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Whereas You Have been Sleeping: Two seasons, saved
The WNBA playoffs may be sneaky. The very best-of-3 first spherical started Sunday, as NFL video games dominated most TVs (extra on that under), and out of the blue, final night time, we already had two elimination video games. Sneaky certainly.
Each sequence will go to a 3rd and closing sport, although. Rapidly:
The Fever saved its season alive first with a 77-60 blowout win over the Dream, which was merely spectacular. Indiana continues to be a very good workforce with out Caitlin Clark within the fold. Kelsey Mitchell scored 19 factors and Aliyah Boston had 15. Atlanta will probably be favored Thursday, however don’t assume something.
Seattle took the other route: snatching an inconceivable win late from the star-laden Aces, 86-83, in a sport Las Vegas led for a majority of the clock. The Storm trailed by 4 with only a minute left on this one, too, earlier than Skylar Diggins and Dominique Malonga was superheroes. This was a really enjoyable sport. Once more, Vegas ought to win Recreation 3, however there’s nothing straightforward right here.
Extra on each video games right here.
In different WNBA information yesterday: Paige Bueckers is the WNBA Rookie of the Yr, whereas Breanan Stewart is uncertain for New York’s Recreation 3 tonight in opposition to Phoenix. Shifting on:
Pickles: The Clipper mess goes deeper
A lot of the continuing Clippers-Kawhi Leonard scandal is rooted in minute particulars. Spreadsheets, paperwork, lawsuits, line objects. When you stare too lengthy, your eyes can glaze over.
Overlook all of the numbers for now. The attainable punishment right here could be very, very actual, and can seemingly be unprecedented if all of the reported info to date show true. Three fast touchpoints to assist us reframe this a bit:
When you haven’t learn something on the subject, Leonard and the Clippers are beneath intense scrutiny after “Pablo Torre Finds Out” broke information that Leonard had a no-show, $28 million advertising and marketing job with an organization referred to as Aspiration, who occurred to be a Clippers sponsor earlier than folding. Since, a number of stories — from each Torre and The Athletic — recommend the Clippers openly cheated to pay Leonard greater than what league wage cap guidelines permit.
Yesterday, John Hollinger printed an intriguing explainer on what the punishment for this may very well be. What leapt out at me: the NBA voiding Leonard’s contract and banning him from re-signing with the workforce. Regardless of his prodigious absences, Leonard continues to be an elite NBA participant. Shedding him could be a giant deal.
And but, as John defined, even that huge penalty may have unexpected results on each the Clippers and the whole league. Think about if a wholesome Leonard hit the free company market with no cash owed. Chaos. Unchartered territory. And would that profit Leonard? Good query.
John’s piece is price a glance right this moment.
Information to Know
Raleigh dumps file holdersCal Raleigh hit his fifty fifth house run of the season final night time, seen above, which provides him the file for many dingers hit by a swap hitter in a single season (earlier holder: Mickey Mantle). Later within the sport, he determined to hit No. 56, which tied Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise file. Raleigh’s season is unbelievable by itself, however producing this a lot on offense as a catcher makes it a rarity. Doesn’t harm to maneuver your identify previous guys named Griffey and Mantle, both. Once more, we’re hailing Large Dumper.
Eagles-Chiefs earns prime spotSunday’s Tremendous Bowl rematch drew a file 33.8 million viewers, a shocking quantity that stands tied because the highest-rated NFL sport because the league began monitoring numbers in 1988 (2007 Patriots-Colts matched the overall). It was fairly apparent the league cleared house for this sport on the schedule — and it labored. Additionally within the NFL sphere: Richard Deitsch talked to consultants on the entire Tom Brady/sales space “fiasco,” and so they informed him it’s not that large of a deal. Huh.
Extra information
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What to Watch
📺 Soccer: Chelsea at Bayern3 p.m. ET on Paramount+Our decide for match of the day in right this moment’s Champions League slate, however there are many different prime groups enjoying this afternoon.
📺 MLB: Guardians at Tigers6:40 p.m. ET on FS1We’re nonetheless on full playoff watch over the subsequent two weeks, and Cleveland sits 2 1/2 video games again of the ultimate AL wild card spot.
📺 WNBA: Mercury at Liberty8 p.m. ET on ESPNRecreation 1 was a thriller and left Breanna Stewart hobbling. Issues really feel shaky for the defending champs, for now no less than. This needs to be good. Lynx-Valkyries follows at 10 p.m. on the identical channel.
Get tickets to video games like these right here.
Pulse Picks
As we watch the MLB playoff races, Jim Bowden is watching award races. Listed below are his picks for each NL award.
I beloved Matt Gelb’s story from the Phillies’ clubhouse celebration after they clinched the NL East. Staff proprietor John Middleton, 70, hit the beer bong.
That is Scottie Scheffler’s Ryder Cup workforce, as Brody Miller writes. Simply don’t ask Scottie about it.
Is Arch Manning a bust? That’s simply one in all the highest 10 questions Manny Navarro answered after faculty soccer’s Week 3.
The ACC might have modified the best way we yell at referees. Will Leitch defined it yesterday.
Most-clicked within the e-newsletter yesterday: Our reference again to the QB Tiers.
Most-read on the web site yesterday: Week 3 NFL Energy Rankings.
(Prime picture: XNY / Star Max / GC Pictures)
