Latest news with #Valkyries-Sparks
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2-time Olympian Jordan Chiles shows up courtside for Valkyries-Sparks OT thriller
The post 2-time Olympian Jordan Chiles shows up courtside for Valkyries-Sparks OT thriller appeared first on ClutchPoints. The energy at Arena was already electric on Monday night, but the crowd buzzed louder when two-time Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles took her seat courtside. The WNBA delivered one of its most thrilling games of the season, and Chiles was there for every moment. The Golden State Valkyries pulled off a dramatic 89-81 overtime win over the Los Angeles Sparks. Janelle Salaun led the Valkyries with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Kayla Thornton drilled a clutch three-pointer with 38 seconds left in the extra period. The Sparks had their own firepower with Kelsey Plum dropping 24 points, but it was not enough to hold off Golden State's late surge. Advertisement This game marked a critical point in the season series. The Valkyries now lead 2-1 over the Sparks, continuing their strong form after victories on opening night and today. With both teams battling for playoff positioning, the intensity on the floor was matched by the energy in the stands. Sitting just a few feet from the court, Jordan Chiles soaked it all in. Known for her electric floor routines and steady presence on the U.S. gymnastics team, Chiles brought her champion spirit into the basketball arena. She smiled, waved at fans, and stood up during key plays, clearly locked into the action. Her appearance sent a powerful message about the rise of women's sports and the respect athletes across disciplines have for one another. Chiles is no stranger to pressure or big stages. She helped Team USA win silver in Tokyo and followed it up with a gold medal performance in Paris in the team competition. Outside of Olympic glory, she has competed at the highest levels in NCAA gymnastics for UCLA, becoming a fan favorite and a role model for young athletes across the country. Advertisement Her presence at the game was more than a photo opportunity, it was a show of support that spoke volumes. As women's basketball continues to grow in viewership and influence, the support of figures like Chiles helps push it further into the spotlight. It reminds fans and fellow athletes that excellence, commitment, and excitement exist in every corner of sport. The game itself was a showcase of that excellence. It was fast, physical, emotional, and unpredictable. Every possession mattered. Every shot had weight. Jordan Chiles was right there for it all, her presence amplifying the moment and reminding everyone that greatness always recognizes greatness. Related: Week 3 WNBA power rankings: Lynx, Liberty soar as others struggle to launch Related: Top contenders in WNBA Commissioner's Cup race
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fever-Sky still hit CBS milestone despite Caitlin Clark's absence
The post Fever-Sky still hit CBS milestone despite Caitlin Clark's absence appeared first on ClutchPoints. Even with Caitlin Clark out with a quad injury, the game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever at the United Center in Chicago last Saturday had solid ratings for the WNBA on CBS. Advertisement The game officially recorded 1.92 million viewers, the third most-watched WNBA game this year, per Colin Salao of Front Office Sports. The game is behind the Fever vs. Sky season opener (2.7 million, ABC) and Fever vs. Liberty (2.2 million, CBS). Furthermore, the game also reached a peak of 2.16 million viewers. This one game saw a 75% increase in ratings for CBS from the 2024 WNBA season. The Fever dominated the Sky with a 79-52 win in the first-ever WNBA game played at the United Center. It also saw Sky veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot suffering an ACL injury, rendering her out for the rest of the season. Even with Clark out, the game proved that the WNBA can still draw people in. The final attendance for the game was 19,496. While the league continues to grow, there is little doubt that a matchup between the Fever and Sky is galvanizing. The Fever and Sky are the WNBA's big draw Since Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were drafted in 2024, heightened attention has been paid to the Fever and Sky. Thus, every game between is more than likely to draw a crowd both in person and on television. Advertisement Both teams have seen increased attention and sellout crowds. Inevitably, there is an ongoing attempt to manufacture a rivalry between Clark and Reese. As such, there is a growing pantheon of experts and would-be experts weighing in and, sometimes, making physicality in basketball into alleged confirmation of a perceived personal vendetta between the two. Nevertheless, there is no question that the Fever and Sky are compelling teams to watch, especially when they play against one another. That dynamic is not to die down any time soon. Related: WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win Related: 2-time Olympian Jordan Chiles shows up courtside for Valkyries-Sparks OT thriller
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's Pregame Outfit For Fever-Sky is Turning Heads
After securing a 20-20 record in her rookie season, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were eliminated from the WNBA Playoffs after just two games in the first round. But the Fever made some major changes in the offseason, bringing in coach Stephanie White and adding numerous veterans, looking to contend for a championship in 2025. Advertisement On Saturday, Indiana opens the new season with a rival, hosting Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever got the best of the Sky in 2024, securing a 3-1 head-to-head record. Before the game, Clark was seen walking into the arena, posing for photos with her first pregame outfit of the regular season. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star was donning a sleek black tailored suit with cropped trousers and a matching blazer over a sheer black top. She topped it off with black pointed-toe heels and a large black leather tote bag. "first arrival fit of the season for Caitlin Clark," the Indiana Fever wrote on X. WNBA fans enjoyed Clark's business look for the 2025 opener, taking to social media to leave their thoughts. Advertisement "Okay i see you Caitlin Clark in her businesswoman era," one fan said. "She all business.," added another. "Business attire .. y'all know what that means," wrote a third. "She means business," commented a fourth. "She looks posted a fifth. "Caitlin Clark Kent," joked a sixth. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images In her rookie season with Indiana, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists, making the All-WNBA first team in the process. But this time around, she has more weapons surrounding her, including newcomers DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham. Following the Sky game, the Fever will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream. Related: Kate Martin's Pregame Outfit For Valkyries-Sparks is Turning Heads
