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WNBA: Seimone Augustus, Michelle Timms are headed into the Corridor of Repute

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WNBA: Seimone Augustus, Michelle Timms are headed into the Corridor of Repute

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Two of the coolest players in women’s basketball history will enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 13: Michelle Timms and Seimone Augustus

In a sport that long tended to encourage conformity, Timms and Augustus were ahead of their time in offering unique, individual brands. With short, spiky bleached-blonde hair, Timms intrigued as a member of the inaugural class of WNBA players in 1997, arriving as an already-established Australian great who quickly became the face of the Phoenix Mercury. From the time she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated from Women at age 14 in 1999, Augustus exuded effortless cool, and, with her dreadlocked and headband style, would continue to do so as she suited up for the LSU Tigers and Minnesota Lynx.

And while their vibes are not why Timms and Augustus are being honored, their personas did extend into their playing styles, shaping their Hall-of-Fame-worthy impact on the sport. Here’s more on why Timms and Augustus on headed into basketball’s most hallowed Hall:

Michelle Timms inaugurated Australia’s WNBA influence

MIchelle Timms, 1998.
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Michelle Timms’ Hall of Fame resume begins and extends beyond the borders of the WNBA.

In 1984, at age 19, she debuted in the WNBL for the Bulleen Boomers, beginning a professional basketball career that would span 15 years and multiple continents. She would become a five-time WNBL champion (1986-89, 1992), serving as captain of the 1992 Perth Breakers team that captured the WNBL crown. She was a seven-time WNBL All-Star and two-time WNBL Player of the Year (1995, 1996). Concurrently, Timms was establishing herself as a mainstay for the Australian Women’s National Basketball Team, with the 1986 World Championships serving as her first major international tournament with the Opals. She subsequently would compete in three more World Championships and three Olympic Games. Timms and the Aussies won bronze at the 1996 and 2000 Games; they also finished third at the 1988 World Championships.

Her international accomplishments, which also included short stints playing in Germany and Italy, made her one of the initial players allocated to a WNBA team in 1997, with Timms assigned to the Phoenix Mercury. 32 years old for the WNBA’s inaugural season, Timms helped the Mercury finished first in the Western Conference, averaging 12.1 points, 5.0 assists and 2.6 steals as she played nearly 36 minutes per game. In 1998, Timms and the Mercury reached the WNBA Finals, stealing the first game of the WNBA Finals off the eventual champion Houston Comets. In Game 2, Timms busted out her highest-scoring effort of the season, and of her playoff career, leading the Mercury with 21 points. At the end of regulation, Timms missed a 3-pointer that would have won the game, and the title, for Phoenix.

Throughout her remaining three seasons in the WNBA, Timms would see a reduced minute and scoring load, although, in 1999, she was an inaugural WNBA All-Star, posting averages of 6.8 points and 5.0 assists. After injury limited her to eight games in 2000, she returned for a final season in 2001.

More than her play in the league, Timms’ presence in the WNBA helped establish it as a global league, where not just the best women’s basketball players in the United States, but from around the world, would ply their trade. More particularly, she also introduced the importance of Australian players to league and its growth, a genealogy that continues into the present with the likes of the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith, Seattle Storm’s Ezi Magbegor and Washington Mystics’ Jade Melbourne.

Seimone Augustus was a sweet scorer and certified winner

Minnesota Lynx 2006 First Round Draft Picks Pose for Portraits

Seimone Augustus, 2006.
Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

If there’s something that can be done in women’s basketball, it’s safe to say that Seimone Augustus has probably done it.

As a collegian, she steered LSU to three-straight Final Fours (2004-06), collecting a cache of individual awards along the way, including twice sweeping national player of the year honors (2005, 2006). Across her four years in Baton Rouge (2003-06), she averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. She, unquestionably, was the No. 1 pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, the savior of a thus far wayward Minnesota Lynx franchise. In her first season in Minnesota, the Lynx still struggled, but Augustus was fantastic, with her silky handles, smooth jumper and superb scoring package instantly translating to the WNBA as she averaged almost 22 points per game, winning Rookie of the Year, earning the first of eight All-Star honors and being named to an All-WNBA Team for the first of six times.

After five seasons as the sole star for slowly improving Lynx squads, Augustus finally got some help in 2011, with the arrivals of Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore. Minnesota quickly would become one of the league’s best teams, winning the first of four championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), with Augustus taking Finals MVP honors. Game 2 of the Lynx’s three-game sweep of the Atlanta Dream was Augustus’ masterpiece, when she scored a playoff career-high 36 points, going 11-for-14 from the field and sinking 13-of-16 free throws. She also had eight boards and three assists in the Lynx’s 101-95 victory.

