Sports Update: Major Movements and Trends
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🚨 Headlines
🏀🏒 Wolves, Oilers advance: The Timberwolves knocked out the Warriors and the Oilers eliminated the Golden Knights as both teams are returning to the conference finals for the second straight year.
🏈 Henry gets paid: The Ravens signed Derrick Henry to a two-year, $30 million extension, making him the highest-paid running back ever over the age of 30.
⚾️ 10 in a row: The Twins swept a doubleheader against the Orioles to extend their winning streak to 10 games, the longest by any team this season.
⚽️ Still winless: The LA Galaxy squandered a two-goal lead against Philadelphia en route to their 10th loss, continuing the worst start by a defending champion in MLS history (0-10-3).
⛳️ The PGA Championship is on a Heater
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
The PGA Championship is the odd man out among golf’s four majors. However, its history in this decade showcases thrilling finishes for fans.
From Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee:
The three best major tournaments of the first half of the decade include Rory McIlroy’s Masters win, Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Open victory at Pinehurst, and Cam Smith’s triumph at the Open Championship in 2022.
However, these tournaments featured some less-than-exciting finishes, with margins of victory often exceeding four strokes.
Conversely, the PGA Championship has consistently provided drama. Five tournaments in this decade were decided by no more than two strokes, marking memorable victories including a historic win by Phil Mickelson, a comeback for the ages, and the first major title for two players now ranked in the top five.
📉 Division Champs Are Struggling
Toronto is on the brink following Wednesday’s 6-1 loss to Florida. (Nathan Denette/AP Photo)
The current state of the NBA and NHL playoffs holds a shocking revelation: division champions are struggling.
Cavaliers: ❌
Lakers: ❌
Rockets: ❌
Magic: ❌
Golden Knights: ❌
Celtics: Down 3-2
Maple Leafs: Down 3-2
Jets: Down 3-1
Capitals: Down 3-1
Thunder: Up 3-2!!!
🏀 Are Injuries the Cost of the Modern NBA?
(Elsa/Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles raises questions about whether the modern NBA’s physical demands are becoming too great for players to handle.
From Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh:
The sudden injury reminded many of Klay Thompson’s unforeseen ACL tear during the 2019 NBA Finals, marking a turning point in both his career and the team’s trajectory.
What strikes a similar chord is how injury could strike anyone, regardless of their track record. Tatum was viewed as the Celtics’ iron man, much like Thompson was for the Warriors.
This trend highlights a broader concern about the physicality of modern basketball. Increasingly rigorous training and expanded court space seem to create an environment where injuries can proliferate.
Bottom line: Stars in today’s NBA face unprecedented injury risks; is the game itself contributing to this new reality?
🏈 NFL Schedule Grid
(NFL)
The NFL schedule is officially released, listing all 272 games ahead of the season.
Quick links:
Most standalone games: Chiefs, Cowboys, and Commanders (all with eight), followed by Lions, Vikings, and Eagles (seven), and Dolphins, Packers, and Falcons (six).
Plus: Players and social-media teams gear up for the Super Bowl.
🏏 The Most Famous Athlete You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of
(Alex Davidson/ICC via Getty Images)
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is retiring from Test cricket, closing a 14-year chapter of a celebrated career.
Although he may not be a household name in the U.S., Kohli’s status as a global sports icon is unassailable. His 272 million Instagram followers outpace even LeBron James by a staggering margin.
Most-followed athletes on Instagram include:
⚽️ Cristiano Ronaldo (653M)
⚽️ Lionel Messi (505M)
What’s next? Kohli will continue to play for India in One-Day Internationals despite wrapping up his Test career.
📺 Watchlist: Will the Jets Extend the Curse?
It’s win or go home for the Jets. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Jets host the Stars tonight (9:30pm ET, TNT) with their season on the line, trailing 3-1.
Presidents’ Trophy curse: The Jets risk becoming the 12th consecutive Presidents’ Trophy winner to fail to secure the Stanley Cup.
More to watch:
🏀 NBA: Thunder (3-2) at Nuggets (8:30pm, ESPN)
🏒 NHL: Hurricanes (3-1) at Capitals (7pm, TNT)
⛳️ PGA Championship: Round 1 (7am, ESPN+; 12pm, ESPN/ESPN2)
🎾 Tennis: Italian Open (7am, Tennis)
⚾️ MLB: Astros at Rangers (8:05pm, MLB)
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse: NCAA Quarterfinals* (12pm, ESPNU)
*Eight teams remain: No. 1 UNC vs. Princeton, No. 2 BC vs. No. 7 Yale, No. 3 Northwestern vs. Penn, No. 4 Florida vs. Duke.
⚾️ MLB Trivia
Kershaw warms up in the outfield on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Clayton Kershaw is set to debut on Saturday, becoming the fourth active MLB player to reach at least 18 seasons of play.
Question: Can you name the other three?
Hint: All are pitchers.
Answer at the bottom.
📸 Photo Finish
(Vatican Media/Vatican Pool/Corbis/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner visited the Vatican during his off day at the Italian Open and gifted a racket to Pope Leo XIV, who is known for his love of tennis.
Trivia answer: Justin Verlander (20 seasons), Max Scherzer (18), and Charlie Morton (18).
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