The Brooms Came Out in Round One

Well, that’s a wrap on round one of the WNBA playoffs, and the brooms were out in full force! Every single team swept their way to victory.

Lynx Dominate Their Way to the Semis

The Minnesota Lynx wasted no time sweeping their way past the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, punching their ticket to the semifinals. After a tight first half, the Lynx flipped the switch and dominated the second half, making sure they didn’t need a Game 3. Now, they’ll face the Connecticut Sun, a little bit of unfinished business there since the Sun knocked them out in the same round last year.

Leading the charge was Napheesa Collier, who went off with a career-high 42 points, tying the WNBA record for most points in a playoff game. Not only that, but Collier's 80 points over these two games is a playoff record for any two-game stretch. She’s the first to drop 40 in the postseason since Breanna Stewart in 2022.

As for Diana Taurasi, she finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists in what could potentially be her last game. We’ll just have to wait and see if she’s hanging up her sneakers for good.

Sun Shine Bright, Send Fever Packing

If you’re a fan of down-to-the-wire basketball, this game was made for you. The Sun and Fever put on a show, trading big shots. But at the end of the day, it was the Sun’s poise that sealed the deal, completing the two-game sweep. Now, they’re getting ready to face the Lynx.

Alyssa Thomas filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds and DeWanna Bonner knocked down some crucial shots to secure the win. On the Fever’s side, Caitlin Clark bounced back from a rough Game 1 with a strong 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Aliyah Boston was a monster on the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds to go along with her 16 points. But the future is bright in Indiana, even if this season ends here.

Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Year in the Books

And speaking of Clark, her incredible rookie year has officially come to a close. The Connecticut Sun were just too much for the Indiana Fever, but Clark went out swinging, putting up 25 points in her final game. It’s pretty much a lock that she’ll be named the 2024 Rookie of the Year, and she might even join the exclusive club of unanimous winners. But for now, she’s ready to hit the pause button on basketball. According to Ryan Ruocco, Clark is taking a well-deserved break and “almost definitely will not play basketball this offseason.” Don’t worry, Caitlin, you’ve earned it!

Clark reflected on the crazy year she’s had, saying she hasn’t even had time to process everything, from Iowa to the pros. She’s looking forward to some downtime, but knowing her, it won’t be long before she’s back on the court.

DiJonai Carrington Claims 2024 Most Improved Player Award!

The Connecticut Sun guard has been putting in work this season, and it’s officially paid off. In her fourth year in the league, Carrington leveled up across the board and became a full-time starter.

Carrington’s stat line says it all: career-highs in points (12.7), rebounds (5), assists (1.6), and steals (1.6) per game. Her defensive leap is what really set her apart, proving she’s not just a scoring threat but a certified stopper

Is This the End for the WNBA Legend?

And now, onto what might be the end of an era in women’s basketball.

Wednesday night, Diana Taurasi might’ve taken her final walk off the court. The Phoenix Mercury star fouled out with just over two minutes left in the team's Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, and the reaction said it all. Both teams gave her a standing ovation, and even the Minnesota crowd showed love to the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. It felt like a moment of goodbye.

Taurasi didn’t join the postgame press conference, keeping her future plans under wraps like the legend she is. But the way her teammates, coaches, and even opponents spoke about her legacy? You’d think this was it. Her coach, Nate Tibbetts, called it a privilege to coach the greatest ever, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

We’re talking about a 20-year career that’s packed with titles, records, and unforgettable moments. If this really is the end for Taurasi, what a run it’s been. Whether she’s back next season or decides to hang up her sneakers, she’s left a legacy that will stand for generations.

Lakers' Media Day Shenanigans

NBA media days are often full of PR buzzwords and very little actual news. But this year, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka did offer a nugget when he said he’d be willing to trade both of their available first-round picks (2029 and 2031). But here’s the thing, we’ve been hearing this for months.

However, there was one fun tidbit when Pelinka dropped a hilarious father-son story about LeBron and Bronny James. Apparently, during a Lakers’ pickup game, LeBron took Bronny to school with a baseline move that ended in an up-and-under layup off the glass. Pelinka described the aftermath as more challenging than the play itself with some playful trash talk between the James duo!

As for when we’ll see the two of them share an NBA court, coach J.J. Redick kept things vague. The Lakers haven’t committed to anything specific, but insiders think we might get a father-son moment as soon as opening night against the Timberwolves. After that, Bronny will likely spend time in the G-League to develop his game.

Warriors Add Some Depth

In other news, the Warriors are quietly loading up. Veteran forward Kevin Knox has signed a one-year deal with Golden State, and while it might not be the splashiest move of the offseason, it could pay dividends for their depth.

This 25-year-old journeyman has been bouncing around the league like a basketball playing for the Knicks, Hawks, Pistons, and Blazers. His career averages of 7.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists might not jump off the page, but the dude has range, 34.1 percent from 3-point land isn’t bad at all.

And, hey, he looked solid in the Summer League, leading the Warriors in points and boards. Now he’s coming back to compete for a roster spot. Will he stick around? Time will tell, but Knox could be a sneaky-good depth piece for Golden State.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team