Meet Rose, the newest glitter-breathing serpentine addition to the Portland Fire.

Four WNBA teams punch playoff tickets

The WNBA playoff race is nearing its end, as four teams clinched playoff berths this weekend — with just one ticket still up for grabs.

• No. 4 Atlanta, No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 New York, and No. 7 Washington join Minnesota, Golden State, and Las Vegas in the 2026 postseason, propelled by weekend wins alongside two straight Fire losses.

• “I’m just absolutely elated,” Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said of the team’s first playoff berth since 2023. “It’s a clear step forward for our organization.” (See full standings)

Taking stock: With the 10th- through 14th-place teams already eliminated, No. 8 Dallas and No. 9 Portland are left to battle for the eighth and final playoff spot.

• The Wings hold a 6.5-game lead on the Fire, with a chance to finish the job in tomorrow’s head-to-head matchup.

• “We want to have the same approach, every single game,” said Dallas guard Paige Bueckers. “We can’t play like we’re trying to make the playoffs — we got play to our identity.” (See full report)

Tune in: Dallas takes on Portland on Tuesday at 8 PM ET (NBA TV).

Ashley Sanchez pleads her MVP case

Ashley Sanchez is pleading her MVP case, scoring a brace in No. 6 North Carolina’s 2-1 win over No. 15 Boston on Saturday to put her stamp on the NWSL’s Golden Boot race.

• Sanchez officially overtook Orlando’s Barbra Banda atop the goals tally with 13 on the season — as her 107th-minute penalty strike against the Legacy marked the latest regular-season goal in league history.

• “Scoring two goals was incredible,” said Courage manager Mak Lind. “It was a very special day for her, so I’m proud of her.” (Watch full highlights)

Taking stock: North Carolina is climbing the NWSL standings behind four wins in five games — with just six points dividing No. 2 Washington and No. 7 Kansas City.

• No. 1 Gotham strengthened its grip on the 2026 Shield in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with No. 9 Angel City, sitting seven points above a skidding Spirit side.

• Though the Bats may have taken a roster blow, as midfielder Rose Lavelle exited yesterday’s match with a first-half head injury. (See full report)

Up next: Sanchez returns Wednesday, as North Carolina hosts Angel City at 8 PM ET (CBS Sports).

Coco Gauff wins all-U.S. final in Cincinnati

World No. 4 Coco Gauff got it done, taking down fellow US talent No. 3 Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to lift the Cincinnati Open trophy on Sunday.

• Gauff became just the third WTA player to rack up two Cincinnati titles after her 2023 victory, joining greats Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

• “I think it was a long journey, but I’m happy," Gauff said. “It’s night and day, the player I was last year to now.” (Watch full highlights)

Scouting report: After her 2023 win foreshadowed her breakout US Open title run, Gauff is now gearing up for a high-stakes Grand Slam in Queens.

• Both No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Elena Rybakina struggled in Ohio, with Sabalenka falling to unseeded Sara Bejlek in the Round of 16 before Rybakina exited her quarterfinal with injury.

• “I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York,” Gauff cautioned. “Just knowing the quality that I had this week, hopefully I can use that experience.”

Up next: The US Open first round kicks off on Sunday at 11 AM ET (ESPN).

Catch up on the latest women’s soccer headlines, as an all-new The Late Sub presented by Ally Bank dishes up host Claire Watkins’s hottest takes on all things USWNT, NWSL, Champions League, and more.

• In the episode, Claire dives into the troubles down in Louisville — Racing has an attendance problem, but is ownership making fans the scapegoat?

• And while coach Bev Yanez has the team on a winning streak, there might not be time to right the ship before this season’s end.

Tune in: Catch The Late Sub with Claire Watkins on YouTube.

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

$150 million joint training center opens in Portland

Portland is upping its game, as the Thorns and Fire unveiled their $150 million training facility on Saturday — marking a first for women’s sports.

• The dual complex features two soccer pitches, two basketball courts, dining areas, strength and performance center, dedicated family spaces, and more.

• “We’re creating more than something that’s just for both teams,” Fire and Thorns Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage told Just Women’s Sports. “We are creating a complete women’s sports ecosystem.” (See photos)

Big picture: The Thorns and Fire are the only jointly-owned NWSL and WNBA teams, allowing RAJ Sports to create an elite environment for both squads.

• “Our athletes are so multifaceted,” Bhathal Merage said. “They love music and art and food and culture and fashion, and we’ve been very intentional when we built out our Kaiser Permanente Performance Center.” (See full release)

PWHL’s Walter Cup goes missing

The PWHL’s Walter Cup trophy is missing, as the reigning champion Montréal Victoire saw its permanent replica of the trophy disappear in transit.

• According to reports, the Cup was en route to Alberta, Canada to spend the day with Victoire forward Dara Grieg but never arrived.

• Its last public appearance was on August 9th, with the league telling The AP it’s “working closely with the shipping company to locate it.” (See full report)

Big picture: The original Walter Cup is on permanent display at Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame, with each year’s winning team receiving a silver replica following a ceremonial presentation on the ice.

Number of the day 

18

The Fever put up a franchise-record 18 made 3-pointers in Sunday’s win over the Sky.