Editor's note: USA TODAY Sports is on the ground in Atlanta, providing live updates and highlights of Game 3. Follow alonghere.
Is the Atlanta Dream's 2026 WNBA Finals inspiring the next generation of girls?
Yeah!
Just ask rapper and actor Ludacris, who famously featured on Usher's smash hit of that same name.
The Grammy award winning artist also known for his role in the Fast & Furious movie franchise sat courtside with his daughters for the Dream's Game 3 matchup against the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta and relished the team's success.
"I won't make you Stand Up," USA Network play-by-play broadcaster Kate Scott joked — alluding to another one of Ludacris' hit songs — as she tossed to sideline reporter Megan McPeak's interview with him.
"They're inspired. I mean, it's history tonight. It's sold out. We're here to support the dream," Ludacris said when asked why he was in attendance for Game 3. "They're young athletes, and I want them to see some athletes here in person. And this is a dream come true for them. And I mean that. When I say dream, I really mean dream."
This is the Dream's first home Finals game since 2013 after Angel Reese's historic double-double led the team to its first Finals win Monday night in San Francisco. The team made a last-minute move from Gateway Center to State Farm Arena, home of the NBA's Hawks, and sold out the 17,044-seat venue.
LUDAAAAA in the building 🎤🔥
— USA Sports (@usasports) October 22, 2026
Ludacris is courtside for WNBA Finals Game 3 and says experiencing this historic night with his kids is a dream come true for them! 🥹🏆 pic.twitter.com/9M1XDYjNV1
Ludacris has four daughters; Karma (born 2001), Cai (born 2013), Cadence (born 2015) and Chance (born 2021).
Born in Champaign, Illinois, in 1977, Ludacris moved to the Atlanta area with his family when he was 9 years old and later graduated from Georgia State University. He also launched his local music career as DJ Chris Lova Lova at Atlanta radio station Hot 97.5 before becoming a star of the "Dirty South" hip-hop movement.
The Atlanta icon's ties to the WNBA aren't new either. He served as the premier headliner for the Las Vegas Aces 2025 WNBA Championship victory celebration. Following the Aces' third world title in four years, Ludacris took the main stage at Toshiba Plaza on the Las Vegas Strip, performing alongside other artists like Mýa and Crime Mob to celebrate four-time MVP A'ja Wilson and the team.
Ludacris made it clear in his interview that he's hoping for another championship party.
"Means everything. And we in State Farm Arena. It had to move here because that's how big the support is," he said. "We need this win tonight. We need this win."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ludacris is all in on Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Finals run: ‘We need this win’