Along with serving as the foundational piece for the dynastic Lynx, Augustus was a fixture for the even more dominant USA Basketball Women’s National Team, winning gold with Team USA at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Augustus’ winning ways also extended further overseas, as she spent 10 WNBA offseasons playing in Russia and Turkey. Suiting up for Galatasaray in 2008 and 2009, she won a pair of EuroCup Women titles, also taking the EuroCup MVP in 2009.

As a second-generation WNBA player, Augustus had access to a more wide-open women’s basketball world, where one confidently could know that collegiate success could translate into a successful professional career, both domestically and internationally. Augustus not only took full advantage of this opportunity, but she excelled whenever and wherever she hooped. And by doing so, she helped expand the sport’s boundaries, not just geographically but culturally, with her individual skill, team successes and overall style contributing to the conditions that have allowed for the game’s recent, rapid growth.



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The Significance of Psychological Toughness in Lacrosse

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The Significance of Psychological Toughness in Lacrosse

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One of the most important qualities a lacrosse player is their overall mental toughness. In a game as fast-moving and emotionally charged as this one, the capability to stay focused, resilient, and composed-especially under high-pressure moments-can make all the difference between triumph and defeat. Much of it is psychological rather than physical skills. Oftentimes, it’s a question of mental strength that shows how an individual will react when the game hangs in the balance. This element of the game is not talked about enough especially at a young age. It is not something that one naturally possess, but is a skilled that has to be deliberately trained.

Mental toughness means remaining unruffled when things don’t turn out as one wishes. This applies to any error on the field like a missed shot, bad groundball, or turnover that results in a goal. The ability to remain calm and mentally reset is where great players are teams are formed. Understanding that errors are a natural part of the game and it then becomes about how you respond the next opportunity you get instead of giving up entirely. Research shows that such athletes fare better during times of high pressure and spring back faster than others when things do not go according to plan. In a game like lacrosse, where so many games are decided on one play or a last-second goal, that kind of mental toughness is incredibly valuable.

One important attribute of mental toughness involves the ability to focus. In lacrosse, decisions are made in split seconds whether it’s spotting an open teammate, reacting to defensive pressure, or deciding when to take a shot. It involves developing concentration to help avoid distractions such as the crowd, the score, and fatigue. Having a set of routines that calm players before games are vital in helping improve focus. Some very simple things, such as mindfulness exercises or visualization, could make a big difference. Picturing yourself scoring that goal or winning that face-off is a great way to prepare your mind in advance for staying calm and confident throughout the game. Visualization has proven to be a valuable tool in staying mentally tough when times get hard.

Building mental toughness doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s something any player can work on. Mindfulness is a great tool for lacrosse players. With practice, mindfulness can help athletes strengthen their brains in such a way that they would react positively in situations of stress and pressure. The only requirement then is a level of buy-in and effort that most players typically do not give in practice. One more strategy includes positive self-talk. The way players talk to themselves during the game has a huge impact on their performance. Encouraging words can help an athlete shake off a mistake and keep their eyes ahead. Research has demonstrated that athletes who use positive self-talk are resilient and perform better under pressure. Many older athletes will make the argument however that they play better when they are critical of themselves, even though studies have prove that to be a less effective method. Breathing exercises can also play an important function in mental toughness. Players control their breathing the moment that important pressure starts to set in, making themselves composed and focused. It helps clear the mind when that needed liar good centeredness isn’t going alright.

In lacrosse, as will be the case in any sport, setbacks do occur. Sometimes, it could even be a very tough loss or some mistake made within a game; how one responds to it really defines who the mentally tough player is. These are the people who look at such challenges as opportunities to learn and invariably come out stronger. Studies have found that the more an athlete can embrace this growth mindset, the more likely he or she will be resilient over time.

Mental toughness is also contagious within teams: when a number of people in a team can maintain positivity and focus, they may rally their teammates and help create a harder, more resilient team. The ability to rise above this defines the great player from the average. It is not solely a matter of how fast one can run or how hard one can shoot; it is about how one manages pressure, adversity, and setbacks. Players who invest in building their mental game-through mindfulness, visualization, positive self-talk, and breathing exercises-are best prepared for optimal performances in high-pressure situations. Just like in life, in lacrosse, it is the mentally tough that rise to the top.

