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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. The Mystics Have Hit Their Stride đŞ
The Washington Mystics erased a 20-point deficit Wednesday night to beat the Dallas Wings 96-92, extending their win streak to five games. At 17-12, the league's youngest team now sits in the eighth and final playoff spot after one of the biggest turnarounds of the season. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: The Mystics opened the season looking like exactly what they are: a team mostly filled with rookies and second-year players. Now they're beating some of the WNBA's best. They've won five straight since July 18, including victories over the Valkyries, Aces, and Wings. The front office also stood pat at the trade deadline instead of making a big move, and that patience is starting to pay off. If Washington keeps playing like this, they won't be an easy first-round matchup.
2. Noelle Quinn Returns to UCLA đť
Noelle Quinn is heading back to her alma mater, joining Cori Close's staff as an assistant coach at UCLA. Quinn starred for the Bruins before enjoying a successful WNBA career and most recently serving as head coach of the Seattle Storm. (UCLA)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a homecoming for one of UCLA's all-time greats. Quinn finished her college career ranked in the Bruins' top 10 in 14 different categories before helping Seattle win the 2020 WNBA championship as an associate head coach. She now brings experience from both the college and professional game to the reigning national champions.
3. July's Best Take Home WNBA Honors đ
The WNBA announced its July award winners on Wednesday. Kelsey Mitchell and A'ja Wilson were named Players of the Month, Stephanie White earned Coach of the Month, and Olivia Miles was named Rookie of the Month.
WHY IT MATTERS: These awards recognize the players and coaches who had the biggest impact over the past month, and they often hint at who could take home the league's biggest awards after the season. Wilson extended her league-record total to 16 career Player of the Month honors, while Mitchell earned the first of her career. Miles has now won Rookie of the Month in each of the season's first three months, and White picked up her first Coach of the Month award since taking over the Fever.
đłď¸ Which July award winner stood out to you most?
đ A Little WNBA Team Spirit for Your Drive
Some of the best basketball conversations happen on the drive to and from the game. That's what inspired these WNBA team-inspired car coasters. We thought it'd be fun to create something that lets you take a little piece of your favorite team with you wherever you're headed.
đ See the collection
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work.
OVERTIME âąď¸
Hall Bound: USA Sports highlighted Chamique Holdsclaw ahead of her induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this month.
Double-Double Barbie: Angel Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 70 career double-doubles, needing just 93 games. Tina Charles previously held the record at 118 games.
All Eyes on the W: Sunday's Fever-Lynx matchup averaged 2.5 million viewers on ABC, making it ESPN's second most-watched regular-season WNBA game ever.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether you liked the name of Cleveland's new WNBA franchise, the Cleveland Sirens. Most of you gave it a thumbs up, with 52% saying, "Yes, I love it!"
