Tanisha Wright, Kiah Stokes, and Tina Charles gained history-making stats; Sugar Rodgers came up big with points at the right time

It was yet another memorable night in the World’s Most Famous Arena as the New York Liberty took on the Dallas Wings. Coming off a win 15-point road win against the San Antonio Stars, the ladies of New York defeated the Wings 91-88. This victory wasn’t the only accomplishment that took place in the arena on Tuesday night, Liberty vet Tanisha Wright recorded her 1,000th career rebound making her the 11th player in WNBA history to record 2,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds. Kiah Stokes also moved higher in the ranks clinching the 6th spot in New York Liberty history with 89 blocks. To top it all off Tina Charles hit a career high after she nailed three 3-pointers against the Wings, she never played a game where she completed more than one shot from beyond the arc.

The Liberty had an explosive first half capped off by two early shots made by Carolyn Swords, who has been  indispensable in the paint this season. However, the team struggled in the early moments and was down by as much as eight points. The Wings were able to capitalize off of New York’s miscommunication which allowed them to score four points off of the Liberty’s four turnovers. Dallas stars Odyssey Sims and Karima Christmas demonstrated their skills from beyond the arc early in the game after nailing two treys apiece. Nearly half of Dallas 26 points in the first half came from -three pointers. However rising Liberty star, Sugar Rodgers carried the team on her back once she displayed her skills from the three point line with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter. She soon followed up with the and-1 to tie it up 22-22 before the start of the second quarter. Rodgers scored 8 of her 18 points in the first quarter alone.

After only scoring 6 points in the first quarter, Charles led her team with 11 points in the second to outscore the Wings by 10 before the half. The Liberty was able to slow down the Wings defense forcing them to commit five turnovers and shoot 45.9% from the field. The Libs walked into the locker room with a 6-point lead (56-50). After soaring through the third the Liberty led by as much as 10 over the Wings, but the 4th quarter became a nail biter when Dallas came back and maintained a 4-point lead in the final minutes. Stokes served as the saving grace for her team after she deflected a lay-up attempt by Wings forward Christmas. This led to a sweet trey by Rodgers which sparked off a 6-0 run for Liberty. Charles led all scorers with 28 points and her late jumper in those final seconds bought the Liberty to their 91-88 win over the Dallas Wings.

With this win, the Liberty improved to a 6-4 record putting them second in the eastern conference. They hope to add to their two-game winning streak when they face off against the Connecticut Sun on  tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm eastern standard time.

Looking Ahead at WNBA’s 20th Year: new president Lisa Borders, Diana Taurasi returns, and it’s the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings

Last week was a historic week for the world of sports. The Golden State Warriors set the best record in NBA history, Kobe Bryant dropped 60 points in his final career game and the 20th WNBA Draft took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the third consecutive year. Thirty-six of the nation’s best women collegiate athletes were selected into the WNBA on Thursday night. For the first time in the history of the WNBA Draft, the top three selections all came from the same school. The Huskies from the University of Connecticut took the top three spots and dominated the first round of the draft just like they dominated the NCCA Championship earlier this year.

As expected, Breanna Stewart was selected first overall by the Seattle Storm, this is the second year that the Storm has had the number one pick. Expectations are set high for the 6’4 forward, she is a 4-time NCAA champion, 3-time player of the year and she is the only player to be named the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player four years in a row. The Storm has not won a championship since 2010, hopefully, Stewart can keep her championship streak going at the professional level. The No.2 pick went to the San Antonio Stars, who selected Texas native, Moriah Jefferson. The Huskie also has 4 championship titles under her belt and was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jefferson set a school record with a total of 659 career assist not to mention she is a 46% 3-point-shooter. Her versatility on the court is just what the Stars need this season.

It was a big night for the Connecticut Sun, who went home with two consecutive first round picks. Coming in at No.3 was Morgan Tuck from UConn. Aside from becoming a champion for the fourth time in her career, Tuck finished her final year with an assist-turnover ratio of 2.1/1, which was the second-best in the league. The No.4 selection, also for the Connecticut Sun, was Rachel Banham from the University of Minnesota. She is most remembered for her 60-point game earlier in the season, a performance that was recognized and duplicated by NBA star Kobe Bryant. Banham was named the 2016 BIG 10 player of the year and has set the all-time scoring record with 3,093 career points. The Dallas Wings, formerly known as the Tulsa Shock had the No.5 pick and they selected Aerial Powers from Michigan State. Powers is a 3-time first team All-American and set a school record with 47 career double-doubles.

