Valkyries look to even the WNBA Finals in Game 4

Will this iconic moment prove to be the ultimate picture of the WNBA finals?

Golden State looks to bounce back in Game 4

No. 3 Golden State is digging deep, looking to put Wednesday’s 26-point Game 3 blowout loss to No. 4 Atlanta behind them in Saturday’s Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.

• Golden State couldn’t overcome a slow start on Wednesday, failing to score a bucket for the first 4:53 of the matchup — the second-longest drought to open a finals game.

• “We continue to point out the things where we lack discipline, and where we lack maybe paying attention to their personnel," Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said. (See full report)

Big picture: In order to even up the series, the Valkyries will have to slow down Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, and cool off the Dream from beyond the arc.

• Atlanta hit nine 3-pointers and shot 49.3% from the field on Wednesday, its best regulation scoring output of the 2026 postseason.

• "An element of it obviously is a little bit surprising, in the sense of that is kind of what we hang our hats on, is our discipline, is our composure," Burton said.

Tune in: Atlanta hosts Golden State in Game 4 on Saturday at 1 PM ET (NBC).

Denver fights for NWSL playoff life

No. 10 Denver’s playoff fate is out of its hands, as the Summit fight to stay in the NWSL postseason race this weekend.

• Following the expansion side’s 3-2 collapse against No. 5 Angel City last week, the Summit need to beat No. 15 Louisville to keep their playoff dreams alive — and need No. 8 Seattle to lose to No. 6 Utah.

• “I don’t think we lack anything, I think we have all the pieces here,” said Denver defender Janine Sonis. “It’s just small details.” (Watch full clip)

Big picture: Other squads up the NWSL table have clearer paths to punching their postseason tickets, as No. 4 Kansas City, Angel City, Utah, and No. 7 Portland can all clinch berths with a win this weekend. (See full standings)

• The Reign could also use a hand from longtime rival Portland. A Seattle win combined with a Portland win over No. 9 North Carolina would see both teams through to the playoffs.

• "We have been thinking about every game as if it is a playoff game at this point because we want to stay in control of our fate, so we have a one-game focus,” said Reign defender Madison Curry.

Tune in: The playoff race resumes tonight, as Utah hosts Seattle at 9:30 PM ET (NWSL+).

US tapped to host 2028 Women’s Club World Cup

Global club soccer is moving stateside as FIFA announced on Thursday that the US will host the first-ever Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028.

• The tournament joins other high-profile women’s soccer events in the US in coming years, including an expanded Olympic field in Los Angeles in 2028 and an uncontested hosting bid for the 2031 World Cup.

• “The United States' recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women's football there … made the country the standout option,” said FIFA chief women's football officer Dame Sarai Bareman. (See full report)

Big picture: The Women’s Club World Cup will feature 19 of the world’s top soccer clubs, with varied numbers of teams from each regional confederation getting a chance to compete on a global stage.

• UEFA will send six clubs, AFC, CAF, Concacaf and Conmebol will send three each, and the OFC will send one.

• Arsenal (WSL), Barcelona (Primera División), Club América (Liga MX Femenil), Gotham FC (NWSL), Naegohyang Women's FC (DPR Korea WPL), SC Corinthians (Brasileirão Feminino), and Wuhan Jiangda WFC (Chinese WPL) have already qualified.

Juju Watkins returns as preseason All-American

College hoops expectations are set: USC superstar Juju Watkins was named to the AP preseason All-America team on Thursday as she prepares to return from the ACL tear she suffered in 2025.

• Watkins and UConn’s Sarah Strong are the two former AP Players of the Year on this season’s list. USC skyrocketed to No. 3 in the AP preseason poll in anticipation of her healthy return.

• “She has worked so hard both on and off the court, and the joy and talent she brings to college basketball is a great thing not only for our team, but for anyone who is a fan of the game,” said USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. (See full report)

Big picture: Texas forward Madison Booker, Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes, and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo round out the team — marking the third straight year of preseason honors for both Hidalgo and Booker.

• "In my mind, Madison Booker is the best player in the country," Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. "Every night when we take the floor, I feel pretty good about that."

WTGL announces inaugural broadcast team

WTGL has found its voices: The startup indoor women’s golf league announced its on-air talent on Wednesday ahead of an inaugural season that tees off in November on ESPN platforms and ION.

• Women will make up a majority of the crew calling each match, including former college golfer Emilia Doran and ACC Network host Taylor Tannebaum.

• "We wanted to use voices that are not the main voices that you already know and love on LPGA coverage," TMRW Sports VP of content Jeff Neubarth told Front Office Sports. "We wanted to use some different voices." (See full report)

Big picture: Modeled on the popular men’s TGL, WTGL will feature a hybrid of live and simulated play, with LGPA stars divided into five teams: Motor City, Boston Common, New York, Atlanta Drive, and Los Angeles.

• Top players including world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, English star Lottie Woad, reigning Olympic champion Lydia Ko, and legend Michelle Wie West are set to compete in the league’s first season.

Quote of the day

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey
on former player Angel Reese’s breakout postseason with the Atlanta Dream.