🤕 Layup Lines: Valks in, Clark out

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Happy Friday and welcome back to Layup Lines, your quick recap of what’s going on in the WNBA.

• The big news of the weekend: Caitlin Clark is going to miss the rest of the season with the right groin injury that’s kept her out since mid-July. A tough blow for the league and another brutal injury in a season full of them for the Fever.

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Golden State clinches playoff berth

• After beating Dallas last night for their fifth-straight win, the Valkyries became the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs in their inagural season.

  • Not only that, but they’re currently in sixth and won’t have to play Minnesota in the first round unless they lose their next three games. What a fun, shocking inaugural season. Listen to this crowd!!

• In last night’s other two games, the Mercury got by the Mystics, 75-69, and then the Aces blasted the Lynx in the second half to earn their franchise-record 13th consecutive win. In a fun head-to-head matchup, A’ja Wilson (31 points, eight rebounds) completely outplayed Napheesa Collier (12, six).

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Today’s games

• After nailing the Aces - Lynx game last night to go 2-0, we’re now 85-98 this season and have $157 remaining to wager.

• There are three games tonight, all on ION — Los Angeles @ Atlanta (7:30pm ET), Chicago @ Indiana (7:30pm) and New York @ Seattle (10:00pm). Outside of Chicago, these teams all still have something to play for and the games should be competitive. We’re going to take two of them:

  • The Fever are so banged up and the Sky generally can’t score when Angel Reese is out (she’s suspended tonight for getting eight technical fouls).

    • Bet: Indiana / Chicago under 161 total points scored, $50 to win $46.

  • The Storm are worse at home than on the road and my bet is that Sabrina Ionescu is still out with a toe injury.

    • Bet: Seattle / New York under 162.5, $50 to win $45.

Playoff picture

• The Aces’ big victory gives Las Vegas, Atlanta and Phoenix the same record. For more, read this ESPN breakdown.

Take to go

• The internet is mad that the Valks first home playoff game has to be played in San Jose due to the Chase Center already hosting the Laver Cup, which I just learned is an international indoor tennis tournament.

  • Disappointing, yes, but it’s not a conspiracy. The team says the event was booked even before the Bay Area’s expansion team was awarded and I promise the Golden State ownership brass’ preference would be to host a completely electric playoff game — but you can’t just cancel stadium contracts.

Layup Lines is written 100% by a human being. I very much appreciate you reading and will see you back here tomorrow.

— Everett Cook, Founder & Editor