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 WNBA Dimes, where we sprinkle a little sugar and spice on all the latest league action. I'm Brooke, your guide to all things hoop-tastic, and wow, do we have a lot to chat about!
Yesterday, the WNBA delivered some jaw-dropping performances and exciting updates as we head into the All-Star break. So, grab your favorite snack, and let's dive right in!
First up, the New York Liberty had a stellar showing against the Indiana Fever, finishing with a 98-77 victory. Breanna Stewart was on fire, with a spectacular 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and four blocks. She's practically rewriting the history books alongside legends like Candace Parker. The Liberty's Marine Johannès added rhythm off the bench, while Indiana, missing Caitlin Clark, struggled to keep up. With this win, New York secures second place in the East. Talk about ending with a bang!
Speaking of home-court prowess, the Minnesota Lynx preserved their perfect home record with a 79-66 triumph over the Phoenix Mercury. Kayla McBride led the charge, and Courtney Williams added a spicy mix of points, rebounds, and assists. The Lynx hit their stride in the third quarter and never looked back. With a 20-4 record, they're looking fierce heading into the break.
Over in Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson delivered a season-high 37 points, sealing a tight 90-86 victory over the Dallas Wings. It was like poetry in motion—except with more layups. Jewell Loyd and Aaliyah Nye provided solid backup, and though Dallas rallied late, Wilson was unshakeable. This win brings Las Vegas to a balanced 11-11.
Now, let's talk All-Star updates, shall we? Indiana's Caitlin Clark is sidelined with a groin injury and will skip both the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game. Brittney Sykes steps in, earning her first All-Star nod, and Brionna Jones joins the lineup too. The Mystics now have three All-Stars, matching the Storm and Lynx for star power. Isn't it amazing to see the depth of talent this league boasts?
As we chat about talent, how about the race for Sixth Player of the Year? We've got some bench superstars making waves: Jade Melbourne of the Mystics, Naz Hillmon from the Atlanta Dream, and Jessica Shepard of the Lynx. They're bringing the heat and proving how critical depth is for a championship run.
Before we wrap up, a few notable storylines: The Lynx and Liberty are defending their home courts like their lives depend on it, both remaining undefeated at their arenas. Also, shoutout to the Liberty fans filling Barclays Center—your energy is infectious!
And let's not forget broadcast expansion. Over 175 games are on national TV this season, spreading the WNBA love even further. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show, folks!
As we hit the All-Star break, teams will recharge and regroup, and so will we. It's an exciting time with the playoff race tightening and individual awards looming large. Stay tuned for more delicious hoops content as the league hurtles toward its first-ever best-of-seven Finals. Can't wait!
That's all from me today on WNBA Dimes. Thanks for tuning in. Remember, every day is a good day when it's Cookie O'Clock. Catch you later!
WNBA Dimes: July 17, 2025 Recap
Yesterday’s slate of WNBA action saw dominant performances from league frontrunners, key milestones on the All-Star front, and emerging bench talents staking their claim for midseason honors. As teams pause for All-Star festivities, here’s everything you need to know from July 17, 2025.
## Game Recaps
### New York Liberty 98, Indiana Fever 77
Breanna Stewart spearheaded the Liberty’s closing surge before the All-Star break, posting 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and four blocks in a resounding 98-77 victory over the injury-depleted Indiana Fever at Barclays Center. Stewart’s historic stat line—matching a feat only Candace Parker had previously achieved—powered New York’s interior dominance, while Marine Johannès added 15 points off the bench, injecting rhythm into a balanced 30-assist attack. Without Caitlin Clark (groin), Indiana struggled to find its footing; Aliyah Boston managed just seven points on 1-for-8 shooting. New York improves to 15-6, securing second place in the East heading into the break ([netsdaily.com](https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/7/17/24469048/ny-liberty-indiana-fever-wnba-recap-breanna-stewart-caitlin-clark-natasha-cloud-marine-johannes?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [fever.wnba.com](https://fever.wnba.com/news/game-recap-indiana-fever-fall-at-new-york-liberty?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Minnesota Lynx 79, Phoenix Mercury 66
On Camp Day at Target Center, the Lynx closed out the first half of their season undefeated at home (12-0) with a 79-66 win over the Mercury. Kayla McBride led Minnesota with 18 points, while Courtney Williams chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. After trading baskets early, the Lynx seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 27-16—including a late buzzer-beater putback by Jessica Shepard—to turn a 37-33 halftime edge into a commanding lead. Napheesa Collier added 10 points, eight in the third, as Minnesota improved to 20-4, boasting the league’s best record and point differential ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401736253?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [canishoopus.com](https://www.canishoopus.com/2025/7/16/24468942/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-final-score-recap-napheesa-collier-kayla-mcbride-courtney-williams-all-star?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Las Vegas Aces 90, Dallas Wings 86
