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, where we serve up the latest on the court with a side of sass. I'm Brooke, your go-to gal for all things hoops, and today, we’re diving into the semifinal madness of the WNBA playoffs. Buckle up, folks, because it's a rollercoaster.
First up, let's talk Phoenix Mercury's sizzling showdown against the Minnesota Lynx. Phoenix pulled off a thriller in overtime, 89-83, erasing a whopping 20-point deficit. Give it up for Satou Sabally, who blazed through the fourth quarter with 24 points. And what about Alyssa Thomas? Nearly snagged a triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. That's some serious leadership right there!
Sami Whitcomb had the crowd on the edge of their seats, nailing a three-pointer with just four seconds left to force overtime. Rookie Kat Westbeld was a spark plug off the bench—eight points, four rebounds, and four steals. Talk about making every minute count!
Over in Las Vegas, the Aces made sure the Fever got a taste of their own medicine, cruising to a 90-68 victory. A’ja Wilson was a force, dropping 25 points and snatching nine rebounds. And how about those five steals? Stealing the ball—and hearts!
NaLyssa Smith backed her up with 18 points, and Jackie Young added 13 to the mix. The Aces' defense was tighter than my jeans after Thanksgiving, keeping Indiana under 40% shooting. If that’s not setting the tone, I don’t know what is!
Let's spotlight some standout players. Napheesa Collier kept things interesting for Minnesota, scoring 24 points on her birthday. Sad they couldn’t gift her a win, though. Kelsey Mitchell? She was the Game 1 hero for the Fever with 34 points but hit a speed bump in Game 2. And Sami Whitcomb? Beyond that clutch shot, she sprinkled in 16 points. Love to see it!
Now, switching gears from court to clipboard, did you hear about the shake-up in New York? The Liberty decided not to renew head coach Sandy Brondello’s contract. After taking them to their first title, too! It’s like getting dumped after prom. Meanwhile, hats off to Atlanta Dream GM Dan Padover for nabbing Executive of the Year—for the third time. If that's not working magic, I don't know what is!
The league’s coaching carousel is spinning fast! The Liberty parting ways with Brondello and Seattle saying goodbye to Noelle Quinn are just the latest moves. Seems like everyone’s playing musical chairs—wonder who’s left standing when the music stops?
Looking ahead, both semifinal series are tied 1-1. Talk about suspense! Up next, Phoenix at Minnesota and Indiana at Las Vegas. Can’t wait to see which teams take the lead. It’s all happening Friday, so set your reminders!
That’s a wrap on WNBA Dimes for today. Join me tomorrow for more scores, highlights, and hot takes. Until then, keep shooting your shot—and hitting nothing but net. Catch you courtside!
### Scores & Series Standings
• Phoenix Mercury 89, Minnesota Lynx 83 (OT) — With Tuesday’s come-from-behind victory in Game 2 of the semifinals, the No. 6–seed Phoenix Mercury erased a 20-point deficit to even their best-of-five series with the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx at 1–1 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46360487/wnba-playoffs-2025-semifinals-game-2-analysis-highlights-news-scores?utm_source=openai)).
• Las Vegas Aces 90, Indiana Fever 68 — The No. 2–seed Aces bounced back from their Game 1 loss, dominating the No. 6–seed Fever to tie that series 1–1 ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/wnba/wnba-semi-finals-game-2-indiana-fever-vs-las-vegas-aces-sep-23-2025-game-boxscore-2204?utm_source=openai)).
### Game Highlights & Key Performances
Phoenix’s Game 2 comeback was propelled by all-around excellence:
• Satou Sabally poured in 24 points, including 11 in the decisive fourth quarter, to lead the charge ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-semifinal-series-sept-23-2025/?utm_source=openai)).
• Veteran Alyssa Thomas flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, igniting the rally with her intensity after a slow start ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-semifinal-series-sept-23-2025/?utm_source=openai)).
• Sami Whitcomb drilled a wing three with four seconds remaining to force overtime, and rookie Kat Westbeld added a spark off the bench with eight points, four rebounds and a game-high four steals in 15 minutes ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-semifinal-series-sept-23-2025/?utm_source=openai)).