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3 NWSL playoff spots up for grabs as season finish nears

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3 NWSL playoff spots up for grabs as season finish nears

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With the 2024 NWSL Shield firmly in Orlando’s hands, attention turns to the final three available playoff spots up for grabs as the regular season turns into the home stretch. The Chicago Red Stars, currently in sixth, could become the next team to clinch a postseason berth with a win against the surging Gotham on Saturday at 4pm ET (Paramount+).
 
Only Houston has been eliminated from postseason contention thus far, but Portland (7th) and Bay FC (8th) will try to hold off those below the playoff line to better their odds at a quarterfinal appearance. Racing Louisville appears poised to challenge for their own spot, sitting only three points below eighth place.

Both Portland and Bay FC will have their work cut out for them, as the Thorns take on first-place Orlando on Friday at 10pm ET (Prime), and Bay FC battles fourth-place Kansas City on Saturday at 10pm ET (ION). Amidst a losing skid, Portland is already looking toward the future after announcing this week that general manager Karina Leblanc will be transitioning out of her role at the end of the 2024 season.

Standings stragglers look to ward off elimination

With only three regular season matches left, Seattle, Angel City, San Diego, and Utah will all face elimination scenarios this weekend.

Alyssa Thompson has registered seven goal contributions in her last seven NWSL games. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LA’s playoff hopes hang by a thread after a three-point deduction due to a salary cap violation, but forward Alyssa Thompson is keeping the dream of the postseason alive. Thompson has scored five goals and registered two assists in her last seven NWSL games, including a crucial assist in a win against the Seattle Reign last weekend.

Six points off the playoff pace with three games to go in the regular season, Angel City will need Thompson at the height of her powers in their matchup against North Carolina on Saturday at 7:30pm ET (ION).

Andi Sullivan suffers season-ending ACL tear

The Washington Spirit announced on Wednesday that captain Andi Sullivan suffered an ACL tear in the team’s loss to the Orlando Pride on Sunday, and will miss the rest of the 2024 season. A Spirit stalwart, Sullivan started all 21 regular season matches she appeared in for the club in 2024, tallying two goals.

Sulivan joins a growing number of injured Spirit contributors, including Croix Bethune (out for the season), Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, and Ouleye Sarr. The Spirit will take on Racing Louisville on Sunday at 5pm ET.

The MVP race heats up

With KC Current forward Temwa Chawinga running away with the 2024 NWSL golden boot, is there still intrigue to be found in this year’s MVP race? Chawinga won NWSL Player of the Month for September, while forward Barbra Banda continued to excel with the unbeaten, Shield-winning Orlando Pride.

Banda’s goal contributions are slightly off Chawinga’s pace, with 13 goals and six assists to Chawinga’s 18 goals and six assists. Chawinga leads the league in goals per 90 minutes, but Banda holds the title in goals and assists per 90 minutes, while both players comfortably lead the league in xG and npxG per 90.

It’s been a year for blazing offense in the NWSL, personified by Chawinga and Banda’s excellence. But voters will have to decide if individual contributions, playmaking, and total team success are a bigger part of the picture when deciding who will walk away with 2024 NWSL MVP.



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WNBA: Naphessa Collier leads Lynx to ancient comeback as opposed to Liberty

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WNBA: Naphessa Collier leads Lynx to ancient comeback as opposed to Liberty

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The No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx came back from down 18 points to steal Game 1 on the road from the No. 1-seed New York Liberty, winning 95-93 in overtime.

The Lynx got a MVP performance from Napheesa Collier, who ended the night with 21 points, eight rebounds and six blocks. Collier also had the game-winning basket and defended Breanna Stewart on the game’s final possession.

Courtney Williams was integral in this Lynx victory, scoring a team-high 23 points, including a huge four-point play that helped force overtime.

Given the collapse, Liberty fans will not want to hear about how well their team played, but they did have some standout performances. Jonquel Jones was superb, with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Leonie Fiebech brought her elite defense and added 17 points. While Stewart will be remembered for missing the game-winning free throw in regulation and the game-tying layup in overtime, she still contributed 18 points in the defeat.

The Lynx have dominated this matchup this year. They beat the Liberty 2-1 in the regular-season series, defeated them in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship and now, most importantly, lead the WNBA Finals 1-0.

The Lynx wouldn’t let the Liberty put them away

It was all good three quarters ago for the Liberty. They came out roaring, outscoring the Lynx 32-19 in the opening frame. Collier struggled to get going offensively, as Stewart’s size gave her trouble. After a Betnijah Laney-Hamilton layup, New York led 39-21 with 6:24 left in the first half. It started to look like the Liberty would cruise to victory at home.

