Angel Reese being praised for her performance during the 2026 WNBA Finals doesn't sit well with one Los Angeles Clippers fan.
The Atlanta Dream survived the win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Star forward Angel Reese contributed 15 points to the 80-69 win, but she had a somewhat off-shooting night.
Despite that, many have praised Reese for her overall performance in the series and want her to win the Finals MVP if the Dream seal the deal in Game 7.
One X user, 'Jacobtheclipper' doesn't share the same enthusiasm about Reese's WNBA Finals performance as others.

#finals #WNBA #angeles

Valkyries most to blame for ugly WNBA Finals Game 6 loss vs. Dream appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Valkyries had an opportunity to secure their first WNBA championship Thursday afternoon. Instead, a disastrous first quarter put them in a hole they could never quite climb out of.
Golden State fell 80-69 to the Atlanta Dream in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday in San Francisco. Despite a late comeback attempt, the Valkyries could not overcome a 20-point halftime deficit as Atlanta forced the series back to Golden State.
The Valkyries entered Thursday's matchup having won two consecutive games, but looked nothing like the team that had taken control of the series. Atlanta's offense came alive early, while Golden State struggled to generate much of anything on the other end.
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#state #first #dream

One compelling reason the words "Game 7" stir the sports fan's soul: It seldom happens.
Only six times in Bay Area history has a local franchise played in Game 7 with the championship at stake. And only three times has that captivating, tension-filled, winner-take-all event taken place here: Giants-Yankees in the 1962 World Series, A's-Mets in the 1973 World Series and Warriors-Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Now we have a fourth entry.
Saturday's Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center, featuring the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream, counts as a milestone on multiple levels. It also will mark the first time a WNBA postseason series has reached Game 7 - the league adopted a best-of-seven Finals format last year, when Las Vegas swept Phoenix.
The previous year, in 2024, New York and Minnesota went the distance in their best-of-five Finals (the Liberty won 67-62 in Game 5). Any decisive game brings sporting theater, but Game 7s carry extra cachet - as the culmination of a long series, with sustained drama and wild momentum swings.

#series #only #year #area

Valkyries bash 'unacceptable' start in WNBA Finals Game 6 loss to Dream appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
ATLANTA – Call it nerves, call it fatigue, call it championship anxiety, call it all of the above. Whatever was going on with the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter of their 80-69 loss to the Atlanta Dream in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, something wasn't right.
Their offense, which had had the juice and the fight the last two games to overcome the inefficient nature of how it functions, came out far too careful and tepid as the Dream blew up every on-ball screen they tried to set. Their defense, which has been the driving force of their magical run to the Finals, got torched. Atlanta rained down bucket after bucket as they shot 11-of-15 from the field and 6-of-8 from beyond the arc in the opening period, justifying the thunderous home crowd's decision to call out sick from work to watch their team shine.
Didn't matter that they eventually amped up their ball pressure and started forcing the Dream into some lazy passes. Didn't matter that they decided to get back to attacking the rim with reckless abandon in the second half, with their trips to the free-throw line helping them cut the deficit down to eight with 1:15 left in the game. Because by the time the Valkyries found the gear that makes them the Valkyries, it was too late.
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#valkyries #dream #finals

SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of Golden State Valkyries fans packed Rikki's Women's Sports Bar in southwest San Francisco on Thursday morning.
They came for a party.
Over 2,000 miles away, their Valkyries tipped off against the Atlanta Dream in a potential championship-clinching Game 6 at 12:30 p.m. local time — or 9:30 a.m. in the Bay Area.
With a trophy on the line for the 2-year-old franchise, fans arrived as early as 7 a.m. Staff reported 30 minutes later, and the bar opened at 8:30 a.m. Some asked bosses to move shifts, requested PTO, or called in sick. One fan declined an on-camera interview, admitting they didn't want their manager to find out why they skipped work.
There was community, cheers, chants … and breakfast. Purple and black Valkyries shirts, jerseys, and hoodies filled the room. An oddly purple-colored white rum drink made the rounds, while cheers ricocheted off the purple-painted walls of the mid-sized bar that calls itself "Mini Ballhalla."

