Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

Halloween's almost here, and I've stocked up on the good candy for trick-or-treaters. But after this week's antics, I may need to raid my own stash. First, there was the WNBA Finals schedule mess. A potential championship-clinching Game 6 tips off Thursday at 12:30 pm ET, while a regular-season NBA game gets prime time. Whoever made that call deserves nothing but raisins. At least LSU mascot Mike the Tiger’s Michael Myers impression was intentionally ridiculous. On the sweeter side, USC basketball star JuJu Watkins scored 18 points in her first game back after she missed last season with an ACL tear. And my littlest treat? Lamine Yamal's brother, Keyne, World Cup tiny king, left a fan hanging during rock-paper-scissors at soccer’s Oscars. Presumably, he stayed awake to see his brother win best young player for a third straight year before dozing off. Very on-brand for a 4-year-old. Now, let's get to the rest of the sports headlines…

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, NY

Let's Discuss

A Run for Her Money

What's going on: One of America’s fastest distance runners has her sights set on a new milestone. On Sunday, Weini Kelati, 29, will make her 26.2-mile debut at the New York City Marathon, with a chance to become the first American woman to reach the podium since 2018. This year the Olympian and US half-marathon record holder placed first or second amongst female runners in four of six races organized by New York Road Runners (the group behind the NYC Marathon). And last fall, she got an up close look at the Big Apple course from the women's lead vehicle. But this weekend, she’ll be in the thick of the elite pack. Talk about a change of pace.

What it means: Kelati has already proven she has the speed, but can she sustain it for twice the distance? She'll need to conserve energy, fuel properly to avoid hitting the dreaded “wall,” and tackle New York's bridges and late uphill stretches, all while she contends with some of the world's best marathoners. For perspective, the top three women in 2025 finished just 33 seconds apart, each with an average mile pace of between 5:20 and 5:22. This year's stacked field includes Kenya's Hellen Obiri, the two-time champion and course record holder, and 2024 winner Sheila Chepkirui. Fellow Americans Jess McClain, who set a course record for US women in Boston back in the spring, and Annie Frisbie, who finished fifth at the 2025 NYC Marathon, are seasoned racers, too. We don't know who'll end up on the podium in Central Park, but we like what this depth of talent says about women's distance running ahead of LA28.

Related: The NYC Marathon's Five-Borough Course Turns 50 This Year (amNewYork)

Pick Six

🏀 Even national champs forget to pack. When UCLA's women's basketball team left its uniforms at home before a game in Texas, the Longhorns wore practice gear too. Now that's good sportsmanship.

🏈 Zendaya showed up to her nephew's high school football game in a T-shirt with his face on it and jeans bearing his name. And the Auntie of the Year award goes to…

⚽ When one mom asked her little boy what he wanted to be for Halloween, he chose soccer star Erling Haaland. His impersonation? Goals.

🚨 The Indiana Fever lost two top executives in a matter of hours. The team president stepped down, and the GM was fired. Not exactly a quiet offseason.

📣 The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to recognize their cheerleaders' union after years of disputes over pay and benefits. Their newest routine? Collective bargaining.

💍 Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas shared photos from her courthouse wedding, and we can't get enough of her little white dress with pearl straps. Love that she kept her signature ponytail too.

In Our Rotation

It’s officially windbreaker weather. Here’s the packable option that’s getting us through.

Evening runners and walkers: This isn’t your dad’s headlamp. It’s a beanie that helps you see in the dark and it’s under $20.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

On Our Calendar

Wednesday, October 28

🎬 New episode of Well Played drops

Blake and Caroline debut the most niche Halloween costumes in sports (hint: it’s a little phishy). Plus, they have strong opinions on People’s pick for Sexiest Fake Hockey Player. Catch it on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Friday, Oct. 30

🏀 Emirates NBA Cup begins

The NBA’s in-season tournament is basically March Madness for the pros, complete with 30 custom-painted courts. It tips off with the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards at 7 pm ET on NBA League Pass.

Saturday, Oct. 31

🏇 Breeders' Cup Classic

Think of it as horse racing’s season finale. The year’s best face off for $7 million in Lexington, Kentucky. Catch the big race around 6:15 pm ET on NBC and Peacock.

Sunday, November 1

🏃‍♀️ New York City Marathon

Nearly 60,000 runners take on the five boroughs — including stars from Jersey Shore and Summer House. Cue the fist pumps at mile 26.

⚾ MLB’s Rawlings Gold Glove Awards

Home runs get all the glory, but tonight's about the glove. Meet the finalists for baseball's top fielding awards before the winners are named at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN.

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

Timeout...

Who Are Reese’s Peases?

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

The US women’s soccer team has Triple Espresso — Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson. Now, American gymnastics has Reese’s Peases. Claire Pease and Reese Esponda, 17 and 18, respectively, took gold and silver in floor exercise at the World Championships this weekend. Pease became the first US woman other than Simone Biles to win the event since 2007, Inside Gymnastics reports. Not bad for her debut. Esponda, who trains at the Biles family’s gym, earned her first individual world medal. The GOAT was even on hand to present the hardware. Could this be a passing of the (Olympic) torch?

Featured Expert

Jordan Galloway

Well Played Editor

In Our Rotation

This is our shopping editor’s favorite aluminum-free deodorant. You can pick from eight soothing scents, or go unscented.

Consider this your sign to replace your old water bottle.

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

Tell Us

Seahawks mascot Blitz trolled which pop star on social media after Sunday’s NFL win?

A. Hailee Steinfeld

B. Taylor Swift

C. Olivia Culpo

Zendaya is on a heater