Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

I've been experimenting with a new sleep schedule to balance work and shorter days. That's meant rethinking meals, workouts, and my caffeine cutoff (still a work in progress). Small adjustments can make a big difference, something Emma Hayes reminded the US women's soccer team after its lackluster showing against Spain this weekend. I was nervous when the world champs took another early lead Tuesday, but Mal Swanson came through with the equalizer to secure a draw. Swanson and Sophia Wilson also brought some joy to camp with a baby espresso meetup (show me cuter kids, truly). My new routine has shuffled my TV schedule as well, but I caught up on Ted Lasso just in time for news that the Lady Greyhounds will make their video game debut in EA Sports FC 27. I can't wait to see what Alice Chilton looks like with a whistle (and whether Rebecca's “pep talk” made the cut). Now, let's get to the rest of the sports news…

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, NY

Let's Discuss

Courting History

This WNBA Finals busted plenty of brackets. They might also deliver a better competition than anyone expected. In only their second season, the Golden State Valkyries will take on the Atlanta Dream who haven’t made a Finals appearance since 2013. They'll face off Saturday in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series guaranteed to crown a first-time winner.

Key players and matchups: Angel Reese manifested her way to the ‘chip, and now the league's Defensive Player of the Year is four wins from a title. Her dominance on the boards could give the Dream crucial second-chance opportunities. Atlanta could also get a boost from leading scorer Allisha Gray, who remains day-to-day after a procedure on her injured hand. Her return could be a game-changer. As for Golden State, Gabby Williams has averaged nearly 23 points per game this postseason and helped anchor the league's best defense — the Valkyries also have Sixth Player of the Year Janelle Salaün. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s Jordin Canada and Golden State's Veronica Burton could deliver a compelling backcourt battle.

Playing to their strengths: This series may come down to which team controls the ball. Golden State excels at protecting possessions, while Atlanta thrives on defensive pressure that forces mistakes and creates scoring opportunities. Something has to give. And the difference makers could come from the sidelines. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase won two titles as an assistant for last year’s champs, the Las Vegas Aces, before she took over the Valks, and Atlanta's Karl Smesko has turned the Dream around after more than two decades as a college basketball coach. Both became WNBA head coaches relatively recently, and one adjustment could decide the title.

Related: Atlanta Will Be Back in Its DreamHouse for the Finals After an NBA Schedule Shift (The New York Times gift link)

Pick Six

🥎 Pro softball players have formed a union and want their first contract before the 2027 season. We respect a big swing.

🏅 Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone says her record-breaking performance at the Paris Olympics gave her the confidence to take on a different challenge: the 400 meters.

⚽ Out of 800 women's soccer players surveyed worldwide, nearly half have considered early retirement. From that subgroup, 59% mentioned financial pressures and 46% named mental health struggles.

🌭 Montreal tried the viral inflatable hot dog challenge at a hockey game. The result? A giant bun flew onto the ice and hit two Canadiens players. Oh, Canada.

🏈 Hailee Steinfeld may have challenged Taylor Swift for the NFL's most enthusiastic spouse crown after her reaction to husband Josh Allen's huge overtime run. The competition is fierce.

🎾 Carlos Alcaraz's Shanghai Masters run is over. Now for the more pressing question: Will his new pencil mustache survive until the next tournament?

In Our Rotation

Put these newly launched Salomon x FP Movement sneakers in the Louvre.

If you’re looking for daily immune support ahead of winter, this throat spray is both easy and effective.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

On Our Calendar

Friday, Oct. 16

🏅 National Sports Day

Catch the latest episode of Well Played and celebrate with two smart, funny women who talk about sports like the cultural movement it is. Not to miss: Cohost Caroline’s sexy game of the week.

Saturday, Oct. 17

🏀 WNBA Finals begin

It’s the Golden State Valkyries vs. the Atlanta Dream in the battle for the title. Game 1 tips off at 3:30 pm ET on NBC and Peacock. Here’s the full schedule – mark your calendars.

🤸‍♀️ Artistic Gymnastics World Championships

After seven straight world team titles, can a mostly new Team USA make it eight? Meet the crew, led by Paris gold medalist Hezly Rivera. LA28 starts now.

Tuesday, Oct. 20

⛹️ NBA regular season tips off

We may already have playoff predictions, but the games officially begin at 3 pm ET today with Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons. That’s followed by two more: 76ers and Knicks at 7 pm ET and Thunder against Spurs at 9:30 pm ET. Catch them all on NBC.

Psst... See what else is happening this week so you never miss a moment.

Timeout...

Wait, I'm out of the loop. What's happening in the MLB playoffs?

Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.

Major League Baseball is down to its final four teams, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have their sights set on a historic third straight World Series title. They also have a pretty big advantage off the field. Their roughly $339 million payroll exceeds those of the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cleveland Guardians combined. Yet Milwaukee, which finished the regular season with MLB's best record, has taken a 2-0 series lead against LA. One reason? Four Brewers relief pitchers shut down the Dodgers over the final five innings of game two, without allowing a run. The financial mismatch helps explain why MLB owners want a salary cap, which they argue would make competition fairer. The players' union opposes the idea over concerns about stifling earnings. With the current labor agreement set to expire December 1, the stakes extend well beyond the World Series. Guess we'll see who plays hardball.

PS: Sound off on the sports stories keeping you up at night. Call Well Played at (828) 412-4825 to leave your questions, rants, or rule checks. You could end up on next week's show — and we'd love to hear from you.

In Our Rotation

Curious about what our shopping editors actually wear this time of year? They broke it down for you.

Behold: The under-$15 sweatpants we’ll be slipping on after every gym session.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

No Notes

Ray Allen quote on watching women's basketball

Tell Us

US swimmer Gretchen Walsh holds the top 10 world's fastest short-course times in which event?

A. 50-meter freestyle

B. 50-meter butterfly

C. 100-meter backstroke

D. 100-meter breaststroke

Is tennis bringing back the ’stache?