Spilling the tea
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Lunar New Year!
In addition to wearing red, you can garner yourself some good luck by helping us better serve you. Fill out this short survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card — your answers go a long way in leveling the playing field. Thanks in advance, now scroll away.
— The Cleveland Cavaliers broadcast ensuring their fanbase always knows the score differential. The league-best Cavs have been on the losing end in three of their last four games, but hey, at least there’s no need for a calculator.
WNBA free agency
🏀 Blockbuster’s so back
The GIST: The WNBA continues to wreak havoc with not one but two blockbuster deals yesterday. Though the moves aren’t officially official until February 1st, here’s the latest from the hardwood.
Five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas traded from the Connecticut Sun to the Phoenix Mercury: The first of yesterday’s two mind-boggling trades will see the Sun receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft in exchange for double-double machine Thomas and Ty Harris.
- Thomas had expressed dissatisfaction with the Sun’s lackluster amenities last season — and notably, the Mercury boast state-of-the-art, W-specific practice facilities, a new standard that’s only been elevated by 3v3 league Unrivaled’s top-tier treatment of its athletes.
Ten-time All-Star Brittney Griner headed to the Atlanta Dream: Just as one perennial All-Star arrives in Phoenix, another is leaving to live her, ahem, dream in Atlanta after inking a one-year deal last night. The move marks the end of an era for Phoenix, who could also be without the one and only Diana Taurasi should she decide to retire.
- As for Atlanta, this is their biggest free agent signing in franchise history, with Griner set to join 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick Rhyne Howard and two-time All-Star Allisha Gray. Still picking our jaws up off the floor.
Question of the Day
Amidst the musical chairs taking place in WNBA free agency, we want to know: If you were a free agent, what would be your top priority?
LPGA
⛳ Spilling the tee
The GIST: Happy LPGA season-start eve to all who celebrate. The fairways are trimmed and the greens are rolled, but there’s still plenty of polishing to do before the star-studded Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) Tournament of Champions — the first tourney of the season — tees off from Florida tomorrow. Fore!
The details: This year marks the LPGA’s 75th season, and the celebration will begin and end in the Sunshine State with the final event of the year, the Grant Thornton Invitational, slated for Naples in mid-December.
- The main events to mark on your cal? The five majors: April’s Chevron Championship, May’s U.S. Women’s Open (featuring a whopping $12M purse), June’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and July’s Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open (aka the Women’s British Open). Talk about a par-tee.
- Off the links, the association is notably currently without an official commissioner. Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepped down from the role earlier this month, leaving chief legal and technology officer Liz Moore in charge until the position is permanently filled. The search is on.
The golfers to know: After winning seven tournaments (including five straight) in 2024, all eyes are on world No. 1 Nelly Korda’s encore performance. The 26-year-old rightfully earned Rolex Player of the Year honors, and if she can stay healthy, expect the American to only add to her trophy case.
- Korda’s biggest competition? World No. 2 and reigning Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko. The Kiwi entered the LPGA Hall of Fame last year and is hoping to start the year strong by defending her HGV Tournament of Champions title this weekend.
- And don’t count out these golfers on the score card: World No. 3 Ruoning Yin, who picked up three wins last season, world No. 10 Charley “what, like it’s hard?” Hull, and world No. 24 Canadian darling Brooke Henderson.
Together With The GIST
👀 A fan-favorite returns
The GIST’s best-selling crewneck is back and better than ever. After selling out in 24 hours in 2020, this smash hit has been refreshed with a new design while keeping the same ultra-soft, wear-everywhere comfort you loved.
- Perfect for cozy season and ideal for showing your support of leveling the playing field in sports, this crew is a must-have.
❌ Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler suspended indefinitely
The latest episode of the Butler saga saw the Heat superstar walk out of practice on Monday after reportedly learning he wouldn’t be starting in that night’s game against the Orlando Magic. If it wasn’t evident before, Butler’s third suspension this month likely spells the end of his time in the 305, especially with the NBA’s trade deadline looming on February 6th.
🔥 Lunar Owls BC, Laces BC remain undefeated after week two of Unrivaled
The sport goggles looked sharp, but it was Napheesa Collier who stole the show, becoming the first Unrivaled hooper to surpass 100 points during Monday’s 67–57 win over Vinyl BC. Laces BC improved to 4-0 as well, thanks to a game-winner from the league’s second-leading scorer, Kayla McBride. Swish, swish.
- Keeping the vibes high, Unrivaled released the rules yesterday for its inaugural one-on-one tournament, set to tip off on February 10th with a cool $350K on the line.
🎓 No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball records 55th straight SEC victory
Led by 18 points from freshman Joyce Edwards, the Gamecocks topped No. 18 Tennessee 70–63 on Monday, putting together a soul-crushing 18–1 run in the first half. The defending champs continue to thrive in conference play, and the rest of the SEC is nothing to scoff at — the conference boasts the most ranked teams in the country. Casual.
- Elsewhere, the unranked Arizona men capitalized on a game-tying buzzer beater from senior Caleb Love and pulled off an 86–75 overtime upset win over No. 3 Iowa State on Monday. It’s not even March but madness abounds.
🏀 NBA: Denver Nuggets vs. NY Knicks — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — ESPN
- The Knicks are so hot right now, sporting a four-game win streak that includes Monday’s dominant 37-point dub against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Nuggets boast a not-so-secret weapon though: three-time league MVP Nikola Jokić, who’s putting together perhaps his best season ever.
🏐 LOVB: Houston vs. Madison — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — ESPN
- Despite their 1-4 record, Madison leads the league in kills — expect outside hitter Sarah Franklin to continue to bump, set, and slay against a Houston squad that has the worst pass percentage in the league.
🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: No. 7 LSU vs. No. 13 Oklahoma — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — ESPN
- Sooners junior Raegan Beers has been showing up and showing out on both sides of the ball this season — but slowing down the Tigers’ dynamic duo of senior Aneesah Morrow and junior Flau’Jae Johnson is a tall task for anyone, even someone who’s 6'4".
🏒 PWHL: Toronto Sceptres vs. Montréal Victoire — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Fubo/YouTube
- Victoire standout Marie-Philip “Captain Clutch” Poulin has been excellent against the Sceptres this year, including notching two goals in Montréal’s 4–2 victory over Toronto earlier this month. This spicy icy rivalry is just heating up.
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Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
💊 How to tackle tummy trouble
With Alaya Naturals’ Advanced Synbiotic, which provides three-in-one gut support, helping you to feel your best. Oh yeah, and it’s 40% off. Regularity, incoming.*
💪 What to wear
A Nike sports bra. Blending comfort and support, Nike’s designer Tara Sweeney has all the tips to help you measure for your ideal fit. Athletes including A’ja Wilson, Chloe Kelly, and Vashti Cunningham have already found their faves.
🎾 What to read
Maria Sharapova’s recent op-ed. Dive into the former tennis champ’s take on how female athletes are shaping the future of sports and business.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. It's a gut feeling.Today’s email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo, Marga Sison, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Megan Murray, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Rachel Fuenzalida. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.