However, Minnesota had other plans, going on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit down to seven points. Sabrina Ionescu rattled in a 3-pointer to stop the run and kill Minnesota’s momentum. At the break, New York was ahead by eight.

In the third quarter, the Lynx went on an 8-2 run to make it a one-possession game. Suddenly, Minnesota was in control. Williams was yapping to the crowd, her Dad was jawing with fans and Kayla McBride had a menacing smile on her face as Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called timeout, grabbed her clipboard and tried to draw something up that would right the ship.

After the timeout, the Liberty came out and had a 24-second shot clock violation. In the final minute of the third, New York finally found some rhythm thanks to a pair of Nyara Sabally free throws and a huge Courtney Vandersloot 3-pointer.

The Lynx came through in the most crucial moments

Up by seven at home, entering the fourth, the Liberty had an opportunity to close the door on the Lynx. New York went on an 8-0 run and extended their lead back up to a dozen.

Minnesota, however, refused to go away. Williams converted a pull-up jumper, McBride hit a 3-pointer and Natisha Hiedeman added another make from behind the arc. Jones scored for New York, but the Lynx responded with six unanswered points, and suddenly, with 42.1 seconds left, it was an 83-80 game.

The following Liberty possession ended with Collier blocking Jones, despite being hooked by the Liberty. The rejection was one of the best blocks I’ve ever seen, given the degree of difficulty and importance of the moment.

Not to be outdone, Williams helped her All-Star by hitting a clutch 3-pointer, which, with Ionescu fouling her, resulted in a four-point play possibility. Williams hit the free throw, and the comeback was complete. Lynx were up one with 5.1 seconds left.

Stewart got a good look at the basket for the Liberty, but Collier blocked it, leaving one second on the clock for New York to try and inbound the ball and win the game. The Liberty got the ball to Stewart. She was tangled up in the paint and fouled on what would’ve been the last play of the game. After review, it was upheld as a foul, and Stewart went to the line to shoot two free throws. She made the first to tie the game but missed the second. Minnesota tried to get a game-winner off with 0.5 seconds left, but Williams missed, and we headed to overtime.

The game remained tight after regulation, but the Lynx stayed in control. Collier converted on a layup and Alanna Smith scored on a Williams dime and Minnesota lead by four. Jones hit a 3-pointer for New York to shrink the lead down to one, but Williams responded with a 3-pointer for Minnesota. With 28 seconds left, the score was even at 93, and Collier scored to give the Lynx the edge.

New York had 8.1 seconds left and one more chance to tie or win the game. Collier defended Stewart and she blew right past her. Collier shouted for her teammates not to foul, and Stewart got a clean look at the basket but missed the basket, ending the game and giving the Lynx a historic victory in an instant classic.

Closing thoughts from a crazy Game 1

There is so much to unpack, but credit to the Lynx for never quitting and fighting back into his one. Collier proved why she was the Defensive Player of the Year. We mentioned Williams needing a big game for Minnesota to win, and she delivered.

New York’s loss is devastating, but it’s first to three wins, not to one. Jones played well, and Ionescu can be better. Stewart was great for most of the game, but the devil is in the details, and missing that free throw was a death knell.

This loss is a lesson for the Liberty. If they are stronger in 2024 than they were in 2023, they will respond and be ready for Game 2 on Sunday. This series is far from over.

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PLL Quarterfinals – Lacrosse All Stars

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PLL Quarterfinals – Lacrosse All Stars

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I’m learning to be open minded about evaluating lacrosse games – there are certain factors like matchups, and trends that may be predicted, but every lacrosse game has a certain variability of randomness and unpredictability. That’s even more pronounced at the pro level and what makes playoff lacrosse so compelling. 

Teams who advance in September are talented, united, love each other and the game, and overflow with optimism and belief. All of the remaining teams in the PLL postseason fit the criteria of recent contenders: they have high-end players with point production, they have players with postseason history in the NCAA’s or PLL and a rock-solid team identity. 

The most talented team doesn’t always win. Sometimes it’s the team that gets hot at the right time and plays above its talent. That’s tied directly to the high variance nature of lacrosse, when a team is getting bounces and playing well, it becomes an unstoppable force. 

Playoff games contested between excellent teams are often decided by the lower roster spots. Assuming that the stars play like high end talent, the  margin of error falls upon a team’s bottom-five to be the difference. Stars neutralize stars – so evaluate from the bottom up, not from the top down. 

