Game RecapsSaturday, Oct 17, 2026

Dream coach Karl Smesko was optimistic forward Allisha Gray would return from a finger injury to play in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Valkyries.

Which Valkyries and Dream players have played the best so far in the postseason heading into the WNBA Finals?

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are both wrapping up their respective preseasons against one another on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. But while this matchup brings an end to games that don't count toward the standings, it marks the beginning of a rivalry between Jaylen Brown and his former team.

Having wrapped up their first preseason together, LeBron James and Joel Embiid acknowledged there is still work to do before they become the best versions of themselves for this iteration of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Utah Jazz played their final 2026 preseason game on Friday evening and beat the host Phoenix Suns, 119-116.

Walker Kessler said facing Nikola Jokic in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Denver Nuggets helped him prepare for the regular season, describing the matchup as a valuable test against one of the NBA’s best players. “It knocked off a lot of rust,” Kessler said during his postgame press conference on Saturday, October […] The post Walker Kessler reflects on guarding Nikola Jokic appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr appeared to have a doppelgänger of sorts in the crowd during the Dubs' preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

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Chicago Bulls rookie forward Caleb Wilson played his final preseason game on Friday before his regular season debut, and he fared well in a 133-116 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Dream forward Angel Reese is embracing her first trip to the WNBA Finals with open arms, saying she's not about to "shy away from the moment" against the Valkyries.

Finally, real basketball is around the corner.  The Lakers played five preseason games. They had more practices than they’ll have all season. So, what have we learned about the team over the last few weeks? With nine new players, the Lakers will have some kinks to work out. But there’s a lot to be excited about as...

Ballhalla is booming with excitement for WNBA Finals Game 1 between the Valkyries and Dream. Chase Center, home of the Valkyries, is hosting the opening game of the championship series between Golden State and Atlanta. And the Warriors have gone all in toward supporting their fellow Golden State squad. Warriors star Steph Curry wore a...

Rhyne Howard attempts to finish around Tiffany Hayes. | Getty Images Tip off of Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals demands a flashback to 2008 WNBA Finals. To win the franchise’s third title, the Detroit Shock swept the San Antonio Silver Stars, 3-0, in the Finals, with Katie Smith, the Shock’s best player, capturing Finals MVP honors. That’s significant to 2026, as Smith is the last best player on championship team to never become a regular-season MVP. The highest she ever finished in MVP voting...

PHOENIX– The Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker, and Jordan Ott had one thing on their minds throughout the preseason. Health. Just a year prior, they lost Booker’s backcourt mate, Jalen Green, to a hamstring injury that limited him to 30 games. Now with the 2026-27 season around the corner, the Suns appear to be fully healthy. […] The post Devin Booker, Jordan Ott share Suns’ biggest victory in preseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA regular season is still around the corner, but Draymond Green has already found himself in familiar territory with the officials. The Golden State Warriors forward picked up a technical foul during the team’s preseason matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. It remains unclear what Green said to the officials, but based on the […] The post Of course Warriors’ Draymond Green got a technical foul for chirping at officials appeared first on ClutchPoints.

LeBron James has only been with the Philadelphia 76ers for one offseason, but he has already made it clear which teammate helped bring him there. After Friday night’s preseason finale against the Boston Celtics, James heaped praise on Tyrese Maxey, crediting the guard as a big part of why he chose Philadelphia. “I work out […] The post 76ers star LeBron James gives Tyrese Maxey the ultimate compliment after Celtics clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The original post-game podcast on Planet Purple! Click the SUBSCRIBE button. Click the BELL to turn on notifications. Watch it right here! Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, and Castbox. Please subscribe, rate, and review.

MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Sergio de Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | ...

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after getting fouled by Dylan Cardwell #32 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half of the preseason game at Golden 1 Center on October 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | G...

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Dallas Mavericks fell o...

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 16: Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)...

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 31: Collin Murray-Boyles #12 and RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 31, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | ...

The Los Angeles Lakers invested a ton of money and assets into Walker Kessler this offseason with hopes of him being their franchise center. They believe he will be even better playing alongside two dynamic playmakers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves than he was with the Utah Jazz. Kessler has showcased promising two-way play […]

Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals is Saturday.

galecophoto/Depositphotos Sophie Cunningham draws foul comments An October 11 report linked former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance to remarks about hard fouls against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during games. Neither Colson nor Plaisance appeared on a WNBA roster during the 2026 season. Their reported discussion followed earlier commentary…

Caitlin Clark's Prominent Nike Display Irks Atlanta Dream Fan Before WNBA Finals

Reese struggled to get there, though.

The Atlanta Dream opened only the lower bowl and part of the upper bowl for their first two playoff rounds, limiting capacity at State Farm Arena to about 8,800 and averaging around 9,700 fans. But for the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries, the Dream are done holding back.

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has called out the WNBA.

Following a stinker against the Bulls, can the Bucks lift spirits and end preseason on a high note?