Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mitchell Hansen

@hansen13.bsky.social

810 followers 120 following 940 posts

Founder/Host of Hitting the Hardwood | Lynx and Wolves reporter at Canis Hoopus | Lynx and WNBA senior writer at Winsidr | WNBA and NBA writer at RotoWire | Inquiries: [email protected]

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 8d

"We have the worst leadership in the world."

On Tuesday, Napheesa Collier didn't hold back, taking direct aim at the #WNBA and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

My latest on Collier's comments and how the Lynx are again at the forefront of trying to spark change. www.canishoopus.com/minnesota-ly...

“The Worst Leadership in the World” — Napheesa Collier, Lynx End Season Taking Aim at WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx held their exit interviews on Tuesday, with Napheesa Collier not holding back when it comes to WNBA leadership.

www.canishoopus.com

3 1 13

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 4h

What a Game 3! 🏀

With Las Vegas taking Game 3 in Phoenix, the Aces now hold a commanding 3-0 series lead and are one win away from sweeping the #WNBAFinals!

Will Las Vegas win it in four games or will Phoenix avoid elimination to force a Game 5?

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 4h

Behind A'ja Wilson's game-winner with 0.3 seconds left, the #2 Las Vegas Aces win Game 3 90-88 to grab a commanding 3-0 lead over the #4 Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas is now one win away from claiming the #WNBAFinals, with Phoenix aiming to avoid elimination in Game 4 on Friday.

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 12h

The #WNBA has announced its 2025 WNBA All-Defensive Teams:

First Team
- Napheesa Collier
- Alanna Smith
- Alyssa Thomas
- Gabby Williams
- A’ja Wilson

Second Team
- Aliyah Boston
- Veronica Burton
- Rhyne Howard
- Ezi Magbegor
- Breanna Stewart

4 9

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 18h

Thanks to @pentzhomes.bsky.social for bringing you the HTH Newsletter! And thanks to our partners Firehawk Construction & Remodeling, Fantasy Sports EVO, @bettoredge.bsky.social and @payhomage.bsky.social!

Want to partner with HTH? Find out how at hitting-the-hardwood.mailchimpsites.com/partners

Hitting the Hardwood Partners

Get to know and show your support of the valued partners of Hitting the Hardwood.

hitting-the-hardwood.mailchimpsites.com

1 2

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 18h

It’s the midway point in the week, so that means it’s time for a new weekly HTH Newsletter!! 🎉

Featured this week:

- Finals Rolls Along
- New HTH Podcasts
- Latest Lynx Content
- HTH Patrons
- More!

Want weekly news and info sent to you for FREE year-round? Sign up today! ➡️ bit.ly/HTHnewsletter-

1 1 1

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 19h

Game 3 of the #WNBAFinals is here, with the #2 Las Vegas Aces holding a 2-0 series advantage over the #4 Phoenix Mercury as the series shifts to Phoenix for the next two games.

The Aces and Mercury will tip off at Mortgage Matchup Center at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 1d

Hitting the Hardwood with @hansen13.bsky.social:

🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
🟢 open.spotify.com/show/7GFIdnt...

1 1 2

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 1d

Did you know...

We have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR year-round podcasts as part of the Hitting the Hardwood Network as we continue to grow coverage of the game and be your home for all of it!

Follow, like, rate, subscribe and share wherever you get your podcasts! 🔊🏀

THREAD ⤵️

1 1 5

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Maxwell Millington @maxweezy.bsky.social · 2d

Napheesa Collier explains why she wrote the statement criticizing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a conversation with former VP Kamala Harris at #UnreasonableConversation in LA.

2 12 51

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 2d

“I’m very appreciative that we have people like Phee.”

After Napheesa Collier made a strong statement last week, the #Lynx star is not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the #WNBA in a very important time in league history.

ICYMI: www.canishoopus.com/minnesota-ly...

Napheesa Collier Making a Statement and Leading a Movement at Pivotal Time in WNBA History

After the Lynx star made a strong statement last week, she is not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the WNBA in a very important time in league history.

www.canishoopus.com

1 15

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Canis Hoopus @canishoopus.bsky.social · 2d

After Napheesa Collier made a strong statement last week, she’s not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the WNBA in a very important time in league history.

@hansen13.bsky.social has more on the Lynx star making a statement and leading a movement.⤵️ www.canishoopus.com/minnesota-ly...

Napheesa Collier Making a Statement and Leading a Movement at Pivotal Time in WNBA History

After the Lynx star made a strong statement last week, she is not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the WNBA in a very important time in league history.

www.canishoopus.com

2 20

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 2d

After #Lynx star Napheesa Collier made a strong statement last week, she’s not only standing behind it, but is not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the #WNBA at one of the most important times in WNBA history.

