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On Episode 14 of Real Basketball Talk, No Hot Takes, Daniel recaps Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97–71 at State Farm Arena and led from start to finish. Angel Reese was again the best player on the floor, with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals on 7-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three. She's opened her Finals career with three straight double-doubles and is only the second player after A'ja Wilson to post 20-and-10 in consecutive Finals games. Rhyne Howard added 16 points and 5 steals. She's the first player to record five or more steals in consecutive Finals games. Atlanta's depth also made the difference: Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon and the bench all contributed, and five players scored in double figures. On the other side, Golden State shot 34% from the field. Atlanta outscored them 44–20 in the paint and turned 17 turnovers into 22 points. Daniel looks at the Valkyries' need for a shot creator and the gritty, grind-it-out style they'll need for Game 4. He also asks where Golden State's pride is after Reese talked trash all night. Game 4: Saturday, 1 PM, State Farm Arena. One blowout doesn't decide a best-of-seven. Chapters00:00 Intro and Game 3 result: Dream 97, Valkyries 7100:56 Series recap: Game 1 (68–64), Game 2 (79–65) and Atlanta's wire-to-wire Game 301:56 Angel Reese: 21 pts, 12 reb, perfect from three, and the trash talk03:49 Reese's Finals records: three straight double-doubles and joining A'ja Wilson05:02 A complete team win: five players in double figures05:28 Rhyne Howard's historic defense: back-to-back 5+ steal Finals games06:20 Atlanta's one-two punch of Reese and Howard07:03 The supporting cast: Jordin Canada's playmaking and Naz Hillmon's 3-of-5 from deep08:30 The bench delivers: +21 off the bench08:55 What went wrong for Golden State: 34% shooting, a 44–20 deficit in the paint, turnovers10:32 Postgame pressers: "best fight" and "no discipline"11:37 Down 2–1: why the Valkyries need a shot creator12:32 Keys to Game 4 for both teams14:06 Where's the pride? Answering Angel Reese's trash talk15:35 What to watch in the first five minutes of Game 416:20 Final thoughts and outro

DA Recaps Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals

This episode of Real Basketball Talk dives deep into the upcoming WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream, highlighting the unique circumstances of both teams vying for their first championship. The discussion covers team histories, player performances, and strategic matchups, culminating in predictions for the series outcome. Takeaways First-time champion guaranteedDefense is key to victory Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Finals Showdown01:41 Team Profiles: Valkyries vs. Dream05:35 Path to the Finals: Valkyries' Journey08:52 Path to the Finals: Dream's Resilience10:18 Game Schedule and Logistics12:47 Defensive Strategies: Valkyries' Edge17:07 Key Players and Matchups21:21 Alicia Gray's Impact on the Dream24:12 Predictions and Final Thoughts

What does it take to build a championship culture, develop generations of elite athletes, and become one of the most influential voices in women's basketball? Zach Draves sits down with legendary Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw for a conversation about leadership, legacy, and the continued growth of women's basketball. A two-time national champion and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, McGraw's impact extends far beyond the basketball court. From building Notre Dame into a national powerhouse to advocating for women in leadership, her career represents excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to advancing women's sports. Key Discussion Topics Building the Notre Dame Dynasty: Establishing a championship standard and creating a culture of sustained excellence.Championship Moments: Reflecting on the 2001 and 2018 national championships and the players who helped define those historic runs.Leadership and Empowerment: Developing confident women, mentoring future leaders, and advocating for greater representation in coaching.The Evolution of Women's Basketball: Examining the growth of the college game, increased media attention, and opportunities for the next generation.Life Beyond Coaching: McGraw's transition into broadcasting, mentorship, and her continued influence on the sport.Legacy and the Future: What lasting progress looks like for women's basketball and what challenges remain.About Muffet McGraw McGraw retired in 2020 with 936 career victories, nine Final Four appearances, and two NCAA national championships. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and later became an ACC Network analyst.

On this episode of She’s Always Had Game, host Zachary Draves sits down with New York Liberty legend Kym Hampton for a conversation celebrating the history, growth, and legacy of women’s basketball. Hampton was there at the beginning. An original member of the Liberty during the WNBA’s inaugural 1997 season, she helped establish the identity of one of the league’s cornerstone franchises and was part of the New York team that reached the first WNBA Finals. Before New York, Hampton starred at Arizona State, becoming one of the most accomplished players in program history. Zach and Kym revisit those early days of the WNBA, what it meant to represent basketball in New York City, the personalities and competition that shaped the league, and how dramatically the women’s game has evolved from 1997 to today. They also explore Kym’s journey beyond the court and what it means to see a new generation of players and fans embracing a league she helped build from the ground up. Before the packed arenas, record audiences and unprecedented attention—there were pioneers like Kym Hampton. 🏀 She’s Always Had Game is about honoring those stories and making sure the history of women’s basketball is never forgotten. Follow us for more: @The9450 @DravesZachary

The conversation delves into the historic significance of the 1976 U.S. women's basketball team and the impact of Title IX on women's sports. It explores the team's influence on future generations and the evolution of women's basketball, highlighting the progress and recognition of the sport over the years. The conversation covers the impact of Title IX on women's sports, the historical context of the 1976 US Women's Olympic basketball team, the challenges and strategies against the Soviet Union, international competition and cultural exchange, and the transition to coaching and administration. The legacy of the 1976 US Women's Olympic basketball team is also highlighted. Takeaways Title IX revolutionized women's sportsThe 1976 U.S. women's basketball team made history and paved the way for future generations Title IX and its impact on women's sportsThe legacy of the 1976 US Women's Olympic basketball team Follow @The9450 on Twitter/X and YouTube Follow @DravesZachary on Twitter/X for more stories

Nneka Ogwumike announced her retirement, exactly ten years to the day after her 2016 MVP season and Sparks championship. Daniel breaks down the full Hall of Fame résumé, franchise scoring and field-goal records, a top-five spot on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, before getting into the CBA she delivered as WNBPA president. Plus: a speculative but well-grounded segment on whether Ogwumike could be next in line for WNBA commissioner, with Cathy Engelbert’s contract expiring this same season and Ogwumike declining to rule it out in an interview. And an honest look at what this farewell season actually looks like for a rebuilding Sparks team.

