Aya Abdeen
@ayabdeen.bsky.social
Aspiring NCAAW/WNBA Writer 👩💻 / Contributing writer for The IX Sports. ASU Cronkite alum / "I've seen you a lot. You've been busy." -Diana Taurasi
Exactly six months ago, I began attending therapy. Celebrating small and big wins is what stands out to me. This year has provided me with many important lessons about perseverance and preparing for new challenges. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful. ☺️
Our @dylankanesports.bsky.social has your immediate analysis of the big move, Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury. WATCH: #wnba youtube.com/shorts/w-U9m...
BREAKING WNBA NEWS: Kelsey Plum traded to Phoenix Mercury, immediate analysis! #wnba
YouTube video by The IX Sports
youtube.com
And I look forward to supporting sports journalists with different disabilities, reminding them that they belong regardless of their strengths and weaknesses.
Aya Abdeen@ayabdeen.bsky.social · 2w agoLeaving this right here: Someday I'll establish an organization with the words Diana Taurasi told me (that I belong in the sports journalism industry) back in February, especially on International Girls and Women in Sports Day. #WNBA
Leaving this right here: Someday I'll establish an organization with the words Diana Taurasi told me (that I belong in the sports journalism industry) back in February, especially on International Girls and Women in Sports Day. #WNBA
A quick look at the WNBA players that Caitlin Clark has targeted on the court and they all have two things in common, I wonder what those could be? That’s a list of all queer Black players. -DiJonai Carrington -Alyssa Thomas -DeWanna Bonner -Kiah Stokes -Chelsea Gray -Saniya Rivers
THREAD: THREE NEW STORIES FOR The Podium Finish ARE NOW LIVE 👩💻 #WNBA First, I wrote on how Sami Whitcomb’s return gives the team a shot of adrenaline. Read it here: thepodiumfinish.net/sami-whitcom...
Sami Whitcomb Gives Phoenix Mercury a Shot of Adrenaline
PHOENIX- Long at last. One of the Phoenix Mercury‘s fan favorites made their season debut during a home game against the Indiana Fever on July 9 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Guard Sami Whitcomb ret...
thepodiumfinish.net
Plus, they have their first round draft pick in the 2027 #WNBA Draft, which could help BIG TIME.
Aya Abdeen@ayabdeen.bsky.social · 3w agoHonestly, I think it's time to think about the decisions head coach Nate Tibbetts has been making throughout this season. The Phoenix Mercury just doesn't have an identity, they're trying to search, especially after the end of the BG/DT era. #WNBA
Honestly, I think it's time to think about the decisions head coach Nate Tibbetts has been making throughout this season. The Phoenix Mercury just doesn't have an identity, they're trying to search, especially after the end of the BG/DT era. #WNBA
Both Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner give their flowers to Sami Whitcomb, who recorded nine points off the bench for the Mercury. "Coming back off of the injury that she saw one go down, I'm so happy for her, and she hit a huge one down the stretch," Bonner said of Whitcomb. #WNBA
"I mean, that's when we have our most success is when we have balanced scoring, are more able to move the ball and get the easy open shots. It makes us a different team."- Alyssa Thomas on the Mercury's successes when the team has balanced scoring. #WNBA
"The season before last, I think what made them so difficult to guard was their ability to move the ball, and they're back to doing that. You can't just focus on one person. Maliball is snapping around, and you have to plan for everybody." - Alyssa Thomas on what she has seen from the Lynx. #WNBA
"She's a great player. She reads the game very well for a rookie, and she knows when to attack. She knows when to shoot. She knows when to get her teammates involved, and that's just unheard of." -DeWanna Bonner on what she saw from Olivia Miles for the Lynx against the Mercury. #WNBA
"That's just a focus, (especially having) been in the league for 17 years. Just know that we can't dwell on that game. We can't let that game define who we are, what we've done this whole season, and how we play."- DeWanna Bonner on what made the Mercury prepared throughout the game. #WNBA
"I think you just got to. You've been in the league so long; it's just the next game up. You don't have time to like dwell on a loss like that. It's not too much you can learn from it besides the embarrassment. It's just how you come out. -DeWanna Bonner on the Mercury's mindset against the Lynx.
"It was different from the last time that we played them. Just again the little things down the stretch that seem to be the Achilles heel and the difference in winning and losing." -Alyssa Thomas on the positives from the Mercury's efforts against the Lynx on Monday night. #WNBA
"Just taking what they gave us. A lot of teams know that you can have success when you play a small lineup against Minnesota. It makes it harder for them to stretch the defense out." -Alyssa Thomas on how the Lynx's defensive pressures made a difference against the Mercury. #WNBA
"I mean, any moment for us at this point is important. You know, this is the make-or-break point of the season. Whether or not you're going to make that final push to try to get one of those playoff positions. -Alyssa Thomas on the Mercury's mindset heading into the #WNBA All-Star break. (1/2)
"The biggest message today is we wanted to compete, and we wanted to respond from what had happened the other night in Vegas. Really proud of our group." -Nate Tibbetts after the Mercury's 4-point loss to the Lynx. (1/2) #WNBA
"This was a big statement game for us just to see how we were going to respond, and obviously, no one in there is excited that we lost. But we needed to come out and compete at a high level against one of the best teams in the league, and we did that tonight." -Nate Tibbetts on the Mercury. #WNBA
"I'm glad that we didn't have to sit on that game very long. That was disappointing for our whole organization, our fan base. We're better than that; we showed that tonight." -Nate Tibbetts on the Phoenix Mercury's mindset heading into the rest of the regular season. #WNBA (1/2)
"We had some really good performances. DB maybe got into the top five as far as steals in the league. Sami set a WNBA record for most threes off the bench, and then Kah and AT just really tried to will us to a victory." -Nate Tibbetts on the bright spots for the Phoenix Mercury. #WNBA
For the first time since 2022, the Minnesota Lynx sweep the regular season series over the Phoenix Mercury. With the loss, the Mercury also matched the total losses from the 2025 regular season with 17. Phoenix welcomes the Connecticut Sun at home on Friday. #WNBA
Just an FYI, I'll be taking the night off from tonight's Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx road game and will get back at it on Friday 🏀 Excited to get back at it soon! 👩💻 #WNBA
The 2026 Phoenix Mercury so far: - not only one but two historical blowout losses—one at home to Minnesota on June 1 (34 points) & one on the road to Las Vegas Aces on July 11 (48 points). - there's inconsistencies on both ends of the court - Kristi Toliver is 1-0 as acting head coach #WNBA
Every time I see Diana Taurasi on #WNBA League Pass, I have a sense of nostalgia, especially having grown up seeing her greatness and interviewing her. I can't wait to see her getting her jersey number retired and inducted into the Mercury's Ring of Honor 🐐
The Phoenix Mercury against the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday: - shot 34.8 percent from the field - had 18 of their turnovers turned into 24 points scored - lost the rebounding battle (47-29) & assists (31-14). - got outscored in points in the paint (42-28) #WNBA
When California natives Minyon Moore and Sammy Doucette took over head coaching duties at Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton, respectively, they were in familiar territory. Our David Yapkowitz on the new head coaches prepping for Year 1 in the Big West.
Minyon Moore, Sammy Doucette ready to lead in Big West | The IX Basketball
Minyon Moore and Sammy Doucette hit the ground running as they continue to get acclimated as new Big West coaches.
theixsports.com
Three weeks ahead of the trade deadline, which the Sparks could be significant players in, the franchise has "parted ways" with GM Raegan Pebley. www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
L.A. Sparks part with general manager Raegan Pebley
The Sparks were 39-66 under Pebley.
nytimes.com
