Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 47m

What Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'Ren and head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke about this season, they're building something special.

Even though the new CBA negotiations is uncertain, they're optimistic to continue to build onto their momentum. #WNBA

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 1h

Just arrived at Mountain America Performance Center for today's exit interviews after the conclusion of the 2025 Phoenix Mercury season.

Follow along for updates. #WNBA

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 2h

I'm so excited to see what more I have in store for you all for many years to come! 🥂

Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 2h

I'm forever grateful for getting the opportunity to cover my first #WNBA Playoffs in my hometown this year!

I enjoyed getting the opportunity to talk all things Phoenix Mercury on @the9450.bsky.social and write stories across the league for @ballislife.bsky.social and @theixbasketball.bsky.social!

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 2h

I'm forever grateful for getting the opportunity to cover my first #WNBA Playoffs in my hometown this year!

I enjoyed getting the opportunity to talk all things Phoenix Mercury on @the9450.bsky.social and write stories across the league for @ballislife.bsky.social and @theixbasketball.bsky.social!

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 9h

What a read right here 👇 #WNBA #WNBAFinals

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 10h

A'ja Wilson's 2025:

◽️WNBA scoring title
◽️Regular-season MVP
◽️Defensive Player of the Year
◽️WNBA championship
◽️Finals MVP

Best season ever?

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 15h

"While most of the roster consists of free agents, Phoenix should feel good about retaining its top players." #WNBA

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 15h

Lord have mercy

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 15h

One of my wildest moments in my young sports journalism career. A'ja Wilson sat behind me and was interacting with media members 😂 #WNBAFinals

Mind you, I'm 22 years old and just graduated from college this spring😅😅

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Jackie Powell @classicjpow.bsky.social · 18h

Mark Davis did impromptu pressers tonight. One on the podium and another with a group of reporters. I asked him the status of the latest investigation that league opened on the Aces for salary cap circumvention.

"I don’t know. If you could find out, would you please tell me."

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 21h

I had the opportunity to interview Shamekka Marty, Co-Founder and CEO of the sports health nonprofit Beyond the Game Health, about the extent of Satou Sabally's injury.

My latest for @ballislife.bsky.social
Give it a read #WNBAFinals
ballislife.com/news/wnba/ba...

Ballislife Exclusive: Shamekka Marty on Satou Sabally's Injury and WNBA Health Insurance

Shamekka Marty talks Satou Sabally's concussion injury, WNBA health insurance, + CBA in an exclusive interview with Ballislife.

ballislife.com

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Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 1d

According to multiple sources, the WNBA's latest CBA proposal includes a supermax closer to $850,000 & a vet min hovering around $300,000 in year 1

The two sides remain at odds w. Engelbert's frayed relationships extending to team presidents and owners.

frontofficesports.com/standoff-ove...

Standoff Over WNBA's Future Has Dominated Finals

A dominant performance by A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces has been reduced to background noise as players and owners negotiate a new CBA.

frontofficesports.com

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 1d

My latest for @ballislife.bsky.social takes you through a thrilling end in Game 3 of the #WNBAFinals. A'ja Wilson's game-winning bucket puts the Las Vegas Aces one win away from another title.

Read it here 👇
ballislife.com/news/wnba/aj...

A'ja Wilson's Game-Winner Puts Las Vegas Aces One Win Away From WNBA Championship

The Las Vegas Aces are one win away from their third WNBA Championship in four years after A'ja Wilson makes a game-winning bucket in Game 3.

ballislife.com

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 3d

“We love an underdog story. We love [it] when people count us out. ... Still a lot of confidence here. We just know we have a lot of room to improve.” -Alyssa Thomas on the Phoenix Mercury, who are down 0-2 in the #WNBAFinals.

My latest for @ballislife.bsky.social 👇 ballislife.com/news/wnba/ph...

Phoenix Mercury: Can They Come Back From 0-2 Deficit?

As the Phoenix Mercury are facing a 0-2 deficit to the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals, they have confidence at home. .

ballislife.com

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 3d

My latest episode on @the9450.bsky.social alongside @kdotlew3h.bsky.social on what went wrong for the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the #WNBAFinals and their expectations for the next two games on their homecourt.

Give it a listen! 👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Codename Mercury: Game 2 Breakdown & Predictions for WNBA Finals

Podcast Episode · The9450 · 10/08/2025 · 16m

podcasts.apple.com

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The IX Basketball @theixbasketball.bsky.social · 4d

After coming close to beating the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury lost Game 2 by a much bigger margin.

@dylankanesports.bsky.social outlines what went wrong for Phoenix and how the Mercury are feeling about Game 3 at home.

www.thenexthoops.com/features/pho...

Phoenix Mercury falter in Game 2, lose control of Finals to Aces - The IX Basketball

The Las Vegas Aces have put themselves in prime position to win WNBA championship after besting Phoenix Mercury 91-78 in Game 2 of Finals.

www.thenexthoops.com

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Dana Holtzbert @danaholtzbert.bsky.social · 6d

Hey, another WNBA Finals game with no postgame. A reminder, the mNBA Finals on ABC always gets a postgame. Always. #WNBA #PHXvsLV

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 5d

"One sequence late in the first quarter summed up just how frustrated Phoenix was by the Aces’ defense. Kahleah Copper missed a layup, got her own rebound, and then missed again. Alyssa Thomas got the rebound and tried to shoot the ball, but was blocked by Chelsea Gray." #WNBAFinals

Maggie Hendricks @maggiehendricks.bsky.social · 5d

My story from Vegas on game 2: sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article...

WNBA Finals: Mercury 'kind of lost' their fight in Game 2 vs. Aces amid defensive breakdowns, inconsistent offense

"I think in this game in general, it was about having some fight, and we kind of lost that," Mercury star Kahleah Copper said.

sports.yahoo.com

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Maggie Hendricks @maggiehendricks.bsky.social · 5d

My story from Vegas on game 2: sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article...

WNBA Finals: Mercury 'kind of lost' their fight in Game 2 vs. Aces amid defensive breakdowns, inconsistent offense

"I think in this game in general, it was about having some fight, and we kind of lost that," Mercury star Kahleah Copper said.

sports.yahoo.com

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Meghan L. Hall @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social · 6d

Nate Tibbetts on re-setting for Game 3:

“We’ve been down before. We’ve been overlooked …we’ve kind of always bounced back. Were exited to go home … Vegas did what they were supposed to do.”

(Q: @maggiehendricks.bsky.social)

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Meghan L. Hall @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social · 6d

Nate Tibbetts on the momentum shift in the 2nd quarter:

“We kind of over dribbled … We just kind of stood and watched, and you can’t do that against a team like this.”

(Q: Kendra Andrews)

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Meghan L. Hall @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social · 6d

I asked Nate Tibbetts about the decision to go to deeper into his bench late in the 4th:

“Just being smart going forward.”

Tibbetts says Satou Sabally had an ankle injury and didn’t want to risk it more. Also said the lead was huge.

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Meghan L. Hall @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social · 6d

Kahleah Copper on Game 2:

“It was about having some fight …. We kind of lost that. On to the next. Seven game series.”

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Meghan L. Hall @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social · 6d

I asked Satou Sabally what positive things that Mercury can take away today ahead of Game 3.

“The positive thing is that we still have so many games to play … I still believe in us.”

Said she have unwavering belief in the team.

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Aya Abdeen @ayabdeen.bsky.social · 5d

A great observation on what went wrong for the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the #WNBAFinals today by @itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

In order to stay alive in the seven game series, the Mercury will need a lot more from their bench. #WNBA

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