
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 "WNBA Dimes," your go-to podcast for all things hoops with a side of sass. I'm Brooke, your guide through the wild world of women's basketball. Let’s dive into last night’s buzzer-beaters and bounce passes.
First up, a nail-biter in Brooklyn. The Los Angeles Sparks pulled off a thriller, snapping the New York Liberty's five-game winning streak with a dramatic 101-99 victory. Picture this: Rickea Jackson as the hero, storming the paint for a game-winning layup just as the buzzer sang its swan song. L.A. was on fire with Jackson clocking in 24 points, while Kelsey Plum displayed her flair with 20 points and eight assists. And don't forget Azurá Stevens and Dearica Hamby both racking up double-doubles, making teamwork look easy.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu was in beast mode for New York. She made history, folks, with a 30-8-6-4 line, becoming just the fourth player ever to achieve such wizardry in a single game. Talk about a one-woman show! Even with help from Natasha Cloud and Jonquel Jones, the Liberty faced a tough night, especially after Breanna Stewart’s early exit with a worrisome injury. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!
Let’s switch coasts to Washington, where the Mystics' defense was the star of the show, shutting down the Seattle Storm with a 69-58 win. Sug Sutton was smooth as silk, shining brightly in her breakout campaign. With Shakira Austin and rookie Sonia Citron also grabbing double-doubles, Washington was all about locking it down and lighting up the court.
Seattle had Nneka Ogwumike blazing through the first half but hitting a wall in the second. Despite Erica Wheeler steering a comeback effort, Seattle couldn’t catch a break, struggling from deep and losing the battle at the boards.
And now, the spotlight swivels to Breanna Stewart. Her unexpected departure just minutes into the game leaves fans and foes alike biting their nails. A pivotal player with a history of leg injuries, her status hangs heavy over New York's playoff hopes. Fingers crossed she's back in action soon!
In terms of standings, the Sparks are sizzling, making their playoff dreams more tangible with every game. Their next test? The reigning champs, Las Vegas Aces. Meanwhile, New York, still holding strong at second in the East, looks to regroup against the Dallas Wings.
Washington’s win brings them back to .500, and they're gearing up for what's likely to be another defensive grind against the Phoenix Mercury. The Storm, hoping to weather their sluggish streak, will take on the Connecticut Sun, with both squads aiming to rise above the ranks.
As the league’s first 44-game season unfolds, last night was proof of the growing unpredictability and intensity. It’s bench depth and gritty defense that are making all the difference.
That's a wrap on today’s hoop dreams! Keep those sneakers laced and your ears tuned for more “WNBA Dimes” tomorrow. Until then, remember, basketball isn't just a game—it’s a lifestyle. Catch you next time!
## WNBA Dimes: July 26, 2025
### Game Recaps
#### Los Angeles Sparks 101, New York Liberty 99
The Los Angeles Sparks snapped the New York Liberty’s five-game winning streak with a thrilling 101-99 road victory at Barclays Center on July 26. Rickea Jackson emerged as hero, driving to the basket for the game-winning layup at the buzzer after Stephanie Talbot’s late foul left Kelsey Plum with clutch free throws that tied the game at 99-99. Jackson led L.A. with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting (4-of-6 from three), while Plum added 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds despite shooting just 5-of-14 from the field. Azurá Stevens contributed a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Dearica Hamby chipped in 17 points and 10 boards on 8-of-11 shooting. Rae Burrell scored 12 off the bench to round out a balanced attack that saw L.A. improve to 11-14, extending their winning streak to five games ([sportskeeda.com](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-la-sparks-vs-new-york-liberty-game-player-stats-box-score-july-26-2025-wnba-season?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
New York was paced by Sabrina Ionescu’s historic 30-8-6-4 line, making her just the fourth player in league history to record at least 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a single game. Ionescu scored 12 first-half points but really took over down the stretch, hitting an elbow jumper to tie the game at 99 with 23.1 seconds remaining. Natasha Cloud added 22 points and nine assists, while Jonquel Jones posted 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Leonie Fiebich (10 points) and Marine Johannès (nine off the bench) provided bench spark, but an early exit by two-time MVP Breanna Stewart due to a lower-leg injury proved costly for the Liberty, who dropped to 17-7 on the season ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/27/sports/sabrina-ionescu-joins-elite-wnba-company-in-near-game-saving-liberty-performance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [sportskeeda.com](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-la-sparks-vs-new-york-liberty-game-player-stats-box-score-july-26-2025-wnba-season?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