Gillette Stadium

Stars & Stripes Classic 

A lacrosse matchup between Green Beret and Navy SEALs Veterans. 

Monday September 2nd – Labor Day, 1:00pm ESPN+

PLL Quarterfinals

Boston (3) vs Carolina (6)

4pm ESPN2, Announcers: Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle

Boston (7-3) defeated Carolina 11-10 on Friday August 16 in overtime. Worrisome for the Cannons has been the third attack spot, a position that should thrive feeding off of Marcus Holman and Asher Nolting. Rookie Pat Kavanagh is just (8,4). The complimentary midfielders Chris Aslanian (11 points) and Alex Vardaro (8,0) are barometers. 16 two-point goals is the leagues best, but against Carolina goalie Blaze Riorden these outside shots are often turnover shots.  The Cannons shoot 19% from two point range. 

FOGO Zac Tucci is 48% and Boston are content to trade :32 possessions. Tucci won their June 15 game against the Waterdogs by scoring four points. Carolina activated FOGO James Reilly (50%) last week ahead of injured Nick Rowlett (37%). This FOGO matchup feels like a wash. 

Carolina (4-6) can’t pass. They are (2-6) after opening (2-0). They’ve been held to 10 or less goals six times this summer. They’ve only hit 5 two-pointers and shoot 11% from distance. 

Carolina is worst in these categories –

  • 100 scores
  • 278 shots
  • 226 shots on goal
  • 43 assists 
  • 276 ground balls
  • 1844 passes

They lead the league in penalty minutes. 

Attack-man Josh Byrne has 18 of the groups 43 assists. Ross Scott has two assists. Kyle Jackson has two assists. Sergio Perkovic and Eric Dobson have 0 assists. Multiple pass goals are in short supply as the assist to turnover ratio is awful. 

Let the haters be your motivators. 

That being said, Carolina has a hammer of a defense anchored by the best goalie in the league. Riorden was knocked out of the game on August 16, and should be fine. He is 59% for the year. Defenders Jack Rowlett, Jared Neumann and Will Bowen form the toughest close trio in the PLL. Can Carolina find goals in transition? Zach Geddes and Ian MacKay must strike on the run. Can they get upfield off of goalie saves? 

However dysfunctional the offense may be, this team has toughness and will fight you for 48 minutes. 

Maryland (4) vs Denver (5)

6:30pm ESPN+

Maryland finished the regular season with momentum – although a bye during the Salt Lake City weekend means they haven’t played since August 9 – more than a three week hiatus. Whips are (6-4) having won four straight dating back to their last loss on July 19. 

TJ Malone and Zed Williams are the epicenter of the settled offense. Lefty Matt Rambo has picked his spots. Rookies Ajax Zappitello, Levi Anderson, Jack Koras and Adam Poitras changed the tenor of coach Jim Stagnitta’s season. 

Last time we saw Denver they shot 6 of 31 in the first half against Utah and then 2 of 25 in the second half. They wilted. Rookie Brennan O’Neil has shot 3 for 27 during the last three games. Inconsistent results have been their calling card, with an offense that receives more than 50% of its production from rookies. Righty Graham Bundy has hit six two-pointers. Complimentary players like Josh Zwada, Cross Ferrara and Dalton Young must make an impact. Will Coordinating defender Jesse Bernhardt be back from injury? Their slide packages are tighter with the veteran roaming the middle. 

Bye Week Plans

#1 NY Atlas and #2 Utah Archers

These teams will gather at Patriot Place for practices and meetings during their quarterfinal bye week. 

I’ll be in Boulder for Coach Prime and Colorado’s home opener on Thursday August 29 against North Dakota State on ESPN at 8pm est. 

Semifinals

The PLL semifinals will be hosted by Hofstra on Saturday September 7 (E+) at 5pm and 7:30pm. The PLL Cash App final can be seen on Sunday September 15 at 3pm on ABC from Subaru Park in Chester, PA. 

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Two Department Sequence Recreation 5s on deck sooner than Championship Sequence start on Sunday

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Two Department Sequence Recreation 5s on deck sooner than Championship Sequence start on Sunday

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The GIST: Chaos also abounds in the best-of-five Division Series and it’ll only intensify with two decisive Game 5s on deck over the next 48 hours. Batter up.