A’ja Wilson turned in a season-high 37-point, 10-rebound masterpiece to secure the Aces’ eighth double-double of the year in a hard-fought 90-86 win over the Dallas Wings at Choctaw Stadium. Wilson shot 15-of-25 from the field, tying for the season’s single-game scoring lead, and helped Las Vegas build a 70-48 third-quarter cushion. Dallas rallied late—sparked by Paige Bueckers’ 20 points (10 in the fourth)—to pull within two, but Wilson iced the game with a clutch and-one layup. Jewell Loyd (14 points) and Aaliyah Nye (13) provided key support, lifting the Aces to .500 (11-11) ([wsls.com](https://www.wsls.com/sports/2025/07/17/aja-wilson-scores-a-season-high-37-and-las-vegas-holds-off-a-late-rally-to-beat-the-wings-90-86/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [clickorlando.com](https://www.clickorlando.com/sports/2025/07/17/aja-wilson-scores-a-season-high-37-and-las-vegas-holds-off-a-late-rally-to-beat-the-wings-90-86/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## All-Star Weekend Updates
Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark announced on July 17 that she will sit out both the 3-Point Contest and the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game due to a lingering groin injury sustained against the Connecticut Sun. Clark, an All-Star captain alongside Napheesa Collier, will still attend the event in Indianapolis but forego competition to safeguard her long-term health. In her absence, Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes earned her first All-Star nod as Clark’s replacement; Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones was named to fill Phoenix’s Satou Sabally, also injured. With these changes, the Mystics now boast three All-Stars, matching the Storm and Lynx for league-high representation ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/17/caitlin-clark-allstar/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_All-Star_Game?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Midseason Award Watch: Sixth Player of the Year
As the WNBA reaches its All-Star break, bench contributors are staking their claim for the Sixth Player of the Year award.
- Jade Melbourne (Washington Mystics) has seamlessly transitioned from the WNBL to averaging 6.2 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 23 minutes per contest, offering consistent backcourt support.
- Naz Hillmon (Atlanta Dream) has flourished off the pine, logging 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20 minutes, bolstering the Dream’s second unit.
- Jessica Shepard (Minnesota Lynx) returned from EuroBasket Women to contribute 6.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a reserve, underpinning Minnesota’s league-best performance. While no clear favorite has emerged, all three have delivered pivotal minutes and production for their respective squads ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/16/24468655/wnba-sixth-player-year-award-candidates-mystics-melbourne-dream-naz-hillmon-lynx-jessica-shepard?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/16/24468655/wnba-sixth-player-year-award-candidates-mystics-melbourne-dream-naz-hillmon-lynx-jessica-shepard?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Notable Storylines
• Undefeated Home Courts: The Lynx (12-0) and Liberty (8-0 in Brooklyn) continue to protect home arenas, setting the tone for playoff positioning ([netsdaily.com](https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/7/17/24469048/ny-liberty-indiana-fever-wnba-recap-breanna-stewart-caitlin-clark-natasha-cloud-marine-johannes?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401736253?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Rising Attendance: The Liberty’s sellout crowd of 17,371 boosted their season average to 16,103—outpacing several NBA franchises in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center ([netsdaily.com](https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/7/17/24469048/ny-liberty-indiana-fever-wnba-recap-breanna-stewart-caitlin-clark-natasha-cloud-marine-johannes?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [fever.wnba.com](https://fever.wnba.com/news/game-recap-indiana-fever-fall-at-new-york-liberty?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Veteran Bench Surge: Washington’s bench has become a force; the Mystics are shooting over 50% from the field for consecutive games, showcasing depth across youth and experience ([oursportscentral.com](https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mystics-at-sun-postgame-notes/n-6229412?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [oursportscentral.com](https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mystics-at-sun-postgame-notes/n-6229412?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Broadcast Expansion: The WNBA’s national TV footprint continues to grow, with over 175 regular-season games on ABC, ESPN, ION, CBS, and NBA TV—underscoring the league’s rising profile ahead of All-Star festivities ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-broadcast-streaming-schedule?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [fever.wnba.com](https://fever.wnba.com/news/indiana-fever-to-feature-in-wnba-record-41-national-television-games-in-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
As the WNBA pauses for All-Star festivities in Indianapolis, teams will regroup and recharge. With the season tipped past its midpoint, the playoff race tightens and individual awards loom. Stay tuned for post-break storylines as the league hurtles toward its inaugural best-of-seven Finals.
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