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Good morning! I know it’s surviving in a different form, but we still need to commemorate the coming end of “Inside the NBA.”
While You Were Sleeping: Knicks-Pacers lives another game
When you get this deep into the playoffs, LinkedIn phrases start appearing in your head. Perseverance. Mental fortitude. So on and so forth.
It’s hard to even describe the mental state of a team facing elimination, with months and months of hard work on the line, with one game to maintain dreams or have it all erased. We had the same scenario last night, in both the NHL and NBA — with wildly different results:
- Let’s start with the clinchers, the Edmonton Oilers, now heading to their second straight Stanley Cup Final, playing the Florida Panthers yet again. Edmonton scored three in the first period of last night’s 6-3 win in Dallas, and a late Connor McDavid goal sealed it. Say what you will about any boringness around a Stanley Cup rematch, but I want every part of this. It’s going to be awesome.
- Still awesome: the Knicks-Pacers series, which will go to a sixth game after New York’s 111-94 win last night at home. The Knicks were in control for this entire game. It’s easy to wonder who faces more pressure in a Game 6 in Indianapolis: New York, with everything on the line again, or Indiana, which probably doesn’t want to go back to Madison Square Garden? Beautiful basketball.
That series continues tomorrow. We have to wait until next week for any other playoff fun. Let’s keep going:
News to Know
Mahomes says no to flag football
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes brushed off the idea of playing on the 2028 Olympic flag football team, saying yesterday he’ll “probably leave that to the younger guys.” Mahomes will be just 32 then, a fact that is absurd considering how long he’s been an elite quarterback. We’re awaiting word from Pulse draftee Lamar Jackson. Read Pat’s comments here.
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Leach, Miles now eligible for Hall
The College Football Hall of Fame announced yesterday it will lower a coach’s entry barrier from a .600 winning percentage to .595, starting in 2027, which would make the late Mike Leach — as well as Les Miles — available for selection. Leach’s impact on the game was outsized, but his winning percentage of .596 before his death prevented him from entry. Miles was eligible before the NCAA vacated 37 of his wins. Read more on the layers of this here.
More news
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Remembering Some Games: Want to feel old?
I appreciate balance in all things, which is why I love that, amid all these important playoff games where seasons are on the line in other sports, our baseball staff is Remembering Some Elite Games.
All of our Quarter-Century content has been amazing, but Tim Britton ranked the best games of the 2000s — an impossible task, really. It evoked great memories … and takes.
Four I want to highlight, for different reasons:
25. 2010 NLDS Game 1: Phillies 4, Reds 0
Our “lowest” game on this list is a banger. The late Roy Halladay, in his first postseason start, threw a perfect game. As Tim points out, there are only eight perfect games this century, but none have been more impressive than this. It’s a crime Halladay, a two-time Cy Young winner and Hall of Famer, never won a World Series.
17. 2005 NLDS Game 4: Astros 7, Braves 6
The first 18-inning playoff game this century gets a special place because of how incredible the details are. Adam LaRoche grand slam. Lance Berkman grand slam. Brad Ausmus home run. Roger Clemens threw three scoreless to end. What a lovely time capsule.
6. 2014 AL Wild Card Game: Royals 9, Athletics 8
I love the alternate-reality feel of this one, where Kansas City outlasted Oakland (yes, Oakland) in 12 innings in a postseason-altering game. The Royals went to the World Series that year.
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1. 2001 World Series Game 7: Diamondbacks 3, Yankees 2
While picking this list seemed incredibly hard, the choice was easy. Hard to get more iconic than Luis Gonzalez squibbing a game-winning single to defeat what, at that time, felt like the evil empire in New York. I was 11 years old and remember it so clearly.
Read the full list here, which includes this game:
What to Watch
📺 French Open: Dzumhur vs. Alcaraz
2:15 p.m. ET on TNT/Max
Wake up, it’s time to watch tennis now. For schedule’s sake, watching the defending champ and his beautiful drop shots in the third round are your best bet today. If you’re a real tennis sicko, catch Elena Rybakina-Jelena Ostapenko around 8 a.m. ET. Clay courts are heating up across the ocean.
📺 WNBA: Liberty at Mystics
7:30 p.m. ET on ION
Watch the defending champs take on a surprising Washington team. Nice change of pace after the NBA and NHL barrage.
📺 MLB: Yankees at Dodgers
10:10 p.m. ET on Apple TV+
A rematch of last year’s World Series, with both teams still elite. This is as must-watch as we get today.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
I am a regular listener to Pablo Torre’s podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” so I get to be a hipster fan about the show in light of his recent reporting on Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson. But as Zak Keefer writes today, Torre’s story of leaving ESPN and ending up here is fascinating. What exactly is Pablo finding out?
I really appreciated Harman Dayal’s story on how, in the NHL, high stakes on the ice lead to an inescapable mental health challenge off of it. Read that here.
What happened to Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 Cy Young winner who’s completely lost his way on the mound? His slide has come at the worst time for just about everyone.
