A’ja Wilson Honored at WSJ Innovator Awards in NYC

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Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson attended the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards at NYC’s MOMA, where actress Aubrey Plaza presented her with the Sports Innovator Award. Styled by Shiona Turini, Wilson accepted the award on behalf of the WNBA, celebrating the league’s impact and growth in sports innovation.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Liberty Hold Off Aces to Take 2-0 Lead in Semifinals

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The New York Liberty held off the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, 88-84, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semifinal series. Sabrina Ionescu led the charge with 24 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, scoring seven of New York’s final nine points in the last two minutes to secure the win.

The Liberty’s balanced effort saw contributions from Breanna Stewart (15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists), Jonquel Jones (14 points, eight rebounds), and Courtney Vandersloot (12 points, four rebounds), who combined for 41 points.

New York improved to 6-1 in games decided by five points or less this season, including the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Aces fell to 5-6 in such close contests.

History favors the Liberty, as teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five WNBA Playoff series are 18-0 all-time. The Aces now face elimination for the first time since 2021. A’ja Wilson, who scored 18 of her 24 points in the second half, will lead Las Vegas in a must-win Game 3. Since Wilson’s WNBA debut in 2018, the Aces are 5-3 when facing elimination.

Game 3 is a high-stakes battle, with the Liberty looking to advance to the Finals and the Aces fighting to keep their title defense alive.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Liberty Beat Aces to Claim Game 1 of WNBA Semifinal Series

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Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Liberty made a statement in Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Semifinals, defeating the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 at home on Sunday. Nearly a year after the Aces ended the Liberty’s season by clinching back-to-back titles in the 2023 Finals, New York came out determined, led by stellar performances from Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.

Stewart, who finished with 34 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, was unstoppable from the start, putting up 20 points by halftime. “I wanted to come out and set the tone, be aggressive, and take what the defense was giving me,” Stewart said after the game. Her offensive dominance helped New York build an early double-digit lead, and they never looked back.

Ionescu added 21 points and five assists, while Jones contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, solidifying New York’s advantage over the Aces.

Reflecting on last year’s Finals loss, Stewart noted her growth since that defeat. “I’ve just kind of grown from it, had a lot of time to reflect on it—how I can be better, how to handle things collectively better. I don’t forget who I am and what I can do.”

The Liberty holds a 1-0 series lead as they aim to dethrone the Aces and move closer to their first WNBA Championship. Game 2 of the Semifinals is set for later this week in New York.

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A’ja Wilson Breaks WNBA Single-Season Scoring Record in Aces’ Victory

A'Ja Wilson Drops 53 Points to Tie WNBA Single-Game Scoring Record

In Wednesday’s 86-75 win over the Indiana Fever, A’ja Wilson made WNBA history by setting a new record for the most points scored in a single season.

Wilson’s pull-up jumper with 26.4 seconds left in the first half brought her to 941 points for 2024, surpassing Jewell Loyd’s previous record of 939 set last season. By the end of the game, Wilson had 27 points, bringing her total to 956, just 44 points shy of becoming the first WNBA player to reach 1,000 in a season.

“It feels great because now people will stop talking about it,” Wilson said in postgame. “Felt like it was just like lingering, lingering, lingering, so I’m glad that we got it done.

“I don’t want to sound cliché when I say this, but I don’t get any of that without every single teammate along the way. And I’m so grateful to be able to play with selfless women. They give it their all every single day, and they’re their pure selves, and that’s what I love the most. My teammates, they’re the heartbeat, they keep me going.”

Returning after a minor ankle injury, Wilson continues her dominance. The two-time MVP (2020, 2022) and 2023 Finals MVP has led the Aces to consecutive titles and secured MVP honors at the Paris Olympics, where Team USA clinched its eighth straight gold.

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USA Women’s Basketball Win Record Eighth Straight Olympic Gold in Dramatic Fashion

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The USA Women’s basketball team secured their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in a thrilling victory over France, marking the longest winning streak in Olympic history. Their 67-66 win broke the previous record held by the USA Men’s team, which won seven straight from 1936-1968.

In a game that tested the Americans like no other during their 61-game Olympic win streak, A’ja Wilson led a dramatic comeback. Wilson’s performance was stellar, scoring 21 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking four shots. The USA overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, surviving a last-second shot by France’s Gabby Williams. Williams’ shot banked in, but her foot was on the 3-point line, securing the USA’s one-point victory.

