NBA
Knicks' playoff win streak ends with loss to Spurs at MSG
The New York Knicks' remarkable 13-game win streak in the playoffs came to an end last night after a 115-111 loss to the Spurs to make it a 2-1 series in the 2026 NBA Finals. San Antonio superstar center Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points while recording eight rebounds and six assists. On top of that, guard Stephon Castle added another 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
My take: The Spurs deserved to win that game. They came out with more energy and played excellent defense, which was the difference down the stretch. However, the officiating seems to favor the Spurs. San Antonio has had 23 more free throw attempts than the Knicks in this series, which basically equates to eight more free throws per game. That disparity is noteworthy considering the Knicks average fewer personal fouls per game than the Spurs in the playoffs (21.9 and 22.2, respectively).
Hawks give head coach Quin Snyder extension
The Atlanta Hawks announced yesterday that they had agreed to a multi-year contract extension with head coach Quin Snyder. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Hired by the Hawks in February of 2023, Snyder has amassed a 122-124 regular-season record with Atlanta. This past season, he led the Hawks to the playoffs for the first time in three years, where they fell to the New York Knicks in six games.
My take: This is clearly the right move for the Hawks and Snyder. The team has gotten better every year he has been there, and he has completely changed the franchise's identity. How can you not like this signing?
College Football
Judge deems Brendan Sorsby eligible to play college football despite gambling controversy
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby was granted a temporary injunction by a judge against the NCAA, meaning he could be eligible to play football for the program this coming season. This comes after it was discovered that Sorsby placed $90,000 in wagers on professional and college sports, including 40 bets on Indiana, where he was a freshman in 2022.
My take: This is TERRIBLE! Sorsby should never be allowed to play again if he actually bet on his own team. I don't care about gambling on other sports or schools, but when you place wagers on your own team, you can be inclined to play poorly on purpose in order to win your bet. This sets a harmful precedent for college football. What's to stop another college athlete from betting on his own games? Sorsby got away with it and can still play, so why wouldn't that be the case for somebody else?
NHL
Oilers reportedly close to deal with Mike Babcock
The Edmonton Oilers are close to hiring Mike Babcock to be the team's next head coach, sources confirmed with ESPN. Babcock, who has 17 years of head coaching experience at the NHL level, won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
Most recently, Mike Babcock was hired as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2023-24 season. However, he never coached a game for the organization after an investigation by the NHLPA found that he violated players' privacy by asking to see photos on their cellphones.
My take: Mike Babcock has been a stain on NHL coaching for years, even before the Columbus scandal. He’s a well-documented scumbag. Once, Babcock listed forward Mike Modano as a healthy scratch one game before his retirement, so Modano finished his career with 1,499 games played instead of 1,500. The marriage between Babcock and the Oilers is doomed to fail, which will probably lead to Connor McDavid leaving the team.
Kings expected to hire Peter Laviolette as head coach
Sources told ESPN that the Los Angeles Kings are hiring Peter Laviolette to a three-year contract to be the team's next head coach. Though he was not on the bench for any team last season, Laviolette has coached in 1,594 games, which is good for ninth in NHL history. He also famously led the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup victory in 2006.
My take: This is a good hire. It's certainly better than picking Mike Babcock. With one of the oldest rosters in the NHL, the Kings need to win a championship now. A guy with as much experience as Laviolette should help LA reach the next level of NHL competition.
MLB
Brewers beat Athletics in Las Vegas-based offensive explosion
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Athletics in extra innings in Las Vegas, 15-14, to move to 41-23 on the season. In the top of the 12th inning, the Brewers' Brice Turang hit a groundout, which drove in what would eventually be the game-winning run.
There was no shortage of offense in this game as the A's and Milwaukee combined for 11 home runs and 34 total hits. Four different Brewers hit homers, while Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom combined for six hits, four home runs, and seven RBIs in 10 at-bats.
My take: If this is what we can expect from the Athletics when they eventually move to Las Vegas, then they need to leave Sacramento ASAP! The A's still have five more games in Vegas, and while they probably won't all be this exciting, we can still anticipate a lot of runs to be scored by the Athletics and their opponents over the next few days.
Yankees down Guardians in extra innings
The New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians in extra innings by a final score of 7-5. For the second time in as many days, Cody Bellinger was the Pinstripes' hero after his single in the top of the 10th inning drove in two runs. Designated hitter Paul Goldschmidt also had a strong outing with a home run and three RBIs.
Though the Yankees have more wins than the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa still controls first place in the division because it has a better win percentage than New York.
My take: With Aaron Judge out of the lineup for several weeks, the Yankees need other batters to step up in his absence. It seems like a different person will have to be the team's hero each week until Judge recovers from his rib injury. So far, Cody Bellinger has answered the call.
WNBA
Clark's last-second three lifts Fever over Mystics
Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark hit an insanely deep three-pointer to give her squad a two-point lead over the Washington Mystics with 1.2 seconds to go in yesterday’s game. As it turns out, that shot would be the difference in the matchup as the Fever would hold on for a 78-76 win. Clark had a game-high 19 points after going seven for 16 from the field. Plus, center Aliyah Boston recorded a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
My take: These are the moments that the WNBA LOVES to see. The league always gets more viewers when Clark is not just playing, but playing well. It's too bad this game was on at the same time as the NBA Finals.
A'ja Wilson makes WNBA history in Aces' win vs. Storm
Las Vegas Aces center and four-time league MVP A'ja Wilson became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 6,000 career points as the Aces defeated the Seattle Storm last night, 101-91. Wilson obliterated the record, which was previously held by 11-time All-Star Diana Taurasi, who scored her 6,000th point in 291 games. Wilson was able to reach the 6,000-point milestone in her 278th career game.
With that win, Las Vegas improved to 8-3 on the season. The team is currently one game back of the Minnesota Lynx for the best record in the WNBA.
My take: We are seeing a new generation of spectacular athletes in the WNBA. Considering A'ja Wilson has only played in the league for nine years, she should have no problem breaking Taurasi's all-time scoring record of 10,646 points. Every time A'ja Wilson steps on the court, she looks like one of the best players in the history of the WNBA.
