Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
LSU's Flau'jae Johnson Reacts to Kim Mulkey's Appearance on Sunday
James Snook-Imagn Images

The WNBA's Washington Mystics took on the Dallas Wings on Sunday, clinching their sixth win of the season with a narrow 91-88 overtime victory on home court at CareFirst Arena.

However, the game took an unexpected turn off the court when LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey was spotted courtside in attire noticeably more understated than her signature sequined ensembles. 

The Mystics shared a snapshot of Mulkey in a casual blazer and jeans on X, prompting a response from LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson, who said, "Don’t worry yall im bout to start styling her I can’t take it no more. She too rich for this !!"

Johnson burst onto the national scene as LSU’s starting guard in 2022-23, averaging 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to the Tigers’ 2023 NCAA championship and earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors. 

She built on that promise in her sophomore year, improving her scoring to 14.9 points per game and securing Second-Team All-SEC recognition. 

This past season, Johnson elevated her game even further, starting all 34 contests, averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per outing, and receiving First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American nods. 

On the other side you have Mulkey, whose coaching resume is unparalleled. 

She's the only person in NCAA women’s basketball history to win a national championship as a player (Louisiana Tech, 1982), assistant coach (Louisiana Tech, 1988) and head coach (Baylor in 2005, 2012, 2019; LSU in 2023). 

A 1984 Olympic gold medalist, three-time AP College Basketball Coach of the Year award winner and Hall-of-Famer (Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 2000; Naismith Hall 2020), Mulkey arrived in Baton Rouge in 2021. 

Known as much for her courtside couture (sequins, feathers, and bold prints) as for her fiery competitiveness, Mulkey’s wardrobe has become a cultural talking point in its own right.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Maple Leafs make six roster cuts with two notable surprises
NHL

Maple Leafs make six roster cuts with two notable surprises

The Toronto Maple Leafs have already begun their training camp prior to the start of the 2025-26 NHL season. Although no further trade moves have been announced, the Leafs have made changes to their roster and have officially sent back six prospects to their junior teams. Specifically, the players leaving camp are as follows. Two surprising moves by the Maple Leafs Perhaps the most surprising cases are those of Tyler Hopkins and Matthew Hlacar. Hopkins, 18, even received the opportunity to be promoted to Group 2 at camp recently, where he shared the ice with top prospects like Easton Cowan, plus John Tavares and William Nylander. On the other hand, Hlacar, 19, was also one of the forwards who performed best during the rookie camp, following a season of seven goals and one assist for eight points in 43 games in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers. That said, although it is surprising due to their performances, it also makes sense considering that the OHL season began this weekend. If they were not going to be considered sufficiently by Craig Berube, the best thing for these players is to get into rhythm with their junior teams and continue preparing to make the jump to the highest level in the coming years. The two prospects were drafted just this year. Hopkins was selected 86th overall by Toronto, while Hlacar was drafted by the Leafs in the seventh round. Both hope to break into the main roster sooner rather than later.

Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons see another Dallas Cowboys offensive starter ruled out for Week 4
NFL

Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons see another Dallas Cowboys offensive starter ruled out for Week 4