#valkyries #fans #sports

ATLANTA – "We don't want to have to come back to Ballhalla."
It was part of a longer answer Kiah Stokes gave to reporters during Wednesday's practice availability. Stokes, and the Golden State Valkyries at large, obviously love their home crowd. It's one of, if not the most electric home court advantage in the WNBA. But going back would signal a Game 6 loss; within that lens, why play in front of that crowd again if you could handle business beforehand?
Ultimately, the Valkyries weren't able to get it done. Save any bail you want to shoot for the earlier-than-expected 12:30 ET tip-off time — **** ody on the Golden State side wants it, nor will they use it as an excuse.
A barrage of 3-pointers (6-of-8 in the opening frame), timely drives, and stellar defense sparked a 32-15 first quarter lead for the Atlanta Dream, one they ultimately never relinquished. The Dream were able to notch an impressive 80-69 victory to tie the series, setting up the two most exciting words in sports: Game 7.
Here are three numbers that popped in the Dream's Game 6 win, numbers the Valkyries need to flip in order to bring home their first championship.

#ultimately

ATLANTA — The thing Angel Reese learned in her first WNBA Finals appearance is that long series still go by fast. What's done is done, and what's to come is for the taking.
Trailing 3-2 in the series, and potentially 40 minutes from the experience ending, she and her Atlanta Dream teammates gathered together ahead of film sessions to talk through what it meant. They needed to gain confidence back following two losses marred by offensive woes. They emphasized how each could take a superstar turn, but everyone was needed.
By the end of the day's film and a final practice ahead of a must-win Game 6, they said they felt good about returning to Atlanta Dream basketball. They proved the talk true immediately.
"You could definitely tell we got our swagger back," Angel Reese said.
The Dream's offense tore out of its funk and past the Golden State Valkyries' suffocating defense in Game 6 on Thursday, a jolt to West Coasters settling in with their breakfast for a 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT tip-off. The 80-69 win was more dominant than the final score indicated; the Dream led by 25 points with three minutes to go until the half.

#atlanta #minutes #ahead

Dream vs. Valkyries live score, updates, highlights from WNBA Finals Game 6 of 2026 playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Dream vs. Valkyries score
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Angel Reese stats

#valkyries #game

SAN FRANCISCO — The Atlanta Dream had a seven-point lead with 8:49 to play in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. They proceeded to score 6 points the remainder of the way, falling behind 1-0 in the best-of-seven series that resumes Monday night at Golden State.
The Dream boast three all-defense selections, headlined by Angel Reese, this season's Defensive Player of the Year. Despite coach Karl Smesko's postgame lamentations about their defensive breakdowns during the second quarter when the Valkyries scored 28 points, Atlanta was more than good enough defensively to steal homecourt in the finals. In order to head back home tied in the series, the Dream have to score the ball better. That starts with Reese.
Atlanta built an 8-point lead in the first quarter with Reese scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. She ended the game with 14 points and didn't make another field goal, attempting only two shots in the second half.
"In the second half, in particular, we didn't move the ball well enough," Smesko said. "We did a little bit too much one-on-one instead of getting into actions. Angel had a great first half. We didn't get her the ball enough."
Movement and pace are key to unlocking Reese's offensive gifts, and the Dream were too slow and stagnant in Game 1 to take advantage of those skills.

#atlanta #points #reese #ball

SAN FRANCISCO — After dropping Game 1 of the WNBA Finals to the No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries, the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream find themselves is unfamiliar territory heading into Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 19.
The Valkyries overcame a nine-point deficit to secure a 68-64 win and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Valkyries' victory snapped the Dream's 10-game win streak dating back to the regular season. It was Atlanta's first loss of the postseason and first defeat since Aug. 28.
"Unfortunately, we had kind of one bad defensive quarter where we had a few breakdowns and then one bad offensive quarter in the fourth," Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. "Now we're just going to have to watch film, make some adjustments and come out as hard as we possibly can, because we obviously want to leave here winning Game 2."
The film from Game 1 shows the Dream conceding 17 points off 12 turnovers, all while shooting 33% from the field and 16% from the 3-point line. Allisha Gray finished with a team-high 19 points and six rebounds in her first game back in the lineup after a left hand injury and "minor procedure" sidelined her two playoff games. Angel Reese recorded 14 points in the first half, but was held scoreless the second half.
"I wasn't aggressive enough with the ball and trying to ... get to my spot," said Reese, who pointed to self-inflicted wounds as the difference in the game. "I think it was all things that we did."

