^{September 01 2025 | Edition #132}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

Hope you’re soaking up the long weekend vibes this Labor Day. While the holiday rolled in with picnics and parades, the league gave us its own version of fireworks. For starters, the weekend games brought another elimination and sparked yet another tug-of-war in the middle order. But through all that chaos, Minnesota was living the best life with the present glowing and the past being celebrated.

The Playoff Picture: Minnesota Stamped at 1, Dogfight at the Doorstep

On August 23rd, we told you the top five looked safe and the real chaos was in that 6-to-8 zone. Fast forward nine days, and not much has changed; except the pressure just got heavier. And here we are, two weeks out from the post-season. Check out the updated standings!

First things first: remember how the Lynx were sitting atop the standings? Well, they’ve officially sealed the deal. With their win over the Sun, Minnesota has locked up the No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, Washington - who we said were hanging on by a thread - are now officially done after a brutal 37-point loss to Golden State. At 2, 3, and 4 remain the Aces, Dream, and Mercury, respectively.

Now coming to the Liberty, we said they were secure, but vulnerable. That still holds. Sitting at No. 5, they’re now dangerously close to losing homecourt. They had chances to clinch a spot but fumbled against Phoenix, and results elsewhere didn’t go their way either.

As for the 6-to-8 fight, it’s even tighter than last week. Indiana have now slipped all the way down to 8th after their loss to the Valkyries, who went half a game up over the Fever. Seattle hovers in 7th, also only half a game clear of Indy.

And yes, the Sparks are still lurking. They needed to tighten up defensively, and while they’re still two games back, their gritty 81-78 win over the Mystics keeps the playoffs door open. The road trip ahead could sink them, but if they steal a couple wins, the shuffle at 6-7-8 goes right to the buzzer.

September basketball begins, people! Low-key, we both love and hate it, right?!

Cooler Than Before

Nothing kills the vibe of a summer get-together, or even a game-watch party, like warm drinks. That’s where Coleman coolers come in, and right now they’re up to 30% off! Perfect for tailgates, backyard BBQs, camping trips, or just keeping things chill while you catch the action.

Benefits:

• TempLock insulation that keeps ice frozen for days

• Rugged designs built to handle every kind of outing

• Smart extras like cup-holder lids and drain plugs

Because the best memories are made with cold drinks in hand.

Valkyries’ Golden Sweep & Liberty’s Meltdown

If you missed Indiana vs Golden State, don’t worry, you won’t regret it. To describe the game, everyone has been throwing out every word in the book: “weird,” “ugly,” “messy.” The game dragged on for nearly three hours, thanks to 92 minutes of delay in the first half. And for two teams that usually put on a show, this was not the pretty kind of basketball.

And after you watch this sequence, you’ll understand why the internet derided the game. Still, the scoreboard told the real story. The Valkyries beat the Fever 75-63 and swept their regular-season series 3-0. Yes, the only team to sweep Indiana this year.

The Fever’s zone defense just didn’t click on Sunday, and Golden State smelled blood. With the Balhalla crowd roaring, the Valks lived from deep (12-19), punishing every gap with catch-and-shoot threes. Illiana Rupert led the way with 21 points as the expansion franchise outplayed Indy in every department.

As we already discussed, with that, the standings got another shake-up. Meanwhile, over in Phoenix, it was all about the potential playoff preview between the Mercury and Liberty. Early on, New York looked fine.

For the first half, the defense was tuned in, and New York even survived Kahleah Copper’s heater. But without Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, the cracks showed. And oh boy, did they show. Breanna Stewart had every right to thrash her team post-game. Hear Stewie’s sharp criticism of her team!

The Liberty coughed up 19 turnovers that gifted Phoenix 26 points. They went ice-cold in the second half, scoring just 24 points. That brutal stretch sealed it.

By the buzzer, it was Mercury 80, Liberty 63. A 3-1 series win for them.

Why Was Fever vs Valks So Delayed? First Half Lasted Longer Than a Basketball Game Duration

Youth Movement! The Future of the Bottom Teams

Endings are just disguised beginnings, they say. And for Dallas, Chicago, Washington, and Connecticut, their seasons might be officially over, but the future is full of possibilities if they play their offseason right.

