Didn’t really want to have to do this one, but hopefully it’s as cathartic to read as it was to write

Mitchell Hansen@hansen13.bsky.social · 6d ago

A great deep dive here from @kennethward30.bsky.social looking at what’s next for the Minnesota Lynx after a strong season but disappointing playoff exit. Read more at @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social ⤵️

I promise this is the only playoff preview you’ll find that opens with a Sheryl Crow quote. 

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 2w ago

The WNBA Playoffs begin Sunday, with the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx taking on a familiar opponent, the No. 8 New York Liberty, to open up postseason play. Kenneth Ward breaks down the series, provides what to keep an eye on, and predicts what will take place! ⤵️

My latest for @theixsports.bsky.social on next steps for Morgan Tuck and the Houston Comets

The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 2w ago

The Connecticut Sun’s final night at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday was obviously about endings. For general manager Morgan Tuck, though, the next chapter in Houston sounds much more like a continuation. ✍️ @kennethward30.bsky.social

Cynthia Cooper on who she’s picking for her 3x3 team

Cynthia Cooper on her excitement in bringing women’s basketball back to Houston and how she’d fare if Unrivaled was around back in her day

Cynthia Cooper behind the bar tonight to celebrate Unrivaled coming Houston in February 2027

Wrote up a quick piece on the Aari McDonald signing since Cheryl apparently takes Labor Day literally

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · last mo.

The Lynx announced Monday they signed veteran guard Aari McDonald, waiving rookie Eliška Joklová as a result. @kennethward30.bsky.social looks at the low-risk, high-reward addition and, if healthy, what McDonald could bring to the league-leading Lynx ⤵️ hittingthehardwood.com/lynx-take-lo...

If you spent the last couple of days reading tributes to Dolly and thought “why isn’t there any Minnesota Lynx content in here”, this one’s for you

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · last mo.

It's not too often you connect someone like Dolly Parton to the Minnesota Lynx, but here we are... In celebration of Dolly’s legendary life and seemingly endless catalog of songs, Kenneth Ward presents to you the Minnesota Lynx, according to Dolly 🩷🏀

It might be a good time to re-up this story... Kayla McBride, y'all. @kennethward30.bsky.social hittingthehardwood.com/minnesota-ly...

Kayla McBride Refuses to Age - Hitting the Hardwood

At some point, Kayla McBride is supposed to begin looking and playing like a 34-year-old. Yet, she’s still out there playing some of the best basketball of her life.

hittingthehardwood.com

If you want a little focus on the future instead of dwelling on last night’s terrible defensive performance from “every player at every position”, come check out my piece on how the upcoming World Cup break may affect the Lynx

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 2mo ago

With the WNBA World Cup Break nearing, the two-plus-week pause in action could make for a potential burden and potential opportunity at the same time for the Lynx. Kenneth Ward explains why and dives into which players are in line to play in the World Cup ⤵️

Houston went 7-23 last year, but this new-look team is feeling confident in what they're building. @kennethward30.bsky.social on the team's optimism and big aspirations: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell and Houston believe they're ready to take a run at a Big 12 title | The IX Basketball After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell and Houston believe they're ready to t...

After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell rebuilt Houston’s roster around players who bought into his vision and already believe a Big 12 championship is within reach.

theixsports.com

Check out my latest for @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social on the ageless Kayla McBride

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 3mo ago

At some point, Kayla McBride is supposed to begin looking and playing like a 34-year-old. Yet, she’s out there playing some of the best basketball of her life 🪣 @kennethward30.bsky.social looks at KMac's year and why she's showing no sign of of slowing down ⤵️ hittingthehardwood.com/minnesota-ly...

This was a lot of fun to research and write. Exciting things happening in Houston

The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Houston went 7-23 last year, but this new-look team is feeling confident in what they're building. @kennethward30.bsky.social on the team's optimism and big aspirations: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

My latest piece for @theixsports.bsky.social, a deep dive into the excitement around Matthew Mitchell’s revamped UH WBB roster

After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell and Houston believe they're ready to take a run at a Big 12 title | The IX Basketball After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell and Houston believe they're ready to t...