Indiana just went 9-2 behind all three of its stars peaking at once, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston, and Daniel makes the case for why Mitchell deserves to be in the MVP conversation alongside A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles, not left out of it. Then the show heads west for a look at the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion-era team that’s built the league’s best defense in just year two, and the honest question about whether that formula holds up against the WNBA’s true elite. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

Undrafted. Overseas. Undeniable. This week on Real Basketball Talk, Daniel breaks down how Sydney Taylor went from a non-guaranteed Chicago Sky training camp deal to being on pace for the highest scoring average by an undrafted rookie in WNBA history. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

One of the greatest coaches in basketball history joins She's Always Had Game. This week, Zachary Draves sits down with legendary Hall of Fame coach Van Chancellor for a conversation that spans one of the most influential careers in women's basketball. Before championships became expected in Houston, Van Chancellor built a dynasty. As head coach of the Houston Comets, he guided the franchise to four consecutive WNBA championships (1997–2000), becoming the first coach to establish a true professional basketball dynasty in the league's history. Along the way, he coached icons like Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson while helping lay the foundation for what the WNBA would become. The conversation also explores Chancellor's remarkable collegiate success, his leadership philosophy, the evolution of the women's game, coaching some of basketball's greatest players, and the lessons that continue to resonate decades later. Whether you're a longtime WNBA fan or discovering the league's rich history for the first time, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 🏀 Watch now and celebrate one of the architects of women's professional basketball. Follow for more original women's basketball coverage: 📱 @The9450 🎙️ @DravesZachary Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

This week on Keepin' It 9450, Kevin "Kdot" Lewis and Lolivia Pope dive into some of the biggest storylines around the WNBA. 🏀 Tonight's Topics: 🇺🇸 What's going on with the New York Liberty? We break down their recent struggles, slow starts, and whether they're still championship favorites.☀️ The Phoenix Mercury have gone from Finals contenders to searching for answers. Is this a temporary slump or something much bigger?⭐ Paige Bueckers for MVP? We examine her incredible five-game stretch, season-long production, advanced analytics, and why it's time to take her MVP candidacy seriously.🎯 NEW SEGMENT: The Midrange MafiaLolivia gives flowers to Seimone Augustus, one of the smoothest scorers the game has ever seen.Kdot highlights Detroit legend Deanna "Tweety" Nolan, whose pull-up game helped define an era of championship basketball.Plus, we debate which current players deserve to join the Midrange Mafia.Join us live as we break down the league with analysis, debate, history, and plenty of basketball talk from two people who love the women's game. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Are the Liberty still title favorites?Can Phoenix turn its season around?Is Paige Bueckers already an MVP candidate?Who belongs in the Midrange Mafia?Follow The9450 🐦 X/Twitter: @The9450@lolobyke@kdotlew3h📺 Subscribe for weekly WNBA coverage, interviews, analysis, historical conversations, and live shows all season long. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

Caitlin Clark can play. That’s not the debate today. This episode is about everything built around her. the “savior” framing that erases three decades of Black women who built this league, a bestselling author whose book advances her own storyline, a teammate whose “protection” doubles as a persecution narrative, and out of market pundits treating flagrant fouls like culture war flashpoints. Plus, a fresh, word for word breakdown of what got said, and what didn’t, when a player named racist harassment out loud this week, and why the person with the most power to change the conversation keeps choosing not to, until someone else forces her hand. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

No hot takes, just the tape. Daniel Artest pulls the file on Marina Mabrey’s historic stretch: a 37 point comeback win in Connecticut, then a 53 point night against the Sparks that ties the WNBA’s all time single game scoring record. This episode breaks down the actual mechanics, her release, her off-ball movement, the punch-dribble-into-stepback chain she’s using to punish defenders, and how Toronto’s four-out system turned her from a secondary scorer into the most unguardable shooter in single coverage in the league right now. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

Some conversations are bigger than the current WNBA season. This week on Keepin' It 9450, Kevin "Kdot" Lewis and Lolivia Pope celebrate four icons whose impact on women's basketball will be felt for generations. We discuss: Cheryl Reeve's legendary coaching and executive careerCandace Parker's place among the greatest players of all timeWhy Elena Delle Donne deserves even more appreciation as one of the game's most efficient and skilled superstarsChamique Holdsclaw's lasting legacy following her 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductionFrom championships and MVPs to cultural impact and leadership, this episode is about honoring the women who helped shape the game we love today. Let us know in the comments: 🏀 Which Hall of Famer had the greatest impact on women's basketball? 🏀 Who do you believe is the next active player on a Hall of Fame path? Like, subscribe, and share to support independent women's basketball coverage. Follow us: @the9450 @lolobyke @kdotlew3h Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.

Angel Reese becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, we break down why her game should be measured against Sylvia Fowles’ two-way legacy, not perimeter shooting. Then: Seattle’s Awa Fam and Dominique Malonga combine for 55 points in a loss, and we tackle the real question hanging over the Storm rebuild, what happens to playing time when Ezi Magbegor comes back healthy. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts, follow along on Spotify and YouTube, and subscribe to The9450 Weekly Drop newsletter for game recaps straight to your inbox.