In Las Vegas, the Aces imposed their will from the outset:
• Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson scored 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds and recorded a playoff-career–high five steals, bouncing back in style from a rare off night in Game 1 ([wishtv.com](https://www.wishtv.com/sports/indiana-fever/aces-bounce-back-with-90-68-victory-over-fever-in-wnba-semifinals/?utm_source=openai)).
• NaLyssa Smith added 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and hauled in seven rebounds, while Jackie Young contributed 13 points ([wishtv.com](https://www.wishtv.com/sports/indiana-fever/aces-bounce-back-with-90-68-victory-over-fever-in-wnba-semifinals/?utm_source=openai)).
• Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans each chipped in 10 points, and the Aces’ stifling defense held Indiana to just 68 points and under 40% shooting for the game ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/wnba/wnba-semi-finals-game-2-indiana-fever-vs-las-vegas-aces-sep-23-2025-game-boxscore-2204?utm_source=openai)).
### Player Statistical Standouts
• Napheesa Collier, Lynx: Despite the loss, Collier dropped 24 points on her 29th birthday, also contributing nine rebounds and three steals ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-semifinal-series-sept-23-2025/?utm_source=openai)).
• Kelsey Mitchell, Fever: Though held in check in Game 2, Mitchell exploded for 34 points in Indiana’s shock Game 1 upset, showcasing her elite scoring prowess (stats from prior game, series context) ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/64789/playoffs-game-2-las-vegas-aces-indiana-fever-underdog-upset-mvp-aja-wilson-kelsey-mitchell-jewell-jackie-chelsea?utm_source=openai)).
• Sami Whitcomb, Mercury: Beyond her late three, Whitcomb finished with 16 points, including a clutch 3-pointer to extend regulation ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/lynx-vs-mercury-wnba-semifinal-series-sept-23-2025/?utm_source=openai)).
• Odyssey Sims, Fever: Sims scored 18 points in Game 1, one of the few bright spots amid the series split ([reviewjournal.com](https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/aces/mvp-powers-aces-to-game-2-win-over-fever-evening-playoff-series-1-1-3464783/?utm_source=openai)).
### Coaching & Front-Office News
• New York Liberty Shake-Up — One season after guiding New York to its first WNBA title, head coach Sandy Brondello was informed on Sept. 23 that her contract will not be renewed for 2026. Brondello departs as the franchise’s winningest coach (107–53 record), having posted back-to-back 32–8 seasons in 2023 and 2024 and reaching the Finals in both years ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/liberty-fire-sandy-brondello-one-season-after-winning-title--flm-2025-09-23/?utm_source=openai)). General Manager Jonathan Kolb praised Brondello’s contributions and announced an immediate search for her successor.
• Executive of the Year — Atlanta Dream GM Dan Padover was named the 2025 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year on Sept. 23, becoming the first executive in league history to win the award three times (2020, 2021, 2025) and the first to do so with multiple franchises. Padover’s front-office moves powered Atlanta to a franchise-record 30 wins, highlighted by hiring Karl Smesko as head coach and acquiring Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones ([dream.wnba.com](https://dream.wnba.com/news/dan-padover-named-2025-wnba-basketball-executive-of-the-year?utm_source=openai)).
### League-Wide Developments
• Coaching Turnover Trend — The Liberty’s decision to part ways with Brondello marks another high-profile exit in a WNBA coaching carousel that saw Seattle Storm also part ways with Noelle Quinn this week. Only three teams (Mercury, Aces, Lynx) now retain coaches with more than two seasons on the job, raising questions about franchise patience and diversity in hiring ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/09/23/sandy-brondello-liberty/?utm_source=openai)).
• Playoff Context — With both semifinal series knotted 1–1, resilience and adjustments will be paramount. Phoenix and Las Vegas will lean on their veteran cores, while Minnesota and Indiana will look to get back on track by tightening defensive rotations and finding secondary scoring beyond their stars.
### What’s Next
• Game 3, Mercury at Lynx — Friday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Phoenix will host after tying the series in Minneapolis.
• Game 3, Fever at Aces — Friday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Indiana aims to regain home-court momentum after dropping Game 2 in Las Vegas.
WNBA Dimes will return tomorrow with the freshest scores, deeper analysis and all the latest on your favorite players and teams.
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