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Good morning! Play offense and defense today.
While You Were Sleeping: We almost have a full picture
It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day of these NHL and NBA playoffs, where night after night brings us game after game, each more important than the last. But I want to zoom out for a minute, because we’re at a unique point:
- Every conference final series is 3-1 right now, which means we could be just two games away from knowing our finalists in both sports. In the NBA, we’re nearing a Pacers-Thunder final. In the NHL, Oilers-Panthers, again.
- Wait, what happened to the Knicks? After that wild comeback in Game 3 on Sunday, the Knicks played well in last night’s 130-121 loss but could not overcome Indiana’s unrelenting depth. Tyrese Haliburton, with his father in the building, posted a triple-double. It’s not hyperbole to say Haliburton is already one of the best players in Pacer history. Win one more and he has a chance to do something no Pacer has ever done: bring a title to Indiana.
- And, uh … the Stars? Awful vibes are emanating from the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area after the Stars have lost three straight games by a combined score of 13-2. If not for a five-goal third period in Game 1, this would have been an easy sweep. Might be time for Dallas’ players to start booking vacations.
I suspect we’ll see a lot of eye roll-worthy chatter about ratings in the NBA if we do indeed get an Indiana-Oklahoma City matchup. I simply think it’s a basketball nerd’s dream to have these teams play each other.
Anyway. On to the diamond:
One Note: Let’s shake our heads once more at this guy
Zooming out is so last section. I want to zoom in here, because a single stat, combined with a still-unbelievable reality, is also newsworthy for us. Consider two things:
- Yes, we’ve waxed plenty about Aaron Judge’s preposterous season at the plate, but Shohei Ohtani — are you tired of him yet? — still exists and still hits very well, mind you. He’s hitting “just” .296 (Judge finished the night at .395 on the season), but last night became the first player with 20 home runs this season. Ohtani is on pace for approximately 59 homers this year, which would be a career high.
- … And just a reminder, Ohtani remains an elite pitcher who is currently rehabbing a second Tommy John surgery that has kept him off the mound for nearly two years. He hit 97 mph on the radar gun in his last throwing session and could pitch after the All-Star break. The Dodgers need him, too.
Imagine leading the majors in homers while rehabbing an injury. Ohtani’s brilliance is baked into baseball at this point, but it doesn’t mean we should treat it as ordinary.
Carry forth:
News to Know
Gregory Shamus / Getty Imags
WNBA can’t substantiate reports of racist behavior
An investigation by the WNBA could not verify alleged racist behavior from fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during a Sky-Fever game on May 17, the league announced yesterday — a probe that came in response to allegations of comments directed at Angel Reese, according to a source. The league said it interviewed fans, players and arena staff. See all the details. Also on the Fever front: Caitlin Clark’s injury shifted MVP odds.
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In England, a stunning retirement
A month before Euro 2025 begins, England goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her retirement from international soccer at just 32. On the pitch, Earps is already an English legend, helping the Lionesses win Euro 2022 and appear in the 2023 World Cup final. Her decision comes after it became clear Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton will be the top choice at keeper for manager Sarina Wiegman. More on the dramatic day here.
More news
- Police in Liverpool arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder, as well as two driving-related charges, in connection with the horrific parade disaster Monday. Just awful stuff. Read our full report.
- Superstar wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Ryan Williams (Alabama) are on the EA College Football 26 cover. See it here.
- Travis Hunter is getting reps on both offense and defense at Jaguars OTAs. 👀
- Houston star Milos Uzan is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to school. More details here.
- The owners of the KC Current are getting in on the multi-club ownership model, starting by acquiring Danish club HB Køge Women. “The Athletic FC Podcast” did a super interesting series on MCOs.
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What to Watch
📺 MLB: Braves at Phillies
6:45 p.m. ET on MLB Network
Need a playoff break? The NL-best Phils throw Zack Wheeler, whom we mentioned yesterday, against a resurgent Atlanta team with Ronald Acuña Jr. back in the lineup. Something to watch for: Is Bryce Harper well enough to play?
📺 NHL: Hurricanes at Panthers
8 p.m. ET on TNT/Max
Carolina finally got a conference final win. Will the tension release enough to play loose here with the season on the line? Florida’s a little banged up, too. The Panthers can still book their third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final in this one.
📺 NBA: Timberwolves at Thunder
8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Oklahoma City can secure its second-ever trip to the finals and first since 2012 here. Minnesota was close in Game 4 — this is where psychology plays a huge part on both sides. Can the T-Wolves survive? Can the young Thunder close? Drama either way.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
The college football crew has been on a great Remembering-Some-Guys run while all these playoff games happen. Antonio Morales ranked every five-star quarterback of the recruiting era. Hell yeah.
Richard Deitsch picked his must-watch NFL games of the 2025 season. This made me actually excited for the season.
Dallas will pick Cooper Flagg No. 1 in next month’s NBA Draft and pull a Warriors, going full two-timelines with the franchise’s future.
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The Nationals’ rebuild has been … long. Why are they still bottom feeders with so much young talent? Ken Rosenthal analyzes a puzzling slump.
After Nottingham Forest denied Gary Neville access to City Ground, what’s next? Dan Sheldon has an interesting look at a proper row between an EPL club and a commentator.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story on the NCAA baseball tournament bracket.
Most-read on the website yesterday: MLB Power Rankings, naturally.
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(Top photo: Trevor Ruszkowski / Imagn Images)
