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The GIST: Put those brooms away because the No. 2 NY Liberty staved off a WNBA Finals sweep yesterday, taking Game 3 87–73 over the No. 1 Las Vegas Aces.

• While the superteam series lives to see another day, it could now be marred by a potentially series-altering injury to one of the league’s brightest stars. Let’s dig in.

Game 3 recap: NY’s Jonquel Jones took her team’s previously lackluster performances personally, draining a team-leading 27 points to guide the Libs to their first Finals win since 1999. Even better, reigning MVP Breanna Stewart shook off her postseason slump, throwing down some serious blocks and contributing 20 points of her own.

• Feeding off the home crowd, NY dominated throughout the entire game, but all of Barclays inhaled sharply when Las Vegas’ Chelsea Gray injured her left leg in the fourth quarter.

• Gray, the 2022 Finals MVP, is a core part of the Aces superteam, and her injury status could significantly impact the outcome of the series.

What’s next: With the best-of-five battle standing at a 2-1 Vegas lead, Game 4 is back at Barclays on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Libs are fighting to do what no team has done before — climb out of a two-game hole to win a WNBA title — while the Aces remain just one win away from becoming the first back-to-back champions since 2002. Game on.

Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) did not disappoint, with Rangers ace Jordan Montgomery stifling the reigning champs’ bats for six and a third innings in the Rangers’ 2–0 win. Plus, Texas’ pitching staff also just got better with Max Scherzer and Jon Gray back in the bullpen ahead of this afternoon’s 4:37 p.m. ET Game 2.

• And grab your Cracker Jacks because Championship Series action continues when the National League’s Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at 8:07 p.m. ET.

• Game 1 will be a battle of the Zac(k)s, with Zack Wheeler on the mound for the Phils and Zac Gallen taking the ball for the Dbacks. Batter up.

Ahead of yesterday’s six-game season finale, only the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave had booked postseason tickets. So, as expected, chaos ensued. Starting at the top of the table, the Wave took over the No. 1 seed from Portland, winning the NWSL Shield after the Thorns’ lopsided 5–1 loss to the bicycle kicking Angel City FC.

• With quarter-final byes in their back pocket, the No. 1 Wave and No. 2 Thorns can sit back and relax while the North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Angel City FC, and NJ/NY Gotham FC battle it out in this weekend's quarters. Retirement will just have to wait.

Undefeated no more. Both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers dropped their first games of the season in dramatic fashion yesterday. For the first time in NFL history, the Eagles shockingly lost 20–14 to the NY Jets, while the very good Niners lost 19–17 to the mediocre Cleveland Browns. Oof.

• But no one saw more screen time in Week 6 than the blue tent. A trio of 49ers, as well as five starting quarterbacks, among others, suffered injuries.

• However, the most frightening scene of the day was during Sunday Night Football when Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris was taken off the field in an ambulance after a hard hit in the second quarter.

Nothing compares to college football: From tailgates and marching bands to the roar of 80K fans, each fall Saturday brings unique excitement to campuses — that's why Topps created the 2023 Bowman University Chrome Football set to capture the magic.

• The set features the NCAA's biggest stars — think the buzziest quarterback in football, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, enshrined forever in the Buffs’ black and gold (ice not included).

No matter which pro jerseys they sport in the future, athletes' college cards will always honor their campus glory days. Keep the nostalgia and tradition that makes the collegiate gridiron so special by collecting with Topps today.

🏀 A record-breaking 55,646 fans attended Iowa women’s basketball charity outdoor exhibition game yesterday, which was played on the Hawkeyes’ football field. Growing the game one basket a time.

🎾 Canada’s up and coming Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated Czechia’s Kateřina Siniaková to win the Hong Kong Open and her third career WTA title yesterday.

⛳ LPGA legend Lexi Thompson just missed the cut at this weekend’s PGA Shriners Children’s Open, finishing with a score of 69, the second-ever sub-70 score by a woman in men’s PGA Tour history. More to come.

⚽ Despite this world-class goal from captain Christian Pulisic, the USMNT lost 3–1 to Germany in Saturday’s friendly.

🙏 Olympic gold medal–winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton is making remarkable progress, as she continues to fight for her life after being diagnosed with a very rare form of pneumonia.

⚾ The MLB’s San Francisco Giants interviewed assistant coach Alyssa Nakken for their open managerial position (aka the head coach). Nakken is believed to be the first woman to interview for the role. More of that, please.

🏉 After a thrilling quarter-finals weekend, No. 3 South Africa, No. 4 New Zealand, No. 6 England, and No. 8 Argentina advanced to the men’s Rugby World Cup semifinals later this week. Ruck and roll.

Today’s question comes from the diamond. With only four teams remaining in the MLB playoffs, we want to know: Who do you think will win the World Series? Cast your vote below then be sure to tune in for the first pitch. Play ball.

On Friday the 13th, we asked for your thoughts on which athlete had the best superstition. 37% voted for Michael Jordan, 23% voted for Tiger Woods, 21% voted for Becky Sauerbrunn and 19% voted for Serena Williams.