WNBA Dimes

Hey! It’s Cookie O’Clock! Welcome to "WNBA Dimes," where we dive into all things hoops with a dash of fun and flair. I’m Brooke, your guide through the latest action-packed moments in the WNBA.

Let’s start with the scoreboard! The Las Vegas Aces have clinched the 2025 WNBA Finals by completing a clean sweep against the Phoenix Mercury. In Game 4, the Aces took home the victory, 97-86, at the Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10. They led from the start, maintaining a steady 13-point lead by halftime, and kept their cool despite a late push from Phoenix. The star of the show? A’ja Wilson, putting up a dazzling 31 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas wasn’t going down without a fight, posting a stellar triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Quite the finale, right?

In viewership news, the 2025 postseason was a slam dunk on ESPN, smashing records with an average of 1.2 million viewers across 24 playoff games—a nifty 5 percent increase from last year. The Finals alone averaged 1.5 million viewers, making it the second most-watched series in ESPN history. Game 1 stole the spotlight with a peak of 1.9 million viewers. Who says the offseason has to be quiet, right?

Now, shifting gears to international waters. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spilled the tea about the WNBA’s plans for its first game in mainland China. This could happen very soon, pending the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement by the end of October. The excitement is building, with Chinese fans eagerly waiting. The WNBA has already had some thrilling international contests in Mexico, the UK, and Canada. Stay tuned as negotiations continue!

Moving on to some front office action, the Portland Fire, set to ignite the league as an expansion team in 2026, just made a bold move by naming Ashley Battle as Vice President of Basketball Operations, Strategy, and Innovation. Battle, a UConn sensation and three-time NCAA champion, brings a wealth of experience from the Celtics and G League, plus her stint as a Connecticut Sun color analyst. She’s set to oversee roster building, talent identification, and those all-important analytics. Get ready for some strategic fireworks in Portland!

Finally, a quick spotlight on offseason moves. Indiana Fever’s defensive ace Brianna Turner expanded her role in the playoffs, and now she’s heading down under! Turner just signed a short-term contract with Australia’s Perth Lynx, ready to make waves in the WNBL. With her debut against Adelaide Lightning on the horizon, she’s looking to make a strong international impact in the 2025-26 campaign. Watch this space!

That’s all the WNBA goodness we’ve got for you today. Remember to keep your sneakers laced and your game face on. Catch you next time on "WNBA Dimes"!