoff-high 31 points, but the rim wasn’t on her side for the final shot. Courtney Williams added 20 points.

And just like that, history was made (or broken). Minnesota became the first team in WNBA history to lose two playoff games after leading by at least 14 points.

Lynx’s “Drive for Five” ends for now!

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The War Isn’t Over Yet

How is it even possible to go a single day without some officiating drama? Sure, Minnesota-Phoenix, as many believe, was a big failure in that department, but Aces-Fever hasn’t exactly been off the hook either. Game 4 might take the cake, but which side you ask changes everything.

First, let’s give credit where it’s due: the Fever did it. With their backs against the wall for the third time this postseason, they led for nearly 35 minutes and pulled off a 90-83 win to force a series-deciding Game 5 against the No. 2 seed.

And of course, the big finishing bucket came courtesy of the player who’s carried them this far. Watch Kelsey Mitchell’s tough And-1 from all angles. Spoiler: You’ll find yourself asking, “How even?” every single time!

While they couldn’t stop A’ja Wilson (31 points), Aliyah Boston and Mitchell went to work, combining for more than half of Fever’s points with 24 and 25, respectively. Boston practically put the entire Vegas starting lineup in foul trouble: NaLyssa Smith, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray all ended up with five fouls.

But that’s the thing Wilson finds “interesting.” Boston took 11 trips to the line in the third quarter alone, while Vegas had a total of 11 FTAs to Indiana’s 34. And just when you thought the game couldn’t get any wilder, the Aces were assessed a technical foul late in the fourth quarter - for a reason we bet you haven’t seen in a long, long time. Or maybe never. This will probably make you laugh!

Whatever the quirks, the Fever feel the calls were balanced, while Becky Hammon would probably like tighter control on “both ends.” Now, with four wins as underdogs this postseason (the most since the 2021 championship-winning Chicago Sky), Indiana is heading back to Vegas for a winner-takes-all showdown.

Gamecocks Clash! Wilson Fires Back at Boston Over Previous “Special Whistle” Comments

A Rookie Class Like No Other

This WNBA season has been full of “firsts.” Maybe it’s time for another: a Second All-Rookie Team. For years, it’s been a stretch just to fill the first one, but not this year. This might be the finest rookie class we’ve seen in recent memory. You may or may not disagree, but hear us out.

We’ve long compared this class to 2024’s, but this one surpasses it when you look at the group as a whole. Historically, 2013 and 2019 are considered two of the best rookie classes. 2013 even had those players who were instant fan favorites from day one. Check if you can recognize some faces here!

But what makes the 2025 Draft class different is its impact. The depth has been evident from the get-go as well. 20 draftees made the 2025 rosters. Compare that to last year, when only 13 made the cut.

Now, as the season wraps and the All-Rookie Team will be announced today… or maybe it already has by the time you’re reading this, it’s easy to pick the top three (Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen). Then there’s a fourth spot, which Dominique Malonga deserves. The way she’s grown into a key piece for Seattle is commendable.

And here comes the reason we’re calling it ‘extraordinary’: the hustle for the fifth spot. If you ask us, it could go to Leïla Lacan or Saniya River (both Sun), Monique Akoa Makani or Lexi Held (both Mercury), or Janelle Salaün (Valkyries).

And then there are the likes of Aneesah Morrow (Sun), Luisa Geiselsöder (Wings), Carla Leite (Valkyries), Te-Hina Paopao (Dream), and Kathryn Westbeld (Mercury). This class is just….that deep!! But maybe, just maybe, if you take a glance at the prospects for 2026, you might say it could end up outshining this class too.

For now, though, it would be a treat to the eyes watching this group evolve.

See You in Miami! Your Top Rookies’ Hoops Won’t Stop This Offseason

Clark Effect Reaches the NFL

Caitlin Clark’s influence has gone global, crossing sports, generations, and fandoms alike. In fact, one of the fastest-growing groups of WNBA fans has coincidentally emerged right alongside Clark’s debut. Finding out who this group is might just make you smile!

So, of course, her gear wasn’t going to stay put in basketball alone. On Sunday, Clark made headlines again. This time in the NFL. During the New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers game, one of the league’s biggest stars sported a cleat paying tribute to Clark: a Kobe V Protro Caitlin Clark Edition.

And maybe it brought some good luck, too, because the Patriots destroyed the Panthers 42-13. Curious who this superstar was? Check it out here!

1. Coaches Unite! Hammon & White Stand with Cheryl Reeve After WNBA’s Decision - Full Story

2. DeWanna Bonner’s Not-So-Subtle Jab at Caitlin Clark & Fever - Full Story

3. Kayla McBride Breaks Down Post-Game- And It Wasn’t About the Loss or the Title - Full Story

4. Relief for Napheesa Collier After ‘Fracture’ Scare in Game 3 - Full Story

5. Nate Tibbetts Sends Cheryl Reeve a Stinging Message on Officiating - 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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