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Reposted by Ben Pickman

Sarah Spain ✨ @sarahspain.com · 22h

The Athletic’s @sabreenajm.bsky.social on what she witnessed in games 1 & 2 of the WNBA Finals, whether we should be reading more into Alyssa Thomas’s hand injury, the cost-benefit of letting A’ja Wilson eat & what to expect next in the WNBA CBA negotiations.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 1d

FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 2 OF THE WNBA FINALS —

New No Offseason Ep!

@sabreenajm.bsky.social, Marcus Thompson and I break down everything we saw Sunday

-Jackie Young’s Q3
-A’ja’s dominance
-Chelsea Gray’s passing and defense
-Does Phoenix still have a shot?

youtu.be/8bn08D6VM6A?...

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 2d

Becky Hammon asked Jackie Young how she was feeling on Saturday

“Good. I’ll have my legs tomorrow,” Young told her.

Young had her legs. A jumper and much more. But she wasn’t alone in starring.

On Las Vegas’ convincing G2 win and if Phoenix can figure the Aces out
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Are the Las Vegas Aces unstoppable? So far, the Mercury can't figure them out

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 2d

Follow along with our @theathletic.com WNBA Finals Game 2 live blog for in-person insights from me and @sabreenajm.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces score: WNBA Finals 2025 live updates, highlights and analysis

Follow live coverage of Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals as Las Vegas hosts Phoenix after thriller in Game 1.

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 2d

Sami Whitcomb had to go back to the locker room in the third quarter of Game 1, but said on Saturday that her right leg injury was "fine" and she doesn't expect it to be an issue.

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 2d

Before every game, Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts thinks about his late-father Fred, who once won 111 straight games as a girls HS basketball coach in South Dakota

My latest, from Las Vegas, on Nate, Fred, and the state that bonds the Mercury coach with Becky Hammon
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Aces’ Becky Hammon, Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts on South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore of coaching

Tibbetts and Hammon are competing in the WNBA Finals. As a player, Hammon faced Tibbetts' dad, who coached high school basketball.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

The Athletic @theathletic.com · 3d

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has canceled a meeting that had been planned with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, a source briefed on the situation said Saturday.

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 3d

FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 1 OF THE WNBA FINALS —

New No Offseason Ep!

@sabreenajm.bsky.social react to everything we saw and heard Friday night.

-Cathy Engelbert's pregame address
-Vegas bench
-Aces zone
-AT's FTs
-Game 2 preview

🔈: podfollow.com/no-offseason
📺: www.youtube.com/@No-Offseason

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 4d

Dana Evans could barely speak on the eve of the 2025 WNBA Finals. Her voice was beyond scratchy. The 5-foot-6 guard was barely audible.

A day later, she let her play do the talking

Evans scored 21 points in 26 mins as Vegas' bench was key in a Game 1 win
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

WNBA Finals: Las Vegas Aces take Game 1 with comeback victory against Phoenix Mercury

The Aces' reserves made the difference in the series opener.

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 4d

LAS VEGAS —

Our newser on Cathy Engelbert's press conference. She denied saying Caitlin Clark "should be grateful" for the W, vowed to repair trust w/ players, said she was not a "quitter," and announced a task force to look at officiating.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addresses player criticism, CBA, officiating, job security

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

The Athletic @theathletic.com · 4d

The 2025 WNBA Finals feature a desert duel that few would have predicted at the start of the season.

◻️ How do the Aces and Mercury match up?
◻️ Las Vegas’ X-factor? Veteran leadership.
◻️ Phoenix’s X-factor? Deep bench.

Let’s preview the series:

WNBA Finals: Phoenix Mercury or Las Vegas Aces? Matchups and predictions

Our experts, Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman, break down the series and make predictions.

dlvr.it

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 4d

LAS VEGAS — New No Offseason Ep!