Want to read a thriller? Spare some time for Austin Meek’s story about Mickey Bruce, a former college football star who made an enemy of the man who inspired the movie “Casino.” It’s worth your time.
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F1 drivers are again criticizing Monaco’s two pit stop rule. Will things change this time?
Chris Vannini played an early edition of EA’s College Football 26. He has thoughts on the five biggest changes.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story about that Stefon Diggs video and the reaction to it.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Keith Law’s top 50 MLB prospects after two months of the season. Always a must-read.
Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Top photo: Brad Penner / Imagn Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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Red Sox’s season is far from over, but their defense, pitching need to find answers soon
The Red Sox’s roller coaster is, for the time being, climbing back uphill.In a tumultuous season defined by chaos, inconsistency and awkward roster fits, Boston’s 11-7 win over the Yankees on Sunday secured the club’s most encouraging series win of the year so far. The Sox pitched poorly against their rivals, surrendering 23 runs over three games, but a locked-in lineup managed to overcome the team’s poor defense and pitching woes.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe galvanizing victory was a prime reminder that this Red Sox club, while immensely flawed, is still incredibly talented. And despite all the drama, the hand-wringing, the underwhelming record, the bad defense, the injured superstar and the underperforming rotation, Boston’s season is far, far from over.Because this team can rake.Even with perennial All-Star Alex Bregman on the injured list and top prospect Roman Anthony wallowing in Triple-A (until his call-up […]
PWHL Expansion Draft live updates: Latest news as Vancouver and Seattle teams build their rosters
Each of the league’s six existing franchises — in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Minnesota — were able to initially protect three players from being selected in the draft or signing during the pre-draft window. Only players under contract or team control through 2026 could be protected.Once teams lose two players, either through the signing window or the draft, general managers are permitted to protect one additional player, increasing their protected list to four.Vancouver and Seattle will each select seven players in the draft from the pool of unprotected players. The draft order has not been announced and will be revealed at the start of the league’s draft broadcast.Throughout the roster-building process, each existing team will lose four players total from their 2024-25 roster. With the signing window now closed, the 14 players taken in the draft will […]
Several World Cup host cities in the U.S. monitoring political situation amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown
The U.S. host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 admitted on Monday they were “monitoring closely” the current political situation in the United States amid rising tensions over President Trump’s crackdown on immigration — but insisted visitors will be made welcome at the tournament.FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino claimed earlier this year that “America will welcome the world” for next year’s tournament, which will be shared across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Infantino said: “America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun and to celebrate the game will be able to do that.”AdvertisementInfantino has also claimed that FIFA’s tournaments in the U.S., first the Club World Cup in 2025 and then the World Cup next year, will generate almost $50 billion in economic output for the U.S. Foreign travellers are integral […]
Red Sox call up top prospect Roman Anthony: Source
For the second time in the past month, the Boston Red Sox have promoted a top prospect. On Monday, Boston promoted outfielder Roman Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in baseball. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu has been placed on the injured list, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.At a time when the team is struggling to stay afloat in the American League East, but coming of a key weekend series win over the New York Yankees, the Red Sox have summoned Anthony, one of the best hitters in the minor leagues, to boost the club.AdvertisementIn 58 Triple-A games, the 21-year-old is hitting .288 with a .914 OPS, 10 homers, nine doubles and two triples along with 51 walks and 56 strikeouts.On Saturday night in Worcester, Anthony crushed a 497-foot grand slam at 115.6 mph. It marked the longest homer at any […]
Craque Neto “seca” Flamengo e Palmeiras ao manifestar torcida pelo Botafogo no Mundial de Clubes
Craque Neto, em discurso no programa Os Donos da Bola (Reprodução) Craque Neto não vai apoiar ferrenhamente por nenhum clube brasileiro presente no Mundial. Sem afinidade com Palmeiras, Flamengo e Fluminense, o ex-jogador quis externar um sentimento positivo apenas em relação ao Botafogo. Porém, como o Glorioso terá que disputar uma vaga nas oitavas de final com PSG e Atlético de Madrid, o título que resultaria em satisfação é bastante complicado. “No formato anterior, era mais fácil chegar na decisão. Chegando na decisão, tinha 50% de possibilidade de alcançar o título. Neste formato, se torna mais difícil pela diferença técnica e dinâmica de jogo da Europa para o nosso continente. Se classificar mudando de fase, já está bom demais. Mas, se acontecer uma zebra, que o nosso continente seja premiado.”, iniciou Oscar Roberto Godói. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Eu não penso assim. […]
2025 U.S. Open predictions, picks: Five trends to identify this year’s winner at Oakmont Country Club
OAKMONT, Pa. -- The third major championship of the season has arrived, and if the 2025 U.S. Open is anything like the first two, one can expect to see the normal candidates atop the leaderboard and a few surprises intertwined. While those tournaments were respectively won by Rory McIlroy (Masters) and Scottie Scheffler (PGA Championship), the first two majors were nearly in the hands of a couple of unusual suspects.At Augusta National, it was Justin Rose who posted the clubhouse lead and narrowly lost in a playoff to McIlroy. While Scheffler scorched the Earth at Quail Hollow, the leaderboard just beneath him included names such as Harris English, Davis Riley and Jhonattan Vegas, who led for most of the early portion of the championship.Majors seem to be falling in favor of the world's best players now more than ever. The […]
