Golden State outlasts Atlanta to claim WNBA Finals lead

Time to put Dallas hooper Azzi Fudd on your fantasy football team…

Golden State outlasts Atlanta in Ballhalla

No. 2 Golden State can smell it, as the second-year expansion team topped No. 4 Atlanta 64-55 to grab a 3-2 WNBA Finals lead — and pull within one win of the title.

• Valkyries center Kiah Stokes made the difference in a tight matchup, tying her season-high of 13 points while adding eight rebounds and three blocks.

• “I always understood my value,” Stokes said. “But just to hear an arena full of 18,000 fans, it really makes me feel appreciated and loved.” (Watch full highlights)

Do-or-die: Golden State’s win puts the Dream on the brink of elimination, as the best-of-seven series returns to Atlanta for Thursday’s win-or-go-home Game 6.

• The Valkyries’ stifling defense limited forward Angel Reese to seven points on Monday — just the second time she’s been held below double-digit scoring for two straight games as a pro.

• “I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality,” she said. “For my teammates, when they’re getting slapped to the floor or knocked off, it’s a little frustrating.” (See full remarks)

Tune in: Game 6 of the WNBA Finals tips off Thursday at 12:30 PM ET (USA).

Alexia Putellas wins 3rd Ballon d’Or

Alexia Putellas did it again, as the London City star won a third Ballon d’Or on Monday — tying Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí for the women’s career record.

• Putellas captained Barcelona to the 2025/26 UWCL title before moving to the WSL, tallying seven Champions League goals along the way.

• “If you love football and if you want to play football, play football,” Putellas said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or if you’re a girl.” Putellas said. (Watch full speech)

Spanish sweep: Putellas’s win adds to Spain’s recent dominance, as the world’s top-ranked national team prepares to defend its World Cup crown in 2027.

• Forward Ewa Pajor (Barcelona/Poland) scored the second-most votes, followed by forward Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica), midfielder Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes/Haiti) and midfielder Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain).

• Gotham’s Rose Lavelle — the USWNT’s only finalist — finished 27th. (See full results)

WNBA Finals finds a home for Game 6

Game 6 has found a home, as the 2026 WNBA Finals pushed Thursday’s tipoff to 12:30 PM ET in order to secure Atlanta’s 17,044-seat State Farm Arena.

• The venue’s previously scheduled regular-season Hawks game was also pushed back 30 minutes, allowing for both leagues to share the floor.

• “We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena, and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that made this move possible,” said outgoing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. (See full release)

Big moves: The compromise frees the Dream from hosting the do-or-die clash at the 3,500-capacity Gateway Center, after State Farm’s availability was in doubt.

• Having outgrown its former College Park home, Atlanta recently announced plans to stage all home games at the larger urban venue starting in 2027.

• “We’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line,” added Engelbert.

Your daily home for women’s sports is here, as the all-new JWS App debuts this week — delivering everything you need to be a women’s sports fan, all in one place.

• Stay on top of who’s playing, follow all the scores, and catch the latest news while keeping up with all your favorite JWS content.

Check it out: Download the JWS App today.

NWSL drops Decision Day details

Decision Day is fast approaching, as the NWSL revealed plans for a final regular-season slate that promises both a 2026 Shield winner and playoff race dramatics.

• ESPN will debut as the exclusive US broadcaster for Sunday’s eight simultaneous kickoffs, spotlighting No. 1 Gotham’s Shield pursuit against No. 6 Utah on its flagship channel while ESPN+ airs the rest of the lineup. (See full schedule)

Big picture: NWSL adopted the Decision Day format in 2023, while the Shield has come down to the regular season’s final weekend just four times in league history.

• Fans looking to watch all eight matches can catch ESPN2’s whip-around show, as No. 2 San Diego aims to spoil Gotham’s title quest against No. 13 Boston while three teams vie for one last playoff berth. (See full standings)

Tune in: The NWSL action starts Sunday at 5 PM ET (ESPN/ESPN+).

MLV announces 1st-ever John Cook Invitational

Pro volleyball is coming to Lincoln, as Major League Volleyball announced plans to host next season’s inaugural John Cook Invitational at the University of Nebraska.

• The Omaha Supernovas and LA Thunder headline the event honoring retired Husker volleyball coach John Cook and the state’s passion for the sport.

Big plans: The competition seeks to introduce the loyal college crowd to the pro game by pitting Omaha against one of MLV’s newest expansion teams.

• “There is no better place to celebrate the past, present, and future of volleyball than Lincoln,” said MLV Commissioner Jaime Weston. “And few people have done more to advance the sport in the US than John Cook.” (See full release)

Be there: The John Cook International kicks off on February 28th, with ticket pre-sales launching November 4th via mlvb.com.

Quote of the day

Golden State guard Veronica Burton
suggesting how West Coast fans can catch Game 6’s 9:30 AM PT tipoff on Thursday.