NY Yankees clinch American League (AL) Championship Series showing, Cleveland Guardians extend series: One half of the ALCS is set after the Yanks eliminated the Kansas City Royals in last night’s benches-clearing 3–1 Game 4 win behind another dazzling outing from Pinstripers ace Gerrit Cole, giving the Bronx Bombers their third ALCS appearance in the last five seasons.

  • Their opponent? Either the Guardians or Detroit Tigers, after Cleveland claimed Game 4 5–4 yesterday to send this AL Central series back to the Land for Game 5 tomorrow at 4:38 p.m. ET.
  • The Guardians have home-field advantage and third baseman José Ramírez finding his swing, but the Tigers have their best player — top pitcher Tarik Skubal — on the mound. Shaping up to be another instant classic.

NY Mets advance to National League (NL) Championship Series, waiting on opponent: OMG is right — the scrappy Grimace–powered Mets used a shortstop Francisco Lindor grand slam to eliminate their NL East foe Philadelphia Phillies in a 4–1 Wednesday Game 4 win, punching a ticket to their first NLCS since 2015.

  • The Kings of Queens now await the victor of tonight’s 8:08 p.m. ET winner-take-all Game 5 between the San Diego Padres and LA Dodgers, who’ve been trading statement games all series long.
  • LA rolled 8–0 in Game 4 thanks to the explosive bats of superstars Shohei Ohtani and outfielder Mookie Betts, but the Padres will send ace Yu Darvish, who silenced the Dodgers in Game 2, to the hill tonight. Can’t-miss is an understatement.



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WNBA Playoffs: New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx Finals Sport 1 preview

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WNBA Playoffs: New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx Finals Sport 1 preview

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And then there were two. The No. 1-seed the New York Liberty will face the No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Finals.

New York is trying to win its first WNBA title in franchise history, with Minnesota is trying to win its fifth. As the best team in the WNBA, the Liberty will host Game 1 on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Which team will take the first game? And what’s the path to each team earning that first win?

How the Liberty will win

They have the best record, home court and Spike Lee. The Liberty have all the momentum in the world to take Game 1. Still, those are narratives; execution will be necessary.

That means Sabrina Ionescu taking on the Lynx guards, staying aggressive and getting Breanna Stewart involved early and often, as well as Jonquel Jones staying out of foul trouble. We should expect Leonie Fiebich to continue starting, as she has throughout this playoff run, and Courtney Vandersloot to keep coming off the bench.

In head-to-head matchups, the Lynx have beaten the Liberty, winning the season series 2-1. Minnesota also won the Commissioner’s Cup against New York, 94-89. So while New York has a lot going for them, they’ll have to be on top of their game, in addition to disrupting Naphessa Collier as much as possible, to come out with a win on Thursday night.

How the Lynx will win

Road wins in the WNBA Finals are worth their weight in gold. If Minnesota wants to get the upset, they’ll need an MVP performance from Collier. Which is completely possible, given that she’s averaging 27.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in these playoffs.

Guard play will be the X factor for the Lynx. They’ll need to keep up with New York’s firepower. If Courtney Williams can get going and score 18 to 20 points in this contest, it’ll go a long way to helping the Lynx steal Game 1.

Minnesota was the best 3-point shooting team during the regular season, shooting 38 percent from deep. They’ve essentially maintained that average in the playoffs, hitting 37.2 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc. The problem for the Lynx is the Liberty have been just as good, also averaging 37.2 percent from 3 during this postseason.

This series should be a tough, competitive battle. Regardless of who wins Game 1, expect this to go the distance. Both teams have been the best in the league, and the gap between them is as small as can be.

Game information

No. 1-seed New York Liberty vs. No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx

When: Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

How to watch: ESPN

Liberty injury report: none

Lynx injury report: none

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PLL Playoffs : Semifinals Are Subsequent

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PLL Playoffs : Semifinals Are Subsequent

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The PLL played their two quarterfinal games on Labor Day in front of a sparse crowd in Gillette Stadium. Coming off a bye weekend for the entire league, the overall quality of play was on the slow side, defenses had the upper hand with Maryland and Carolina advancing. 

Quarterfinal Recap

Game 1 : Boston 4 – Carolina 8

Rookie from Penn State Jack Posey dressed for suspended defender Jack Rowlett. Posey had only played in a few games during the summer but managed to travel to game sites to be with his team, learning the ropes, on his own dime. That dedication paid off on Monday in a defensive master class given by the Chaos. 

