^{September 11 2025 | Edition #136}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

“Bittersweet.” One might think that’s kind of a lame word. It’s basically sadness with a pinch of fake happiness sprinkled on top. But still, we can’t help but use it. And it fit perfectly when the Mystics and Sun closed out their seasons. You could feel that mix….a little pride in what they gave, but a whole lot of regret for what slipped away.

And even with all those emotions, Tina Charles ended her year proving that no single season could ever define her greatness.

Far From Done! Tina’s Fight for the Future

“In every aspect of her game and character, Tina stands as a representation of the ideals!” Cathy Engelbert couldn’t have said it better. On a night when Tina Charles walked off without a playoff ticket, with an 11–33 record and back-to-back losses to Atlanta, she still reminded everyone why she’s special.

At 36, Charles proved that age is just a number. Yes, she won the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her work in service and social justice, but it was what she did on the floor that really spoke volumes.

In her final game, she broke Connecticut’s single-season scoring record, dethroning one of the most talked-about players this season. Can you guess who? Watch this moment and find out!

And if anyone doubted that this might be her last season, Tina made it clear: “I’m just looking forward to being back,” amid cheers from the Sun faithful. Her career accolades are unbelievable as she wrapped her 15th season.

She sits second on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, only behind Diana Taurasi, and she recently passed her for the most field goals in league history. This year, on a roster full of younger players, Tina still led the Sun with 16.5 points per game. But what really sets her apart is staying true to the game and the people in it.

While most would be thinking retirement, Tina’s focus is bigger: “First priority is getting to our CBA.” Charles’ words are a reminder that players’ fight is not just for themselves but for the generations coming after. Think about it….some stars left early, but if the league offered fair pay and better incentives, who knows how many might have stayed?

This fight isn’t just about contracts or numbers. It’s about sustainability and building a league where players feel valued.

Stronger At Home

With the WNBA playoffs around the corner, there’s no better time to feel inspired by the athletes giving it their all. And if you’re thinking about that in terms of staying active, and leaving your home seems like a task, Bowflex has you covered.

Their compact designs fit seamlessly into any space. Moreover, with their versatile workouts (with adjustable weights and resistance options) and smart features that track progress, you’ll be forever motivated to keep in shape. Wait, though, that’s not the best part. Right now, Bowflex has a 30% off sale. Which means you can get trusted performance from one of the leading names in fitness for a steal deal!

Because staying consistent can and should start right at home.

Playoff Dreams: Alive in Seattle, Crushed in LA

When Seattle opened their season against Phoenix, who would’ve thought the Mercury would end up playing such a twisted role in the Storm’s playoff chase months later? Tuesday was make-or-break: beat Golden State, or pray for the Sparks to lose to Phoenix.

Well, the Storm didn’t want to leave it to chance!

At first, though, it was a total scare. They looked flat, letting the Valkyries control the pace, and it almost felt like Seattle had left the door wide open for LA. But then came the fourth. A 14-4 run out of nowhere flipped the energy, and suddenly, with 25 seconds left, it was 73–74 Golden State. That’s when Erica Wheeler (17 pts) reminded everyone why Seattle’s lucky to have her.

Two clutch plays….one on each end, and it sealed the deal as the arena erupted like they had won the championship. Feast your eyes on that last 20-second sequence!

Add Nneka Ogwumike’s 16 points and Brittney Sykes’ 14, the Storm weren’t leaving their fate to anyone else. But seconds before Seattle pulled it off, LA gave it everything, too. They fought through yet another Alyssa Thomas triple-double (seriously, what’s new?) to beat the Mercury, 88–83.

And while the Sparks might comfort themselves by saying it was still a solid season considering the circumstances, the real bummer is yet to hit. Is this the worst part for LA?

For now, they can be happy that they avoided a season sweep. Dearica Hamby dropped 25, with 16 of those in the fourth quarter. Rae Burrell chipped in a career-high 20. It was scrappy, it was desperate, and it worked… just not enough, and their five-year playoff drought stretches into yet another year.