#### Washington Mystics 69, Seattle Storm 58
In Washington, the Mystics’ defense carried them to a 69-58 victory over the Seattle Storm at CareFirst Arena. After holding Seattle to just 32.8 percent shooting and a dismal 22.9 percent clip in the second half, Washington snapped a two-game skid and improved to 12-12 on the season. Sug Sutton continued her breakout campaign, pouring in 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Shakira Austin posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Sonia Citron chipped in 11 points and 10 boards, and Kiki Iriafen added seven points and 11 rebounds. The Mystics outrebounded Seattle 44-28 and shared the ball efficiently with 20 assists on 29 made baskets ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/26/mystics-storm-sug-sutton/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [ctpost.com](https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/mystics-overcome-fourth-quarter-drought-to-defeat-20788060.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike led the Storm with 18 first-half points but was kept scoreless in the second half, finishing 7-of-17 from the floor. Erica Wheeler paced Seattle’s comeback efforts with 12 second-half points, moving her into the WNBA’s top-25 all-time in assists with her 1,206th career helper. Despite an 11-0 third-quarter run that cut Washington’s lead to four, Seattle couldn’t sustain the burst, ending the night at 15-11. The Storm shot a combined 33 percent (5-of-21) from deep and failed to win the rebounding battle under their own basket ([storm.wnba.com](https://storm.wnba.com/news/game-26-seattle-washington-69-58?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [bulletsforever.com](https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2025/7/26/24474812/washington-mystics-seattle-storm-wnba-game-recap?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Injury Update
Breanna Stewart exited the Liberty’s loss in Brooklyn just 6:33 into the first quarter after signaling to the bench and clutching her lower leg. Stewart, the Liberty’s leading scorer and a two-time league MVP (2018, 2023), had three points and one rebound before departing. Head coach Sandy Brondello offered no definitive update postgame, only expressing hope for her quick return. The 30-year-old Stewart has battled significant leg issues in the past, including Achilles and knee surgeries, making this setback particularly worrisome for New York’s playoff aspirations ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/liberty-star-breanna-stewart-exits-early-with-lower-leg-injury-2025-07-27/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/07/26/sports/breanna-stewart-exits-with-lower-leg-injury-in-liberty-worry/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Standings Implications & Next Up
The Sparks’ home-and-home win over New York pulls them into the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference, while the Liberty, now 17-7, hold onto second place in the East despite the setback. L.A.’s victory keeps their five-game streak alive, setting up a crucial home date with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. Meanwhile, New York returns to action on Monday against the Dallas Wings, led by rookie Paige Bueckers, in search of stabilizing their depth chart amid mounting injuries ([sportskeeda.com](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-la-sparks-vs-new-york-liberty-game-player-stats-box-score-july-26-2025-wnba-season?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
In D.C., Washington’s defensive stand elevates them to .500 territory, and they’ll host the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday for what could be another low-scoring, grind-it-out affair. The Storm, reeling from a lackluster back-to-back stretch, will look to rebound against the Connecticut Sun on Monday in a matchup that pits Seattle’s revamped perimeter attack against Connecticut’s disciplined frontcourt ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/26/mystics-storm-sug-sutton/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [ctpost.com](https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/mystics-overcome-fourth-quarter-drought-to-defeat-20788060.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
As the WNBA hurtles through its first 44-game campaign, yesterday’s action underscored the league’s growing parity and the importance of bench depth and defensive intensity. Stay tuned for more “WNBA Dimes” tomorrow as we track every shot, stat and storyline from around the league.
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