The Green Bay Packers are coming off of a frustrating and humiliating loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Going into the game, many expected Green Bay to win easily, but they fell 13-10 in what was one of the worst games in Matt LaFleur‘s tenure as head coach. It was, by far, the offense’s worst game of the season, and the special teams was its usual disappointing self. The Packers defense, though, performed admirably once again, allowing 13 points on short fields. Rashan Gary had two sacks, giving him an NFL-leading 4.5 on the season. Micah Parsons, as has been his norm since arriving in Green Bay, was a wrecking ball, drawing double-teams and penalties while still generating pressure on the quarterback. And as the Packers look to get back to their winning ways, they look ahead to Week Four and a Sunday night showdown with Parsons’ former team, the Dallas Cowboys, who will be without multiple key offensive players. Micah Parsons the Green Bay Packers defense will face a depleted Dallas Cowboys offensive line It is yet to be seen what the Packers offensive line will look like when they play Dallas this upcoming Sunday night. Zach Tom only played one snap against Cleveland before leaving with his oblique injury and Aaron Banks left later in the game with a groin issue. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s depth on the offensive line was not good enough to overcome the formidable Browns defensive front, who made life miserable for Jordan Love all game long. But this Sunday, the Packers will not be the only team taking the field in Dallas with injuries on the offensive line. The Cowboys, too, will be without two of their own starters after rookie Tyler Booker was revealed to have suffered a high ankle sprain: Booker suffered a high ankle sprain to Dallas’ blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. While he finished the game, he is going to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. Additionally, the Packers will not have to worry about All-Pro Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who will also be out for multiple weeks with an ankle sprain. Much has been said lately of Parsons returning to Dallas for the first time since the trade. And, given how beleaguered the Cowboys offensive line is, he could be in for a big game.

Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition
NHL

Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition

The New York Rangers are preparing to start a transitional season, following the arrival of new head coach Mike Sullivan and some important adjustments to the squad. Among the players facing a decisive season is Brennan Othmann, a left winger who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft. Othmann, 22, is entering his third and final year of his contract with the Rangers, but his expiring deal is not the only reason why he will have to prove himself this season. The Canadian has had difficulties meeting the high expectations around him and although he may no longer have time to establish himself as a top-six forward, this is the best time to establish himself in a lower role. Othmann's clock is ticking as competition for roster spot grows Last season, he only recorded two assists in 22 games with the Rangers, but tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 27 games with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. In any case, now Othmann is facing heavier competition within the squad. Both Gabe Perreault and Carey Terrance have left good impressions during preseason camps, and with both having multiple years left on their contracts, the possibility that Othmann's days on the team are numbered increases. That said, the New York team needs depth, especially in the bottom-six, and Othmann must react and respond. He has the necessary grit and physicality, and if he manages to establish himself there, he could become a solid player within the bottom lineups.

Rival Teams 'Upset' With Dodgers Due to Shohei Ohtani Rule
MLB

Rival Teams 'Upset' With Dodgers Due to Shohei Ohtani Rule

However the Dodgers decide to use star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in the postseason, the generational talent gives LA a massive advantage. Because of a unique rule that applies only to players as unique as Ohtani, the Dodgers could turn their superstar into an even bigger advantage. Every team in MLB is limited to a maximum playoff roster of 26 players, with no more than 13 spots reserved for pitchers. Ohtani will be able to enter the postseason as a designated hitter and will not take up one of the 13 spots as a pitcher despite the Dodgers planning on utilizing Ohtani as a starting pitcher. "Teams are upset that the Dodgers will have one more pitcher than everyone else on their roster since there’s a special exemption for Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote. "If Ohtani is a starting pitcher, he can remain in the game as a DH once he’s replaced on the mound. But if he starts the game as a DH and pitches out of the bullpen, the Dodgers would lose the DH once his relief appearance is over. The only way Ohtani could stay in the game would be moving to the outfield, where he hasn’t played since 2021." Ohtani has expressed his willingness to play in the outfield if it means giving the Dodgers a roster advantage in the postseason. However, it is likely, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, that Ohtani will not be making a surprise appearance in the outfield. One factor that will be at play with Ohtani's ability to contrtibute as a starting pitcher will be his longevity. After recovering from a torn UCL in the 2023 season and serving as a designated hitter exclusively in 2024, Ohtani returned to the mound in 2025. While Ohtani has performed well with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP, he hasn't pitched more than five innings in a single start. Ohtani's limited use is a strategy by the Dodgers to save their superstar's arm for the big moments that are offered in October. Ohtani has one more scheduled start for the regular season when the Dodgers travel to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Latest Dodgers News

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!