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Minnesota Lynx: A Season of Promise

by Maya Aflakpi | May 24, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

MINNEAPOLIS — The energy in downtown Minneapolis May 17th was high as fans joyfully awaited the Lynx season opener at Target Center. From wearing their favorite Lynx jerseys to sporting green and white leis, fans of all ages showed their pride and excitement.

Among the Lynx rookies, Alissa Pili, who is of Inupiaq and Samoan descent, has attracted a dedicated group of Indigenous basketball fans eager to see her skills on the court. Pili expressed her pride in representing these communities, saying, “It’s always been a goal of mine to impact a certain community, especially the Native and Polynesian community. I’m very proud to represent you all, and I’ll keep doing a good job.” This is a season of hope and promise.
With a great win and performance in their season opener against the Seattle Storm, the Lynx are showing they are a strong team this season with a lot of talent.

Napheesa Collier, with a big smile, accepted the Player of the Week honor during an interview two days ago with the WNBA, becoming the fourth Lynx player to earn this award five or more times. Collier, who credited her success to her teammates, stressed the importance of teamwork, saying, “That’s exciting, I wasn’t even thinking about it. It’s your teammates. I couldn’t do anything without them. You never get any accolades without your team.” Tonight at 6 p.m. CT, the Lynx face former teammate Rachel Banham and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Collier, after an outstanding 2023 season earning her first First-Team All-WNBA selection, is expected to play a key role for the Lynx this year. Additionally, Kayla McBride, known for her leadership as team captain and her three-point shooting, is expected to be crucial for the team’s dynamics.

With new additions to their roster, including Pili and experienced players like Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, the Lynx are set for success and are expected to make the playoffs again this season. Second-year players Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász are also expected to make big contributions, adding to the team’s depth and competitiveness.

With a mix of veteran leadership, young talents, and smart new players, the Lynx are ready for a competitive season. Building on last year’s playoff appearance, the team’s success depends on the performance of key players and how well new players fit in. Overall, there is a lot of optimism for the Lynx as they start the 2024 season. Collier emphasized that she has a great team and is really excited to start the year with her teammates.

Photo: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

May 24, 2024 No Comments

Minnesota Timberwolves Advance To Their 2nd WCF After Beating Denver (98-90) In Game 7

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by Travis Singleton | May 20, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Both teams were coming into this Game 7 knowing exactly what the other team was going to do. This has been a great series between the Timberwolves and Nuggets but it was going to come down to who wanted it more.

The 1st quarter both teams were feeling each other out as it was going back and forth. Jamal Murray came out hot as he was able to get the Nuggets offense going along with the way he was playing. Murray was making the Timberwolves pay as he was able to get inside to the rim and was making some tough shots on the perimeter. Nikola Jokic was able to dominate the rebounds in the paint and help create for Jamal Murray. When the Nuggets got up by 20 points in the game the Nuggets let the Timberwolves back in but it wasn’t on purpose. The Wolves came out with that defensive intensity and they showed up big time. Both Murray and Jokic combined for 69 of the 90 points for Denver tonight.

The job that Karl Anthony Towns did on Nikola Jokic this game was masterful and it should be noted that he brought it on the offensive end too. KAT made some huge buckets as he was able to help carry the load while Anthony Edwards wasn’t able to establish a rhythm yet in the game. Also Jaden McDaniels showed up big time helping out on both ends too. Tonight KAT and Jaden McDaniels combined for 46 of the 98 points which was special to watch.

When the Timberwolves got down big they leaned on their defense and they were able to showcase that grit they played with all season long. Minnesota had the Champions reeling when they started to make some runs. It was Naz Reid who came in when KAT got in trouble and set the tone on both ends of the floor with defense on Jokic and putbacks/drives to the bucket. Naz Reid finished with 11 points but they were huge and it showed why he’s the 6th Man of the Year.

Anthony Edwards didn’t have it going all game but had some huge moments in the game like his steal for the dunk from Jamal Murray and his big 3 pointers to give the Wolves the 10 point lead late. Anthony Edwards will be ready for the Western Conference finals and bounce back. The Timberwolves shut down Jamal Murray in the 2nd half and that helped them propel to the win in Denver.

The Western Conference Finals start on Wednesday as the Timberwolves will be hosting the Dallas Mavericks.

Photo Credit: RON CHENOY/USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS

May 20, 2024 No Comments

Nike Sabrina 2 “Cave Purple” Official Look

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by Angel Ortiz | May 18, 2024 | Featured, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

The Sabrina 2 was officially revealed by Nike after the shoe had surfaced earlier in the week. The New York Liberty Superstar is set to receive her second signature sneaker with the swoosh.