Adding to her impressive resume, A’ja Wilson was named the Tournament MVP at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Already a two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA champion and Finals MVP, and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson’s leadership and skill were crucial in the USA’s victory.

“It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible. And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed.”

– A’Ja Wilson

The crowd inside Bercy Arena was electric, with French fans hoping to see their team upset the dominant USA squad. The French defense kept the high-scoring Americans (averaging 89.8 points per game) in check during the first half, leading to a 25-25 tie at the break. The Americans had five more turnovers (13) than baskets (8) in the first half.

France started the second half on a 10-0 run, handing the USA their largest deficit of the 2024 Olympics. Kelsey Plum’s three-pointer with 6:44 left in the third quarter ended the run and sparked an 8-0 burst, cutting the lead to two. Another 8-0 run later in the third quarter, with contributions from Wilson and Napheesa Collier, helped the USA regain the lead.

Marine Johannes hit a three-pointer to tie the game before Wilson’s free throws put the USA up by two entering the final quarter. The game remained close, with neither team leading by more than two points until Wilson’s jumper gave the USA a three-point lead with 3:11 to play. Kahleah Copper scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter, including crucial free throws to maintain the USA’s lead.

France kept pressing, with Johannes and Plum trading free throws. Williams’ three-pointer with five seconds left brought France within one point. Copper’s clutch free throws put the USA up three with 3.8 seconds left. Williams’ final shot hit the glass and dropped in, but her foot was on the 3-point line, making it a two-pointer. The call was confirmed, and the USA celebrated their historic win.

With this victory, Diana Taurasi earned her sixth straight gold medal, breaking a tie with longtime friend and USA teammate Sue Bird for the most ever by an Olympic basketball player.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Wilson and Stewart Lead USA to Dominant 102-76 Victory Over Japan in Olympic Opener

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In a team loaded with WNBA stars, the last two MVPs shone brightest for Team USA in their 102-76 win over Japan in the Group Phase opener. The game, a rematch of the 2021 Gold Medal Game, saw A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart dominate, combining for 46 points. Wilson posted 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Stewart added 22 points and 8 rebounds, leveraging their size advantage against Japan.

Brittney Griner supported their efforts, who grabbed nine rebounds and 3 assists, and Sabrina Ionescu hit three 3-pointers and dished out five assists. Kelsey Plum also contributed 11 points and 3 assists. The Americans shot an impressive 54.6% from the field and assisted on 35 of their 38 baskets, achieving a remarkable 92.1% assist rate. Chelsea Gray was pivotal in orchestrating the offense, with 13 assists in just 20 minutes.

Veteran Diana Taurasi made history by stepping onto the court for her sixth consecutive Olympic Games, the most in Women’s Basketball history, first appearing in Athens in 2004. She added 2 points and 3 rebounds in the win.

Japan managed to stay within reach during the first half, trailing 22-15 after the first quarter and 50-39 at halftime. However, the USA pulled away in the second half. Mai Yamamoto stood out for Japan, hitting 5-of-11 from three-point range, finishing with more threes than the entire USA squad, who shot just 4-of-20 from deep. Japan ended the game shooting 15-of-39 (38.5%) from beyond the arc.

The USA extended its Olympic win streak to 56 games with this victory. Next, the Americans will face Belgium on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, while Japan will take on Germany at 5 a.m. ET.

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NBA 2K25 Debuts Dual Global Cover Featuring Jayson Tatum and A’Ja Wilson

NBA 2K25 Debuts Dual Global Cover Featuring Jayson Tatum and A'Ja Wilson

NBA 2K25 will launch worldwide on September 6, featuring five-time NBA All-Star and Boston Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum and Las Vegas Aces Forward A’ja Wilson as dual cover athletes for the All-Star Edition. This marks the first time both NBA and WNBA players are featured on the same cover. The game will be available on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Tatum will grace the Standard Edition cover, while Wilson will appear on the WNBA Edition, a GameStop exclusive in the US and Canada. NBA legend Vince Carter will be on the Hall of Fame Edition cover.

NBA 2K25 Cover Reveal Key Art

“It’s an honor to be named a cover athlete for NBA 2K25,” said Jayson Tatum. “I’ve been playing NBA 2K since I was a kid and it’s been a dream to one day be on the cover. Even after coming off an NBA Championship, it’s humbling to see this come to life.”

“Being featured on the NBA 2K25 cover is a big moment for me and a testament to the ever-growing fandom of the WNBA,” said A’ja Wilson. “Seeing more and more WNBA athletes scanned into NBA 2K25 to best capture the style and confidence of the league has been empowering, and I can’t wait for fans to experience it in-game.”

