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 to another episode of "WNBA Dimes," where we serve up the latest in hoops with a side of sass! I'm Brooke, your guide to all things WNBA, packed into today’s podcast like a slam dunk.
Let’s dive into the All-Star Weekend Spotlights, where Sabrina Ionescu is lighting it up! She snagged her second 3-Point Contest crown, nearly perfect with 27 out of 30 shots. The highlight? Her 18-point “money ball” finish that sealed the deal. Sabrina’s sharing her US$62,575 prize with rookie Sonia Citron and her foundation. Talk about spreading the love while hitting those treys! And hey, video call shoutout to Stephen Curry, not too shabby!
Meanwhile, her teammate Natasha Cloud took the Skills Challenge by storm. She breezed through the obstacle course in 28.6 seconds, leaving the competition in the dust with flawless finesse. Together, they made it a Liberty clean sweep at the All-Star festivities. If New York’s skills were stocks, I’d be buying all day long!
Now, let’s switch gears to the buzzer-beating business world. WNBA players and officials are in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement. Captains like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are front and center in discussions about revenue sharing and salaries. Despite some hurdles, this saga will definitely keep us on the edge of our seats through the offseason.
And speaking of nail-biters, the New York Liberty wrapped up the first half of their season with a 15–6 record. Despite injuries shaking things up like a blender without a lid, they stayed solid, thanks to All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina, plus unsung hero Kennedy Burke. With 13 road games coming up, they’ll be channeling their inner road warriors. Let’s hope new lineups keep the Liberty’s flame burning bright!
On the MVP front, the race is hot! Napheesa Collier’s leading, but A’ja Wilson’s closing in fast after her stellar 37-point game. Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, and even rookie Paige Bueckers are right in the mix. It’s like picking the best donut—impossible but deliciously fun!
Over at the nightlife scene, Caitlin Clark turned heads when she was spotted out after opting out of the All-Star games due to injury. While some raised eyebrows, it’s clear she’s keeping spirits high. Team officials remain focused on her recovery. Sometimes, a little groove is just what the doctor ordered!
In transaction news, the Washington Mystics added Sika Koné to their squad. This French powerhouse is stepping in for the injured Tina Charles, ready to boost the lineup with her defensive prowess. Seems like the Mystics are making all the right moves to stay in contention.
And now, as the 21st WNBA All-Star Game approaches, Team Clark and Team Collier are gearing up for a showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It promises to be a landmark weekend of hoops and hope, with regular season matchups roaring back soon.
That's it for this episode of "WNBA Dimes"! Keep those cookies baking, and stay tuned for more fast breaks and off-court shakes. Catch you next time with all the latest and greatest in the world of the WNBA!
## WNBA Dimes: July 18, 2025
### All-Star Weekend Spotlights
**Sabrina Ionescu Claims 3-Point Contest Crown**
On Friday night, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu captured her second WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest title, posting a nearly flawless 30-point performance that tied the second-highest mark in event history. Ionescu, who sank 27 of 30 attempts from five different shooting racks, sealed the win with a clutch 18-point “money ball” rack that turned the tide in her favor late in the competition. Celebrating courtside with teammate Natasha Cloud and NBA icon Stephen Curry via video call, Ionescu pledged to share half of her US$62,575 prize with rookie Sonia Citron and donate the remainder to her SI20 Foundation, underscoring her commitment to both teammates and community initiatives ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/sabrina-ionescu-wins-3-point-contest-as-liberty-sweep-wnba-all-star-weekend-festivities/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
**Natasha Cloud Dominates Skills Challenge**
Earlier in the evening, Liberty veteran Natasha Cloud triumphed in the WNBA Skills Challenge, showcasing her elite ball-handling, passing precision, and agility. Cloud posted a blistering time of 28.6 seconds through the obstacle course—beating out stiff competition from A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Mitchell—by converting a flawless wrap-around pass and finishing with back-to-back layups under pressure. Her victory helped the Liberty sweep the skills and shooting events for the first time since these contests were introduced, highlighting New York’s depth beyond its star backcourt ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/sabrina-ionescu-wins-3-point-contest-as-liberty-sweep-wnba-all-star-weekend-festivities/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/liberty-better-off-for-having-been-tested-in-wnba-first-half/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Collective Bargaining Talks