#dream

Angry WNBA fans have called out the league over a fake $30 fine.
The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries choosing to stay on the court during the national anthem in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals has made bigger headlines than the matchup itself.
Many have described this as disrespectful towards the US, and fans want both teams to be punished before Game 2.
An X handle took advantage of this and claimed that the WNBA has allegedly fined the Dream and Valkyries $30 each for their actions.
The viral fake post on X was posted by 'Fever Updates.' A handle notorious for spreading fake news, and it seems succeeded in doing so this time around.

#dream #golden

Valkyries' Gabby Williams shows support for Warriors before WNBA Finals Game 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Valkyries have been on fire as of late, as their 68-64 win in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream marks their fifth-consecutive victory in the playoffs — putting them to within just three wins away of a championship in just their second season of existence. At the very least, the Valkyries' existence is keeping the good basketball vibes alive in the Bay Area now that the Golden State Warriors are on the decline.
Game 2 of the Valkyries' Finals clash against the Dream will be on Monday night at 8:00 PM E.T.; during their off-day on Sunday, the Valkyries' biggest star from Game 1, Gabby Williams, was in attendance for the Warriors' open practice ahead of the start of their new campaign on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gary Payton II 🤝 Gabby Williams
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#state

Valkyries fans will love Kelsey Plum's Gabby Williams take appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Valkyries are only in the second year of their existence in the WNBA. And yet here they are, needing to win just three more games to secure the franchise's first championship after grabbing a 68-64 victory in Game 1 against the Atlanta Dream. Both teams had rough shooting nights to begin the WNBA Finals, but in the end, it was the Valkyries that executed when it mattered the most.
With points being at a premium, having someone who can simply generate open looks all while having the ability to make difficult shots could make all the difference. The Valkyries have that in star guard Gabby Williams, who finished with a game-high 26 points on 8-22 shooting from the field.
The signing of Williams this past offseason has certainly elevated a middling playoff team to a full-blown ***** le contender. And for two-time WNBA champion and five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, she has always seen Williams as this impactful of a player even when she was still more of a role player with the Seattle Storm.
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#game #here

A'ja Wilson and Aces could steal No. 2 seed during final WNBA week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The most dangerous team entering the WNBA playoffs may not be the one sitting atop the standings. Las Vegas returns from the World Cup break with a 27-13 record and a three-game winning streak. The Aces currently occupy the No. 3 seed, but a favorable closing schedule gives them a legitimate opportunity to pass Golden State for second.
Las Vegas trails the Valkyries by two games with four remaining. The Aces own the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping their three regular-season meetings with Golden State.
If Las Vegas gains two games during the final week, it would move into the No. 2 seed. The Aces will not face another playoff team before the postseason begins.
They play consecutive games against Seattle, beginning Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena and continuing Sunday in Las Vegas. The Aces then host Los Angeles before completing the regular season at Phoenix.

#games #WNBA

Why Fever-Lynx doubleheader could decide WNBA's No. 1 seed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Lynx have spent most of the 2026 season looking like the WNBA's team to beat. Finishing the job will not be simple. Minnesota returns from the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup break with a league-best 31-9 record. The Lynx have already clinched a playoff berth, but they have not secured the No. 1 seed or home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
Golden State sits only two games behind Minnesota at 29-11. The Lynx own the head-to-head tiebreaker, giving them control of the race, but their final four games are considerably more difficult than the Valkyries' remaining schedule.
Minnesota hosts the New York Liberty on Friday before visiting the eliminated Connecticut Sun. The season then could be decided by two games against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever over three days. The Lynx visit Indiana on Sept. 22 and host the Fever in the regular-season finale Sept. 24.
The playoff math is straightforward.

#minnesota #playoff

Valkyries news: Gabby Williams' game leads France over Germany in World Cup semis appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams put together a spectacular performance for the French national team, taking down hosts Germany in the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup on Saturday.
The 2026 WNBA season is on hold while the global tournament goes through the knockout stage. It is in the semifinal phase with France, Germany, USA, and Spain highlighting the final four.
In 31 minutes of action, Williams balled out for her nation. She finished with a stat line of 22 points, five rebounds, five ****** ists, and four steals. She shot 8-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. This was a remarkable outing as France makes it way to the gold medal game.
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#gabby #clutchpoints #game

