^{July 17, 2025 | Edition #112}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

That’s a wrap on the last slate of games before the All-Star break! And what a contrasting finale it was for our two All-Star captains. But, in a matter of days, they’ll face off fresh at 0-0, both donning the captain’s badge for the first time. We’re just as hyped as you are to bring all the vibes straight from Indy. The energy’s only building, because “It’s Her Moment” is officially underway.

Welcome to Indy: Where “It’s Her Moment” Meets Fan Power

“Natasha, first of all let me say thank you for doing this.” That was just one of the heartfelt fan messages in our last She Got Game send. And we couldn’t agree more. Because now that we’ve touched down in Indiana, it’s all starting to feel real. In less than 24 hours, Natasha Howard will be at the booth with us. The clock is ticking!

You already know that the Indiana Fever star is our Athlete Correspondent, and alongside Chloe Mitchell, she’s ready to take you through the behind-the-scenes, and all the stories this weekend’s built on. So far, some polls have come your way. But this was just the beginning. Tomorrow, the action steps up with Natasha going live, and yes, she’ll be reading some of your messages out loud.

We’ve been blown away by what you've already sent in - shoutouts, questions, and the kind of notes that remind us why this community matters. Some of you called Natasha a “beast,” a “consistent hero,” and one comment summed it up best: “You have made a huge difference!!!”

There's still time to get your words to her. In case you haven’t hit send yet, now’s your moment.

Oh, and one more thing, we’ve officially picked our “Message For Natasha” winners. Let's just say Saturday’s email will be worth the open, especially if you like exclusive merch. 👀

All-Star Friday Night Lineup is Set

Remember all that buzz when Caitlin Clark didn’t join the NBA 3-point contest earlier this year? Turns out, she was saving that debut for her own league, in front of her own people. We just hope the groin injury doesn’t force her to sit out the All-Star Weekend because we have an all-time lineup this year!

Joining Clark will be Sabrina Ionescu, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Plum, and Allisha Gray. Classic elite sniper summit. And while everyone’s been hyped about Ionescu and for good reason, we kind of forget what Gray pulled off last year. She made history with one of the greatest ever performances. See for yourself!

Yet somehow, it still feels underrated. Gray will also defend her Skills Challenge title against the likes of Skylar Diggins, Erica Wheeler, Natasha Cloud, and Courtney Williams. Then comes the big one on Saturday. But what’s an All-Star weekend without a little last-minute chaos, right?

Rhyne Howard went down with a left knee injury during the game against Indiana, and the team has confirmed she’ll be out through the rest of July. Fans were heartbroken as they were already picturing her in the All-Star lineup. Still, there’s a silver lining.

When the All-Star rosters were first announced, Kayla McBride was one of the biggest “how did she not make it?!” names. Now, she’s officially in as Howard’s replacement. Well deserved.

And just when we thought the movement was done, Satou Sabally, after sitting out the last four games, confirmed she’s out too. So, now we wait. For Clark’s final injury status and to see who’ll take Sabally’s spot for what’s shaping up to be a weekend of nothing but buckets.

Every Fan Needs a Timeout

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Two Tales of Captains Before the All-Star Game

The Lynx stumbled a bit against Chicago, only to bounce right back with two solid dubs. First came a revenge win over the Sky, 91-78, shutting down their third-quarter spark. Then came their real test: the Phoenix Mercury. Some outlets even ranked Phoenix over the Lynx heading in. Did that rattle Minnesota? Not even close.

After a small hiccup in the second quarter, the Lynx went on a 10-0 run that put things to bed, ending it 79-66. While Phee had 29 points against the Sky, she could only score 10 vs the Mercury. However, Kayla McBride took up the scoring load with 18 points. The Lynx might’ve slipped a little along the way, but they’re still the only team in the league holding this standout record.

Now, on the other side of the All-Star coin, Caitlin Clark’s week was rough. Sure, the Fever picked up a solid win over the Sun. It came at a cost, though. Late in the game, Clark sat on the bench, holding back tears and not from joy. That groin injury? It flared up again. And this time, fans didn’t need to guess who to blame.

Most are pointing fingers straight at head coach Stephanie White and the Fever’s management. Why? Because CC hadn’t been at 100% for a while. She was still recovering, clearly nursing that groin, and yet she was out there playing big minutes. If you needed receipts, a doctor exposed Indiana’s risky call with medical facts.

And it’s not just about one game. This could seriously impact the Fever’s future. Because CC is this team’s engine. Without her, Fever fell again. The Liberty rolled over Indiana 98-77, with Stewie and Sabrina taking full control.

Now, as All-Star Weekend looms, Clark is battling injury and questions about her availability.

A Glimpse of the Future? Post-Game Visuals Show Caitlin Building Fresh Bonds With New York

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

Before the game in Brooklyn, while most of the Fever squad rocked black tees featuring Aliyah Boston’s new WSLAM cover, it was Sydney Colson who stole the entire spotlight. Her look was iconic (and familiar). So much so that even Caitlin Clark had to repost it, and WNBA stars flooded the comments with laughing emojis the second they found out who inspired her fit. Could it be shade? Go check it out for yourself!

The Slump Report Ft. Dallas, D.C & Valks

Is this the turning point for Golden State? We talked about how they didn’t even look like an expansion team. After dropping three straight, however, the doubts are creeping in. To be fair, the recent losses came against Phoenix and Seattle - two stacked squads - but still.

Against Phoenix, it almost felt like the Valkyries were about to pull off the improbable. Down four with 15 seconds left, Janelle Salaün hit two game-changing, gritty shots to tie it. Then, how come they didn’t clinch it as Mercury stole a 78-77 win? See for yourself!

Next came Seattle. A total defensive grind. Both teams were ice cold. Yet the Storm pulled away late, 67-58, bumping the Valks down to ninth, just outside the playoff cut.

Meanwhile, in D.C., just weeks ago, the Mystics were thriving past expectations. Tuesday night vs the Sparks at home was not so much. Sonia Citron went 3-for-9, Kiki Iriafen 4-for-10, and Brittney Sykes didn’t find rhythm either. Beyond stats, the real blow was that second quarter, where the Mystics offense just vanished. The final score was 99-80.

Speaking of expectations, that hasn’t really been the case with Dallas. The Wings do throw out the occasional flicker of hope, but that was never going to cut it against the Aces. It did come with a fiery Paige Bueckers giving the refs a quick lesson, though.

Other than that, it was the same script - missed layups, shot-clock violations, low energy spells, and Arike Ogunbowale going cold for long stretches. The 90-86 loss marked their fourth straight, and at this point, the only happy thing for Wings fans must be seeing Paige Bueckers in the All-Star game.

She Said What? Diana Taurasi’s Brutal Alex Morgan Roast Goes Viral as Legends Get Crowned at the ESPYS

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. "Are You Kidding Me?!" Caitlin Clark Held Back After Explosive Clash with Ref - Full Story

2. Chicago Sky Hit Lowest Point in 14 Years as Angel Reese's Suspension Countdown Begins - Full Story

3. Not Over Yet? Caitlin Clark Doubles Down on Jacy Sheldon in Revenge Run - Full Story

4. Paige Bueckers Delivers a Broadcast Blowout No One Saw Coming - Full Story

5. Fans Call Out Tina Charles for ‘Saving Face’ After Rough Hit on Aliyah Boston - 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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