Aces send Fever packing behind A'ja Wilson's heroics

Dallas’s bench enjoyed front-row seats to the Arike Show this week.

Las Vegas sends Indiana packing

No. 3 Las Vegas punched its ticket, taking down No. 6 Indiana 94-83 on Thursday to win the best-of-three first-round series and book a trip to the WNBA semifinals.

• Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson made the difference for the defending champion, posting 36 points and 10 rebounds while helping hold Fever duo Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell to less than 34% from the field.

• “I was just trying to send a message not only to the Indiana Fever but to my teammates,” Wilson said. “We kept saying, ‘Empty the tank.’” (Watch full highlights)

Scouting report: The Aces next face either No. 2 Golden State or No. 7 Dallas on Sunday, as the Valkyries and Wings gear up for tonight’s winner-take-all Game 3.

• Golden State is hunting a first-ever semifinal berth after letting Game 2 slip away in overtime behind Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale’s late-game burst.

• “We’re not here to trade baskets with people, we’re a defensive team,” said Valkyries guard Gabby Williams. “We need to get stops.” (See full preview)

Tune in: Golden State hosts Dallas tonight at 9 PM ET (ESPN2).

Angel Reese wins 2026 Defensive Player of the Year

No. 4 Atlanta’s Angel Reese rules the paint, earning 2026 Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday to bring home the Dream’s first-ever WNBA DPOY award.

• Reese tallied 46 of 74 votes, beating out Golden State’s Gabby Williams (20), Las Vegas’s A’ja Wilson (4), and Washington’s Shakira Austin (2).

• “She’s not afraid of any challenge,” said head coach Karl Smesko. “She relishes these opportunities and steps up in big moments.” (See full report)

Scouting report: Atlanta will lean on its defensive centerpiece on Sunday, as the Dream tips off its best-of-five semifinal series with No. 8 New York — aiming to reach the WNBA finals for the first time since 2013.

• Atlanta took the pair’s regular-season series 2-1, but the Liberty’s recent surge — including this week’s first-round upset of No. 1 Minnesota — underlined its depth and physicality when healthy.

• “We are an eight-seed even though we don’t feel like it,” forward Breanna Stewart said. “We need to be that... have that chip on our shoulder.” (See full preview)

Tune in: Atlanta hosts New York on Sunday (details TBD).

North Carolina fights for playoff contention

No. 9 North Carolina is losing pace, sitting one point below playoff contention heading into this weekend’s NWSL slate despite Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez’s best efforts.

• The Courage dropped four of its last five games, conceding a total of nine goals while falling from third to ninth place.

• “We always try to find details we can improve in our style of play,” said manager Mak Lind. “This week has been a preparation of details.” (See full standings)

Scouting report: North Carolina could pick up six points before October’s international break, taking on No. 8 Seattle tonight with major postseason implications.

• The Reign will be bolstered by USWNT defender Jordyn Bugg’s recent contract extension, as the team balances its present and future.

• “Jordyn represents so much of what we believe in and where we want this club to go,” said GM Lesle Gallimore. (See full release)

Tune in: Seattle hosts North Carolina tonight at 9 PM ET (NWSL+).

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 breaks down the USWNT’s surprise call-ups, biggest snubs, and why the team’s worry-meter is still spiking at a few key positions.

• Plus, why Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor are headed to the U-23s, how Mallory Swanson’s versatility is shaping her roster role, and why October’s friendlies with Spain could be coach Emma Hayes’s biggest test yet.

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

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

WTA drops 2027 calendar, ups equal prize money

The WTA is making strides, dropping its 2027 calendar this week while continuing to push for equal prize money between men’s and women’s tours.

• All seven combined 1000-level events will award equal payouts across next year’s WTA and ATP draws — up from four in 2026.

• The WTA is also introducing a targeted Tournament Investment Fund designed to assist select tournaments by directing financial support to markets where it will make the greatest impact. (See full report)

Big picture: Many of these changes have been driven by the recently launched Tour Architecture Council, a committee of players, tournament organizers, and WTA leaders chaired by world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

• “The 2027 changes give us more ability to build our seasons around our own goals — competitively and personally,” said Pegula. “That’s an impactful step forward.”

Naomi Girma to miss USWNT’s October window

The USWNT lost some veteran firepower, as US Soccer announced defender Naomi Girma will miss next month’s Spain friendlies due to a muscle issue.

• The Chelsea star picked up the injury in practice this week, after starting the 2026/27 WSL season on the bench.

• “Naomi got a knock in training, so I think she will be unavailable for maybe a few weeks,” Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said. (See full report)

Big picture: Already without the injured Emily Sonnett, Girma’s absence renders the US roster thin ahead of back-to-back clashes with FIFA’s world No. 1.

• The team will soon tap a replacement, with Tierna Davidson, Tara Rudd, and Kennedy Wesley set to hold down the central defense. (See full roster)

Quote of the day

Dallas guard Paige Bueckers
on planning to leave it all on the court in tonight’s win-or-go-home Game 3 decider.