Sophie Cunningham has become one of the most talked-about figures in women's basketball. Whether on or off the court, Cunningham's outspoken personality has built a large following for herself and has recently added a new platform to that reach.
The Indiana Fever guard launched a podcast called "No Hesitation" alongside trainer Drew Hanlen. Her debut episode was released on Thursday. During that episode, she addresses the storytelling path she believes the WNBA media should tread. Also, she highlights things she could do differently if she held certain governmental powers over the game.
Jul 15, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) before the game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
So far in the season, Cunningham has averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 ***** ists per game, demonstrating her central role to her team's success all-year-long. During the show, Cunningham touched on players' remuneration, the WNBA media coverage, and even the outgoing commissioner's office. An NFL-themed X page, Franco Vision, shares snippets from the conversation.
"We're always as players going to want more money, and as owners they're always not going to want to give it to you…"When it comes to media coverage, I think that we have good coverage now. Yes, it can always be better. Yes, it can be bigger."

#fever

The FIBA World Cup is underway, and the United States women are once again the heavy favorite to walk away with the gold medal. The US hasn't lost in the World Cup since 2006, and this year's roster is stacked with both veteran and up-and-coming talent.
Their biggest threat has long appeared to be France, who have dominated all three games of Group Play action and finished with the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But, there's another, more under-the-radar team that has impressed in the early days of the World Cup: Belgium.
Belgium beat Australia 80-68 on Monday behind a monster performance from Emma Meesseman, who exploded for 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, 8 ******* ists, and 2 steals. Julie Vanloo (12 points, 5 ******* ists) and Julie Allemand (11 points, 7 ******* ists) were also both highly impactful.
Australia is a powerhouse of its own. Its roster includes 8 WNBA players: Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Chloe Bibby (Minnesota Lynx), Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream), Milea Sowah (Golden State Valkyries), Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty), Jade Melbourne (Storm), Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings), and Steph Talbot (Las Vegas Aces).

#assists #storm

The U.S. women's basketball team edged Italy 55-52 in its closest FIBA World Cup in 20 years on Sunday.
Italy led 50-49 with 3:21 left before the U.S. regained control in a group-stage game of the biggest international tournament between now and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Americans stormed out to a 19-8 lead after the first quarter in Berlin, but Italy rallied to get within three going into the fourth quarter.
Italy, led by Cecilia Zandalasini of the Golden State Valkyries, qualified to play in its first global championship since the 1996 Olympics. It took third at the 2025 EuroBasket, its best finish at that continental tournament since 1995.
FIBA WORLD CUP: Box Score | Schedule, Results | USA Roster Breakdown

#since

Former UConn women's basketball star Gabby Williams has been tasked with leading an ultra-talented France squad that's hoping to finally knock off the United States at the FIBA Women's World Cup this month.
Williams was named captain of the Bleues Tuesday as she prepares to make her 56th appearance for France against Hungary Friday evening. She becomes the first active WNBA player to captain France at an Olympic Games or FIBA World Cup since 2014.
The Golden State Valkyries star takes over as captain from 32-year-old Valériane Ayayi, who returned to the WNBA after more than a decade this season with Phoenix. Sarah Michel, who played her entire club career overseas, captained France at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympics before announcing her international retirement.
While Williams was born in Nevada, her mother, Thérèse, hails from France and the forward grew up speaking French. Excelling in both basketball and track - Williams competed in the 2012 Olympic trials - during her high school tenure, she committed to UConn over several high-profile suitors before the 2014-15 season. She used that athleticism to post one of just five triple-doubles in program history and left Storrs with two national championships and two second-team All-America selections.
Selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Williams experienced an uneven start to her professional career, playing in just 147 games over her first seven years - she was suspended for the entire 2021 season for choosing a commitment to the French national team over training camp with the Chicago Sky. She's realized her All-Star potential over the last two seasons, currently averaging a career-high 14.3 points to lead a surging 29-11 Golden State squad.

#france #captain #high

Women's basketball's biggest names are headed back to Miami for Season 3 of Unrivaled.
The 3x3 league co-founded by former UConn women's basketball greats Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier continues to thrive as the premier offseason domestic league for WNBA stars.
For the second straight year, Unrivaled will feature eight clubs when its third season tips off in January 2027 (official schedule not released yet). The league announced 46 of its 48 roster spots this weekend, with the final two players to be named later. Next season's roster features six former Huskies and five former Connecticut Sun stars.
Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles and Gabby Williams highlight the 2027 roster as Bueckers returns for her second season in Unrivaled, while Miles and Williams will make their debut. Both Miles and Williams signed multi-year contracts with the league.
Also making their Unrivaled debuts this season are Bueckers' Dallas Wings teammate Jessica Shepard, Golden State Valkyries star Kayla Thornton, New York Liberty star Marine Johannes, Portland Fire star Bridget Carleton, and current Seattle Storm/former LSU star Flau'jae Johnson.

