Spilling the tea

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.

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.

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.

🏒 NHL: Minnesota Wild vs. Toronto Maple Leafs — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet

• While injured Leafs forward John Tavares could be back at practice this week, that won’t help the squad in tonight’s, ahem, wild tilt against Minnesota, who Toronto lost 2–1 to in overtime back in November.

🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — SN1

• Boasting their first four-game win streak since February 2023, hometown hero RJ Barrett and the Dinos are in the perfect position to slot another in the W column against the league-worst Wizards. We’ll wait to count our chickens, but it’s looking like a dub.

🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: No. 13 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 LSU — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — TSN+

• 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 — TSN

• 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.