Hayden Cilley Articles - Page 3

PHOENIX– Opportunities come in all forms for WNBA players. For rookie Monique Akoa Makani, she’s been thrown into the fire. After the Mercury had two injury updates to open the season, Makani has been the starting point guard. During that time, she was tasked with guarding Skylar Diggins and Kelsey Plum. Both of those guards […]

The foul-baiting with Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a major topic of discussion. However, Richard Jefferson had some interesting words about the MVP. On the Road Trippin Podcast, the former NBA guard detailed what Gilgeous-Alexander said when the team was fighting for a play-in spot. “Shai said, ‘2 years ago, I averaged […]

Following Game 1, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had an NSFW message for himself. However, teammate and veteran Mike Conley echoed that same sentiment to reporters before Game 2. “He always comes in the next day angry… You can tell he’s kinda no nonsense with a lot of things,” Conley said via Dane Moore. “He’s […]

Although Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice poured cold water on his team after a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, one thing is for certain: Aleksander Barkov is a major component of the team’s success. During the morning skate, the head coach explained why Florida has no ego in its […]

The flagrant foul with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has left many confused, puzzled, upset, or any other adjective. However, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley sees this objectively. Despite competing against both Clark and Reese in the NCAA Tournament, she understands the magnitude that those players carry. In an interview with The […]

Even though Napheesa Collier is making WNBA history three games into the season, the Minnesota Lynx forward has one goal in mind: And it’s not an MVP, like her head coach Cheryl Reeve said. It’s winning. “I’m really just focused on team stuff,” Collier said via Sportskeedia. “We got so close to the championship last […]

The Indiana Pacers pulled off a shocking Game 1 win in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. While many credit the players, Tim Legler credits Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. There was a specific move the head coach made that Legler thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. “Another thing that was big in this […]

Kitija Laksa’s birthday dream came true on Wednesday. After the Mercury star was a likely X-factor, the team celebrated her birthday with a cake and sang “Happy Birthday” after the team’s morning shootaround. However, Laksa’s availability was in question on Wednesday night. She recently finished her playoff series in Italy and made the trip back […]

Two players are officially part of the Phoenix Mercury roster, and those players are Kitija Laksa and Murjanatu Musa. Both players were overseas, with Italy and France, respectively. While Laksa was on the bench for Saturday’s game due to her contract being partially suspended, her contract was reinstated on Monday. Meanwhile, Musa’s contract was never […]

After Bill Belichick was hired by North Carolina football, it caught his former player, Mike Vrabel’s attention. The latter took a job with the New England Patriots as the head coach. However, he was still shocked by Belichick’s decision. On the Triple Option Show, the Patriots’ head coach had a comical admission on Belichick ditching […]

The Phoenix Mercury have a new Big 3, and it doesn’t include Diana Taurasi or Brittney Griner. It will be Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Satou Sabally are carrying the mantle. After Taurasi retired from the Mercury and the WNBA, her footprint will forever be left on the franchise. As a result, she’s been keeping […]

When North Carolina football fired Mack Brown and brought in Bill Belichick, they replaced one legendary coach with another. However, Brown had some interesting comments about the six-time Super Bowl champion. “As far as North Carolina and Bill Belichick now, he’s arguably the best coach ever,” Brown told Dusty Dvoracek and Danny Kanell on SiriusXM […]

No one likes losing, especially if you’re Indiana Fever guard, Caitlin Clark. After Clark had a historic game, the Atlanta Dream took down Indiana, 91-90. Following the game, the star guard explained why the loss was great for her team. “We wanted to win this game, but this is great for our team,” Clark said. […]

The offseason rumors continue to swirl around the NBA, and specifically the Dallas Mavericks. After the Mavericks obtained the No. 1 draft pick for Cooper Flagg, DeMarcus Cousins sees Kevin Durant being involved in the picture. On the Fan Duel Run It Back Show, the former All-NBA center rationalized his thinking regarding a Durant for […]

Despite the Orlando Magic being eliminated from the NBA playoffs, Paolo Banchero is the promising piece, alongside Franz Wagner and others on the roster. However, the former No. 1 overall pick thinks that Orlando can reach another level. On The Pivot Podcast, the Magic star forward gave his organization a blueprint for who they should […]

Jimmy Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, is no stranger to sticking up for his player. After Dwyane Wade bashed the Golden State Warriors star, the agent had some choice words for Butler’s former teammate on X, formerly Twitter. In two responses, Lee posted this message. “Man’s podcast can kick rocks haha,” the post reads. “Let’s be […]

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso has done whatever has been asked of him. After Caruso guarded Nikola Jokic in the semifinals, he might have to guard Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, he dropped a candid response. “Like or dislike, it’s my job,” Caruso said via Anthony Slater on X (formerly Twitter). “Get stops. Either […]

While the ACC is mostly known for basketball, Duke football head coach Manny Diaz is hoping he and North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick can reignite the rivalry. Although both men respect one another, elite competition is missed in ACC football. After Belichick took the North Carolina job, it was a full-circle moment for […]

The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals could be a very enjoyable one to watch as a viewer. However, as a player, Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t seem to enjoy it. In an article by the Miami Herald, the winger explained what makes Carolina so tough to play. “I don’t think anybody […]

The San Diego Padres and Manny Machado seem like a match made in heaven. The superstar third baseman has been exactly what the franchise has needed. After spending seven seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, it’s been the same amount of time in San Diego. As Machado explained to the San Diego Union Tribune, it’s a […]