Carolina has an elite defense, no soft spots, and goalie Blaze Riorden was given a steady diet of cupcakes to feast on. Big Blaze made 15 saves (79%). The Chaos didn’t slide much, begging Cannon ball carriers to get to the rack themselves and shoot on the run. These shots are more easily saved than shots off ball movement. Boston shot 4 of 41 including 0 for 7 from two-point range. 

Boston was minimally invasive. Asher Nolting, still hunting a signature career win, spun his robust wheels in futility. He’s a bit of an oversized two-trick pony, reliant on just a right-handed inside roll or left-handed question mark. Marcus Holman was a non-factor without dodgers who could draw slides and free him up. Matt Campbell, Ryan Drenner and Pat Kavanagh lost their matchups and failed to either draw doubles or get to the net. That’s where the game was lost. The lack of success had the Cannons gripping their sticks too tight. The lack of adjustments and curveballs thrown by the offensive coaching staff smelled like overconfidence. 

According to Joe Keegan of the PLL, the Chaos D forced Cannons into a season-high 28 unassisted shots and a season-low 13 assisted shots.

The best defenses don’t need to slide. 

Boston (7-4) will resurface in the Championship series after scoring one goal in the second half. 

The Boston defense held the Chaos to 8 goals and lost. Carolina shot 24%. That’s uncommon. This game was the ultimate rock fight. Tough to watch. Carolina stayed true to their identity and found timely goals from Jules Heningburg, Tye Kurtz and Ross Scott while Josh Byrne made all the right moves as a distributor. 

History repeats itself because on September 3, 2022, in the same PLL Quarterfinals at Gillette, the Chaos beat the Chrome 11-3.  That was the lowest amount of goals scored by one team in the PLL Playoffs. This 8-4 win was another defensive gem by Riorden and the Chaos defense. 

Game 2 : Maryland 11 – Denver 10 

Injured defender Jesse Bernhardt was back in the Outlaw lineup. Meanwhile the Whipsnakes were dealing with a layoff of 17 days. 

Alternating goals in the first half, Zed Williams of Maryland tied it up at 6-6 at halftime. The Outlaws rookie brigade of Dalton Young, Brennan O’Neil and Graham Bundy gave Denver a 9-7 lead with 15:06 to play in the game. 

The play of the weekend and one of the most bizarre goals of the entire summer – swung this game in Maryland’s favor. Jake Bernhardt, a SSDM for Maryland, from about 17 yards at the top of the arc, fed the crease with :06 seconds to go in the third quarter. It was a forced Hail Mary pass late in the clock. The ball intended for Zed Williams instead ricocheted off Denver defender JT Giles-Harris and trickled past goalie Owen McElroy like a billiards shot careening, it rolled into the net. Because Bernhardt was outside the two-point arc and the pass/shot was not touched by a Maryland teammate, it counted as a two-point goal, tying the score at 9-9 to end the third quarter and giving Maryland energy and hope for the final 12 minutes. A bizarre play that had a monumental impact on the game. 

Rookies Adam Poitras and TJ Malone added goals in the fourth quarter for Maryland coach Jim Stagnitta, building an 11-9 advantage. Denver was held without a goal for a span of 14:00. Sam Handley finished with five points for Denver (5-6) while Brennan O’Neil and Bundy were quieted late. 

Outlaw pole Jesse Bernhardt brought the game to 11-10 with :45 to play when Maryland was out on the perimeter defending the two-point shot with zeal. Whips held on for the 11-10 win and advanced to the semis to play New York. They held serve and will benefit from the effort, now turning around on Saturday to face a team who hasn’t played in three weeks. 

Maryland Goalie Brendan Krebs shook off a slow start, stay on the pipe young man, and finished the game very much locked in and in control. Owen McElroy was solid in net for Denver. This game was statistically as even as you’ll ever see. 

Denver has a young nucleus that has upside. They need to improve their SSDM and LSM positions in the 2025 draft. 15 rookies dressed amongst the four quarterfinal rosters. That’s 20% of the total players. Their impact was evident. 

Semifinal Preview

Saturday at Hofstra 

Game 1: New York vs Maryland 

I worry about the layoff for the Atlas. The herky-jerky nature of the summer schedule has proven to show that bye weeks are not beneficial for offensive flow, timing, rhythm and generally disruptive to team offensive chemistry. 

The Atlas are favored based upon their resume and offensive excellence this summer. That’s fair. The Trevor Baptiste and Joe Nardella FOGO matchup will be fun to watch.  Maryland must drape Jeff Teat and Connor Shellenberger well, while blanketing cutter Xander Dickson. Isolating midfielders Dox Aitken, Bryan Costabile and Myles Jones have a size and physicality advantage and require delicate traffic control.

