2025 WNBA Thread

[MU82]

I agreed with the announcers that Mabry should have been thrown out of the game ... but later on they said refs can't call a flagrant on a dead-ball foul, so I learned something.

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Wags, I'm not a big fan of basketball fights. Not sure how this really "helps" the WNBA, but maybe you're right.

For me, the more enduring image was Clark hitting a 3 right in Sheldon's face and then telling her all about it with the Fever up by 20.

[Billy Hoyle]

I agreed with the announcers that Mabry should have been thrown out of the game ... but later on they said refs can't call a flagrant on a dead-ball foul, so I learned something.

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Cunningham's play send the message opponents cant beat up pn Clark and get away with it. Who'd have thought the enforcer for the Fever would be Sophie Cunningham

[Hards Alumni]

I agreed with the announcers that Mabry should have been thrown out of the game ... but later on they said refs can't call a flagrant on a dead-ball foul, so I learned something.

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Wags, I'm not a big fan of basketball fights. Not sure how this really "helps" the WNBA, but maybe you're right.

For me, the more enduring image was Clark hitting a 3 right in Sheldon's face and then telling her all about it with the Fever up by 20.

Emotions spill over to fans and get talked about on all media platforms.

Without any of the extra curricular stuff, I wouldn't have even been paying attention.  Now I know several more things.

[Jay Bee]

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Eff that. She's the MVP of the league.

[MU82]

Emotions spill over to fans and get talked about on all media platforms.

Without any of the extra curricular stuff, I wouldn't have even been paying attention.  Now I know several more things.

Hmm.

[JWags85]

I agreed with the announcers that Mabry should have been thrown out of the game ... but later on they said refs can't call a flagrant on a dead-ball foul, so I learned something.

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Wags, I'm not a big fan of basketball fights. Not sure how this really "helps" the WNBA, but maybe you're right.

For me, the more enduring image was Clark hitting a 3 right in Sheldon's face and then telling her all about it with the Fever up by 20.

Agree on the first point.  I love Mabrey, she always sticks up for her teammates and she popped in, albeit recklessly, as soon as Clark pushed Sheldon back.  But she's incredibly fortunate for that ruling so she didn't get tossed.  She's hilariously entertaining with her unhinged streak, especially since her personality and demeanor off the court is goofy and self deprecating.  There is an ongoing joke on social media with her younger sister, also a pro baller, and her mom reacting to every top she gets heated in a game, its pretty amusing.

That being said, couldn't disagree more on Cunningham's foul.  She wrapped her up aggressively, she didn't undercut her, didn't push her out of bounds while she was in the air, didn't stamp on her.  Sheldon lowered her shoulder and Cunningham responded.  And then in the ensuing scuffle, she put her in a hold (learned last night that she's been a black belt in taekwondo since she was a kid) and talked s***.  She didn't flail, didn't throw punches, etc...  Nothing she did was dangerous or especially dirty.  Chippy?  Absolutely.  Retaliatory?  Definitely.  But nothing that isn't part of the game at every level.  She's sticking up for the rough play Clark has been getting and her teammates love her for it.  I saw a replay today, during Clark's initial scuffle with Sheldon and Mabrey, two different people had to grab Cunningham and hold her back from running off the bench to get involved.  That's entertainment.

Emotions spill over to fans and get talked about on all media platforms.

Without any of the extra curricular stuff, I wouldn't have even been paying attention.  Now I know several more things.

That's kind of what I mean.  Besides the Clark/Reese chatter and vitriol, the media the league gets either feels forced or its mockery with the missed layups or bad shots.  Legacy WNBA fans are defensive and tend to gatekeep "their" product.  Its stupid and self-defeating, but its true.  But stuff like this gets buzz, it gets highlights, and frankly its the fun kind of rivalry stuff the NBA thrives off of.  People love players taking up for their teammates, physical play and trash talking, etc...  Nothing was bush league, nothing lead to injury, it was a fun storyline that was in Clark's orbit, but wasn't directly related to her.  The next Fever/Sun matchup will get circled on the calendar and get buzz.

[MU82]

Wags, we'll just have to disagree about Cunningham's tackle.

I am amused, though, that of all the fine players in the WNBA, Mabrey is your absolute favorite. Her family, you and I'm not sure who else would say that. 

[Hards Alumni]

Agree on the first point.  I love Mabrey, she always sticks up for her teammates and she popped in, albeit recklessly, as soon as Clark pushed Sheldon back.  But she's incredibly fortunate for that ruling so she didn't get tossed.  She's hilariously entertaining with her unhinged streak, especially since her personality and demeanor off the court is goofy and self deprecating.  There is an ongoing joke on social media with her younger sister, also a pro baller, and her mom reacting to every top she gets heated in a game, its pretty amusing.

