Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

The heat in NYC broke long enough to finally enjoy a perfect summer day at the ballpark, so my friends and I celebrated with a Mets game. This delightful (and embarrassing) promotion sealed the deal, because we certainly weren't there for the on-field product. Plus, I got this ridiculously refreshing concession, which I demand every stadium stock up on immediately. But the real unexpected win this week? Erling Haaland's meme-worthy reactions getting the internet treatment they deserve. (Honestly, if they somehow get men to understand anything about women’s bodies, we'll take it.) Enough about the men. My countdown to the 2027 Women's World Cup is officially underway...and already stressful. Yesterday, Gotham FC announced Emily Sonnett underwent surgery, with approximately zero other details. Will she be healed by next year to take the pitch for the US? Call me Kristie Mewis, because I am not having an OK time with this news at all. Until we get more, I'll be self-soothing with the team at the center of the new Ted Lasso trailer — and applauding the extra step they took to ensure the show felt authentic. Talk about nailing the final touch.

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, NY

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Instant Lore

We've seen enough: WNBA All-Star Weekend is officially the best weekend on the sports calendar. All-Star games are never expected to be grueling, but the W's version has always been unabashedly about the vibes and side quests. Like 2025, this year's event generated enough new inside jokes and gloriously messy moments to hold us over until next year. In case you missed the antics, and because All-Star weekends are not created equal, here's our extremely serious ranking of the best moments from what one fan called a "big *ss girls weekend that we get to tune into.”

Honorable mention: The Aces coach who earned most valuable assist — all in the name of making sure her team looked perfect. A leadership clinic.

10. Dominique Malonga became the youngest player ever to dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game. Angel Reese set it up and had the best reaction.

9. Paige Bueckers deep in her feels during the postgame celebration. Not to be outdone by superreporter Holly Rowe's highlight-reel moves.

8. How Flau'jae Johnson's little brother, Aydin, showed off his “drippy” fit. Every league needs a fave little man, and he might be the Keyne of the W.

7. The way Kiki Iriafen introduced herself to former President Barack Obama when he stopped by All-Star practice should be studied. And, of course, he couldn't resist a few battles on the hardcourt himself.

6. When Gabby Williams called Marine Johannès her All-Star … and then hit her partner’s signature one-legged 3. That's how you say "je t'aime" in basketball.

5. The ways Azzi Fudd made 23 look deeply unfair. She stayed on the StudBudz stream until 3 am, showed up the next day looking flawless, and, oh yeah, won the 3-point contest.

4. How Bueckers solved the pay gap with girl math. Her explanation is all vibes, no economics. Yet we detect zero lies.

3. The late-breaking, alleged infidelity bombshell. One player's Threads post early Sunday morning accused her ex — also a WNBA player — of cheating with multiple other athletes around the league had the internet getting out its whiteboard.

2. A'ja Wilson’s reaction when she learned her Gen Z All-Star teammate’s birth year deserves a permanent spot as a text-GIF response.

1. The StudBudz again turned their livestream into the show of the weekend. Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman (aka Stud 1 and Stud 2) gave us surprise celeb drop-ins, late-night chaos, and the inevitable (and hilarious) IV drip cameos. Special flowers (literally) to Natisha for buying all the bouquets from this little boy.

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