Leaving a W-shaped hole in our hearts
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
They are the champions!
Toss some confetti for the 2024 WNBA title-winning NY Liberty, who won their first-ever franchise championship last night. Let’s jump right in and start spreading the news.
— ESPN reporter and living legend Holly Rowe, sharing nothing but the truth after last night’s thrilling Game 5 conclusion to the positively wild WNBA Finals. Smiling because it happened and crying because it’s over.
WNBA Finals
🏀 Big lights will inspire you
The GIST: As you read, the No. 1 NY Liberty are finally WNBA champions, topping the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx 67–62 in overtime (OT) last night to win the franchise’s first-ever title, a feat 28 seasons in the making. You know what they say: sixth time’s the charm.
Liberty overcome early deficit to claim the crown: After trailing by as many as 12 following a frenzied first half, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello shook things up, sending out a lineup that had never played together — and it worked.
- 2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones (17 points) held steady, while Nyara Sabally contributed 13 points off the bench, making up for lackluster scoring nights from superteam stalwarts Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
- Overall, this was a physical, back-and-forth battle that wasn’t without controversy. The Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (22 points, seven rebounds) and Kayla McBride (21 points) kept Minnesota in the game, but in the end, Minnesota’s six OT turnovers cost them the ’ship.
- Until last night, the Libs were the only original WNBA franchise still in existence without a title, hence the storied superteam overhaul that began in 2023. Two seasons of chemistry-building later, NY has added its name to hoops history. Swish swish.
Zooming out: The W welcomed countless new fans during this record-after-record-breaking season, partially due to the hype around the incredible rookie class. But in the end, it was the league’s established superstars, like Collier, Stewart, and Ionescu, who made this five-game series must-watch tv, setting (and breaking) multiple viewership records from start to finish.
- And the season may be officially over, but don’t expect these hoopers to stay out of the headlines for long.
- The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (the players union) has until November 1st to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, and with the W more popular than ever, it’s widely expected that the players will head to the negotiating table. Cha-ching.
Question of the Day
With the WNBA season sadly over, which playoff race will keep you glued to your screen in the weeks ahead?
MLB Playoffs
⚾ It’s been 84 43 years
The GIST: After 20 days of heart-stopping playoff action, the World Series (WS) is officially set, with the superstar-powered LA Dodgers and NY Yankees gearing up for their first Fall Classic clash since 1981. Here’s how the two storied franchises got the job done.
The LA Dodgers eliminate the NY Mets in six games to claim National League (NL) pennant: Behind a steely effort from LA’s bullpen and timely swings from the NLCS MVP, shortstop Tommy Edman, the Dodgers are your NL champs for the 25th time in franchise history after last night’s 10–5 Game 6 dub over the plucky Mets.
- The Kings of Queens put up a good fight all postseason long but simply ran out of gas against LA sluggers Edman, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts. Thanks for the memories, Grimace.
Juan Soto’s dramatic home run sends NY Yankees to World Series for first time in 15 years: Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo “ALCS MVP” Stanton’s game-tying sixth-inning blast and NY’s lights out bullpen set the stage for Soto’s three-run homer in the 10th inning of Saturday’s 5–2 series-clinching Game 5 victory over the gritty Cleveland Guardians.
- Cleveland boasted one of the best pitching staffs throughout the regular season, but the Bronx Bombers lived up to their name, with Soto, Stanton, and captain Aaron Judge combining for nine home runs in the series. Partying like it’s 2009.
Dodgers and Yankees renew rivalry with star-powered lineups: Up next, a WS matchup for the ages. Before the Dodgers relocated to LA in 1958, “Dem Bums” called Brooklyn home, igniting a feud with the Boys in the Bronx.
- Forty-three years later, a new generation of stars in Ohtani and Betts (LA) and Soto and Judge (NY) will take center stage for their 12th all-time championship showdown. Lights, camera, action — the Fall Classic starts from Hollywood on Friday.
🏈 Kansas City Chiefs stay undefeated, Cleveland Browns quarterback (QB) Deshaun Watson injured in Week 7
Kansas City overcame two interceptions from QB Patrick Mahomes to improve to 6-0, topping the San Francisco 49ers 21–12 yesterday in a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. The same can’t be said for the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings, who lost 31–29 to their forever foe, the Detroit Lions, and dropped to second in the divisional standings. Oof.
- Elsewhere, despite tallying zero, zilch, nada games with over 200 passing yards, posting six losses, and facing another sexual assault allegation, it was a season-ending Achilles injury that spelled the end of Watson’s 2024 campaign. Boy, bye.
🏎️ Ferrari earns surprise one-two finish at United States Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc took home his third first-place finish of the season, outpacing his teammate Carlos Sainz, who came in second. Ferrari dominated from the moment the lights went out, but there was drama aplenty in Austin: McLaren’s Lando Norris lost the final podium spot after being penalized for a late overtake on his title rival, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
- Thanks to the penalty, Verstappen finished in third, extending his World Driver’s Championship lead with only five race weekends left on the schedule. Drive, survive, thrive.
⚽ Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga, MLS’ Inter Miami FC make league history
The NWSL’s final postseason spot is still TBD, but the league’s Golden Boot is nearly locked down after Chawinga became the first player in league history to reach the 20-goal mark yesterday. Not to mention, she did it in dominant fashion, becoming the only player to find the back of the net against every team in the league. Sheesh.
- That wasn’t the only footy record broken this weekend: Led by a hat trick from who else but Lionel Messi, Inter Miami FC set the MLS record for most points in a season (74) with Saturday’s 6–2 season finale rout of the New England Revolution.
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Recs from our roster!
📺 Who to watch
Ilona Maher on Royal Court. The USA rugby Olympic medalist takes a hilarious break from the Dancing with the Stars ballroom to join Brittany Broski’s show. Laughs guaranteed.
🏀 Who to know
The Basketdolls, an NYC–based trans basketball league. Rain or shine, they’re creating community through hoops. Love to see it.
👕 What to cop
A limited edition t-shirt from our “Bet on Women” collection. Tomorrow’s the last day to pre-order, so lock in your tee now.
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