#former #miles

The Los Angeles Sparks made a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, with veteran guard Kate Martin hitting league waivers.
The former Iowa standout got cut by the Golden State Valkyries before the season started but eventually found a home with the Sparks. However, Martin will most likely have to find a new team in the WNBA to finish 2026 if she wants to play.
While Los Angeles technically has a developmental spot open on the roster right now, Martin has played in more than 12 games this season. WNBA developmental players are limited to 12 games played before they must be put on a formal WNBA contract to be eligible to play again. She would hypothetically be ineligible to play if she re-signed with Los Angeles in that way since she's crossed that threshold.
The Sparks claiming guard Aaliyah Nye on waivers after the Atlanta Dream cut her must have made Martin expendable in Los Angeles. Martin averaged 2.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.4 ******* ists this season for the team.
Another WNBA team could claim Martin, or she could sign a developmental deal somewhere else in the WNBA to finish out the 2026 season.

#martin

The FIBA World Cup is a very big deal in women's basketball, and it only comes around every four years, so you'd like for it to work smoothly. That is hardly the case for the event that begins on Friday in Berlin.
The timing, as it relates to the WNBA, is absurd. Here we have a nine-day tournament that finds the WNBA suddenly going dark near the end of its regular season, then resuming with only four games remaining per team.
The Valkyries' season goes on pause on Sunday (against Portland) and doesn't restart until Sept. 18. That's nearly a three-week break for the league's hottest team - all the while uncertain about their playoff opponent, with the seedings still to be determined.
They'll have four players engaged in the World Cup: Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün (France), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) and Miela Sowah, a development player who has appeared in just five Valkyries games but was recently added to the Australian team.
Conveniently, the WNBA's eight-team playoff group is locked in, so that's one inconvenience out of the way. Certain teams and players could certainly use a break, but the league is understandably worried about injuries and, especially in the Valkyries' case, hard-earned momentum gone stale.

#team #case #season

The WNBA returns Friday with four games on the schedule, including a pair of 7:30 p.m. ET matchups before the night slate tips off at 10 p.m.
All eight playoff teams are now set after the Dallas Wings secured the final postseason berth Wednesday. The Minnesota Lynx remain atop the standings, while the Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever are among the teams fighting for favorable positioning. The New York Liberty and Washington Mystics lround out the playoff field.
Indiana will look to continue its strong season against the Connecticut Sun, while Atlanta hosts Portland. The Aces will also be back in action against Toronto, while Washington closes its pre-FIBA World Cup schedule against Los Angeles.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham drops cheeky Dolly Parton Instagram tribute
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) and guard Rhyne Howard (10). Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

#aces #schedule #teams

NEW YORK (AP) — Cecilia Zandalasini scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half, Gabby Williams added 16 points and the Golden State Valkyries beat the New York Liberty 79-60 on Thursday night.
Golden State (28-11) improved to 3-0 against New York this season — the only team the Liberty have not beaten this season. The Valkyries held the Liberty to 70, 67 and 60 points in three games, the three lowest-scoring games of the season for New York.
New York (23-16) had scored 80-plus points in 16 straight games — the longest streak in franchise history.
Veronica Burton had a season-high 13 ***** ists to go with eight points for Golden State, which was coming off an 89-64 victory over Connecticut on Wednesday. Tiffany Hayes had 12 points off the bench.
Jonquel Jones scored 18 points for New York, which had a six-game home winning streak halted. Breanna Stewart added 16 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

#york #liberty #added

The Golden State Valkyries responded to back-to-back losses with consecutive wins, their latest coming Wednesday night against the Connecticut Sun, 89-64.
The Valkyries' losses to the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx really tested the team – one a loss to a marquee team in Minnesota, which boasts the best-record in the league, then losing on a game-winning, step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer to the Sky.
Golden State responded to those tough losses with some get back against the Lynx, returning the "L" back to them and getting its first win against Minnesota in the franchise's short, two-year history.
The Valkyries capitalized on that momentum with Wednesday night's rout against the Sun, with the Valkyries (27-11) scoring a franchise-record 54 bench points.
"We have had some slow starts in the past few games, and given the team energy, so we wanted to make sure that we punch first today, and then continue punching all four quarters, so that was an emphasis, to really set the tone and dictate and not react," Kaila Charles told reporters after the game.