The pressure is on the Atlas. Goalie Liam Entenmann makes a triumphant return to Long Island. I have giant expectations for this game – I think it’s going to be a great one. So many of these players have high-end NCAA tournament and professional playoff experience. Atlas are favored by 1.5 with a goals total of 25.5. 

Game 2: Utah vs Carolina 

I have concerns about Utah without Tom Schreiber. The All-World midfielder is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Carolina’s defense will try to manhandle the undersized catalysts of the Archers. Grant Ament and Connor Fields will be on the receiving end of heavy checks. Tre LeClaire and Mac OKeefe must come to the party and find cracks in goalie Blaze Riorden from distance and mid-range. Utah will need to be crisp with their two-man games. Setting clean picks changes matchups. Changing matchups creates slides. Creating slides leads to open looks. 

At the other end Utah’s defense has been overly reliant on goalie Brett Dobson, and he’s become increasingly vulnerable to the two-point shot. Utah hasn’t played since August 18. Time off is not favorable – even if coach Chris Bates practiced last weekend in Foxborough. Carolina is a very live upsetter on “Strong Island” in a contest with a low total set at 21. Chaos embracing the underdog role. First team to 10 wins. 

The semifinals air on Saturday from Hofstra at 5:00pm and 7:30pm on E+. Drew Carter and Ryan Boyle have the call from Hempstead Turnpike. 

The PLL Championship can be seen live on Sunday September 15 at 3pm on ABC from Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Drew Carter, Paul Carcaterra, Ryan Boyle and I will be working the game. 

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The Overdue Sub Podcast: Liberty take all of it?

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The Overdue Sub Podcast: Liberty take all of it?

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In today’s episode, Claire ponders another Sun postseason exit, and the risks and rewards of blowing things up in the pursuit of playoff glory.

She then previews the finals between the Lynx and the Liberty, with one key element she believes will earn one of the teams a title. She closes with some of the NWSL news of the midweek, which feels destined to shape the postseason and beyond.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

The post The Late Sub Podcast: Liberty take it all? appeared first on Just Women's Sports.

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WNBA: Golden State Valkyries rent Natalie Nakase as head trainer

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WNBA: Golden State Valkyries rent Natalie Nakase as head trainer

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On Thursday, the Golden State Valkyries named the franchise’s first head coach, 44-year old Natalie Nakase.

Nakase arrives from the Las Vegas Aces, where she served for three years as an assistant coach, helping the team win back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. The California native who played at UCLA (1998-2003), has accumulated tons of coaching experience through assistant and head coaching gigs in Germany and Japan, in addition to serving as an assistant coach for the NBA G League’s Agua Caliente Clippers (2017-18, 2021-22) and NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers (2018-20).

Ohemaa Nyanin, general manager of the Valkyries, said of the hire:

Natalie is the perfect candidate to lead the Valkyries as our head coach. She exemplifies every character trait in what we were looking for in a head coach and possesses deep expertise across professional basketball. Her journey is representative of the grit and perseverance that our team will embody to achieve our ultimate goal of winning championships.

Before making their head coach hire, the organization revealed the plans for and renderings of the team’s locker room at Chase Center and practice facility in Oakland. Both prove that preparations for their freshman season are in full swing. The Valkyries are going to have their own, V-shaped locker room, which is “symbolizing the unity of Valkyries in flight.” The training facility in downtown Oakland, which features two full-size courts and 17 basketball hoops in total, belonged to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors until 2019.

Rendering of the Valkyries’ locker room.

Rendering of the Valkyries’ practice facility.

On the organization’s investment in its infrastructure, Nyanin has emphasized:

The investment that Golden State has made into both the Valkyries Practice Facility in Oakland, and the locker room in San Francisco, underscores this organization’s commitment to excellence. Connecting both sides of the Bay with elite facilities will set the tone for our athletes, coaching staff and medical teams, as we build a roster that will compete for championships.

Sponsorship deals also are already in place, with Kaiser Permanente becoming the team’s core jersey partner and JPMorgan Chase serving the team’s shield uniform partner. But, we’re still waiting for the jerseys to be unveiled. It will be interesting to see how similar (or how different) the actual jerseys will be from fan-created mockups. Regardless, with a coach, facilities and sponsorships, along with the expansion draft on Dec. 6, the Valkyries are moving towards fully becoming the WNBA’s 13th franchise.



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