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Zena, Ben, and Sabreena take a dive deep into the highly anticipated Game 5 semifinals match-up between the Aces and Fever. Will A’ja Wilson bring her A-game? What adjustments will the Aces make? And how can the Fever pull off the ultimate upset? Then, the crew share their thoughts on the emotional end to the Lynx’s season – and the Mercury’s ascendance to the Finals. Next, following Cheryl Reeve’s suspension after the Mercury-Lynx Game 3 on Friday night, Zena, Ben, and Sabreena talk about the play in question between Alyssa Thomas and Napheesa Collier – before getting into the intricacies behind freedom of movement in the WNBA and the implications of officiating decisions as teams continue to navigate the playoffs. Finally, The Athletic’s Sports Betting Editor, Hannah Vanbiber joins Zena and Ben to discuss the basics of sports betting – from money lines to point spreads and totals – before entertaining some made-up WNBA prop bets. REFERENCES: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6671283/2025/09/28/indiana-fever-wnba-semifinals-las-vegas-aces/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6671975/2025/09/29/indiana-fever-wnba-semifinals-injuries/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6672230/2025/09/28/minnesota-lynx-wnba-playoffs-elimination/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6672537/2025/09/29/minnesota-lynx-wnba-semifinals-loss/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6674695/2025/09/29/lynx-cheryl-reeve-fine-suspension-stephanie-white-becky-hammon-wnba-playoffs/ 00:00 Intro 00:58 USC star JuJu Watkins is officially out for the 2025-26 season 02:39 Fever stay alive to force a Game 5 4:35 Stephanie White continues to make the necessary adjustments 7:12 What will Becky Hammon do with her rotations in Game 5? 13:10 How the Mercury turned Game 4 in their favor 17:18 A look at the Mercury’s successful roster rebuild 24:22 Has the window closed for the Lynx’s for a potential title in the near future? 27:45 WNBA Officiating under review 28:44 Play-by-play analysis of AT / Phee moment 34:00 What does freedom of movement mean in the WNBA? 35:13 Comparing officiating standards across leagues 37:38 Transparency issues in WNBA officiating 44:57 What money lines and over/under mean in betting 47:14 Understanding WNBA Finals futures 50:41 Prop bets explained Thumbnail: David Becker, Ian Maule via Getty Images #wnbaplayoffs #semifinal #caitlinclark Follow and listen to the audio podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-offseason-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/id1699815468 Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com. You can also find us on socials: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/?guccounter=1 Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm7txmok7cpMB3YlgkwrT2E0 Shorts Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm72uhBjsd24rsh5teZtgUpS

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones check in on the now-streaking Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a pair of blow-out wins against potential Western Conference contenders. From Shai's process against traps to OKC's effective game plan against Victor Wembanyama (on both ends), the guys break down what they've liked and what they're keeping an eye on.

Stephen A. Smith believes Aces coach Becky Hammon "deserves" an opportunity to be a head coach in the NBA.

PHOENIX — For a while, Becky Hammon grew used to being overlooked. Not recruited by the biggest college programs, undrafted by the WNBA and perpetually passed over by NBA teams looking for head coaches. It ate at her. Hammon is hypercompetitive, the product of a household that made everything into a game. Nothing was fun unless you were keeping score. “No one ever picks me,” Hammon said during her first season in Las Vegas. The Aces, however, did. They moved on from head coach Bill Laimbeer, who

The Las Vegas Aces dynasty is here, and at the helm is A'ja Wilson, the league’s first four-time MVP by winning all in a six-year span.

LAS VEGAS — Before every game, Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts remembers his late father, Fred. During starting lineup announcements, Tibbetts thinks about telling his dad how he hopes Phoenix’s 3-pointers will fall, about the importance of defending at a high level and the hope for his dad to look out for them in the ensuing 40 minutes. Fred died of colon cancer in 2008. But Tibbetts said he still feels his dad’s strength. Tibbetts knows he wouldn’t be where he is — coaching in the WNBA Fin

A quick glimpse at Becky Hammon, the Hall of Fame player turned dynasty-building coach.

Aces' head coach makes news just before the team tips off the season.

Becky Hammon shares emotional truth about being a working mom.