In her first two games in the WNBA, Dallas Wings No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers has been everything, and then some. Despite the Wings being 0-2, the former UConn basketball star has shown major promise. As a result, plenty of teams are double-teaming her and forcing the ball out of her hands. Not to […]

After Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles in the playoffs, the Boston Celtics were left without their top superstar. As a result, Dwyane Wade feels for them. Despite the physical recovery, the mental part is one area that has Wade concerned. On his podcast, the future Hall of Famer elaborated more on the mental side. “We’re […]

When the Chicago Bears drafted Luther Burden III in the NFL Draft, head coach Ben Johnson was excited. However, one of Johnson’s former players, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, feels the same way. In an ESPN article, the head coach detailed a text message he received from Williams following the selection. “You got a […]

As the Denver Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs, ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks has some concerns about their offseason. Despite Denver being loaded with starters, the depth was a glaring concern. On the NBA on ESPN, Marks explained why he has those concerns and brought up an interesting stat line. “The starters averaged […]

The ongoing saga between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson has plenty of teams intrigued. One of those could be the Green Bay Packers. After Hendrickson called out the Bengals’ lack of communication, heading to the NFC North wouldn’t be too bad. After all, he’d pair well with Rashan Gary in Jeff Hafley’s defensive system, […]

Former Boston Bruins teammates Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron will have a special relationship. After the Bruins traded Marchand to the Florida Panthers, the latter has bolstered their squad. Most notably, though, that experience came in handy in yet another Game 7. Marchand extended his winning streak against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7’s. […]

Florida basketball continues to reload amid another NCAA title run. Rueben Chinyelu will be returning to the program, according to CBB insider Jon Rothstein. Questions about the Gators depth continue to fly out the window. Not to mention, Florida basketball landed players like Boogie Fland in the transfer portal. They wasted no time making up […]

The Phoenix Mercury losing Kahleah Copper wasn’t on their agenda. It also wasn’t on Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas’s radar. After all, the three were destined to be one of the WNBA’s top Big 3. Despite battling a back injury throughout training camp, a nagging knee injury resurfaced. Since Unrivaled, the All-WNBA guard has dealt […]

PHOENIX — Chemistry is an ongoing concept in basketball, especially for the Phoenix Mercury. After all, the Mercury had two crucial injury updates for Saturday’s home opener. Luckily, they had superstars Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to lean on. The duo posted 20 and 27 points, respectively, in the 81-59 rout of the Seattle Storm. […]

The Phoenix Mercury received two pivotal injury updates before their season opener versus the Seattle Storm. Those two players? Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack. Both players were dealing with respective knee and back injuries. However, Copper underwent arthroscopic surgery on her left knee, which will keep her sidelined for four to six weeks. Meanwhile, Mack […]

PHOENIX– Alyssa Thomas is one of the best players in the WNBA. After the Phoenix Mercury traded for Thomas in February, what they didn’t know was who they would be getting on and off the court. There’s a surprising alter ego on the hardwood, contrary to her off the floor. The former Maryland Terrapins forward […]

The New York Knicks are advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. After Karl-Anthony Towns was a major X-factor against the Boston Celtics, he showed some love to his brothers, who helped prepare him for the moment. KAT "For the brothers that was with me Saturdays at Gauchos Gym, Sundays at Rucker Park, to my Dominicans…Washington […]

When Aaliyah Edwards dominated in Unrivaled, many were unsure if it would translate back to the WNBA. Luckily for those and the Washington Mystics organization, they had just that. Although Edwards didn’t play, her teammates had a huge 94-90 win over the Atlanta Dream. Not to mention, the latter has a roster comprised of Brittney […]

Although Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was encouraged on Friday, the team still lost 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks. Following the game, it was a historic one for the franchise. This was its first game, not to mention the first game in front of their fanbase. Nakase explained via Kenzo Fukuda of […]

Stephen A Smith is the latest to hop on the Jalen Brunson train. The New York Knicks point guard has had plenty of praise from people across the league, and former players. Recently, Jay Williams said that Brunson could be the greatest Knicks player ever. Smith thinks there is something the former Villanova guard needs […]

Game 5 between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars was highlighted by a single incident. Stars winger Jamie Benn leveled Mark Scheifele with one punch, leaving Jets head coach Scott Arniel stunned. He wasn’t necessarily stunned because of the punch. Rather, it was because of the punishment. For starters, Scheifele received two minutes for […]

Tensions are always high in hockey, especially in the NHL playoffs. With the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars squaring off in a Game 4 shutout, there was an impromptu moment between Jamie Benn, Mark Scheifele that caught Peter DeBoer’s attention. During the game, Benn sucker punched Scheifele, which led to an uproar of boos from […]

As Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck posted a Game 2 shutout, he posted another in Game 5. Still, the Jets trail the Dallas Stars, 3-2, in the second-round series. Following the shutout win, Hellebuyck had a simple message for his team about the Stars. “They’re going to have a big pushback the next game, so […]

Thursday, May 15, might be one of the toughest days for WNBA organizations, and especially for the Phoenix Mercury. After head coach Nate Tibbetts raved about the competitiveness of training camp, Thursday was the tough day. Despite a birthday celebration from Kahleah Copper, three players were not there to celebrate. Celeste Taylor, Megan McConnell, and […]