“Between the honors NBA 2K and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame have bestowed upon me, this year is an unforgettable one, making me pause with gratitude at my career,” said Vince Carter. “Being named a cover athlete would have always been a special moment for me, but it is a particular honor to be on the cover of the NBA 2K25 Hall of Fame Edition.”

NBA 2K25 promises enhanced realism with ProPLAYTM technology on New-Gen platforms and, for the first time, on PC. The game introduces new MyTEAM modes, an added era in MyNBA, a compact City, and a new Neighborhood metropolis on Current-Gen.

“In a year that showcases competition at the highest level – and in a play style that is uniquely one’s own – we’re thrilled to share Jayson, A’ja and Vince as the NBA 2K25 cover athletes” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “The development team has delivered another innovative experience for basketball lovers, setting up NBA 2K25 to be the next icon in this long-standing dynasty.” 

The game will be available in four editions: Standard ($69.99), WNBA ($69.99), All-Star ($99.99), and Hall of Fame ($149.99), which includes a 12-month NBA League Pass subscription. Pre-orders are now open.

NBA 2K25 is developed by Visual Concepts and rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details, visit the official NBA 2K25 website and follow NBA 2K on social media.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Gatorade Teams Up with Eric Emanuel to Celebrate “Is It In You?” Tagline Revival

Gatorade Teams Up with Eric Emanuel to Celebrate "Is It In You?" Tagline Revival

This morning, Gatorade announced an exciting collaboration with New York-based sportswear designer Eric Emanuel to celebrate the return of their iconic “Is It In You?” tagline. The partnership features a limited edition Drop, available exclusively through Gatorade’s membership platform, Gatorade iD.

Starting Tuesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. ET, fans can purchase the limited-edition Gatorade x Eric Emanuel collection. The collaboration includes two unique collections: a t-shirt paired with a bottle and shorts with a towel, all designed in a cool blue colorway.

Emanuel, widely recognized for his signature sportswear collections and dubbed the “King of Shorts” for his popular mesh basketball shorts, has designed this collection to symbolize a new era for Gatorade. The Gatorade-colored sweat design on the apparel serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication athletes put into their craft.

The collaboration aims to help athletes express their inner drive and IT factor, much like Emanuel’s focus on being the best in the game. His designs are known for drawing long lines every Friday when new shorts are released, reflecting his IT factor and commitment to excellence.

The collection drop on Gatorade iD is set to be a sought-after release. It celebrates both the iconic sports drink’s legacy and Emanuel’s cutting-edge design ethos. For more details and to access the collection, visit the Gatorade iD platform.

Gatorade, the world’s leading sports drink, has announced the return of its iconic tagline, “Is It In You?”, with the largest campaign in the brand’s history. The tagline, first made famous in the 1990s and early 2000s featuring Michael Jordan, reintroduces the concept of “IT” – the inner drive that fuels greatness – with a contemporary twist for today’s athletes.

The campaign aims to address modern pressures and distractions that young athletes face. New data from Gatorade reveals that 53% of Gen Z athletes who quit sports cite external factors like social pressures and unrealistic expectations. To combat this, Gatorade is leveraging its elite athlete roster to help relaunch “Is It In You?” and inspire athletes to focus on their inner drive.

“As the brand that has been on the sidelines fueling athletes for decades, we’re committed to not only helping them stay in the game but also celebrating their unique ‘IT’,” said Gatorade Chief Brand Officer, Anuj Bhasin. “The return of ‘Is It In You?’, our biggest campaign of all time, is about acknowledging how much the sports landscape has changed, while reminding athletes that one thing hasn’t – the inner drive that fuels you – and that’s what matters most.”

“With ‘Is It In You?’ in the ‘90s, we inspired a generation,” said Michael Jordan, Gatorade’s longest standing athlete partner, six-time NBA Champion, five-time NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star. “The return of ‘Is It In You?’ is another chapter in greatness for Gatorade, a brand that has fueled champions for decades and relentlessly serves athletes on and off the field.”

The campaign kicked off with a powerful 60-second film, “IT Hasn’t Changed,” narrated by Michael Jordan. The film features stories from Gatorade athletes such as Josh Allen, Caitlin Clark, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Jayson Tatum, A’ja Wilson, and DJ Lagway, who have overcome obstacles by tapping into their personal “IT”. The film debuted during the NBA Western Conference Finals Game 4.