That being said, couldn't disagree more on Cunningham's foul.  She wrapped her up aggressively, she didn't undercut her, didn't push her out of bounds while she was in the air, didn't stamp on her.  Sheldon lowered her shoulder and Cunningham responded.  And then in the ensuing scuffle, she put her in a hold (learned last night that she's been a black belt in taekwondo since she was a kid) and talked s***.  She didn't flail, didn't throw punches, etc...  Nothing she did was dangerous or especially dirty.  Chippy?  Absolutely.  Retaliatory?  Definitely.  But nothing that isn't part of the game at every level.  She's sticking up for the rough play Clark has been getting and her teammates love her for it.  I saw a replay today, during Clark's initial scuffle with Sheldon and Mabrey, two different people had to grab Cunningham and hold her back from running off the bench to get involved.  That's entertainment.

That's kind of what I mean.  Besides the Clark/Reese chatter and vitriol, the media the league gets either feels forced or its mockery with the missed layups or bad shots.  Legacy WNBA fans are defensive and tend to gatekeep "their" product.  Its stupid and self-defeating, but its true.  But stuff like this gets buzz, it gets highlights, and frankly its the fun kind of rivalry stuff the NBA thrives off of.  People love players taking up for their teammates, physical play and trash talking, etc...  Nothing was bush league, nothing lead to injury, it was a fun storyline that was in Clark's orbit, but wasn't directly related to her.  The next Fever/Sun matchup will get circled on the calendar and get buzz.

Agreed about Cunningham.  It wasn't that bad.

[Jay Bee]

Agreed about Cunningham.  It wasn't that bad.

It was great and appropriate. Well done by Soph. Commissioners Cup w/Indy visiting here should be enticing. Hoping to take Soph to Manny's during her stay.

[Uncle Rico]

It was great and appropriate. Well done by Soph. Commissioners Cup w/Indy visiting here should be enticing. Hoping to take Soph to Manny's during her stay.

She'll be impressed by your pickleball stories while you drink a Truly

[Jay Bee]

She'll be impressed by your pickleball stories while you drink a Truly

If I have a tourney the next day, then no Truly. I'll just have sparkling water and steak. She will have steak as well.

[Uncle Rico]

If I have a tourney the next day, then no Truly. I'll just have sparkling water and steak. She will have steak as well.

What if she doesn't want steak?  She's a woman, she should watch her calorie intake.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Meh, she'll be out of the league by then. Looks like dinner alone.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/theres-growing-push-caitlin-clark-232216649.html

[Hards Alumni]

Meh, she'll be out of the league by then. Looks like dinner alone.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/theres-growing-push-caitlin-clark-232216649.html

Ah, so yoinking a couple of fan posts from the comment section is a story now.

Yikes.

[Billy Hoyle]

Ah, so yoinking a couple of fan posts from the comment section is a story now.

Yikes.

It's more than "a couple of fan posts from the comment section," it's a rather active topic on Twitter every time she's fouled hard I'm sure you can guess the loudest groups (hint: the same ones who briefly turned on her due to her SI interview and didn't pay attention to who fouled her the other night).

[wadesworld]

It's more than "a couple of fan posts from the comment section," it's a rather active topic on Twitter every time she's fouled hard I'm sure you can guess the loudest groups (hint: the same ones who briefly turned on her due to her SI interview and didn't pay attention to who fouled her the other night).

Ah yes.  Twitter.  Where we should all go to see what's really happening in the world.  Confirmed Caitlin Clark gowne.  Starting her own 1 v 0 league.

[GB Warrior]

Ah yes.  Twitter.  Where we should all go to see what's really happening in the world.  Confirmed Caitlin Clark gowne.  Starting her own 1 v 0 league.

If Kyle Kuzma started that league he'd go winless

[muwarrior69]

I agreed with the announcers that Mabry should have been thrown out of the game ... but later on they said refs can't call a flagrant on a dead-ball foul, so I learned something.

Cunningham's play was just plain dirty and dangerous, and I hope she gets fined or suspended.

Wags, I'm not a big fan of basketball fights. Not sure how this really "helps" the WNBA, but maybe you're right.

For me, the more enduring image was Clark hitting a 3 right in Sheldon's face and then telling her all about it with the Fever up by 20.

Maybe they should hockey.

[MU82]

Indiana has lost its last two games, with Clark going 1-for-17 from 3.

[21Jumpstreet]

Indiana has lost its last two games, with Clark going 1-for-17 from 3.

Had a rough one last night, too. Her teammates, especially Mitchell (my favorite player on Indiana, maybe the league), played great in the win. CC as a pro does sort of drive me nuts, has too many turnovers, too many forced shots, too many complaints...and I still tuned in. I don't think she is bigger than the league, but she clearly currently moves the needle. Will her shine wear off? Of course. But, she has probably altered the game in a positive way for a couple years.

[Jay Bee]

But, she has probably altered the game in a positive way for a couple years.

Probably?

[21Jumpstreet]

Probably?

Probably was more about the next couple years. She has clearly moved the needle these two years, but I do think her shine will wear off. I'm not sold that her impact is long lasting.