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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The Valkyries Are One Win Away 💜
Welcome to Valkatraz. The Golden State Valkyries took a 3-2 Finals lead Monday night, beating the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Golden State is now one win away from its first WNBA championship. It won’t be easy, though, with Game 6 taking place in Atlanta. Golden State's defense locked down the Dream’s offense, including Angel Reese, who finished with seven points, well below her average. Reese still grabbed 15 rebounds, but the Dream will need more from her offensively to keep their season alive.
🗳️ Will this Finals series go to seven games?
2. Game 6 Moves to Early Start Time for Arena Change 🏟️
Maybe the third time is the charm for the Dream ownership. The league has once again changed the Finals schedule so the Dream can play at the larger, 17,000-seat State Farm Arena instead of their usual 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena.
Game 6 will be on Thursday, October 29, but at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Hawks-Cavaliers game has been pushed to 8 p.m. ET that night. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: The move means thousands more fans can attend, although the early tipoff time is frustrating for people who work business hours. Making this happen again required coordination between the WNBA and NBA, both teams playing in the game, broadcasters, and arena staff.
Hopefully, this Finals series serves as a wake up call for WNBA ownership groups to invest in venues and facilities that can accommodate their fans and support their teams.
3. Team USA Announces 3x3 AmeriCup Roster 🇺🇸
Aziaha James, Flau’jae Johnson, Aerial Powers, and Sydney Taylor will represent Team USA at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in El Salvador, running October 28 through November 1. (USA Basketball)
WHY IT MATTERS: This new team has a lot to live up to, and build upon. The U.S. are defending champions and have won three of the five previous AmeriCup titles. Powers and Taylor both bring prior FIBA 3x3 experience, while Johnson won gold with USA at the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup (5-on-5). James will make her USA Basketball debut.
📺 Watch all tournament games on the FIBA YouTube channel
🎁 A Different Kind of Gift for Women's Basketball Fans
Finding a gift for the women's basketball fan in your life is about to get a little more interesting.
The Post-Up Club, a monthly snail-mail membership celebrating women's basketball, is getting ready to introduce a special holiday gift collection. Think real letters, fun basketball-themed paper extras, and something to look forward to in the mailbox each month. Details are coming very soon!
OVERTIME ⏱️
Back in South Bend: Skylar Diggins has joined Niele Ivey's Notre Dame staff as a special advisor.
Stewie Swag: The first 6,000 fans at the December 5 Women's Champions Classic at Barclays will get a two-sided Breanna Stewart bobblehead.
Out of Office: Podcaster Jordan Robinson has your back on how to explain to your boss why you need to miss work for Game 6.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if the Fever's recent front office changes surprised you, and it looks like most of you saw this coming. 78% of you responded “Not really.”
