
WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome back to another episode of "WNBA Dimes," where we're catching you up on everything hoops with a dash of wit and a sprinkle of charm. I'm Brooke, your hostess with the most-est excitement for all things WNBA. So, buckle up, because we've got some game highlights that are just too good to miss.
First up on July 8th, a thriller from Fairfax, Virginia, where the Washington Mystics narrowly edged out the Chicago Sky, 81-79. This game had it all, folks—drama, suspense, and a touch of nail-biting anxiety. Shakira Austin was a real clutch queen, sinking two game-sealing free throws in the final 2.8 seconds. Talk about cool under pressure! Rookie sensation Kiki Iriafen tied a Mystics rookie record with her sixth double-double. The bench really stepped up too, outscoring Chicago's by a big margin. Final minute heroics, anyone?
Moving on to Phoenix, where the Mercury soared past the Dallas Wings with a dominating 102-72 win. Sami Whitcomb was in beast mode, racking up a career-high 36 points. She was on fire, folks—literally drilled 7 out of 11 from beyond the arc. And Alyssa Thomas, not to be outdone, recorded her 16th career triple-double. This game was a masterclass in teamwork and execution, despite some big names out with injuries. Phoenix kept a steady lead and didn't look back.
Now let's head over to Brooklyn, where the New York Liberty took down the Las Vegas Aces, 87-78. Sabrina Ionescu, take a bow! She was the game’s high scorer with 28 points, adding eight assists for good measure. Unfortunately for the Aces, A’ja Wilson's early exit due to a wrist injury seemed to knock the wind out of their sails. But credit where it's due—the Liberty's defense was stingy, especially in the fourth quarter. Shoutout to Kennedy Burke and her six steals. Impressive, right?
Alright, shifting gears to all things All-Star. The draft on July 8 was all about strategizing and surprises. Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, our captains, picked their dream teams. Team Clark scooped up stars like Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson, while Team Collier stacked up with Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers. And here's a fun twist—they pulled a coach swap! Sandy Brondello with Team Clark, Cheryl Reeve with Team Collier. Can’t wait for the showdown on July 19!
In terms of standings, the Liberty are flying high at 13-6, and the rivalry with the Aces just keeps heating up. The Mystics are finding their groove at 9-10 and gearing up for a showdown with the Aces. Phoenix, also at 13-6, is in top form despite injuries. The Aces, though, are grappling with some defensive woes and looking to turn things around.
July 8th gave us a glimpse of the league’s depth and excitement. We're inching closer to All-Star weekend, and the stakes are getting higher. Thanks for tuning in to "WNBA Dimes" with me, Brooke. Let's keep the energy high and the hoops talk hotter. Until next time, remember—keep those cookies and game analysis sweet!
## Game Recaps
On July 8, 2025, the WNBA slate featured three compelling matchups: the Washington Mystics edged the Chicago Sky 81–79 at EagleBank Arena; the Phoenix Mercury overwhelmed the Dallas Wings 102–72 at Footprint Center; and the New York Liberty handed the Las Vegas Aces an 87–78 loss at Barclays Center ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401736232?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/wnba/events/2446193/RECAP?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [aces.wnba.com](https://aces.wnba.com/news/game-recap-las-vegas-aces-drop-back-and-forth-battle-to-new-york-87-78?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Washington Mystics 81, Chicago Sky 79
In Fairfax, Va., Shakira Austin delivered a clutch performance with 15 points, including two game-sealing free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining, lifting the Mystics over the Sky in a back-and-forth contest ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401736232?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). After Austin’s initial free-throw misses, Washington snagged the offensive rebound, and her driving layup put them ahead 79–77. Angel Reese promptly tied it at 79 with free throws, but Austin’s composure under pressure secured the rebound and converted both charities for the final margin ([sportskeeda.com](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-angel-reese-stats-tonight-how-chicago-sky-star-fare-mystics-july-8-2025-wnba-season?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Rookie sensation Kiki Iriafen posted her sixth double-double of the season (11 points, 10 rebounds), tying Chamique Holdsclaw’s Mystics rookie record ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401736232?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Washington’s bench outscored Chicago’s 22–11, a decisive edge in a game defined by its final minute heroics ([bulletsforever.com](https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/7/8/24463929/mystics-vs-sky-final-score-washington-comes-up-big-in-81-79-win?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Phoenix Mercury 102, Dallas Wings 72