My latest @canishoopus.bsky.social: www.canishoopus.com/minnesota-ly...

Napheesa Collier Making a Statement and Leading a Movement at Pivotal Time in WNBA History

After the Lynx star made a strong statement last week, she is not backing down and is leading the charge in uniting the WNBA in a very important time in league history.

www.canishoopus.com

4 22

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 3d

With two games down in the #WNBAFinals, the Las Vegas Aces own a commanding 2-0 series lead with the series now shifting to Phoenix!

What do you think will happen in Game 3?

1 2

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 3d

The #2 Las Vegas Aces once again take care of business at home, winning Game 2 over the #4 Phoenix Mercury 91-78 to take a 2-0 series lead in the #WNBAFinals.

The best-of-seven series now shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 and 4, with Game 3 tipping off Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 4d

After this night I was lucky to get a 2017 team signed #Lynx ball, streamers that fell on the court after Game 5 of the Finals and a #WNBA championship ring. All still places atop my bookshelf with other sports items.

What a year that was, and an absolute blast to be a part of.

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 4d

I still don't really remember the #Lynx post-game trophy ceremony while trying to not only push out content immediately, but also trying to capture the moments on the court.

Here's one video of Minnesota's post-game ceremony after defeating LA in the winner-take-all Game 5:

1 5

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 4d

Here is what the energy and atmosphere was like before Game 5 inside of Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota, where the #Lynx held their home playoff games in 2017 due to Target Center renovations.

Still one of the best atmospheres I've ever been in for a game.

1 5

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 4d

On this day in 2017, the Minnesota #Lynx beat the LA Sparks 85-76 in Game 5 of the #WNBA Finals at the University of Minnesota to claim their 4th and most recent WNBA title.

At the time, I was working for the Lynx as a Web Editorial Associate. Here are some memories from Game 5:

1 5 18

Mitchell Hansen @hansen13.bsky.social · 5d

The #2 Las Vegas Aces take Game 1 of the #WNBAFinals, beating the #4 Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Las Vegas.

The Aces take a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 2 scheduled for Sunday.

#WNBA

1 7

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 5d

We have a winner! 🚨🎉

Congratulations to @designer_pear on X, the winner of our Panini Prizm Signed Lindsay Whalen Card giveaway!

We will message you to get you your prize. Thank you all for participating, and stay tuned for more giveaways. 👀

1 1 2

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Winsidr @winsidr.com · 5d

2025 WNBA Finals Preview ✍️

Satou Sabally’s spark or Chelsea Gray’s clutch brilliance — which X-factor tilts the first-ever best-of-7 Finals? 👀

@candacepedraza.bsky.social and OwenPence break down key matchups and impact players in Mercury–Aces series ⬇️
winsidr.com/2025/10/2025...

2025 WNBA PLAYOFFS PREVIEW: FINALS – LAS VEGAS ACES VS. PHOENIX MERCURY » Winsidr

This WNBA Finals series could go six or seven games, testing both teams’ health and energ. A'ja and the Aces seek a third title in four years.

winsidr.com

5 8

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Winsidr @winsidr.com · 5d

The wait is over! The championship chase starts today 💥 Mercury vs. Aces in the 2025 WNBA Finals. Here’s the full schedule 🗓️

Who do you have claiming the crown? 👀 👑

1 4 11

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 7d

New Podcasts‼️

Our @hansen13.bsky.social and @adukemn.bsky.social sat down to break down Napheesa Collier's statement Tuesday calling out the WNBA, what it could mean and more!

Take a listen! ⤵️

HTH Podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/12LX...

TML Podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/2qjJ...

1 3

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks to @pentzhomes.bsky.social for bringing you the HTH Newsletter! And thanks to partners Firehawk Construction & Remodeling, Fantasy Sports EVO, @bettoredge.bsky.social and @payhomage.bsky.social!

Want to partner with HTH? Find out how you can!⤵️ hitting-the-hardwood.mailchimpsites.com/partners

Hitting the Hardwood Partners

Get to know and show your support of the valued partners of Hitting the Hardwood.

hitting-the-hardwood.mailchimpsites.com

1 1

Reposted by Mitchell Hansen

Hitting the Hardwood @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 7d

It’s Wednesday, meaning it’s time for a new weekly HTH Newsletter!! 🎉

Featured this week:

- What A Week
- New HTH Podcasts
- New Lynx Content
- Additional Podcast Joining HTH
- HTH Patrons
- More!

Want weekly news and info sent to you for FREE year-round? Sign up today! ➡️ bit.ly/HTHnewsletter-

1 1