Little bit of this, little bit of that
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Leveling The Playing Field
Hi!
Who needs caffeine on this Monday morning when you can just watch PWHL schedule release videos. That’s right, the full schedule is out now — dreaming of icy plans ahead as we skate through even more sports news.
WNBA playoffs
🏀 Taste the bright lights
The GIST: Basketball is a game of runs, as evidenced by yesterday’s WNBA semifinal Game 1s. While we not-so-patiently wait for Wednesday’s Game 2s in these best-of-five series, let’s discuss which string of buckets reigned supreme.
💭 Atlanta Dream use dominant third quarter to top NY Liberty 92–82: Down three at halftime and without their leading scorer Allisha Gray (more on that later), the Dream did what they do best — stockpile steals. Atlanta scored a playoff record 32 points on 21 Liberty giveaways, highlighted by a defense-driven 20–2 third-quarter run.
- And they did all that after Gray dislocated her finger. Though her Game 2 status is TBD, it’s not a full blown nightmare for Atlanta: Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner were spectacular in her absence, combining for 48 points to pace Atlanta’s attack.
💜 Golden State Valkyries stifle Las Vegas Aces in 71–60 Game 1 win: Valks linchpin Gabby Williams authored another playoff masterpiece, but defense was the name of this game. Golden State held Vegas to a season-low 60 points, limiting Jackie Young to four field goals and tormenting the inimitable A’ja Wilson (24 points) with double and triple teams all game long.
- The Valkyries love to play with pace — and that’s not ideal for the shorthanded Aces, who were already down two injured starters (Steph Talbot and Nalyssa Smith) before sharpshooter Jewell Loyd left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. Oof.
NFL
🏈 True care, truth brings
The GIST: Fourth-quarter comebacks, catch-of-the-year candidates, and the NY Jets’ first defensive interception in 637 days — Week 4 had a little bit of everything. Ah, Sundays.
❤️🩹 More high-profile injuries: The 2026 season was already the most injured for NFL quarterbacks (QBs) entering Week 4, and then Baltimore Ravens signal caller Lamar Jackson injured his ankle in yesterday’s 24–18 win over the Tennessee Titans. Say it ain’t so.
- And it’s not just the QB room. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver (WR) Ja’Marr Chase is in concussion protocol, Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton’s ankle is dislocated, and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has a hamstring injury.
🔄 Turnovers prove to be game changers: We told you so. Multiple games were decided by costly interceptions (INT) and fumbles. These were the most impactful giveaways:
- 1️⃣ Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen threw a late-game INT vs. the New England Patriots, halting the Bills’ potential comeback in a 29–26 divisional loss. Another win for the Etsy witches.
- 2️⃣ The Las Vegas Raiders were this close to upsetting KC…until a fourth-quarter fumble gave the ball (and eventually the game) back to inevitable QB Patrick Mahomes.
- 3️⃣ Bengals QB Joe Burrow had two INTs in Cincy’s 22–17 L to the Jacksonville Jaguars, one in the Red Zone and one that gifted the Jags seven points. No bueno.
📣 The San Francisco 49ers offensive line is historically good: The last team to start a season sack‑free through four games? The 2005 Indianapolis Colts. Add the Niners to that exclusive club — they’re just the fourth team since 1990 to pull it off. It’s a good time to be QB Brock Purdy.
P.S. If you enjoyed this section, you’ll love The GIST’s Weekly Blitz, our Tuesday newsletter breaking down the latest from the gridiron.MLB playoffs
⚾ Never say never
The GIST: A weekend of best-of-five MLB Divisional Series matchups later, and one team is already one win away from the Championship Series. From yesterday’s National League (NL) Game 2s to today’s American League (AL) Game 2s, let’s go around the horn.
🫨 Milwaukee Brewers up 2-0 after walk-off 4–3 win over San Diego Padres: This is what Jackson Chourio does. The Brewers left fielder was oh-so clutch yesterday, recording a walk-off single against the Padres’ lockdown closer Mason Miller. The series shifts to San Diego for tomorrow’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 3 — time will tell if the Dads can rally from this brutal defeat.
🍑 Atlanta Braves bullpen quiets LA Dodgers in 3–2 victory: This series is all tied up after Atlanta used six different hurlers to counter the hot Dodgers bats last night. Former 7-Eleven employee Ray Kerr started things strong, striking out four in 2.2 innings. Next up, a real treat: Atlanta ace Chris Sale vs. LA star Yoshinobu Yamamoto tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET. Batter up.
🙏 Chicago White Sox vs. 🛡️ Cleveland Guardians — Today at 5 p.m. ET: The White Sox are livin’ on a prayer, staying undefeated in the postseason with their 3–0 Game 1 win. Chicago pitcher Sean “no girl” Burke will feature heavily in Game 2, hoping to quiet an outfielder Chase DeLauter–led Cleveland offense that’s looking to erupt.
🍎 NY Yankees vs. 🌴 Tampa Bay Rays — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET: Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen just missed out on a no-hitter, but he did lift Tampa Bay to the series lead, striking out 10 Yankees in Saturday’s 1-0 Game 1 win. Now, it’s NY’s turn to toss their ace, with AL Cy Young frontrunner Cam Schlittler on the mound tonight. Must-see TV.
🏎️ Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins rain-soaked Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
It’s been 10 months since the four-time World Champ topped the podium, but Verstappen showed his speed all weekend long, converting a Saturday pole position into his 72nd career race win. That said, the victory didn’t come easy: Monsoon rains and “totally unacceptable” software issues affected the entire grid, delaying the race start by nearly two hours.
- As for the World Drivers’ Championship, Mercedes phenom Kimi Antonelli’s on the cusp of becoming F1’s youngest-ever champion, finishing second to extend his lead to an almost insurmountable 84 points (more than three race wins) with seven Grands Prix left. Ka-chow.
⚽ NWSL playoff picture coming into focus with three weeks remaining in regular season
A 2–1 Friday win over the Orlando Pride helped the San Diego Wave clinch the second of eight playoff spots. It’s an all-out fight for the other berths, and no team is hotter than the Kansas City Current. They’ve scored nine goals in their last two games — including a 5–1 Saturday thrashing of Bay FC — and are now just two points out of the No. 4 seed and a first-round home game.
🇺🇸⚽ USMNT and Canada face off with both programs surging
Forward Julian Hall buried his third goal in three games then 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan became the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history, causing a major goalie mishap to chip in the second in Saturday’s 3–0 dismantling of Mexico. The Yanks have outscored opponents 11–3 this international window and will need that same firepower against a tough Canadian defense (and rather outspoken coach) tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET.
- Elsewhere, roughly 6K miles away, Lionel Messi will play his last game for Argentina, taking on Benin tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET. Expect plenty of tears on and off the field as the GOAT receives a proper send off after 21 years of incredible moments and trophies at the international level.
Today’s email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo, Rachel Fuenzalida, Lauren Tuiskula, Grace DePaull, and Charlotte Mackenzie. Fact-checking by Elisha Gunaratnam and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Elisha Gunaratnam and Briana Ekanem. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Lisa Minutillo. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.