Rivalry Week Becomes Record Week

August 11, 2025 | Edition #123
👋 Hey, Hoophead!

Can one stat really show how far a league has come? Maybe not… but if any could, it’s the triple-double in the WNBA. The surging number shows how the game’s changing and how all-around play is setting a new bar. And it’s not just about that one number, the talent pool is deeper than ever, and records keep falling so often it’s like there’s no glass left to break. Even in losses, the young guns are shining, making this year’s rookie race the tightest we’ve seen.

Rivals Week Turns Into Record Week in the W

Rivals Week was supposed to bring drama. Instead, it’s rewriting the record books in real time. Kelsey Mitchell started it off with a 26-point eruption against the Sky, leapfrogging MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier as the league leader in total points. Or… at least that’s one version of the story.

The WNBA’s official tweet says Mitchell is on 710 points for the season now, but that’s including the preseason games and the All-Star Game. Without them, she’s at 649 points, while Collier is at 624 points. But it must be noted that Kelsey has played 6 more games than Phee. Nonetheless, Mitchell is dragging the Fever forward, point by point.

Out west, A’ja Wilson decided to add her own chapter. With less than a minute left against the Sun, she soared for her 20th rebound, and in that moment became the first player in WNBA history to notch 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game!

While the feat itself is incredible, her coach, Becky Hammon, might have been the one who held history hostage. How? You’ll want to hear her explain.

And then there’s Paige Bueckers, casually stacking milestones like it’s a hobby. Her latest night out pushed her double-digit scoring streak to 25 games - the longest active in the league.

If this was not all, that also made her the fastest rookie ever to hit 450 points, 100 assists, and 100 rebounds. Caitlin Clark needed 27 games to get there. If this is what Rival Week looks like, maybe we should call it Rival Records Week instead. Because with this mix of veterans making history and rookies breaking speed limits, the future is indeed here.

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Sparks’ Epic One-Day Comeback Story

Remember when we said the L.A. Sparks were teetering on the playoff edge? Well, this weekend, Sparks fans got the full rollercoaster package. Saturday in Ballhalla was brutal. The “Beat L.A.” chants rained down, Steph Curry himself watched from courtside, and the Valkyries handed the Sparks a 72–59 loss. It felt like a gut punch.

Then came Sunday. The Sparks staged a late rally to claim their biggest win of the season, edging out the Storm 94–91. The chess match came down to the final possession, tied at 91–91, when Dearica Hamby pulled off an insane 3-point play as the Crypto.com Arena just exploded. Watch the moment Hamby sealed it for LA.

Elsewhere, it was a rookie showcase in the Dallas vs Washington game. Mystics’ Kiki Iriafen dropped a career-high 23, Sonia Citron scored 18, while Paige Bueckers battled for 17. But as has been the season’s theme, Dallas fell again, 91–78, sliding to 8–24.

Off the court, though, Dallas fans seemed more fired up to heckle coach Chris Koclanes than to cheer their own team. One player seemed to have had enough and ended up firing back in defense of her coach in a heated exchange with the crowd. Fury flashed across her face!

The Sun didn’t fare much better, falling 94-86 to Las Vegas and getting swept 4-0 for the season. Marina Mabrey led the charge for Connecticut with 22 points, but they had no answer for A’ja Wilson, who, as we mentioned earlier, had a historic performance with 32 points and 20 rebounds.

This also marked the Aces’ fourth straight win, and the tenth in their last fifteen games, as they continue to creep up the standings. For the Sun, now sitting at 5-25, they have no option but to turn their attention to the lottery.

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📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Has Sonia Citron Pulled Ahead of Paige Bueckers in the Rookie Race?

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Last Poll’s Result: We asked, ‘Should Indiana Chase the Playoffs or Focus on Next Season After Recent Injuries?’ 57% of you voted that Indy should ‘Sign a PG & Keep Competing.’ Well, the Fever heard you. More on that later.

Who’s Really Winning Rivalry Week?

When talking about “Rivalry Week,” it has to be the Liberty and Lynx as the ultimate rivals and title frontrunners. Thanks to scheduling, Minnesota has three straight games against New York. And when the Lynx returned to Barclays for the first time since their 2024 Finals loss, they made it clear who owns this season, cruising to an 83-71 win.

Kayla McBride was on fire from beyond the arc, nailing four threes and finishing with 18 points. DiJonai Carrington chipped in 15 off the bench. For the Liberty, the loss stings even more as it dropped them into a tie with Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Lynx stay firmly at the top.

Also, in one of the season’s most exciting twists, they may even snag a top pick in the 2026 Draft. Check out how it could happen!

Then came the showdown between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the standings: Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury came into this matchup having lost both their previous games against Atlanta. And it was the same old story again.

With a chance to move into second place, Phoenix squandered the opportunity, losing 74-66 on Sunday. A few more things stayed the same. Alyssa Thomas had another masterful performance (21 points, eight rebounds), and Rhyne Howard gave another fiery highlight moment. Here’s how she got ejected in her first game back after injury!

Then it was Chicago's so-called rivalry game with Indiana…except it was another game without Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. With only nine players suited up, the Fever still rolled to a 92–70 win. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 26, Lexie Hull finally snapped her slump with 17 points, Sophie Cunningham added 16, and Aliyah Boston chipped in 15.

That’s now a 4–0 sweep for the Fever over Chicago this season, with one more game left. At this point, can we even call it a rivalry?

 She Got Glam! 

It’s not a one-woman race this time. Last year, Caitlin Clark missed a unanimous Rookie of the Year award by just one anonymous vote for Angel Reese. This time, it’s looking razor-thin. And when the frontrunners faced off, you knew there’d be fireworks. Sonia Citron showed up rocking her boyfriend’s no. 35 and, on one play, straight-up cooked Paige Bueckers. The No. 1 pick had no answer for it; check it out!

The Lynx, Fever Additions & Maybe….a Long-Awaited Return?

Before marching into enemy territory, Minnesota decided to bring in someone who knows their enemy all too well. In a move that raised eyebrows and yet made all the sense in the world, the Lynx announced the signing of guard Jaylyn Sherrod and the release of Yvonne Anderson.

The 23-year-old was waived by New York on August 1 after appearing in 28 games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Libs made multiple posts thanking her, and it was pretty clear they didn’t want to let her go…they just had to.

And coach Cheryl Reeve’s answer to what Sherrod brings to Minnesota? Let’s just say… it was peak Reeve. Maybe even sharp enough that it came off a little insulting.

Still, there’s no doubt, Sherrod brings the kind of defensive energy that fits right into the Lynx’s defense-first DNA, and a peek inside the Liberty’s playbook.

Meanwhile, over in Indiana, injuries once again made the Fever turn to a former Sparks star. The last time it was Aari McDonald. She’s now on the injury list alongside Sydney Colson and, of course, Caitlin Clark. And before you ask…the latest big status update on CC’s injury report says she might be close to returning.

For now, Indiana signed veteran Odyssey Sims to a hardship deal. At 33, Sims has been in and out of the league for more than a decade. Let’s see if she can sprinkle some of that vintage magic on Indy.

📝 More Stories to Check Out

  1. Caitlin Clark Comparisons After Diana Taurasi Documentary Ignite Online Fan War - Full Story

  2. Paige Bueckers Breaks Silence on Why She Endures the Wings’ Struggles - Full Story

  3. A’ja Wilson’s Historic Night Comes With Firing Shots at Rivals - Full Story

  4. Caitlin Clark Opens Up on What Fueled Her Post-Olympic Snub Comeback - Full Story

  5. Breanna Stewart’s ‘Non-Negotiable’ Return Demand - 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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