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PHOENIX- The Phoenix Mercury roster underwent several changes during the offseason, losing Natasha Cloud and Brittney Griner in trades and seeing Diana Taurasi retire. Still, the team remains optimistic about the upcoming season.
Alyssa Thomas is one of the Mercury’s key additions after a trade with the Connecticut Sun. During her introductory news conference, she expressed excitement and shared her thoughts on the team’s strengths.
“Defensively, I think we’re so versatile… we can get after it and guard people in a lot of different ways. And offensively, I mean, the floor is going to be so spaced… It’s going to be a lot of fun just to be able to push tempo and be surrounded by so many great players [and] so many great shooters,” Thomas said.
Defensive versatility, shooters, fast tempo, the sky is the limit!
defensive versatility, shooters, fast tempo, the sky is the limit
pic.twitter.com/5yx2SSafv5
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) March 16, 2025
The Mercury have a storied history, winning three championships with Taurasi. In the 2024 season, they finished 19-21, placing fourth in their conference. Now, with new additions and losses, can they go the distance?
According to Thomas, the answer is yes.
“I really think the sky is the limit for us. And I hope people aren’t underestimating us because, I mean, we are going to be a really tough team to beat,” she said.
More must-reads:
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- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
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Dallas Wings Waive Grace Berger Following Debut Against Seattle Storm
The Dallas Wings have waived guard Grace Berger. The move comes just one day after Berger made her Wings debut in Tuesday’s 87–63 win over the Seattle Storm. Signed to a seven-day hardship contract on July 17, Berger logged four rebounds, two assists, and one block in 10 minutes off the bench in Seattle. Her appearance marked her first WNBA game since playing for the Indiana Fever earlier this season. Before suiting up for Dallas, Berger expressed optimism about the opportunity. “I think they’re an up-and-coming team,” Berger told DallasHoopsJournal.com before the All-Star break. “There are a lot of young players mixed with some good vets that I’ve been watching and playing against for a couple of years. I’m excited to be on their team and learn from them—people like Arike [Ogunbowale], obviously, there’s a lot to learn from her.” Though her time with Dallas was brief, Berger brought a poised presence to the floor and contributed during key second-quarter minutes when the Wings were climbing out of an early deficit. Berger, Indiana’s former No. 7 overall pick in 2023, remains a candidate for future hardship or reserve opportunities around the league. In 28 career WNBA games, she has averaged 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per contest. Dallas (7–17) returns to action Friday night against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. CT on ION.
Maple Leafs continue to play moneyball: Three big names in play
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
J.J. McCarthy kicks off Minnesota Vikings training camp with explosive highlight bomb that shows how much he's improved
The Minnesota Vikings have their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy and it didn't take him long to make an impact. During the first practice when they went into team drills, McCarthy fired up a 60-yard bomb to wide receiver Jordan Addison and hit him in stride. This is the first of many highlights that Vikings fans will be expecting to see over the course of the entire season. With major weapons on the outside in Addison, Justin Jefferson, and T.J. Hockenson paired with Kevin O'Connell's offense, it should become commonplace. One of the biggest things that concerned me when the Vikings selected McCarthy was his deep ball. It was far from consistent with some issues in both accuracy and the ball dying in the air. Some of that was due to his mechanics, which seem to have been improved considerably. Over the course of last offseason, the Vikings made a conscious effort to improve his mechanics and it all looks good so far. The biggest issue was how much McCarthy kicked out his right leg on his follow through. It's significantly more under control now, and it looks to be making an impact. My scouting report from when McCarthy came out highlights just that. Deep accuracy isn't consistent for McCarthy. Too often the ball either dies on him or it's poorly placed. Did have the second-highest completion percentage over 20 yards, but throws of 40+ yards are where the issue lies. He is lethal in the 10-30 yard range The intermediate game is where things are going to be massively impactful. McCarthy is lethal in that range, including how head coach Kevin O'Connell likes to run his offense. The amount of in-breaking routes he loves to call suits McCarthy to a T. Will this translate to the game? There's no reason to believe it won't be. For now, just be excited about what could be.
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