USWNT looks to shake off Saturday's 2-0 loss to Spain

At just 24, Atlanta’s Angel Reese is standing on the brink of WNBA history.

USWNT looks to shake off Spain loss

The USWNT is searching for a spark, attempting to shake off Saturday’s 2-0 loss to reigning World Cup champion Spain in tonight’s second and final fall friendly.

• The US lost control early in DC, allowing two goals in the first 15 minutes before struggling to convert in the second half — and missing a penalty.

• “You can’t afford to go 2-0 down, especially the way we conceded those goals, but that’s the learning,” said manager Emma Hayes. (Watch full highlights)

Doubling down: The USWNT has a chance to settle the score in Pennsylvania, though Hayes has promised very little roster rotation between the two matchups.

• “I’m frustrated, I’m disappointed, but I’m not deterred,” she said. “We got some really, really good players, and we’re a really good team, regardless of the result today. I think we’re much closer to them than we were three years ago — definitely.” (See full report)

Tune in: The US kicks off against Spain tonight at 7 PM ET (TNT).

Golden State takes aim at WNBA history

No. 2 Golden State is pacing ahead of schedule, ousting reigning champion No. 3 Las Vegas 87-77 in overtime on Friday to book a first-ever trip to the WNBA finals.

• The Valkyries became the first expansion team to reach the championship in just its second year, pulling off a semifinal sweep behind unmatched depth.

• “We’re making history,” said guard Veronica Burton. “This is unimaginable, but for us it’s so realistic — it’s what we expected and what we worked toward.” (Watch full highlights)

Scouting report: The result guarantees the league its first debut champion since 2024, as Golden State faces a similarly scrappy No. 4 Atlanta squad.

• The Valkyries earned the WNBA’s top defensive rating this season, while second-place Atlanta posted the highest steal rate with 9.1 per game.

• “We’ve all, in one way or fashion, been the underdogs,” said Golden State reserve guard Kaila Charles. “It’s just that mentality of having the chip on our shoulder, understanding that this could be taken away unless you give 110%.” (See full report)

Tune in: The WNBA finals tip off on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET (NBC).

Atlanta barrels into the WNBA finals

No. 4 Atlanta is keeping the dream alive, sweeping its semifinal series with No. 8 New York to secure a fourth-ever WNBA finals appearance — and its first since 2013.

• 2026 Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese led the Dream with 22 points on Friday, adding to her 20.7-point, 7.7-rebound postseason average.

• “When you speak positive things in your life, it happens,” Reese said. “You manifest big things and big dreams and have those goals and you can do anything you put your mind to.” (Watch full highlights)

Venue trouble: Atlanta now faces another hurdle, as scheduling conflicts could force the Dream to move its home games with Golden State to the 3,500-seat Gateway Center.

• After hosting the team’s three prior playoff clashes, the 17,044-capacity State Farm Arena is now booked with a concert and two Hawks games.

• Atlanta has a few days to figure out a solution, as the best-of-seven finals tip off at the Valkyries’ 18,064-seat Chase Center on Friday. (See full report)

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Check it out: Download the JWS App today.

Cheryl Reeve wins WNBA Executive of the Year

Cheryl Reeve made the right moves, as Minnesota’s head coach and head of basketball operations won a record third WNBA Executive of the Year award.

• Reeve led the 33-11 Lynx to a No. 1 playoff seed, picking up 2026 Coach of the Year before a first-round upset at the hands of No. 8 New York.

• She’s now the first to win the award three times with the same team, tying Atlanta GM Dan Padover in career wins. (See full report)

Taking stock: In addition to serving as head coach since 2010, Reeve has been GM since 2017 — and was instrumental in drafting 2026 Rookie of the year Olivia Miles.

• Padover came in second after acquiring DPOY Angel Reese in the offseason, followed by Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin, who helped guide the Valkyries to a No. 2 playoff seed in just their second year.

Jezelle ‘GG’ Banks commits to South Carolina

Jezelle “GG” Banks made the call, as the touted Class of 2027 recruit officially committed to South Carolina on Saturday.

• The No. 4 prospect turned down Texas and LSU, giving the Gamecocks their highest ranked point guard since two-time NCAA champion Raven Johnson.

• “I want to compete for national championships, and I want to be pushed every single day,” Banks told ESPN. (See full report)

Sneak peek: The national audience got a glimpse of Banks’s future in July, when the high schooler won the 2026 WNBA All-Star Shooting Stars competition alongside Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne and Washington center Shakira Austin.

• “It’s gonna be really cool when she’s in this down the road — when she’s a WNBA All-Star,” Delle Donne said of Banks. (See full recap)

Quote of the day

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma
on the four former Huskies anchoring the Golden State Valkyries’ WNBA finals run.