Sports News Today: Braves Advance, Aces Survive, Cowboys Make a Move as October Heats Up
October 2, 2026
October sports are officially cooking. ⚾🏈🏀
The Atlanta Braves punched their ticket to the National League Division Series, A’ja Wilson delivered a monster performance to keep the Las Vegas Aces’ championship defense alive, the Dallas Cowboys made a significant addition to their secondary, and college football is preparing for another weekend packed with ranked matchups.
Here are the major stories shaping the U.S. sports world Friday morning.
Braves Eliminate Phillies, Advance to Face Dodgers
The Atlanta Braves are moving on.
Atlanta defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Thursday night in the deciding third game of their National League Wild Card Series, sending the Braves into an NL Division Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Michael Harris II gave Atlanta immediate control with a three-run homer in the first inning. Ozzie Albies later added a two-run shot, and Matt Olson went deep as well.
Atlanta also pieced together an impressive pitching performance. Opener Ray Kerr worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings before the Braves used their bullpen to keep Philadelphia quiet. Veteran ace Chris Sale appeared in relief and helped finish the victory.
The win ended a six-game Braves losing streak in postseason elimination games and marked Atlanta's first winner-take-all postseason victory since 1996.
The Braves now head to Los Angeles for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the Wild Card round, the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres all advanced with series sweeps. New York defeated Boston 9-2 to complete its sweep and will face Tampa Bay in the ALDS.
October baseball has arrived, and the bracket just became considerably less forgiving.
A’ja Wilson Drops 36 as Aces Eliminate Caitlin Clark and Fever
The defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces survived a winner-take-all Game 3, defeating the Indiana Fever 94-83 Thursday night.
A’ja Wilson delivered when Las Vegas needed her most, finishing with 36 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Chelsea Gray added 23 points while Jackie Young contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The victory sends Las Vegas into the WNBA semifinals after winning the first-round series 2-1.
Indiana's season ends after forcing the decisive game with a 99-89 victory in Game 2.
There is still one first-round spot left to settle.
The Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings meet tonight in Game 3 at Chase Center. Dallas forced the deciding game after Arike Ogunbowale exploded for a WNBA playoff-record 45 points in a 108-100 overtime victory Wednesday.
Tonight's winner advances to face Wilson and the Aces.
Angel Reese Named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese has been named the 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Dream history to win the award.
Reese received 46 votes from a national panel of 74 sportswriters and broadcasters. Golden State's Gabby Williams finished second with 20 votes, while A’ja Wilson received four.
Reese's first season in Atlanta included a league-leading 12.1 rebounds per game, while she also ranked third in both steals per game and total steals. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in a season.
Atlanta has already advanced to the WNBA semifinals after sweeping Washington in the opening round.
Cowboys Acquire Joey Porter Jr. From Steelers
The Dallas Cowboys have acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving Dallas a potentially significant reinforcement for an injury-hit secondary.
The reported compensation going to Pittsburgh is a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Porter had been involved in a contract dispute with Pittsburgh and missed the opening three games while dealing with a back issue.
Now he could get on the field quickly.
Porter told reporters his back is improving, and the Cowboys are hopeful he can potentially make his Dallas debut Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Dallas entered the week 1-2 and has been dealing with multiple injuries in its secondary, increasing the importance of the move.
Saints Lose Travis Etienne Jr. to Injured Reserve
The New Orleans Saints will be without running back Travis Etienne Jr. for at least four games after placing him on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury.
Etienne aggravated the injury during New Orleans' 35-27 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
He had been the Saints' leading rusher through the opening portion of the season with 128 yards on 30 carries. The Saints will now lean more heavily on Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and rookie CJ Donaldson.
New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Monday night.
College Football Sets Up Another Loaded Weekend
The college football rankings have undergone another shake-up heading into Week 5.
Texas remains No. 1, followed by Georgia and Notre Dame, while Miami sits fourth and Ohio State fifth in the latest AP Top 25.
Florida produced one of the biggest jumps, climbing to No. 8 after defeating then-No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28. It is Florida's first appearance in the top 10 since 2021.
This weekend brings another collection of important ranked matchups, including Ohio State against Iowa and Alabama against Mississippi State.
With conference races beginning to take shape, every October Saturday now carries greater College Football Playoff implications.
NBA Training Camps Open as Preseason Approaches
The NBA is beginning to stir again.
Training camps are underway around the league, with teams evaluating new rosters, returning stars and offseason additions before preseason competition begins.
According to the NBA's official calendar, preseason games begin Saturday, October 3, final opening-night rosters are due October 19, and the 2026-27 NBA regular season begins October 20.
One major name entering camp healthy is Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. Curry said his right knee is in good condition after injuries limited him to 43 games last season. The Warriors, however, opened camp without Kristaps Porzingis because of an unspecified health issue.
The basketball calendar is about to become crowded very quickly.
What to Watch Today
The most immediate elimination drama comes from the WNBA, where Dallas and Golden State play tonight for the final semifinal spot.
Baseball gets a brief reset before the Division Series begin Saturday, while NFL teams continue preparing for Week 4 and college football moves toward a Saturday loaded with games carrying conference and national implications.
Baseball playoffs. WNBA elimination games. NFL trade movement. College football Saturdays. NBA camps.
October has officially opened the sports floodgates.
Sources
- Reuters, Oct. 2: Atlanta Braves defeat Philadelphia 6-2 and advance to NLDS. Read Reuters
- MLB.com, Oct. 2: Braves win NL Wild Card Series and advance. Read MLB.com
- Associated Press: Yankees sweep Red Sox in Wild Card Series. Read AP
- WNBA: Las Vegas Aces defeat Indiana Fever in Game 3. WNBA game coverage
- WNBA: Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings Game 3 preview. Read the preview
- WNBA: Angel Reese named 2026 Defensive Player of the Year. Official WNBA announcement
- Associated Press: Cowboys acquire Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh. Read AP
- Reuters: Saints place Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve. Read Reuters
- Associated Press: Latest college football AP Top 25. Read AP
- NBA.com: 2026-27 NBA calendar and preseason dates. Read NBA.com