#valkyries #losses #responded

Unrivaled, the professional three-on-three women's basketball league, announced Wednesday that it had raised money that puts the league's valuation at $650 million.
Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell said in a statement that this Series C funding is ******* ulatively more than all of the league's other funding combined, and he sees it helping strengthen the league, which will enter its third season this winter. The valuation is an estimate made by the league.
The three-on-three league was co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier (Bazzell's wife) and provides players with an equity stake in addition to their salaries. The players remain the largest shareholder group after this latest investment round, with the value of the player-equity pool increasing to nearly $200 million, according to the league.
Ten Pillar Sports Fund, backed by UC Investments, led the Series C raise, which is oversubscribed, surpassing the league's initial $100 million target. Sports stars including Naismith Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, Washington Wizards guard Trae Young and UConn coach Geno Auriemma, and former U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan's Trybe Ventures, actor Ashton Kutcher and Bessemer Venture Partners built on previous investments in the league. The estimated valuation of the eight-team league puts it ahead of each WNBA team except that of the Golden State Valkyries, according to Sportico's 2026 WNBA valuation ranking.
"Anyone who's watched Unrivaled knows this game is every bit as thrilling as any other sport out there — and there's another essential ingredient that drew us in: Unrivaled's athletes don't just play in the league, they own a piece of it," UC Investment chief investment officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher said in a statement. "We're excited to help propel that momentum forward."

#league #alex

Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women's basketball league that launched in 2025, announced a Series C funding round Tuesday, securing more than $100 million in funding that values the league at $650 million.
The league has nearly doubled its valuation in a year; It was valued at $340 million in September after closing a series B funding round. The fundraising around was led by Ten Pillars Sports Fund, backed by UC Investments, and also included reinvestments from notable sports figures Carmelo Anthony, Geno Auriemma, Trae Young, Alex Morgan, and Trybe Ventures.
In comparison, the Connecticut Sun, the most recent WNBA franchise sold, was purchased for $300 million earlier this year. The Golden State Valkyries are the highest-valued WNBA team at $1 billion, according to CNBC projects released in May.
"I think this is a testament to how quickly the **** e is evolving and growing, but also to the incredible foundation that we've built," Unrivaled co-founder Alex Bazzell told Front Office Sports. Bazzell co-founded the league with WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, who is also his wife.
Unrivaled also announced that the portion of the company owned by players is valued at nearly $200 million, about 30% of the company. The league says the player equity pool has increased 550% since it was launched.

#million #unrivaled #bazzell

The WNBA's playoff field is now set.
The Dallas Wings picked up a 96-78 win over the Portland Fire on Tuesday night at the Moda Center, which officially locked up the eighth and final postseason spot this summer. That got the team back into the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
The loss also eliminated the Fire from the playoffs. The expansion team entered Tuesday night more than six games back from the Wings in the standings, however, so this was very likely coming sooner or later.
While the playoff field is now solidified, no seed has been locked up just yet. The Minnesota Lynx hold the best record in the league and are on pace to grab the No. 1 seed. They could have clinched that seed on Monday night, but fell to the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries are in second in the league standings.
As seeding plays out over the last several weeks of the regular season, here's are the eight teams who will have a shot at claiming the WNBA ******* le later this fall:

#tuesday #locked

The WNBA returns with a three-game slate Tuesday after a busy Monday that saw the Golden State Valkyries hand the Minnesota Lynx an 80-66 loss and the Atlanta Dream beat the Los Angeles Sparks 78-71. Angel Reese made history in Atlanta's win, setting the league's single-game rebounding record with 26 boards while also breaking the single-season mark.
Tuesday's action features the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Portland Fire, Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics and Phoenix Mercury.
The Sky travel to Connecticut for the first game of Tuesday's schedule. Both teams are already eliminated from playoff contention, with Chicago joining Connecticut after Sunday's loss to the Indiana Fever. Portland heads to Dallas, with the Wings seeking to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 with a win. The final game takes place in Phoenix, where the Mystics continue their push for higher seeding.
MORE: Dave Portnoy rips Enes Kanter Freedom stunt for overshadowing Caitlin Clark's big game
Chicago Sky guard-forward DiJonai Carrington (7) drives to the basket against Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers (22). Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

#connecticut #game #wings #mystics