Napheesa Collier, Lynx cap all-time comeback. Plus, welcome to NBA Tankapalooza 2025!

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WNBA Finals

Lynx storm again to take Sport 1

I’ll admit it: When the Liberty hit a 3-pointer to go up 81-66 with 5:20 left within the fourth final evening, I threw Sport 1 of the WNBA Finals to the backburner (my iPad) and switched the TV to “Thursday Evening Soccer.” Minnesota had already been down 18 within the first half earlier than bringing it inside two factors within the third quarter. The group simply seemed to be out of vitality or momentum.

Then, the Lynx hit a pair 3-pointers to make it a single-digit recreation and utterly shut off the Liberty’s water. Minnesota went on an 18-2 run, capped off by a four-point play by Courtney Williams to take an 84-83 lead with 5.1 seconds left.

Then, after a blown out-of-bounds name that ought to have given the Lynx possession, the Liberty finally received the ball to Breanna Stewart, who received fouled with 0.8 seconds left. She cut up the free throws earlier than Sport 1 went to extra time. There was additionally a blown name that went the Lynx’s approach when Williams was blocked and the ball went off of her, so the poor officiating no less than evened out.

Napheesa Collier knocked down the go-ahead shot with 8.1 seconds left in extra time. Then, Stewart had the chance to tie the sport and ship it to a second extra time after being clamped up by Collier all recreation. However she hit nothing however backboard on a layup try as time expired, and the Lynx stole Sport 1 with a 95-93 victory. Minnesota’s 18-point comeback ties the most important in WNBA Finals historical past.

One other have a look at Napheesa Collier’s recreation winner in #phantomcam 🎥

The @minnesotalynx take Sport 1 towards the Liberty 95-93#WNBAFinals offered by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/rjk9Pfsw4h

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

Sport 1 went like this ⬇️

The @minnesotalynx 18-PT comeback ties the most important comeback in WNBA finals historical past

They tied the Liberty, who got here again towards the Comets to win 68-67 in Sport 2 of the 1999 finals#WNBAFinals offered by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/4855Eh5VWd

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

What was the distinction for the Lynx? It’s the protection. They received obliterated within the first quarter in nearly each approach. However when Minnesota wanted to make a run, it received deflections, blocks and loads of performs to frustrate New York.

What do the Liberty want to alter for Sport 2? They’ve to attain contained in the 3-point arc. New York managed simply 36 factors within the paint and made 36.8 % of its two-point makes an attempt.

Who must step up for the Liberty? Sabrina Ionescu. She hit some massive pictures however went simply 8 of 26 from the sector on her approach to 19 factors.

How ought to the Lynx modify for Sport 2? They’ve to finish possessions on the defensive boards. The Liberty grabbed 20 offensive rebounds.

When is Sport 2? Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC from Barclays Middle in Brooklyn. Get pleasure from!

When it comes all the way down to it, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride are one chilly duo 🤝

McBride: 22 PTS, 2 REB, 4 ASTCollier: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 6 BLK #WNBAFinals offered by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/oPNMxWltvP

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

Tanks A Lot!

Good 2025 draft class means tanking is again

It occurs typically: Groups which can be down on their luck or simply caught in impartial see a prospect on the horizon and begin placing out their worst doable product on the ground. They’re keen to lose video games if it means getting their subsequent celebrity. A number of franchises simply did it two seasons in the past with Victor Wembanyama because the historic prize. No one actually did it final season as a result of … nicely … have a look at the draft class.

However as John Hollinger famous this week, the 12 months of the Tank is again. The 2025 class is loaded with potential stars, and also you don’t need to do quite a lot of psychological gymnastics to image them as saviors of your franchise. This class is the true deal. Earlier than we get into which groups ought to/could possibly be tanking, these are the 5 gamers atop Sam Vecenie’s newest 2025 mock draft:

Cooper Flagg | Ahead | 6’8 | Duke: You recognize about this man. He’s presently the highest prospect within the 2025 class. He balled out for the USA Basketball Choose Staff to get the Olympic squad prepared for Paris. He’s producing freak spotlight after freak spotlight. Flagg might be an awesome defender nearly instantly.

Ace Bailey | Wing | 6’7 | Rutgers: That is the opposite man extra folks will begin speaking about quickly. He’s additionally within the working with Flagg as the highest prospect within the class, and he would possibly find yourself being outright higher. Bailey is an elite shot creator however must channel that into higher-quality pictures. He’s unreal, although.

