Atlanta hosts New York amid injury concerns

Even the Queen of Pop-Rap knows Ballhalla belongs to the Valkyries.

Atlanta shoots for 2 amid injury shakeup

No. 4 Atlanta is gearing up for Game 2, looking to take a commanding 2-0 WNBA semifinals lead over No. 8 New York tonight after Game 1’s 92-82 victory.

• Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner combined for 48 points in the best-of-five series opener, offsetting Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu’s 27 points.

• However, Atlanta will be without leading scorer Allisha Gray, ruled out with a hand injury she aggravated twice on Sunday — resulting in an early Game 1 exit. (See full report)

Change of pace: The Dream is also making moves off the court, announcing plans to leave College Park’s 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to play full time at Atlanta’s 17,000-seat State Farm Arena next year.

• The franchise has grown its season-ticket base more than 400% in five years while selling out the NBA venue eight times — including five of six regular-season games this year. 

• “This is an exciting next chapter,” said President and COO Morgan Shaw Parker. “State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta.” (See full release)

Tune in: The Dream hosts the Liberty tonight at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN).

Shorthanded Aces eye a comeback

No. 3 Las Vegas is shooting its shot, searching for a bounce-back against No. 2 Golden State tonight after opening the best-of-five semis with a 71-60 loss.

• Gabby Williams dropped 25 points in Game 1, one-upping A’ja Wilson’s 24 while holding Las Vegas to a season-low 60 points on the road.

• Wilson has anchored the Aces all postseason with 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, with Jackie Young putting up 20.2 points on 46.3% shooting over her last 10. (See full stats) 

Taking stock: The banged-up Aces’ lineup hangs in the balance, with guard Jewell Loyd currently listed as “doubtful” after the veteran departed Game 1 with a left leg knock.

• Las Vegas carried a hefty IL on Sunday, as Loyd joined Stephanie Talbot (leg), Dana Evans (knee), and NaLyssa Smith (SEI) on the bench.

• “We’re a little bit depleted right now,” coach Becky Hammon said. “At some point I wish we would get healthy, but you know, it is what it is.” (See injury report)

Tune in: Las Vegas takes on Golden State tonight at 9:30 PM ET (NBC Sports).

Free agency fears loom over Fever

Indiana is bracing for the offseason, as the Fever faces major roster questions after getting bounced from the WNBA playoffs for the second straight year.

• Points leader Kelsey Mitchell headlines the unrestricted free agent list, telling reporters she plans to “be selfish” with her next move after nine years in Indianapolis.

• Mitchell is coming off a historic season, averaging a league-second 24.7 points on a career-high 50.9% shooting while setting franchise records for points and made threes. (See full report)

Circling the wagons: The Mystics, Fire, Sparks, and Mercury have all been posited as potential landing spots for Mitchell, each flush with salary cap space and in need of elite perimeter shooters. 

• Fever GM Amber Cox called Mitchell a “major priority” while expressing interest in re-signing free agent Sophie Cunningham despite the guard’s continued media firestorm. 

• “Sophie has had two really productive years for us,” Cox said. “She brings levity, but also brings a lot of experience. She’s serious and is an important voice in our locker room.” (See full clip)

UPSHOT League adds 7th franchise

Another pro basketball upstart is growing, as the UPSHOT League announced Tampa will join the fold in May alongside fellow expansion sides the Nashville Vibe and Baltimore Starlings.

• The 2027 newcomers follow the second-flight league’s four founding clubs — the Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown, and Greensboro Groove — with the Florida-based franchise now soliciting branding ideas via its “Name the Team” campaign. (See full details)

Big wins: UPSHOT wrapped a successful first season in August, sending six players to the WNBA on developmental deals before the Charlotte Crown lifted the inaugural trophy.

• “UPSHOT is about creating meaningful opportunities for players to compete, grow, and build their careers while connecting them with communities that love the game,” said Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin. “Tampa Bay is a championship city, and it is ready for women’s professional basketball.” (See full release)

Pro flag football league holds 1st qualifier

The road to pro flag football is forming, as TMRW Sports and the NFL held their planned league’s first qualifier at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this week.

• 57 men’s and women’s athletes from nine countries participated in drills, flag-pull training, and simulated gameplay, with top performers advancing to next year’s combine and additional tryouts planned for the US and abroad. (See full report)

Big picture: Piloted by former NFL GM and newly minted flag football operations head Champ Kelly, the league is expected to launch ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028. 

• “The invited athletes came to compete,” Kelly said. “But I also want to be clear, we’re casting a wide net. We want flag football’s elite, and we want the cross-sport athlete who doesn’t even know yet that flag is their sport. We’re going to find them both.”

What you had to say

Last week, 71% of you said that the Aces would make it to the 2026 WNBA semifinals.

• 71%: Las Vegas Aces

• 29%: Indiana Fever