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Good morning! âď¸
Well, we got that one wrong. đ Yesterday, we said the Valkyries looked likely to be the next team to clinch a playoff spot, but the Aces beat them to it thanks in part to having played more games.
Golden State can still clinch Friday if Portland loses to Seattle. Have a great weekend!
What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Aces Clinch Second WNBA Playoff Spot âŚď¸
The Las Vegas Aces are officially headed back to the playoffs. Thursday nightâs 83-76 win over Washington, combined with the Sparksâ loss, made Las Vegas the second team to clinch a postseason spot, joining the Minnesota Lynx. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: The reigning champs now officially have a chance to defend their title and add another trophy to an incredible five-year run. Las Vegas has won three of the past four WNBA championships, and another this season would make it four titles in five years.
2. Diana Taurasi Heads To the Mercury Ring of Honor đ
Diana Taurasi will become the sixth person inducted into the Phoenix Mercuryâs Ring of Honor on Sunday. The celebration began Thursday, when her 10,646 career points were added to the street outside Mortgage Matchup Center and a new mural by Phoenix artist Paige Reesor was unveiled. (AZ Central)
đ See the updated Taurasi street sign and new mural
WHY IT MATTERS: Taurasi spent her entire 20-year WNBA career in Phoenix and helped lead the Mercury to all three of the franchiseâs championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. She retired as the WNBAâs all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points, so this weekend is a chance for Phoenix to celebrate the player who defined the franchise for two decades.
đłď¸ Which Taurasi number is more impressive to you?
3. Satou Sabally Steps Away From the Liberty đ˘
Satou Sabally is stepping away from the New York Liberty with no timetable for her return. Her injury designation changed this week from âconcussion protocolâ to âhead,â and she has not played since June 23. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Saballyâs June 23 injury was her second significant head injury in the past 12 months. With no return date, the focus is on giving her the time she needs away from the court. For the Liberty, it also means continuing without one of their key players as the regular season moves toward its final stretch.
âď¸ A Small Sign That the Club is Growing
When I started The Post-Up Club four months ago, I hand-addressed every envelope. As more people have joined, I've reached the point where I have to print address labels instead.
It's a small change, but one that makes me really grateful for everyone who's decided to be part of this womenâs basketball snail mail community. And even as the club grows, I still hand stamp every envelope because I want you to receive something thatâs a little unique to you.
OVERTIME âąď¸
December Spotlight: Four major womenâs college basketball matchups are set for Dec. 20, including LSU-UConn, Duke-USC, Texas-UCLA, and South Carolina-Notre Dame.
Run Budz: Natisha Hiedeman launched the Run Budz run club in Seattle, with Storm teammates Jade Melbourne, Awa Fam, Zia Cooke, and Mackenzie Holmes showing up to support.
Reese Rebounds: Angel Reese set a new Atlanta Dream single-season record for total rebounds with her 375th of the year, reaching the mark in just 32 games.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if the Valkyries would be the next team to clinch a playoff spot, and 77% of you said, âYes, definitely.â Turns out, we set you up for failure on that one. đ The Aces beat them to it after clinching Thursday night.