The Los Angeles Sparks selected Jonquel Jones of George Washington as the No.6 overall draft pick, Jones is the only player to average a double-double for 3 consecutive seasons. At No.7, the Washington Mystics selected Kahleah Cooper of Rutgers University. Cooper sits at No.3 on Rutgers all-time scoring list behind, Cappie Pondexter and Sue Wicks. Courtney Williams of the University of Southern Florida was selected 8th overall by the Phoneix Mercury. The Indiana Fever selected Tiffany Mitchell as the 9th overall pick. Mitchell played for the University of Southern California and led her team with 85 assists this season. The 10th overall selection went to the Chicago Sky who picked Imani Boyette. Boyette played for Texas State and was named the BIG 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Boyette is the daughter of WNBA legend Pamela McGee, they are the first mother-daughter duo to have played for the league. The Atlanta Dream selected Bria Holmes of West Virginia 11th overall. The New York Liberty wrapped up the first round selecting Adut Bulgak 12th overall. Bulgak is a 6’4 center out of Florida State and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2015.

Fans have a lot to look forward to this season as Diana Taurasi will make her return to the Phoenix Mercury, newly acquired WNBA president Lisa Borders will participate in her first active season and most importantly this will be the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings. The WNBA’s historic 20th anniversary season will kick off on May 14th.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: First time Liberty has made the playoffs since 2012, also first WNBA team to reach 20 wins

The NY Liberty clinched its first playoff berth since 2012 and are the first WNBA team to reach 20 wins this season. In fact, this is the first time the Liberty reached 20 wins in 5 years!

Additionally, rookie Kiah Stokes recorded her THIRD career double-double against the Connecticut Sun. Talk about #BURNINGBRIGHT.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: J.R. Smith signed a two-year deal with Cleveland worth more than $10 million

J.R. Smith will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith’s deal is for two years and worth more than $10 million. The second year of Smith’s contract will be a player option. Should the Cavs have signed J.R.?

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Devon Still’s daughter, Leah, takes the cover of the famous Wheaties box

General Mills in placing Leah Still's image on a box of Wheaties, it demonstrated that champions are not just athletes that they can come in the form of little girls fighting cancer.

The cereal box usually features Olympians and a variety of athletes, but General Mills created a very special version for one of the world’s bravest little girls. This version of the Wheaties box was not made available for people to purchase; but, as a memento for Leah and her family.

This award comes after Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still and his daughter Leah won an Jimmy V ESPY Award for their determination and perseverance in the face of cancer.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Despite loss Liberty still No. 1 in Eastern Conference; but where is the media coverage?

VIDEO Discussion: Former Nets player Darryl Dawkins passes on; he will also be remembered as a dunk legend

The Sports world lost an NBA legend. Former NBA player Darryl Dawkins aka Chocolate Thunder passed away at the age of 58. Dawkins was the first high school ballplayer to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft. Dawkins was picked 5th overall in the NBA Draft and played 14 seasons in the NBA including seven with the Philadelphia 76ers and five with the New Jersey Nets. Dawkins played with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1975-1982; the Nets from 1982-1987; the Utah Jazz in 1987; and the Detroit Pistons from 1987-1989.

After retiring from the NBA, Dawkins continued to play professional basketball for teams in Italy, the Harlem Globetrotters, CBA, and IBA.

Ironically, Dawkins received the name Chocolate Thunder from legendary musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, Stevie Wonder.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Jen Welter Coaching NFL Players

Sports psychologist, Dr. Jen Welter, was hired to a six-week internship coaching the Arizona Cardinals’ linebackers during training camp and the preseason.

Dr. Werlter's previous football experience includes being a linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds and a running back for the Texas Revolution.

The signing with the Arizona Cardinals made Jen Welter the first female coach in the NFL.

VIDEO Discussion: Johnson Seeking Spousal Support and Attorney Fees; Griner Says Marriage was a Fraud

According to ESPN, Glory Johnson of the Tulsa Shock is seeking temporary spousal support and attorney fees from Brittney Griner, of the Phoenix Mercury, who petitioned to annul their marriage.

Court documents filed on June 29 in Maricopa County, AZ, which detail Johnson’s request that Griner pay $20,000 a month in spousal support, plus a $10,000 advancement toward attorney fees.

Johnson’s attorney, Stasy Click, wrote in the June 29 filing that Griner has “far superior control over the family’s financial resources” and that Johnson is “without the necessary financial means to pay for legal representation in this matter.”

Glory Johnson says that because of her reduced WNBA salary due to her pregnancy leave and inability to play overseas during the winter, she is in need of financial support. Johnson also claims that her finances have been depleted by wedding expenses, furniture for the new home previously shared with Griner in Arizona and IVF procedures to get pregnant.

In Griner’s June 5 petition, Griner says that she was unaware of the in-vitro fertilization resulting in Johnson’s pregnancy and that the marriage was based on fraud. Griner also contends that the two had acquired “minimal community property and incurred minimal community debts during their three-week marriage.”

Kiah Stokes scores 8 blocks and Tina Charles achieves sixth double-double of the season

The NY Liberty takes the number 1 spot in the WNBA Eastern Conference after two back-to-back wins at Madison Square Garden. Liberty rookie center Kiah Stokes hit a franchise record of 8 blocks against the Connecticut Sun and Tina Charles had her sixth double-double of the season.