Related
Red Sox’s season is far from over, but their defense, pitching need to find answers soon
The Red Sox’s roller coaster is, for the time being, climbing back uphill.In a tumultuous season defined by chaos, inconsistency and awkward roster fits, Boston’s 11-7 win over the Yankees on Sunday secured the club’s most encouraging series win of the year so far. The Sox pitched poorly against their rivals, surrendering 23 runs over three games, but a locked-in lineup managed to overcome the team’s poor defense and pitching woes.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe galvanizing victory was a prime reminder that this Red Sox club, while immensely flawed, is still incredibly talented. And despite all the drama, the hand-wringing, the underwhelming record, the bad defense, the injured superstar and the underperforming rotation, Boston’s season is far, far from over.Because this team can rake.Even with perennial All-Star Alex Bregman on the injured list and top prospect Roman Anthony wallowing in Triple-A (until his call-up […]
PWHL Expansion Draft live updates: Latest news as Vancouver and Seattle teams build their rosters
Each of the league’s six existing franchises — in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Minnesota — were able to initially protect three players from being selected in the draft or signing during the pre-draft window. Only players under contract or team control through 2026 could be protected.Once teams lose two players, either through the signing window or the draft, general managers are permitted to protect one additional player, increasing their protected list to four.Vancouver and Seattle will each select seven players in the draft from the pool of unprotected players. The draft order has not been announced and will be revealed at the start of the league’s draft broadcast.Throughout the roster-building process, each existing team will lose four players total from their 2024-25 roster. With the signing window now closed, the 14 players taken in the draft will […]
Several World Cup host cities in the U.S. monitoring political situation amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown
The U.S. host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 admitted on Monday they were “monitoring closely” the current political situation in the United States amid rising tensions over President Trump’s crackdown on immigration — but insisted visitors will be made welcome at the tournament.FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino claimed earlier this year that “America will welcome the world” for next year’s tournament, which will be shared across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Infantino said: “America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun and to celebrate the game will be able to do that.”AdvertisementInfantino has also claimed that FIFA’s tournaments in the U.S., first the Club World Cup in 2025 and then the World Cup next year, will generate almost $50 billion in economic output for the U.S. Foreign travellers are integral […]
Red Sox call up top prospect Roman Anthony: Source
For the second time in the past month, the Boston Red Sox have promoted a top prospect. On Monday, Boston promoted outfielder Roman Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in baseball. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu has been placed on the injured list, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.At a time when the team is struggling to stay afloat in the American League East, but coming of a key weekend series win over the New York Yankees, the Red Sox have summoned Anthony, one of the best hitters in the minor leagues, to boost the club.AdvertisementIn 58 Triple-A games, the 21-year-old is hitting .288 with a .914 OPS, 10 homers, nine doubles and two triples along with 51 walks and 56 strikeouts.On Saturday night in Worcester, Anthony crushed a 497-foot grand slam at 115.6 mph. It marked the longest homer at any […]
Craque Neto “seca” Flamengo e Palmeiras ao manifestar torcida pelo Botafogo no Mundial de Clubes
Craque Neto, em discurso no programa Os Donos da Bola (Reprodução) Craque Neto não vai apoiar ferrenhamente por nenhum clube brasileiro presente no Mundial. Sem afinidade com Palmeiras, Flamengo e Fluminense, o ex-jogador quis externar um sentimento positivo apenas em relação ao Botafogo. Porém, como o Glorioso terá que disputar uma vaga nas oitavas de final com PSG e Atlético de Madrid, o título que resultaria em satisfação é bastante complicado. “No formato anterior, era mais fácil chegar na decisão. Chegando na decisão, tinha 50% de possibilidade de alcançar o título. Neste formato, se torna mais difícil pela diferença técnica e dinâmica de jogo da Europa para o nosso continente. Se classificar mudando de fase, já está bom demais. Mas, se acontecer uma zebra, que o nosso continente seja premiado.”, iniciou Oscar Roberto Godói. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Eu não penso assim. […]
2025 U.S. Open predictions, picks: Five trends to identify this year’s winner at Oakmont Country Club
OAKMONT, Pa. -- The third major championship of the season has arrived, and if the 2025 U.S. Open is anything like the first two, one can expect to see the normal candidates atop the leaderboard and a few surprises intertwined. While those tournaments were respectively won by Rory McIlroy (Masters) and Scottie Scheffler (PGA Championship), the first two majors were nearly in the hands of a couple of unusual suspects.At Augusta National, it was Justin Rose who posted the clubhouse lead and narrowly lost in a playoff to McIlroy. While Scheffler scorched the Earth at Quail Hollow, the leaderboard just beneath him included names such as Harris English, Davis Riley and Jhonattan Vegas, who led for most of the early portion of the championship.Majors seem to be falling in favor of the world's best players now more than ever. The […]
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