Before we dive in, quick heads-up: not all of these teams even have a shot at the 2026 Draft’s first pick. Check out who’s the unfortunate one.

So, Dallas is first up. We’ve talked about them before. With a potential future MVP candidate in rookie Paige Bueckers and well-positioned to continue adding talent over the next draft, they’re in a good spot. They just need serious scoring depth, and yeah… some facility upgrades wouldn’t hurt either.

Chicago, meanwhile, is quietly in solid hands. Yes, they were supposed to make the playoffs this year. Still, Angel Reese proved she can carry a team. Kamilla Cardoso has been a double-double machine, and Hailey Van Lith is only going to get better.

At the same time, Washington has been a surprise story. Sure, they didn’t make the playoffs, but remember, few expected them to even get close. Trading Brittney Sykes mid-season signaled a commitment to the young core. Sonia Citron has shown she can take on anyone, even Caitlin Clark. She even dethroned CC from one of her major scoring crowns!

Plus, Kiki Iriafen is steady, and Georgia Amoore’s return gives them another boost. Then there’s Connecticut. After losing their core, the collapse was expected. The good news is that Connecticut has five players under team control for at least the next two seasons.

That stability matters, especially with a looming CBA, Tina Charles nearing the end of her career, and a star-heavy free agency. But between relocation and trying to carve out a new identity, it might take the Sun a little longer than most to settle in.

"We’re TALKING!" DiJonai Carrington & Marina Mabrey Hit With Double Techs for the Funniest Reason

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

For plenty of fans, Indiana vs. Golden State might have been all about two competitive teams clashing. But for some, it was about the Iowa duo of Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark reuniting. While Martin again kept her perfect pro streak vs CC alive, this one had something even sweeter. The entire Hawkeyes besties squad showed up at Chase Center, turning the game into a reunion. Here’s the heartwarming moment!

M(o)ore Than a Legend! Naismith Welcomes Maya

The Lynx's future looks brighter than ever, with a No. 1 seed and high hopes of winning it all this season. And somehow, at the same time, their glorious past is shining too. A past that has Maya Moore’s name written all over it.

Moore will always be remembered not just as a star who lit up the WNBA every night, but also as a fighter for justice beyond the court!

Her career may have ended abruptly with a four-year hiatus to focus on family and ministry before officially retiring in 2023, but her résumé is unmatched. Two national titles at UConn, eight pro seasons with four WNBA titles in Minnesota, two Olympic golds. Enough to stamp her place among the greats and now, the 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame! Announced back in April, it’ll be official this week.

Check out the 2025 HOF class that has another Lynx great, too!

This comes after the Lynx raised her No. 23 jersey to the rafters of Target Center last year. Maya, teary-eyed, said, “My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl well. There is no way we're watching that [ceremony] without love.”

Well, more like, there's no way we’re watching any Maya celebration without love. And how fitting that the jersey retirement came after a Lynx win over Indiana. After all, her most iconic moment came against the Fever; she made this legendary buzzer-beater in Game 3 of the 2015 Finals.

And yet, Moore’s magic isn’t just frozen in highlight reels. It’s woven into the WNBA’s story, the Target Center’s soul, and the Lynx legacy. And something tells us her list of honors is still far from done.

Moore’s Record in Danger: A’ja Wilson Close to Surpassing the Lynx Icon in a Major Category

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Caitlin Clark Is the Tiger Woods of Women’s Basketball, Here’s How - Full Story

2. "Nobody Owes Us Anything!" WNBA Legend Slams Players Over Protest T-Shirt - Full Story

3. Fever Star’s Unlikely Outburst in Caitlin Clark–Jacy Sheldon Drama Stuns Mom - Full Story

4. Angel Reese’s Nightmarish Game Fuels Seattle Broadcaster’s Wild Take - Full Story

5. Paige Bueckers' Rival Issues Bold Rookie of the Year Verdict - 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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