Let’s Talk Hoops! Fever push this to Game 5 by slicing the Aces with second-action offense and relentless rim pressure. We unpack the free-throw gap, defensive slippages, Jackie’s flow state, and how Vegas can unlock A’ja vs Aliyah’s physical battle. Then we tap in on Phoenix’s Finals trip—AT the engine, Bonner timely, Sabs thriving—and what the Lynx do next. Who you got in Vegas?

What’s going on Hoops Tribe—welcome back to Let’s Talk Hoops! Things just got real in the WNBA semifinals. Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces: Kelsey Mitchell went historic with 34 points in her semifinal debut—the most ever. A’ja Wilson, fresh off her 4th MVP award, had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, but Vegas looked out of sync. Indiana’s defense was disruptive, Jackie Young was limited, and Lexie Hull made life tough on the Aces’ guards. Can Vegas bounce back in Game 2? Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury: Alyssa Thomas kept it real with Holly Rowe (“She gotta guard me too”), then dominated. Collier, McBride, and Courtney Williams combined for 62 points—nearly matching Phoenix’s team total. Minnesota’s defense suffocated the Mercury. Kia Awards Reactions: A’ja Wilson makes history with MVP #4. Co-Defensive Players of the Year: A’ja Wilson and Alanna Smith. Nas Hillmon takes home Sixth Player of the Year—was Natisha Hiedeman snubbed? Coaching Shake-Up: Coach Noelle Quinn is out in Seattle after 5 seasons. What does that mean for the Storm’s future?

The Indiana Fever are coming in HOT after stealing Game 1 and building serious momentum. A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray are under pressure to respond, while Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell are giving us a masterclass in two-man basketball.

The New York Liberty have announced they will not renew Sandy Brondello’s contract after four seasons — a move that has shocked many across the WNBA community. Brondello’s tenure included a trip to the Finals in her second season, a championship in her third, and a first-round playoff exit this year. On paper, that’s success. So why the sudden shift? In this episode we break down: The highs and lows of Brondello’s time in New York The critiques that followed her through the 2023 Finals and beyond Why coaching decisions, clock management, and bench usage raised concerns The bigger picture: ownership urgency, representation in WNBA coaching, and the growing pressure on coaches to deliver instant championships From fans to players, this move blindsided many. Was this about basketball — or business? And who could be next in line to lead one of the WNBA’s most valuable franchises?

We’re knotted up 1–1 and heading into Game 3 of both semifinal series — and things are getting spicy. The question: 👉 Can the Indiana Fever’s magic carry them past the Las Vegas Aces’ championship consistency? And don’t forget the other semifinal: the Phoenix Mercury vs Minnesota Lynx has turned into a battle of physicality and discipline. Alyssa Thomas vs Napheesa Collier is becoming an iconic playoff matchup, while Phoenix’s bench depth (thanks to DeWanna Bonner and Sammy Whitcomb) could flip this series on its head. This Game 3 is huge for both series. Underdogs Indiana and Phoenix have a shot to shake things up — but will it be enough? 💬 Drop your predictions in the comments: How many games do you think these semis go? Who’s headed to the Finals?

Follow Cassie "Coach C" Chantel on all platforms @CassieChantel @WBB.365 Join the Mailing List at www.womensbasketball365.com In this episode, Coach C breaks down her official Kia Award picks — from MVP to Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and more. Spoiler alert: A’ja Wilson is leading the pack in more ways than one. From scoring dominance to defensive impact, the math don’t lie. We also dive into the “Danger Zone” coaches who may be on the hot seat now that the season’s over, plus my first-round playoff thoughts on the Aces, Storm, Liberty, Mercury, Lynx, Valkyries, Dream, and Fever. Hoop Tribe — this is history right now, not history in the making. Tap in, drop your playoff predictions in the comments, and let’s talk hoops. 00:00 Vegas ACEs and MVP Races: An Intro 00:49 Kia Awards Predictions: MVP, Defensive Player & More 04:16 Coach of the Year & Rookie Standouts 06:54 Executive of the Year: Washington Mystics & Sportsmanship Award 09:03 Coaching Hot Seat: Analyzing WNBA Coaches 21:09 First Round WNBA Playoff Matchups: Predictions & Analysis 35:19 Final Thoughts & Plugs

Welcome back, Hoops Tribe — and welcome if it’s your first time. I’m Coach C (Cassie Chantel) and today I’m looking past the playoff noise and straight at the trophy. I believe the championship runs through Minnesota… and I’ve got Aces in 7. We break down the Lynx as the league’s gatekeepers, Seattle’s volatility from three and what their rebounding tells us, why the Aces have the two-way ceiling to finish the job, and how defense will ultimately decide the crown. Then we hit “Feeding the Girls” to shout out fashion, admins, and social teams serving the people, and close in Coach’s Corner on why assistants deserve more shine — with love to Coach Nakase and the Valkyries staff. Take action: • Sign the “Pay the Players” petition by Women’s Sports Rally -- https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/fans-for-fair-pay-in-the-wnba/ • Read more at WomensBasketball365.com and subscribe to the WBB365 newsletter • Follow: @CassieChantel @WBB.365 00:00 Championship Aspirations and Podcast Overview 01:10 Race to the Championship: Aces and Minnesota's Competition 01:29 Analyzing Minnesota's Loss Against Seattle 04:01 The Strategy to Beat Minnesota 05:04 WNBA Schedule Realities and Player Recovery 07:16 Dominique Malonga: Steal of the Draft? 09:07 A'ja Wilson and the Aces: Championship Favorites 10:31 Defensive Stats and MVP Candidates 12:40 CBA Negotiations and Player Compensation 13:41 Who's Feeding the Girls: Fashion and Admins 16:36 Coaches' Corner: Recognizing Assistant Coaches

Hoop Tribe, welcome back to Let’s Talk Hoops Ep. 15. We’re finding our pace and loading up a packed show: Rankings & Matchups: Minnesota Lynx, Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces—and why those 2–3 seeds might flip. First-round looks: Liberty–Mercury watch. Liberty Reality Check with reporter Erin Ivey: low-scoring quarters, practice time, and how Emma Meesseman is fitting next to Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. MVP Debate: A’ja Wilson vs. Napheesa Collier—impact, head-to-head numbers, and why the Aces might not have peaked yet. Aces–Lynx film notes: both teams over 50% FG and 40% from 3; when the margins are even, who imposes will? Fever Update: Caitlin Clark shut down for 2025—what that means for growth, leadership, and why Indiana can still be a first-round problem. Chicago Sky drama: Angel Reese interview, suspension, teammate/coach responses, and what a real internal reset would require. Sun Situation: ownership/sale chatter vs. on-court hope—rookie pop from Saniya Rivers and Anissa Morrow, veteran leadership from Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey. Coach’s Corner: “one step at a time”—breaking skills (and life) into bite-size, repeatable wins. Tap Subscribe, Like, and Notify to ride with WBB365 daily. More at womensbasketball365.com and on socials @WomensBasketball365. 00:00 Intro 00:14 WNBA Rankings 02:04 Erin Ivey on the Liberty's Postseason Outlook 05:28 ACEs vs. Lynx: A Championship Preview and MVP Implications 09:21 Indiana Fever Without Caitlin Clark: A Future Perspective 11:56 Angel Reese vs. Chicago Sky: Team Dynamics and Media Fallout 19:47 Connecticut Sun Sale Controversy and Future Prospects 21:31 Coaching Corner: Parallels Between Basketball and Life's Journey