At Footprint Center, Sami Whitcomb exploded for a career-high 36 points, drilling 7-of-11 from beyond the arc and setting the season’s single-half scoring mark with 29 in the first two quarters, spearheading Phoenix’s dominant win ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/wnba/events/2446193/RECAP?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). All-star Alyssa Thomas recorded her 16th career triple-double (15 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds), the third such 15+15 game of her career and a WNBA record for most with those marks ([nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/2025-wnba-power-rankings-week-8-storm-surge-lynx-rebound-from-commissioners-cup-loss?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Satou Sabally sat out with an ankle injury, marking her first absence this season; nonetheless, Phoenix’s balanced attack and 33–21 first-quarter cushion never allowed Dallas a foothold ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/wnba/events/2446193/RECAP?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). JJ Quinerly led the Wings with 18 points; Paige Bueckers contributed 11 in a rotation missing Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington due to injury ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/wnba/events/2446193/RECAP?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### New York Liberty 87, Las Vegas Aces 78
In Brooklyn, Sabrina Ionescu scored a game-high 28 points and added eight assists to fuel the Liberty’s victory over the defending champions, improving New York to 13–6 ([aces.wnba.com](https://aces.wnba.com/news/game-recap-las-vegas-aces-drop-back-and-forth-battle-to-new-york-87-78?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). A’ja Wilson exited in the second quarter with a right wrist injury, and the Aces never recovered their early rhythm ([aces.wnba.com](https://aces.wnba.com/news/game-recap-las-vegas-aces-drop-back-and-forth-battle-to-new-york-87-78?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). New York dominated the second half behind Ionescu’s efficiency (10-of-18 FG) and strong defense, holding Las Vegas to 18 points in the fourth quarter. Kennedy Burke chipped in six steals — the first Liberty player to do so since 2023 — and Leonie Fiebich hauled in nine rebounds, matching her career high ([oursportscentral.com](https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/7-8-postgame-notes-new-york-87-las-vegas-78/n-6252977?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## All-Star Draft Highlights
The 2025 WNBA All-Star draft on July 8 showcased two captains, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, selecting from the full pool of league talent to form Team Clark and Team Collier for the upcoming July 19 game in Indianapolis ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/2025/7/9/24464305/wnba-all-star-game-draft-team-caitlin-clark-napheesa-collier-captains-uconn-unrivaled-paige-angel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Clark, leveraging her connections to Iowa, South Carolina, and Oregon, drafted Aliyah Boston, A’ja Wilson (pending MRI clearance), and Satou Sabally, while Collier anchored her roster with UConn and Unrivaled alumnae such as Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Nneka Ogwumike ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/2025/7/9/24464305/wnba-all-star-game-draft-team-caitlin-clark-napheesa-collier-captains-uconn-unrivaled-paige-angel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). In a surprise move, the captains swapped head coaches: Sandy Brondello will guide Team Clark and Cheryl Reeve will lead Team Collier, marking Brondello’s first All-Star coaching appearance since 2018 ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/sports/wnba-all-star-draft-splits-liberty-pair-and-sees-stunning-coach-swap/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). The split of Liberty teammates Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu added extra intrigue, as did Clark’s near-trade attempt for Stewart in the draft’s closing moments ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/sports/wnba-all-star-draft-splits-liberty-pair-and-sees-stunning-coach-swap/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Additional Notes & Standings Impact
• With the Liberty’s victory, New York extends its lead to 13–6, reinforcing its status atop the Eastern Conference and intensifying the burgeoning Liberty–Aces rivalry, now 11–6 in favor of New York since 2023 ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/8/24463625/wnba-game-watch-new-york-liberty-las-vegas-aces-rivalry-aja-stewie-sabrina-jewell-loyd-natasha-cloud?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• The Mystics rebound to 9–10, buoyed by young talents like Citron and Iriafen, and will visit the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday for a vital Western Conference clash ([bulletsforever.com](https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/7/8/24463929/mystics-vs-sky-final-score-washington-comes-up-big-in-81-79-win?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Phoenix’s win improves the Mercury to 13–6, maintaining their hunt for a top-seed playoff position despite Sabally’s injury absence; their next contest is Monday against the Minnesota Lynx ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/wnba/events/2446193/RECAP?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Las Vegas falls to 9–10 and addresses wrist concerns for Wilson; the Aces’ defense has allowed over 100 points in two of three games this week ([aces.wnba.com](https://aces.wnba.com/news/game-recap-las-vegas-aces-drop-back-and-forth-battle-to-new-york-87-78?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
The July 8 action underscored the WNBA’s depth and drama just days before the All-Star weekend, setting the stage for high-stakes matchups and individual milestones as the season approaches its midpoint.
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