Aneesah Morrow vs. Naz Hillmon! Tempers Boil Over in Fiery Regular-Season Finale

Clark Makes Her Move vs. the Lynx - from the Sidelines?

After all the debate last year about Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, it always feels like there is some tension when Indiana faces Minnesota. The Lynx sat Napheesa Collier for the game, and the Fever didn’t waste the chance to even the season series. Against the league-best, Indiana closed out their regular season with a solid 83–72 win.

The Fever opened on a 10–0 run, and when Odyssey Sims capped it off with a jumper, Clark couldn’t help herself. She hopped off the bench and signalled to Minnesota’s bench to call a timeout. And yes, funny enough… Reeve actually did it. This will give you a good laugh!

Sims finished with 15 points, Kelsey Mitchell controlled the tempo with 18, and with contributions across the board, Indiana showed what a balanced team can do.

Elsewhere, not everyone had reasons to celebrate. The Mystics had to face a full-strength Liberty squad, and it didn’t go well. Emma Meesseman dropped 19, Breanna Stewart had 14, and New York pulled off a 75–66 win. That left Washington stuck with a 10-game losing streak to close the year. Still, their rookies stayed bright spots; Kiki Iriafen scored 16 and Sonia Citron added 13.

Over in Las Vegas, the Aces continued their pursuit of the No. 2 seed with a win over the Sky. If you want to know how in sync Vegas is at the moment, this jaw-dropping passing sequence had fans drooling.

Six Aces finished in double digits, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus made her season debut just weeks after giving birth, chipping in eight points. The team effort helped Vegas beat the Sky for the second straight time, showing that this squad doesn’t just rely on A’ja Wilson, but an entire unit.

No More Chicago’s Own?! Angel Reese Drops “Chi-Town Barbie” Tag

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

Skylar Diggins is one of the most-followed players in the W, and her game explains why. She dominates the scoreboard and brings the energy every night. But she knows how to make waves off the court, too. Her fits are always bold, but this time she did something wild. And if you’re wondering, like we were, why she’s rocking packs of milk… this might just clear it up!

Unrivaled Just Raised the Bar: Season 2 Loading!

The biggest free agency in WNBA history, stars standing firm for a better CBA, and now a league founded by two of their own leveling up every day - welcome to the era of women’s hoops.

While the WNBA braces for a potential lockout, Unrivaled is moving in the opposite direction. First, it grabbed headlines with a $340 million valuation (bigger than all but two WNBA franchises). “It speaks to what we built in a short amount of time,” said league president Alex Bazzell. And that’s the perfect summary.

Before we had time to digest that, two days later, came the expansion news. Unrivaled Season 2 will tip off with two new clubs in January: Hive BC and Breeze BC! That means 12 new roster spots!

Now, 90% of players are already signed, but what about the big names who skipped Season 1? The Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson question looms large. And this time, there might actually be very real reason(s) for Clark to say yes. Find out here!

Founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart also added a six-player development pool: full practices, full training, six-figure minimums. That pushes the total player pool to 53, nearly a quarter of the W.

From the rookies, Paige Bueckers has already signed, and word is that two more stars are close to joining her. Who are they? Let’s just say… you are going to love these names.

Along with roster additions, a fourth night of games is now on the slate, with every team playing twice a week. Season 2 Unrivaled hoops are going to be fun! And while comparison is inevitable, it’s also making it clear it’s not here to replace the WNBA. “No intention of trying to be a thorn in the WNBA’s side,” as Bazzell said.

Flau’jae Channels Mulkey! Big 4 Rocks Her Coach’s Iconic Hair & Pose - and It’s Hilarious

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. A Look Back at 4 Times WNBA Failed to Protect Caitlin Clark - Full Story

2. Angel Reese on the Verge of a Blockbuster Trade? - Full Story

3. WNBA’s Rule Change Set to Benefit Teams Like Indiana and GSV - Full Story

4. Angel Reese’s Words Got Sophie Cunningham Talking, Too Harsh or Too Apt? - 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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