**WNBA Players and Officials Reconvene**
Ahead of Saturday’s All-Star Game, approximately 40 WNBA players, including captains Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, met with league representatives for a face-to-face discussion on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The meeting, held Thursday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marked the first on-site summit since December and focused on revenue-sharing models, salary increases, enhanced benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. Despite candid exchanges, both sides acknowledged they remain “far apart” on several key issues and agreed to reconvene over the All-Star weekend, signaling that the league’s labor situation will be a storyline to watch through the offseason ([baynews9.com](https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/ap-top-news/2025/07/17/wnba-players-and-league-officials-meet-for-cba-discussions-during-all-star-weekend?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [spectrumlocalnews.com](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/ap-top-news/2025/07/17/wnba-players-and-league-officials-meet-for-cba-discussions-during-all-star-weekend?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Season Insights
**New York Liberty Wrap First Half at 15–6**
The Liberty closed out the first half of the 2025 regular season with a 15–6 record—second best in the league—after overcoming a rocky June slump. New York began 9–0, buoyed by All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu and role players like Kennedy Burke, who leads the WNBA in three-point efficiency at 49.3%. Injuries to Jonquel Jones and Leilani Mitchell forced coach Sandy Brondello to deploy 10 different starting lineups, yet the team rallied behind a players-only meeting before a critical win over Las Vegas that ignited a three-game winning streak into the break. With 13 of the next 23 games on the road and a slate of matchups against top Eastern contenders, the Liberty will look to Jones’s return to maintain their title aspirations in the season’s second half ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/liberty-better-off-for-having-been-tested-in-wnba-first-half/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/liberty-better-off-for-having-been-tested-in-wnba-first-half/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
**MVP Race Heats Up**
As of July 18, the WNBA MVP conversation remains wide open. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier holds the top spot despite a slight dip in her three-point percentage and overall efficiency. Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, fresh off her season-high 37-point outing, has closed the gap with dominant rebounding and improved mid-range accuracy. Phoenix Mercury point guard Alyssa Thomas continues to shine with career-best field goal percentage and high assist totals, pushing her into the top three. Breanna Stewart’s all-around contributions have elevated her to fourth in the ladder, while Angel Reese rounds out the top five after posting her first triple-double of the season. Notably, rookie Paige Bueckers remains in the conversation at sixth, underscoring the league’s influx of young talent ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/18/24469430/wnba-mvp-race-angel-reese-napheesa-collier-phee-aja-wilson-alyssa-thomas-breanna-stewart-stewie-gray?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/18/24469430/wnba-mvp-race-angel-reese-napheesa-collier-phee-aja-wilson-alyssa-thomas-breanna-stewart-stewie-gray?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Off-Court Buzz
**Caitlin Clark Spotted Socializing Post-Withdrawal**
Hours after announcing she would sit out Saturday’s Skills Challenge and All-Star Game to rest a lingering groin injury, Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark was photographed celebrating at INVY nightclub in downtown Indianapolis. Clark, who had missed 11 games this season, was seen mingling with teammates and fans but did not comment on her status. While some critics questioned the timing, Clark’s upbeat demeanor suggested her focus remains on a full return for the Fever’s post-break schedule. Team officials reiterated that her rehabilitation remains the top priority, with Clark to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis ([the-sun.com](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14757401/caitlin-clark-party-wnba-all-star-weekend/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [ctinsider.com](https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/wnba-all-star-game-bueckers-collier-clark-stewart-20774260.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Transactions
**Mystics Add Sika Koné**
On July 18, the Washington Mystics signed forward Sika Koné to their active roster, filling a vacancy created by an injury to Tina Charles. The 6-foot-4 rookie from France joins the Mystics on a multi-year rookie scale contract after being selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 draft. Koné, known for her defensive versatility and soft shooting touch, is expected to bolster Washington’s depth in the frontcourt as the team eyes a second-half playoff push. This move follows the Mystics’ midseason signing of guard Aari McDonald earlier in June under a hardship exception ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2025_WNBA_season_transactions?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
---
All eyes now turn to the 21st WNBA All-Star Game on July 19, where Team Clark and Team Collier will tip off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, capping off a landmark weekend of celebration, competition, and crucial labor talks. With the regular season resuming soon after, teams will look to carry momentum from both on-court success and off-court progress into the stretch run toward playoff berths.
More Episodes from WNBA Dimes
WNBA Dimes
August 01, 2025
WNBA Dimes
July 31, 2025