Dylan Harper | Guard | 6’5 | Rutgers: He could also be within the shadow of his Rutgers teammate (yep, Rutgers), however Harper is a improbable level guard prospect. He isn’t a loopy athlete, however he’s extraordinarily polished together with his footwork and expertise with the ball.

V.J. Edgecombe | Guard | 6’3 | Baylor: Edgecombe is an absurd athlete. His bounce is ridiculous, and he can put put you in a spotlight within the blink of a watch. There may be a lot to harness there by means of improvement.

Nolan Traoré | Guard | 6’3 | France: Traoré is extra of a undertaking than the opposite 4. Nevertheless, his time taking part in professionally and on the nationwide degree in France ought to assist him so much. If he knocks down the jumper persistently, he’ll be a star.

We all know the why — now we have to know who’s or must be tanking. Possibly you assume that isn’t very sportsmanlike to take action. Within the family-friendly model of Marsellus Wallace’s poignant phrases, “That’s pleasure bleeping with you.” Listed below are my 2024-25 Tankapalooza candidates:

Washington Wizards: You would not have a franchise man. Alex Sarr would possibly be one thing. Bilal Coulibaly could possibly be actually good. You want a star, although.

Portland Path Blazers: Even if you happen to nonetheless imagine in Scoot Henderson, he’ll want loads of assist. At the very least three of those guys must be higher than Henderson, even when he reaches his potential.

Utah Jazz: You retain dipping your toes into the waters of tanking when the pool social gathering is about to finish. Dive in! You possibly can’t maintain lacking out on guys since you wish to win 30 video games.

Chicago Bulls: You would not have shut to a franchise man, and historical past has confirmed you require future to fall instantly into your palms. Or you’ll screw it up.

Toronto Raptors: You tanked final 12 months and nonetheless didn’t find yourself along with your first-round decide. Attempt it once more.

Brooklyn Nets: Or perhaps Ben Simmons is again to All-Star mode and also you’re good?

Charlotte Hornets: I’m happy with your new regime and hopeful it is aware of what it’s doing. With that mentioned, there’s not practically sufficient expertise on this roster.

Detroit Pistons: Likelihood is you’re simply going to finish up with the fifth decide if you happen to do. However hey, there are 5 guys on this draft! (I don’t imply burgers.)

Going As soon as …

Drop some money on Michael Jordan memorabilia

Two objects that caught my eye when studying about “Colossal: The Final Jordan Assortment” being auctioned off by Sotheby’s from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4. Neither of these things is more likely to break the $10 million Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Sport 1 jersey introduced in throughout a 2022 public sale. However to me, they’re value much more if you issue of their basketball lore.

The primary merchandise is the game-worn jersey from the 1996-97 season. It was utilized in 17 video games, in line with Sotheby’s.

All of us have one second from a kind of video games seared into our brains. That jersey was worn by MJ when then-rookie Allen Iverson crossed him over and buried the leap shot in his mug. Listening to Iverson discuss Jordan on the Corridor of Fame ceremony is at all times a must-watch. Sotheby’s has this valued between $4 million and $6 million. To be sincere, I really like Mike, however I gained’t bid greater than $2.5 million for it.

The second merchandise is the merchandise to me: the American flag Jordan draped over his shoulders throughout the medal ceremony in Barcelona on the 1992 Olympics.

Why did Jordan drape that flag over himself? Patriotism? Celebration of profitable the gold medal? The Staff USA jackets have been Reebok jackets, and we all know MJ is eternally a Nike man, so he wasn’t about to let Reebok have some free Jordan promoting energy. The flag was additionally signed by the Dream Staff, however regardless, that pettiness and shrewdness on the subject of product placement needs to be nearly priceless.

I in all probability wouldn’t go into eight figures to safe that, however you by no means know. I as soon as spent $78 on a Moochie Norris bobblehead after I’d solely budgeted $30 to win the eBay public sale.

Three different MJ objects I’d like to see auctioned off sooner or later:

A Michael’s Secret Stuff bottle. Although the film “House Jam” is really atrocious if you rewatch it as an grownup, that bottle would look superior on my bookshelf.
His dunk contest gold chain. This man flew from the free-throw line with that gold chain flapping within the airstream.
His Chicago mansion. It’s apparently been offered after being listed within the $14.8 million to $29 million vary. Had it gone to public sale, I wouldn’t have gone over $11 million.