Lightning strikes every time she moves
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Hello hello!
Take inspo from Stephen “Pommel Horse Guy” Nedoroscik on last night’s Dancing with the Stars premiere and jive right into today’s sports news.
— Olympic bronze medalist, rugby superstar, and Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Trophy contender Ilona Maher, on her advice to young women athletes. Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
WNBA
🏀 Lightning strikes every time she moves
The GIST: Merry WNBA regular-season finale eve! With eight of the league’s 12 teams moving on to the upcoming postseason (and the top four earning home-court advantage), yesterday’s results helped clear up the playoff picture, but there’s still plenty riding on tomorrow’s six-game slate. Hoop yeah.
NY Liberty clinch No. 1 seed for the first time since 2015, Minnesota Lynx secure No. 2: The Libs cruised to the top postseason spot by beating the Washington Mystics 87–71 last night. No surprise here: seafoam superstar Breanna Stewart stuffed the stat sheet, notching her 16th double-double of the season.
- With NY’s dub, the highest seed the red-hot Lynx could snag was No. 2 — and they did just that, handling the Connecticut Sun in last night’s nail-biting 78–76 win. With 14 victories over their last 15 games, the Lynx might just be the hottest team heading into the postseason.
Atlanta Dream, Mystics, Chicago Sky vie for final postseason spot: There’s only one postseason spot left to be claimed, and it all comes down to tomorrow’s matchups. Prep three screens because the Mystics play the Indiana Fever, the Dream match up against the Liberty, and the Sky battle the Sun, all at 7 p.m. ET.
- And as if that wasn’t enough drama, there are five different playoff-clinching scenarios in play with the Dream as the only squad who control their own destiny. Let the scoreboard watching begin.
What else is on the line: The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, NBD. Both the Sun and Las Vegas Aces (featuring new single-season rebound queen A’ja Wilson) booked their postseason tickets ages ago, but their final seeding is yet to be decided. Notably, the Aces hold the tiebreaker courtesy of a season sweep of Connecticut.
- As you read, the Sun host the Sky while the Aces welcome in the nothing-to-lose (or gain) Dallas Wings at 10 p.m. ET. It’s about to be electric.
🤸 American gymnast Jordan Chiles appeals to Swiss Court in Olympic bronze medal battle
Chiles, who was stripped of her first individual Olympic medal over a timing technicality back in August, is appealing to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, where the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is based.
- ICYMI, Chiles was originally awarded the bronze after her coach had Chiles’ floor score reviewed following her routine. But the CAS later reversed course, saying the coach’s appeal came four seconds after the one-minute limit.
- Footage from Simone Biles’ Netflix documentary shows the inquiry comes within the 60-second mark and could be the proof Chiles needs to keep her bronze. Watch this space.
🏀 Man charged with stalking and harassing UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers
After months of harassment dating back to February, 40-year-old Oregon man Robert Parmalee was charged with stalking the UConn women’s hoops star on Monday. Parmalee had been posting disturbing messages about Bueckers to his social media accounts and was arrested by Connecticut State Police on August 27th, just 35 miles away from UConn’s campus. Terrifying.
🏈 NFL updates heading into Week 3
Miami Dolphins quarterback (QB) Tua Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve yesterday, meaning he’ll be out until at least Week 8 after suffering his third diagnosed concussion in two years during last week’s Thursday Night Football matchup.
- And the Dolphins signal caller isn’t the only big-name NFLer missing time — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver (WR) Deebo Samuel, LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp, and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco have also joined the ever-growing injury list.
- Elsewhere, the Carolina Panthers will reportedly bench their 2023 No. 1 draft pick, QB Bryce Young and replace him with backup QB Andy Dalton in Week 3. Young posted a dismal 2-16 record across his first two NFL seasons and is the first QB selected No. 1 overall to be benched for non-injury reasons. Oof.
Together With Nike
👟 It’s sneaker night
Pink, gold, purple, and green — New York Liberty standout Sabrina Ionescu’s newest pair of Nike Sabrina 2s are certified eye candy. The freshest sneaks at Barclays Center were designed by two Liberty superfans: Jason Sudeikis and his daughter, Daisy.
- These Sabrina 2s were inspired by the Sudeikis’ love of women’s hoops, which has been on full display over the years.
- The best part? You don’t have to sit courtside to get in the game — just snag a pair of the Jason and Daisy Sudeikis Sabrina 2s, available now.
⚾ MLB: Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians — Tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET — MLB.TV
- The first pitch of the postseason is less than two weeks away and these two squads are part of a heated three-way battle to claim the American League Central crown. Whether you’re team rally sausage or supporting the Super Mario bros, this race for October is must-see.
🏐 NCAA volleyball: No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 11 Kentucky — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — ESPN
- This nationally broadcasted matchup is one of four (!!!) top-25 volleyball showdowns on the docket tonight, with defending champs No. 8 Texas vs. No. 20 Baylor rounding out the party at 9 p.m. ET, also on ESPN. A literal serve.
⛳ LPGA: Kroger Queen City Championship — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel
- Fresh off her stellar Solheim Cup appearance, see if last year’s tournament runner-up Charley Hull can smoke the competition and fend off Americans Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang. Fore!
🏈 NFL: New England Patriots vs. NY Jets — Tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. ET — Amazon Prime
- Week 3 kicks off with a battle between bitter AFC East rivals, but both are looking quite different this season as QB Aaron Rodgers and the Jets aim to improve to 2-1 while the head coach Jerod Mayo–led Pats compete to do the same. Hut, hut, hike.
Together With Vessi
Calling all chronic overpackers! Let Vessi save you the trouble of bringing eight pairs of shoes on your next getaway.
- Their waterproof sneakers are the only kicks you’ll need for your vacay: They’re incredibly cute, stay clean and dry no matter what, and are comfy enough for all-day excursions.
Use promo code 02-VIP-THEGIST-0350 for 20% off your order, so you can free up suitcase space for that 50th pair of underwear instead. Bon voyage!
Here’s what has The GIST team currently hyped:
💊 How to boost your confidence
With Clairvee by Bonafide, a hormone-free vaginal probiotic that targets odor and itching down there by helping you maintain a healthy pH.* Use code THE GIST for 20% off your first month of a subscription. Sweet relief, loading.**
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.⚽ What to support
The “End Abuse in Women’s Football” campaign. Proceeds from this shirt support Common Goal, an org working toward a safer, more equitable world of sport.
🎤 What to look forward to
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The Grammy winner will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show…now we just need to know who’ll be playing.
**P.S. This is a sponsored post. Confidence looks good on you.Question of the Day
We don’t have to tell you women’s sports viewership is on the rise, but we want to know: how often do you watch women’s sports on TV?
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.