The sneaker resembles the Nike Kobe 5 Protro but in a slightly more modern day look. There is Sabrina branding on the tongue, on the forefoot area of the outsole, and the “I” In Ionescu is hidden on the outsole as it blends in nicely with the traction pattern.

This is expected to release on June 28th with a retail price of $130 USD on the Nike SNKRS app and select few retailers globally.

May 18, 2024 No Comments

The Timberwolves 45 Point (115-70) Victory Forces Game 7 Against Denver

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by Travis Singleton | May 17, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into Game 6 with their backs against the wall. This was the first must win game of the season as they face elimination. Nikola Jokic is coming off a monster 40 point performance and Minnesota needs to stop him in order to tie this up at 3-3.

Denver started the game on a 9-2 run as the defending champs came out on fire. The Timberwolves took that punch from Denver and countered with a 20-0 run. The Wolves had the ball moving on offense and on the defensive end no one was able to stop them. It was a balanced effort from everyone on the Timberwolves tonight but Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels showed up/showed out on both ends of the floor today. When Jaden McDaniels has his offense going to already add to his defense this team is scary. Jaden McDaniels was making it tough on Jamal Murray as he only finished with 10 points.

Jaden McDaniels is the X Factor in this series and Minnesota usually gets their game rolling as a whole when he’s locked in on both ends. Anthony Edwards was special tonight and he was able to get things going offensively. When Anthony Edwards plays at this elite level there’s no team that can stop him. The Nuggets tried to trap him and double him but Ant’s quickness was too much for the Nuggets as he was blowing by the Nuggets tonight. Edward’s and McDaniels combined for 48 points tonight and put on a two way clinic for the Target Center crowd.

The Nuggets just couldn’t get in a rhythm as the Wolves are bringing it back to Denver. Jokic had a decent game with the 22 points. The Timberwolves defense was swarming for Game 6 now they just need to bring that same energy/intensity to Game 7. If Anthony Edwards comes in on mission leading the charge Sunday it can be a long night for the Nuggets.

May 17, 2024 No Comments

Denver Nuggets Tie The Series (2-2) After Defeating Minnesota (115-107)

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by Travis Singleton | May 13, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game with the 2-1 lead as they were looking to go up 3-1 in the best of seven series. It was one of those games that was back and forth all night long.

The Denver Nuggets got a huge game from Aaron Gordon who finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. The game plan for the Timberwolves was simple let’s have Aaron Gordon try to beat us. From the looks of it that’s what happened as he was making some tough contested shots all night long. When a player is playing this good on the road all you can do is respect it. Once Gordon got his game going he was playing with confidence and that fed through his team. Every time the Timberwolves were trying to claw back into the game it seemed as though Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray made some tough buckets.

Both Murray and Jokic combined for 54 points on the night but they were making some timely buckets. The Nuggets kept their foot on the gas for every single Timberwolves run as Minnesota just couldn’t break through.

The bright spot for the Minnesota Timberwolves was Anthony Edwards as he was able to put the team on his back. He gave it everything he had tonight in Target Center and needed just a little bit more help from his teammates as they could have pulled off the win. Anthony Edwards was able to score whenever he needed too as he finished with 44 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Timberwolves just needed someone to join him as they were able to make the right adjustments defensively. The Nuggets had just enough lead to keep the Wolves away.

Game 5 will be huge as both teams will look to come out executing at a high level. The Wolves just need someone to help Ant with scoring and they gotta lock in defensively if they want to make this series victory happen.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press

May 13, 2024 No Comments

FCTRY LAb “Duck Boot”

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by Angel Ortiz | May 10, 2024 | Featured, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

FCTRY LAb has recently collaborated with NLE Choppa on a boot. The “Duck Boot” is available in one color which is yellow referencing a Duck. The details on the tongue are somewhat similar to Hunter Boots. But this original design has made the sneaker Industry turn its head and one of the most talked about shoes of the year.

“The Duck Boot takes a familiar shoe concept and makes it fun and exciting with the theme of yellow ducks, combined with innovative materials and exaggerated elements. Its design is driven by a distinctive exterior shape, making a bold statement in footwear fashion. Contrasting this bold exterior is an interior designed for ultimate comfort, with high-quality materials. Meticulously crafted from initial sketches to final product, this versatile boot embodies both innovation and collaboration, fulfilling Bailey’s vision for redefining footwear while encapsulating NLE Choppa’s bold style.” – (FCTRY LAb).

The “Duck Boot” is available for a retail price of $250 USD with special packaging and a few other accessories.