National pro sports roundup: NBA opens, WNBA Finals shift to Atlanta

By Staff Writer · Published 10/21/2026, 2:42:46 AM ET

The October 21 briefing covers Tuesday's NBA and NHL results, confirmed injuries and the next 48 hours across seven major leagues.

Data as of 10/21/2026, 2:31:00 AM ET · Updated 10/21/2026, 2:42:46 AM ET

sports

NBA

Detroit came back from 22 points down, scoring 23 unanswered in the fourth quarter to beat Boston 121-113 despite Paul George's 38 points. Philadelphia won 106-100 at New York behind Tyrese Maxey's 28, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 in Oklahoma City's 116-104 win at San Antonio. All three winners start 1-0. Wednesday's national doubleheader sends Minnesota to Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET and Golden State to the Lakers at 10 p.m. ET. [NBA] [NBA schedule]

NHL

Tuesday's 11-game card included San Jose's 4-3 overtime comeback at Montreal, Mikko Rantanen's overtime hat-trick winner for Dallas, Edmonton's 4-3 overtime victory over Minnesota and Seattle's 4-3 shootout win over Detroit. Carolina's 6-3 win at Vancouver moved the Hurricanes to an NHL-best 8-2-1 and 17 points. Philadelphia visits Buffalo and Florida visits Ottawa at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. [NHL scores] [NHL standings] [NHL schedule]

NFL

No game was played Tuesday. Washington said tests confirmed Terry McLaurin tore his patellar tendon Sunday and will miss the rest of the 2026 season. Week 7 begins Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET with New England at Chicago. [NFL injury] [NFL schedule]

MLB

The World Series matchup is set after Tampa Bay won the AL pennant in six games and Milwaukee swept the NLCS. The Rays visit the Brewers for Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET Friday, outside this briefing's next-48-hour window; both franchises are seeking their first World Series championship. [MLB]

MLS

Nashville leads the Supporters' Shield table with 67 points through 30 matches. FC Cincinnati, 9-11-9 with 36 points, hosts D.C. United, 7-10-12 with 33, at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. Columbus hosts St. Louis at 8 p.m. ET in the U.S. Open Cup final, a cup match separate from MLS standings. [MLS standings] [MLS schedule] [Open Cup]

WNBA

Atlanta and Golden State are tied 1-1 in the best-of-five Finals after the Dream won Game 2, 79-65. Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals. Game 3 is Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Atlanta. [WNBA]

NWSL

No match was played Tuesday, and none is scheduled through Thursday. Gotham FC leads the table with 55 points, one ahead of San Diego; the next league match is Chicago-Houston at 8 p.m. ET Friday, beyond the next 48 hours. [NWSL standings] [NWSL schedule]