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Good morning! ☕️
The WNBA playoffs continue tonight on ESPN with Dream–Mystics at 7 PM ET and Valkyries–Wings at 9 PM ET. Washington and Dallas both need a Game 2 win to keep their seasons alive.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The Liberty Send the Top Seed Home 🗽
The No. 8 New York Liberty beat the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx 87–71 on Tuesday to sweep their best-of-three series. After an up-and-down season, New York beat the team with the league’s best record by 16 points in both games. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: New York is the first eighth seed to eliminate a top seed in WNBA playoff history. And with the top seed now out, the championship race feels wide open. This is only the fifth postseason with a No. 1 vs. No. 8 first-round matchup. From 2016–2021, the top two seeds skipped straight to the semifinals.
🗳️ How surprised are you that the Liberty swept the Lynx?
2. Clark and Mitchell Keep Indiana Alive 🏀
Caitlin Clark delivered 27 points and 15 assists as the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 99–89 at home Tuesday to avoid elimination. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, helping Indiana tie the series at 1–1. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: After losing the opener by 17, Indiana bounced back against the defending champions with its season on the line. Now it all comes down to Thursday’s Game 3 in Las Vegas, with both teams playing for a spot in the semifinals.
3. Jordan Harrison Steps Away From Basketball 😲
Portland Fire rookie Jordan Harrison announced Monday night that she is stepping away from basketball. In an Instagram post, the 22-year-old said the decision wasn’t easy, but she feels at peace with it and believes she’s being called into a new chapter.
WHY IT MATTERS: Harrison went undrafted but earned a role in Portland, averaging 4.2 assists in just 14 minutes a game. She finished the season with a 10-assist performance, which makes her decision surprising. WNBA rookies don’t proactively retire after one year. Even so, her announcement makes clear that she feels ready for what comes next.
Today’s a Good Day to Watch Women’s Sports ☕️
The playoffs give us plenty to look forward to. If checking the day’s games over coffee is part of your morning routine, this mug will fit right in.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Side Hustle: Chicago Sky assistant Latricia Trammell has been named Oklahoma’s associate head coach for the WNBA offseason.
Spirited: WNBA legend Lisa Leslie danced through The Jennifer Hudson Show’s Spirit Tunnel as the staff cheered her on.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether you agreed with Cheryl Reeve being named Coach of the Year. Most of you were on board: 46% said “yes, she definitely earned it,” and another 27% said “mostly, it was a close race.”