Throughout the summer, the campaign will include a colored sweat takeover on social media, custom filters on Snapchat and Instagram, and billboards nationwide. Fans can follow Gatorade’s social media for more updates.

This campaign follows a strong first half for Gatorade, which continues to lead the sports drink market and expand into new areas such as equipment, beverage enhancers, and enhanced water, making it the most complete portfolio of athletic solutions available.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Gatorade Revives Iconic “Is It In You?” Campaign with A’Ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum & More

Gatorade Revives Iconic "Is It In You?" Campaign with A'Ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum & More

Gatorade, the world’s leading sports drink, has announced the return of its iconic tagline, “Is It In You?”, with the largest campaign in the brand’s history. The tagline, first made famous in the 1990s and early 2000s featuring Michael Jordan, reintroduces the concept of “IT” – the inner drive that fuels greatness – with a contemporary twist for today’s athletes.

The campaign aims to address modern pressures and distractions that young athletes face. New data from Gatorade reveals that 53% of Gen Z athletes who quit sports cite external factors like social pressures and unrealistic expectations. To combat this, Gatorade is leveraging its elite athlete roster to help relaunch “Is It In You?” and inspire athletes to focus on their inner drive.

“As the brand that has been on the sidelines fueling athletes for decades, we’re committed to not only helping them stay in the game but also celebrating their unique ‘IT’,” said Gatorade Chief Brand Officer, Anuj Bhasin. “The return of ‘Is It In You?’, our biggest campaign of all time, is about acknowledging how much the sports landscape has changed, while reminding athletes that one thing hasn’t – the inner drive that fuels you – and that’s what matters most.”

“With ‘Is It In You?’ in the ‘90s, we inspired a generation,” said Michael Jordan, Gatorade’s longest standing athlete partner, six-time NBA Champion, five-time NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star. “The return of ‘Is It In You?’ is another chapter in greatness for Gatorade, a brand that has fueled champions for decades and relentlessly serves athletes on and off the field.”

The campaign kicked off with a powerful 60-second film, “IT Hasn’t Changed,” narrated by Michael Jordan. The film features stories from Gatorade athletes such as Josh Allen, Caitlin Clark, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Jayson Tatum, A’ja Wilson, and DJ Lagway, who have overcome obstacles by tapping into their personal “IT”. The film debuted during the NBA Western Conference Finals Game 4.

Throughout the summer, the campaign will include a colored sweat takeover on social media, custom filters on Snapchat and Instagram, and billboards nationwide. Fans can follow Gatorade’s social media for more updates.

This campaign follows a strong first half for Gatorade, which continues to lead the sports drink market and expand into new areas such as equipment, beverage enhancers, and enhanced water, making it the most complete portfolio of athletic solutions available.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Gatorade Adds WNBA Champion A’ja Wilson to Elite Athlete Roster

Gatorade Adds WNBA Champion A’ja Wilson to Elite Athlete Roster

Gatorade has signed back-to-back WNBA champion A’ja Wilson to its esteemed athlete roster, solidifying its commitment to supporting top talent across global sports.

Wilson joins a prestigious lineup of basketball stars, including recent signees such as #1 WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark and NBA standout Luka Dončić. As Gatorade continues its legacy of partnering with elite athletes, Wilson’s multiyear deal signifies a new chapter for both parties.

“We’re thrilled about the addition of A’ja Wilson to our elite athlete roster ahead of the 2024 WNBA season,” said Jeff Kearney, Head of Sports Marketing at Gatorade. “A’ja has already had an outstanding career full of many accomplishments, and we’re excited to be fueling her as she furthers her impact within sport and beyond.”

A’ja Wilson added, “Partnering with Gatorade is a dream come true. They’ve been fueling me on and off the court since I started out, and like I’ve said before – Gatorade helped me get my MVP, for sure.” 

As a Gatorade athlete, Wilson will feature prominently in the brand’s marketing campaigns, with her first appearance slated for later this Spring. With her impressive track record, including two WNBA championships and MVP titles, Wilson brings a wealth of experience and skill to the partnership.

Adding Wilson to its roster, Gatorade underscores its dedication to women’s sports, bolstering its lineup of female athletes, including Suni Lee, Serena Williams, Sydney McLaughlin, and Caitlin Clark, among others. As a founding sponsor of the WNBA, Gatorade’s enduring support for women’s basketball enters its 22nd season, further cementing its commitment to fueling the best in the game.

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