How is the pro women’s basketball community feeling about the ICE raids in Minnesota? Jackie Powell and Howard Megdal spoke to Minnesota natives Paige Bueckers and Rachel Banham at an Unrivaled practice in Philadelphia about how they’ve been processing what’s going on in the country. Later Jackie and Howard sit down for an interview with Lexie Brown to discuss the upcoming season of Athletes Unlimited. And lastly the pair dives into what they are watching for when it comes to Unrivaled’s two Friday night games in Philadelphia.

0:00 - Introduction

2:08 - #1 at The IX

4:14 - Paige Bueckers speaks on activism in Minnesota

7:59 - Rachel Banham contemplates next steps to handle violence in Minnesota

10:14 - Reflecting on what Banham and Bueckers had to say

14:41 - Lexie Brown joins us

16:09 - Adjustments Athletes Unlimited makes year over year

22:03 - How Lexie Brown has has been dealing with WNBA CBA negotiations

26:22- Lexie Brown reflects on her career

28:24- Advocating for those with Crohn's and Colitis

32:11- Courtvision- what to watch for in Unrivaled in Philadelphia

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Photos courtesy of Unrivaled

Video Credit: Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:

Jacob Mox details how the women’s basketball community has reacted to the violence in Minnesota:

https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/minnesota-lynx/minnesota-sports-figures-decry-ice-killings-occupation-cheryl-reeve-lynx/

Jonathan Tannenwald writes about Paige Bueckers speaking out about her home state:

https://www.inquirer.com/wnba/unrivaled-paige-bueckers-minnesota-minneapolis-ice-shootings-20260129.html?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=edit_social_share_email_traffic&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&utm_term=∫_promo=

Lexie Brown opens up about her journey with Crohn’s Disease:

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/crohns-disease/crohns-disease-lexie-brown-wnba

Howard’s latest column about Unrivaled ratings:

https://www.theixsports.com/features/how-to-reconcile-the-dueling-unrivaled-numbers-dawn-staley-talks-gamecocks/

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The 2026 Winter Olympic Games begin on February 5, and 230 women's hockey players will head to Italy to begin the women's tournament. But first, the PWHL season wraps up before the Olympic break begins. The Vancouver Goldeneyes and Ottawa Charge made a big trade, sending three players each way. And, the Boston Fleet are having a fantastic season so far. Maya is joined by The Ice Garden's Boston Fleet beat writer, Lydia Murray, to talk about the Fleet's season, the trade, and to preview Team USA at the Olympics. Who will take home the gold medal? Lydia and Maya predict their Olympic podium. Lydia's Substack: https://centericechronicles.substack.com/Find Lydia on X: https://x.com/lydia_murray12?lang=enSubscribe to The Ice Garden: https://www.theicegarden.com/Find Maya on X: https://x.com/mayaxeverysport

Photo credit: George Walker IV-Imagn Images

Host Kathleen Gier runs through a huge week for Trinity Rodman, which included signing a record-breaking new contract with the Washington Spirit and making her return to the U.S. women's national team in a 6-0 victory against Paraguay.