After a 7-23 season, Matthew Mitchell rebuilt Houston’s roster around players who bought into his vision and already believe a Big 12 championship is within reach.

theixsports.com

Hi friends! Just a reminder: we still have some room left for our "Subscribers Help Me Pick The All Stars" #WNBA Zoom event tonight, June 22 at 7 PM ET! Open to all our paid subscribers @theixsports.bsky.social. Not too late to become paid and get your Zoom link! www.theixsports.com/subscribe/

Subscribe | The IX Sports

Coverage that shows up Go deeper with women’s sports — and follow the story all season long. The IX delivers authoritative, in-depth reporting across women’s sports, with the context and follow-throug...

theixsports.com

This was a fun one to write. Lynx fans, feel free to chime in on where I got it wrong

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The strong start to the Minnesota Lynx does raise an interesting question: Where would a successful 2026 rank among Cheryl Reeve's best work? Kenneth Ward takes a look back at some of the best coaching years of Reeve's coaching career ⤵️

Lynx rookie Olivia Miles’ growth is tied to her growing relationship with assistant coach and Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen. @terryhorstman.bsky.social has more on the unique relationship between the two point guards.

Olivia Miles and Lindsay Whalen: Two point guards in a pod | The IX Basketball

Olivia Miles and her budding relationship with hall of fame point guard Lindsay Whalen is already in full bloom for the Minnesota Lynx.

theixsports.com

The Lynx keep passing every test thrown their way. Despite a revamped roster and early-season questions, MN continues to pass the eye test with flying colors with some impressive signature wins early on. @terryhorstman.bsky.social has more on the Lynx start ⤵️ hittingthehardwood.com/lynx-continu...

Lynx Continue to Pass 'Eye-Test' with Flying Colors - Hitting the Hardwood

What even is a signature win anymore? Whatever it is, the Lynx have a few of them

hittingthehardwood.com

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝! Ward joins HTH to primarily focus on the Lynx, currently covering the WNBA and college basketball for @theixsports.bsky.social. Give @kennethward30.bsky.social a follow and find his work — and his first story! — at hittingthehardwood.com/lynx

Excited to be here @hansen13.bsky.social. Lots of fun stuff coming from @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social

Mitchell Hansen@hansen13.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Excited to have @kennethward30.bsky.social contributing at @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social to provide additional Lynx content! Enjoyed his first piece looking at how the start of the season has put some of the offseason panic to rest. More (and more work from other contributors 👀) coming soon!

Come check out my debut for @hittingthehardwood.bsky.social

Hitting the Hardwood@hittingthehardwood.bsky.social · 5mo ago

A lot of the panic from the Lynx's offseason came from focusing on names instead of evaluating fit. But now that the games have started, the vision behind those moves is becoming easier to see. Kenneth Ward has more in his debut as a HTH contributor! ⤵️

Our Basketball Insider @howardmegdal.bsky.social writes about how Rickea Jackson changes the outlook for the Chicago Sky. Plus links from around the #WNBA media and more www.theixsports.com/newsletter/r...

Rickea Jackson injury changes the Chicago Sky's trajectory | The IX Sports

In this week's Basketball Insider, Howard Megdal breaks down how upstart wing Rickea Jackson's season-ending injury changes Chicago's path.

theixsports.com

Happy Friday! Today's episode of Women's Sports Daily with @stephaniekaloi.bsky.social looks at the Connecticut Sun's move to Texas ahead of the 2027 #WNBA season. Plus, find out where the newest #PWHL teams will be. 🏀🏒

My first piece as Houston Comets beat reporter for @theixsports.bsky.social is live

The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 5mo ago

The Houston Comets are officially back following the Board of Governors' approval of the Connecticut Sun's sale and relocation. @kennethward30.bsky.social details what's next for the team, as explained in its introductory press conference Thursday. #WNBA

The Connecticut Sun just played their last preseason game ever. What was the vibe? www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

A new beginning is on the horizon for the Connecticut Sun | The IX Basketball

Despite the 67-79 loss, their performance gave a glimpse at just how young, fun and gritty the team can be this season.

theixsports.com