@sabreenajm.bsky.social and I podcasting from a Las Vegas hotel room, talking Phee's comments and fallout w/ @zenakeita.bsky.social, CBA negotiation, work stoppage and, of course, a WNBA FINALS PREVIEW
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha_g...

The Aftermath of Napheesa Collier’s Explosive Statement + Aces-Mercury Finals Preview

YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

www.youtube.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 5d

Can confirm FOS' report that Caitlin Clark will not be joining Unrivaled this season.

More on Clark's offseason, and Unrivaled's first tour stop in Philly coming at the end of January.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Caitlin Clark will not play in Unrivaled this winter: Source

The league has announced all but two of the 48 players for the upcoming season.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

The Athletic @theathletic.com · 5d

Could a potential work stoppage halt momentum and stunt what has been the most prosperous time in WNBA history?

http://dlvr.it/TNQlF5

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 5d

My latest feature @theathletic.com

I went long about the possibility of a WNBA work stoppage, and its would-be impact

On what lessons the W and WNBPA can learn from other sports’ past CBA talks (cc: NHL, MLB esp.), and potential scenarios in these W talks:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 5d

My latest feature @theathletic.com

I went long about the possibility of a WNBA work stoppage, and its would-be impact

On what lessons the W and WNBPA can learn from other sports’ past CBA talks (cc: NHL, MLB esp.), and potential scenarios in these W talks:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

The Athletic @theathletic.com · 6d

EXCLUSIVE: Kelsey Plum is finally Unrivaled.

The 2x Olympic gold medalist and 2x WNBA champion will join the 3×3 league’s second season, she tells The Athletic.

More details from @sabreenajm.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 6d

Went on the Dan Patrick Show this morning talking Napheesa Collier's comments, CBA negotiations, WNBA officiating and what's next in this critical WNBA moment

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLu...

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

Mike Vorkunov @mikevorkunov.bsky.social · 6d

It was a wild day in the WNBA. It called for a podcast/show.

@benpickman.bsky.social and I talked about Napheesa Collier dropping the mic on Cathy Engelbert, what it means for the W and the Unrivaled of it all
youtu.be/NscPqOpuIjk?...

Or get Business Decision on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

What to take from one of the craziest days in #WNBA history... aka Napheesa Collier takes the mic

YouTube video by Mike Vorkunov

youtu.be

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 7d

Quick story on the Las Vegas Aces heading to their third finals in four years.

Whew. What a game.

More to come.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Las Vegas Aces advance to WNBA Finals with semifinals OT victory over Indiana Fever

They'll face the Phoenix Mercury on Friday. This is the Aces third trip to the finals in four years.

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 7d

WNBPA VP Kelsey Plum told The Athletic that the WNBPA and league are "not where we want to be" as the Oct. 31 CBA expiration date looms. Plum said the talks remain "combative."

More on Plum, and other WNBA players' thoughts on the current state of the talks:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

WNBA players say CBA negotiations are stalling as deadline nears

One player called the discussions "combative."

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 7d

The Dallas Wings have relieved Chris Koclanes of head coach duties, team announces.

"As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization."

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

Mike Vorkunov @mikevorkunov.bsky.social · 7d

Cathy Engelber said she has the "utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA."

"I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”

Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 7d

Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert: ‘Worst leadership in the world’

Our first version of what Phee said to begin her exit interview on Tuesday, when she lambasted Engelbert, the league office and officials
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert: ‘Worst leadership in the world’

Collier was injured in the WNBA semifinals on a play that infuriated Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who was fined and suspended.

www.nytimes.com

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Ben Pickman @benpickman.bsky.social · 7d

The WNBPA has issued a statement re: Napheesa Collier's comments.

"The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not."

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Reposted by Ben Pickman

The Athletic @theathletic.com · 7d

In a conversation with Cathy Engelbert, Napheesa Collier noted that Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and other young stars are driving massive revenue for the WNBA, but are making so little from their rookie contracts.

The commissioner's response, per Collier:

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