^{October 09, 2025 | Edition #148}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

There’s nothing heavier than silence in your own house after the final buzzer. Even worse when that quiet marks a 0–3 hole in the Finals. The home-court luck - the one we, the fans, and the players themselves had counted on - didn’t work out for the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday.

Now we can't help but admit the Aces are taking this series (most likely). And funny enough, the title was always going to a coach from South Dakota, but it looks like the crown is heading west of the sunshine state with Becky Hammon once again.

Game Over, Phoenix?

Had it been the old format, the Aces would be waking up today as the 2025 champions! However, it's now a 7-game series. Regardless, Becky Hammon and her team must be happy that just one win stands between them and a dynasty!

And wow, what a game it was!

A crazy fourth-quarter comeback, a 9-0 solo run from Kahleah Copper, clutch shots from DeWanna Bonner, an almost triple-double from Alyssa Thomas, and a crowd roaring them on; none of it could save Phoenix.

Because A’ja Wilson entered the enemy's territory with just 4 words on her mind: “THIS. IS. MY. SHOW.” With the game tied, 5 seconds left, and two defenders draped all over her, Wilson delivered a 7-foot jumper that put the Aces up for good. A shot she later called one of the best of her career!! Watch the game-winner that stunned Phoenix into silence!

And that was just part of her masterpiece. Wilson finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds, while postseason double-double leader Alyssa Thomas joined her with 14 points, 12 rebounds (plus 9 assists). What will stick in everyone’s mind, though, is that AT missed the potential game-winner, but A’ja didn’t.

No one can fault the Mercury for not trying because they gave it their all, especially in the last quarter. They outscored the Aces 29-14 in the fourth, clawing back from 76-59. Bonner (finished with 25) tied it at 88 with just over a minute left until Wilson happened.

Beyond that final moment, the entire Aces squad contributed. Jackie Young with 21pts, 9ast, Chelsea Gray added 11, 5, and Jewell Loyd had 16, including four first-quarter triples!

Meanwhile, Phoenix, with four players reaching double digits as well, just…couldn’t reach the finish line. And sure, if you ask Nate Tibbetts, the officiating was the issue, but the scoreboard says the Mercury attempted 6 more FTs than Las Vegas. Probably, he was referring to 11 of the Aces’ 19 points in the third frame coming from free throws.

Anyway, while 3-0 was never a thing in the Finals, even in the old best-of-five format, no one recovered from 0-2 in the WNBA. In fact, a 3-0 series deficit hasn’t ever been overturned in the NBA either. So, Phoenix needs something historic to happen. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of time before the Aces either lift the trophy at home - or complete the sweep in the Valley on Friday.

Sharp Vision, Timeless Style

There’s something about slipping on the right pair of shades that just changes your mood. Maybe it’s the boost of confidence, or maybe it’s just knowing your look’s on point on a sunny afternoon. Regardless of why, that’s a feeling you want. And now you can have it too, thanks to the limited-time sale at Randolph USA of up to 30% off.

Why You’ll Love Them:

• ⁠Durable, lightweight frames built for everyday wear

• ⁠Timeless designs that match any look

• ⁠Comfort fit for long days in the sun

Because sun or no, you need something that looks out for you!

The Rally & the Record

Copper’s blazing run: We talked about how Phoenix mounted a crazy comeback in the fourth quarter from down 17, and Kahleah Copper was the main reason why. She absolutely went off, scoring 9 straight points in just 50 seconds!! Her run ended with a three that shook the entire building as it sliced a 10-point deficit down to one.

No wonder the PHX Arena’s roars were deafening. Check out the stunning sequence for yourself!

Wilson’s record bucket! Who else but A’ja Wilson could pull this off? And in front of the Mercury’s roaring home crowd, no less. Along with leading her team and dropping the game-winner, Wilson still found time to break a record - most points in a single postseason!

After catching Jackie Young’s airball, A’ja laid it in for an easy basket. With this bucket, she passed Napheesa Collier’s 285 from last year, ending the night with 291 points.

Bam’s Reaction Had Us Crying! LeBron James, Bam Adebayo & More React to A’ja’s Masterclass

Valley’s Heart, Its Future- Satou Sabally

When we asked in our poll whether Satou Sabally should be the one leading this Mercury squad in the postseason (and not Alyssa Thomas), quite a few of you agreed. And it’s understandable why.

Sabally has been averaging 19 points in the playoffs and has come through in almost every game (minus that Game 1 loss vs. the Liberty).

Even in yesterday’s game, despite that nasty ankle injury from Game 2, Sabally came out swinging. She was having a great night (finished with 24)….until disaster struck. With 4:25 left in the fourth, her head collided with Kierstan Bell’s knee brutally. And once you watch this clip, you’ll understand how bad it was!

Now, it’s unclear if Sabally will suit up for Friday. If she did sustain a head injury, she’ll likely enter concussion protocol, which will all but rule her out of the series. And if that happens, Phoenix’s already uphill battle might just turn into a free fall.

Because Sabally has quietly become the real engine of this Mercury team. Especially when it comes to the Finals. Her ability to play nearly every position keeps opponents guessing and gives Nate Tibbetts one of the few (probably the only) wild cards left against the Aces.

So, for now, we just wait. And if the Unicorn doesn’t return, the blame might not only be about bad luck but also about how her injury was handled. Find out what actually happened after she went down!

But even if she doesn’t return (not to jinx it), Satou has had one hell of a season, leading her team in scoring - 16.3 pts (despite missed games due to injury) and living up to every expectation she carried from Dallas. She’s established herself as a cornerstone of Phoenix’s new era.

No matter what happens next, the Valley still thanks her!

The All-Defensive Teams Are Finally Out! Find Out the 10 Players Who Made the Cut

Clark Gets the Celeb Love

You might remember how Caitlin Clark showed up to support the Indiana Colts with the rest of the Fever squad a few days ago. But our girl is a hardcore Chiefs fan and flat-out refused to wear the Colts jersey. So, of course, her favorite, Travis Kelce, had to return the favor with some serious “I’m rooting for you energy.” You’ve got to see Kelce’s sweet gesture for his superstar fan!

And that wasn’t the only shoutout Caitlin got this week. Another one came from the entertainment world. It was our favorite comedian, Adam Sandler, in town, performing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. While the meet-and-greet was cool, it was his social media post featuring Clark that even had Sophie Cunningham awestruck. Check the post out!

1. "Shame on Us!" Alyssa Thomas Sounds Off On Mercury Locker Room After Home Loss - Full Story

2. Sandy Brondello in Talks to Lead Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings - Full Story

3. Aliyah Boston’s Furious Rant Could Cost Her a WNBA Fine - Full Story

4. Cathy Engelbert Isn’t the One Calling the WNBA’s Shots - Full Story

5. Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith Make Lynx History With All-Defensive Team Selections - 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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