WNBA playoffs: Valkyries-Aces updates, highlights

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Oct 9, 2026, 07:15 PM ET

The WNBA semifinals are best-of-five, but Friday marks must-win games for the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, who are on the brink of elimination as they host Game 3s.

The No. 8 seed Liberty host the No. 4 Atlanta Dream (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at Barclays Center. The Dream ride a nine-game winning streak into Friday, which includes four wins over New York, dating to the last week of the regular season. Atlanta won the first two games of this semifinal series 92-82 and 101-98 in overtime.

The No. 3 seed Aces host the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries (9:30 p.m. ET) at Michelob Ultra Arena. The defending WNBA champion, Las Vegas went 3-0 against Golden State in the regular season but lost 71-60 and 83-81 in San Francisco.

Can the Liberty and Aces keep their seasons alive? Can the Dream and Valkyries complete the sweep? ESPN is courtside at both games to cover all the action. Follow along as Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews and Kareem Copeland check in with live updates.

MORE: Game 3 preview | Game 2 analysis | Game 1 analysis | Schedule

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3 minutes ago

01:45 UTC

Las Vegas takes an early lead

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8 minutes ago

01:40 UTC

Howard extends Atlanta's lead

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9 minutes ago

01:39 UTC

Wilson's parents accept her MVP trophy

As expected, A'ja Wilson did not accept her MVP trophy before the Aces' Game 3 in Las Vegas. Her parents did. Fans out in the concourse were taking photos of the many A'ja congratulations photos that were on screens, and you will see a lot of folks in the stands wearing the paper crowns that were given away in tribute to Wilson. -- Michael Voepel

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12 minutes ago

01:36 UTC

Liberty fans let their thoughts be known

The "ref you suck" is back from the Liberty crowd. -- Kareem Copeland

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14 minutes ago

01:34 UTC

Ballhalla make their presence known on the road

Ballhalla travels, folks!! There are about 40 Valkyries fans sitting behind Golden State's bench and they are making their presence known -- chanting GSV as the Aces play their intro video. -- Kendra Andrews

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16 minutes ago

01:32 UTC

Howard and Hillmon each have five fouls

Fifth foul on Rhyne Howard now. Naz Hillmon also has five, and both remain in the game. -- Alexa Philippou

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18 minutes ago

01:30 UTC

It's a close game halfway through the 4Q❗

Jordin Canada to the rescue in New York? Things are getting tight in Brooklyn. Over five minutes played and a combined 10 points between the two teams. The Liberty have that opening 3 from Sabrina Ionescu and nothing since. The Dream are up 73-71 with 4:55 remaining. -- Kareem Copeland

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22 minutes ago

01:26 UTC

JC3 has a double-double in Game 3

This is Jordin Canada's fourth career points-assist double-double in the playoffs and 10th such double-double this season. -- Alexa Philippou

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28 minutes ago

01:20 UTC

"You bet!" Ionescu drains her fourth 3

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33 minutes ago

01:15 UTC

Have a night, Jonquel Jones!

Game ball goes to Jonquel Jones if New York wins this game. 22 points, 11 boards, and the Liberty has needed every one of them. -- Alexa Philippou

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34 minutes ago

01:14 UTC

END OF 3Q: New York Liberty 68, Atlanta Dream 66

That might have been New York's best quarter this series. The team was up seven points, finding an offensive groove with 29 points. Previously its best differential in a quarter was up by four points in the fourth quarter of Game 1. -- Alexa Philippou

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38 minutes ago

01:10 UTC

No hostile act following review

No hostile act upon review following Angel Reese sending Breanna Stewart to the ground. (Stewart also plowed through Rhyne Howard earlier in the play.) Stewart takes free throws out of this pause in play. -- Alexa Philippou

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an hour ago

01:04 UTC

It's a tie game at Barclays!

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an hour ago

01:01 UTC

Hillmon heads to the bench

Naz Hillmon was just charged with her fifth foul so she'll head to the bench. That's sneaky big for the Liberty -- she has been great in defending Breanna Stewart throughout the series. -- Alexa Philippou

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an hour ago

00:59 UTC

Players in foul trouble

Sabrina Ionescu just picked up her fourth foul with 3:31 left in the third ... Naz Hillmon also has four for the Dream. -- Alexa Philippou

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an hour ago

00:59 UTC

New York makes a comeback

The crowd gets deafening as the Liberty take their first lead since early in the game. New York has been knocking on the door but it needs to get the requisite stops to put this away. -- Alexa Philippou

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an hour ago

00:57 UTC

Jones continues to show out on the glass

Jonquel Jones is attacking the Liberty on the glass. She has five offensive rebounds so far. -- Kareem Copeland

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an hour ago

00:52 UTC

Fat Joe hypes up Barclays!

Fat Joe is hyping up the crowd right now. Let's see if he can spark any Liberty magic. -- Alexa Philippou

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an hour ago

00:50 UTC

Liberty close the gap

The Liberty respond with an 8-0 run and the Dream call timeout. Jonquel Jones vs. Angel Reese is the show tonight. Both are absolutely going at each other and letting the other know about it. -- Kareem Copeland

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an hour ago

00:44 UTC

Atlanta extends its lead early in 3Q

Not a good start out of halftime for New York. Rhyne Howard knocks down a 3 on the first possession, then Leonie Fiebich gets called for an offensive foul. Then DeWanna Bonner hits a jumper, and just like that Atlanta is up by 10. -- Kareem Copeland