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Good Morning 👋
We’re in the “one game per night” stage of the NBA/NHL Playoffs. Two teams pulled out must-win games last night. The T-Wolves are still howlin’ and the Panthers are still prowlin’. We’ve also got baseball catch-ups, Caitlin Clark’s first 30-piece, and a blockbuster tennis showdown this morning in Paris (Swiatek vs. Osaka, 9:15 am ET). Waking up early…
Letter Rip! |
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Texas, Hold On: Wolves Still Howlin' |
Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images |
Timberwolves Brush Off Elimination With Survival Win in Game 4 (105-100) as Edwards (29-10-9) & Doncic (28-15-10) Go Head-to-Head
Just as we were getting ready to announce the NBA Finals pairing, the Timberwolves had something to say. The men in Texas held all the cards entering Tuesday night, but this was no Texas hold 'em. Minnesota finally held off a late-game flurry by the Mavs to delay the celebration and avoid the sweep. Luka Doncic (28 pts) and Anthony Edwards (29 pts) put on a show in the pivotal Game 4 showdown. Karl-Anthony Towns (25 pts) also got cooking after this week's criticism, and his contribution made the difference on Tuesday. Dallas nearly rallied from seven points down in the final two minutes, but poise on the road helped Minnesota stay alive. It’ll still take a monumental effort — the likes of which the NBA has never seen — to come back from down 3-0. But hey, that’s why they play the games. Game 5 is back in Minnesota on Thursday.
Top Scorers A. Edwards (MIN): 29 pts, 10 rebs, 9 asts L. Doncic (DAL): 28 pts, 15 rebs, 10 asts
K. Towns (MIN): 25 pts, 5 rebs K. Irving (DAL): 16 pts Western Conference Finals Gm 4: T-Wolves def. Mavericks (105-100) DAL Leads Series (3-1) Gm 5: Thursday (8:30 pm ET, TNT) Read More
Yahoo! Sports: No Sweep Here! Edwards, Towns & T-Wolves Grab Road Win to Stay Alive
Sporting News: Karl-Anthony Towns Overcomes Foul Trouble & Criticism to Force Game 5 |
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Rein-Time! Panthers Prevail in OT |
Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images |
Sam Reinhart’s Slapper Helps Panthers Pull Out Game 4 Against Rangers (3-2, OT) — 1st Win in 3 Straight OT Games
The script was starting to get old. After taking Game 1, the Panthers lost two overtime games to the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals, both in heartbreaking fashion. Last night saw the Rangers net one in the third period to force OT again, and this series started to feel like a sick joke for Florida fans. But alas, we have a series. Sam Reinhart struck a one-timer for the win just 1:12 into OT. A whopping 37 saves still wasn’t enough for Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin. The series is all square (2-2), and we’ve got some good ones in the Conference Finals.
Top Scorers S. Reinhart (FLA): 1 Goal (Game-Winner) A. Panarin (NYR): 2 Assists A. Lafreniere (NYR): 1 Goal A. Barkov (FLA): 2 Assists Eastern Conference Finals Gm 4: Panthers def. Rangers (3-2, OT) Series Tied (2-2)
Gm 5: Thursday (8:00 pm ET, ESPN) Read More
SportsNet: Gotta See It: Reinhart Wires Home OT Winner in Game 4
ESPN: Sam Reinhart’s ‘Awesome’ OT Winner Saves Panthers From Deep ECF Deficit |
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The Cloud 5s (From Hansen's Shoes) |
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I got my Cloud 5s last summer. They're at the top of my shoe rotation because of sheer versatility. From the gym to the road, and the trail to home, I bounce like LeBron and sprint like Bolt. Maybe that's a little too far. But hey, that’s what these shoes do — take you far. 👟 Get Your Cloud 5s From Hansen’s Shoes |
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3 Strikes: MLB Storylines |
Photo: Kevin D. Liles / Getty Images |
Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Injury, Angel Hernandez’s Last Call & A Scorching Padres Pitcher
Lost in the shuffle of our Memorial Day Weekend sports extravaganza were a few MLB storylines that made waves. The health of a Braves superstar, the exit of a much-maligned umpire, and a strikeout streak of record-setting proportions should help us catch up in today’s three-strike plate appearance:
Strike 1: Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Injury
The Atlanta Braves lost their most important player, again. Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his left ACL against the Pirates on Sunday, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the season following an MRI that night. The 26-year-old four-time All-Star and reigning NL MVP was coming off his best season yet — Batting .337, 41 HRs, 106 RBIs, 73 SBs — and the Braves held the best record in the majors through April. Acuna Jr. also tore his right ACL in 2021. Brutal summer ahead for Atlanta. Might they look for a trade?
Strike 2: Angel Hernandez Booed Off Stage
We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity this summer to write a feature on Angel Hernandez’s controversial status as baseball’s most polarizing umpire, but he’s not waiting around to give us the chance. The 62-year-old ump is well-liked by other umpires, and most humans, but he’s been a punching bag for fans, players, and media in recent years due to some truly awful calls in timely situations. Hernandez began with MLB in 1991, but the fan hatred got louder in 2024, and he retired from baseball this weekend. No more Angel in the outfield, or the infield for that matter.
Strike 3: Jeremiah Estrada’s K-Streak
Jeremiah Estrada was a waiver pickup for San Diego last November. This past week, he rung up 13 consecutive batters — that’s not a joke — setting a record that dates back (at least) to 1961. Estrada fanned five straight Reds last week before sitting five Yankees on Sunday. The streak continued last night with a three-up, three-down frame (Ks 11, 12, and 13) in his only inning of work during the Padres’ 4-0 win over the Phillies. |
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🏈 100 Days to NFL Kickoff
Ready or not, the 2024 NFL season is fast approaching, with only 100 days until the start of the regular season. A lot has happened since the Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Presenting 100 things to know for the 2024 NFL season. (CBS Sports)
🏀 Bill Walton’s Best Moments
Bill Walton was a legend on the court, a Hall of Famer, MVP and a two-time champion both at UCLA and in the NBA. On the mic, he truly had no equal. He was never forgettable. He was never boring. And he was never uninspired. (Yahoo! Sports)
⚽️ Ronaldo’s Saudi Scoring Record
Two more goals on Monday gave Cristiano Ronaldo the Saudi League scoring record in his first full season with Al-Nassr. He scored 35 goals in league play (50 overall), with four hat tricks. The 39-year-old is still elite. (FOX Sports) |
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🏒 Stanley Cup Playoffs Gm 4: Stars at Oilers (8:30 pm ET, TNT) DAL Leads Series (2-1) 🎾 French Open (2nd Round) W: #1 I. Swiatek vs. N. Osaka (9:15 am ET)
W: #3 C. Gauff vs. T. Zidansek (10:15 am ET) M: #3 C. Alcaraz vs. J. De Jong (7:15 am ET) M: #2 J. Sinner vs. R. Gasquet (2:15 pm ET)
*French Open Coverage on NBC Sports ⚾️ MLB Pirates at Tigers (1:10 pm ET, MLBTV) *Paul Skenes vs. Jack Flaherty Cubs at Brewers (7:40 pm ET, MLBTV) *Shota Imanaga vs. Bryce Wilson
Astros at Mariners (9:40 pm ET, MLBTV) *Justin Verlander vs. George Kirby ⚽️ MLS
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United (7:30 pm ET, AppleTV) LAFC vs. Minnesota United (10:45 pm ET, AppleTV)
🏀 WNBA Mercury at Liberty (7:00 pm ET, CBS) Aces at Lynx (8:00 pm ET, NBATV) |
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