One series-deciding Game 3 remains ahead of WNBA second round

The GIST: If you need us this weekend, don’t — the WNBA playoffs are occupying every brain cell. After an adrenaline-pumping Game 3 last night, another series-deciding tilt looms tonight before the best-of-five second round tips off on Sunday. It’s all hoops, all the time.

🃏 Las Vegas Aces eliminate Indiana Fever: A’ja Wilson is all about the moment. The Aces icon authored a 36-point, 10-rebound masterpiece in last night’s 94–83 series-clinching dub. But not even the unprecedented four-time MVP wins alone: Chelsea Gray’s clutch buckets down the stretch sealed the deal to help Vegas advance to their eighth straight semifinal.

• ⬇️ Now, the Aces await the victor of tonight’s 9 p.m. ET win-or-go-home Game 3…

💜 Golden State Valkyries vs. 🪽 Dallas Wings: Golden State couldn’t miss in Game 1, then Dallas impressed from three in the sequel: Powered by Arike Ogunbowale’s hot hand, the Wings shot 52% from beyond the arc, the best mark vs. the defense-driven Valks this season. Back in Ballhalla, watch for the Valkyries to lean into their identity, while the Wings aim to rinse and repeat.

💭 Atlanta Dream vs. 🗽 NY Liberty — Game 1 Sunday at TIME: The Dream are in uncharted territory after winning a first-round series for the first time since 2018. As expected, 2026 Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese elevated this star-studded roster. But the Liberty’s championship pedigree is impossible to ignore, and Breanna Stewart’s been hooping. Instant classic, loading.