Golden State pulls level ahead of tonight's Game 5

Retired WNBA icon Nneka Ogwumike is always looking out for the next generation.

Golden State pulls level ahead of Game 5

No. 2 Golden State won’t quit, evening its WNBA Finals battle with No. 4 Atlanta 67-62 on Saturday to send the series back to Ballhalla all tied up at 2-2.

• In a full-team defensive effort, the Valkyries allowed just three Dream players to finish Game 4 in double-digit scoring, with Golden State’s Cecilia Zandalasini adding a key 10 points off the bench.

• “[The] thing we’ve been preaching all year is keeping our composure,” guard Kaila Charles said. “We just have to continue to take their punches — but punch back.” (Watch full highlights)

Scouting report: Tonight’s matchup has already made WNBA Finals history, marking the first-ever Game 5 since the league moved to a best-of-seven format.

• Atlanta will bank on guard Rhyne Howard’s momentum after she put up a personal series-high 19 points and eight rebounds, while star forward Angel Reese looks to bounce back from Saturday’s nine-point showing.

• “I think it was just me. I rushed my shots,” Reese said. “If we stand together and get back to our identity, we’ll be fine.” (Watch full clip)

Tune in: Game 5 of the WNBA Finals tips off tonight at 8 PM ET (USA).

One playoff spot remains after big NWSL weekend

The NWSL postseason is taking shape, as No. 7 Portland’s 1-0 Friday win over No. 9 North Carolina sent the Thorns, No. 6 Utah, No. 5 Angel City, and No. 4 Kansas City through to the 2026 playoffs.

• Only one ticket remains, with No. 8 Seattle, No. 10 Denver, and the Courage all fighting for survival in Sunday’s regular-season finale.

• “It’s not in our hands anymore,” said NC manager Mak Lind. “We need to make sure everything we got, all energy, focus, needs to be addressed to the next game — playing Denver at home.” (See full standings)

High stakes: The Shield also comes down to Decision Day, as No. 2 San Diego has a chance to overtake No. 1 Gotham’s three-point grip on the regular-season trophy.

• The Bats can clinch with a result against the Royals, but the Wave can upset with a Gotham loss and goal-differential erasing win over No. 14 Bay FC.

• “We put ourselves in a good position to be able to be in control, so it’s less about what else is going on,” said Gotham assistant coach Shaun Harris. “If we do what we need to do, then the job will be done.” (See full scenarios)

Stay tuned: Decision Day kicks off on Sunday at 5 PM ET (ESPN).

Skye Blakely wins 1st Worlds all-around gold

Skye Blakely’s comeback is complete, as the 21-year-old US gymnast earned her first-career all-around title at the World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam.

• All three all-around medals were decided by less than one point, after Blakely’s score of 55.733 across all four apparatuses edged Russia’s Liudmila Roshchina (55.199) and China’s Ke Qinqin (55.032).

• “To see it really come to be tonight, it makes me so proud of myself and makes me reflect on little me who would dream of this,” Blakely said. (Watch full highlights)

Big return: Blakely’s victory punctuates a comeback years in the making, after she was forced to withdraw from the 2024 US Olympic Trials with an Achilles injury.

• She earned four medals overall — all-around gold, team silver, and bronze in vault and uneven bars — coming in second behind legend Simone Biles in medals won at a single World Championships.

• “Throughout the meet, I was telling myself, ‘Do it for the girl in 2021, and the girl in 2024 who couldn’t do everything, just fight for her,’” Blakely added. (See full recap)

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.

Atlanta’s Game 6 venue hangs in the balance

Atlanta is again facing venue trouble, as Thursday night’s previously scheduled NBA matchup threatens to displace Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.

• The Hawks are set to face Cleveland at the 17,044-seat State Farm Arena, potentially moving the Dream’s clash with Golden State to the 3,500-seat Gateway Center.

• “We are waiting to hear from the league if any changes can be made to allow us to play in State Farm Arena,” Atlanta told ESPN. “If not, the game will be played in Gateway Center Arena.” (See full report)

Big plans: The WNBA has reportedly been pursuing an NBA schedule change, though any solution presents additional challenges for all teams involved.

• The league has also reportedly discussed adjusting the WNBA Finals slate, which could see the best-of-seven series stretch to November 3rd.

A’ja Wilson headlines All-WNBA 1st Team

Top talent stole the spotlight on Saturday, as five-time reigning MVP A’ja Wilson headlined this season’s decorated All-WNBA First Team.

• New York’s Breanna Stewart, Minnesota’s Olivia Miles, and Indiana duo Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell rounded out the balanced roster.

• Washington’s Shakira Austin, Las Vegas’s Jackie Young, Dallas’s Paige Bueckers, and Atlanta’s Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard all received Second Team honors. (See full lineups)

Snubs & surprises: No players from WNBA Finals contender Golden State made the cut, despite finishing the year in second place behind a league-leading defense.

Quote of the day

Retired USWNT legend Alex Morgan
announcing the birth of Tiago — her third child — on social media.