Valkyries seize 3-2 WNBA Finals lead as NBA season explodes with Wembanyama show

Golden State lockdown at Chase Center

The Golden State Valkyries took command of the 2026 WNBA Finals on Monday night, 26 October, grinding out a suffocating 64-55 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 at Chase Center. Before 18,064 fervent fans in San Francisco, head coach Natalie Nakase orchestrated a defensive masterclass that held Atlanta to just nine points in the decisive fourth quarter. Gabby Williams anchored the perimeter with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while Kayla Thornton buried consecutive corner three-pointers late in the shot clock to break open a 50-50 deadlock.

Atlanta star Angel Reese battled valiantly inside to corral 14 rebounds, but Golden State’s physical double-teams forced Reese into 3-of-12 shooting and four turnovers. The victory gives the first-year expansion franchise a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series. Golden State now travels to Georgia for Thursday’s Game 6, needing just one more triumph to complete the greatest inaugural sports campaign in modern history.

Wembanyama ignites the NBA season

As the women’s championship reached fever pitch, the 2026-27 NBA regular season tipped off on Tuesday night with an electrifying opening salvo from Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 French phenomenon dominated both ends of the hardwood, racking up 29 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in San Antonio’s 130-103 demolition of Sacramento. Matching his career high with nine thunderous dunks, Wembanyama sent shockwaves through the league and served notice of an MVP campaign in waiting.

Elsewhere on opening night, Jayson Tatum poured in 40 points to guide Boston past Brooklyn 125-124 in a double-overtime thriller, and Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 27 points and 20 rebounds in New York’s 111-97 win over Detroit. Basketball fans find themselves spoiled for drama as October closes out with championship stakes and generational talent on full display.