Potapova, having lost five games in a row, makes advantage on the Kalinskaya serve, a pair of backhands, one cross then another down the line, seizing the break to trail 4-6 1-0. Neither player is really at it here, meaning the match is there for whichever of them can stay composed.
On Chatrier,Svajda is improving, surviving to break points for lead 2-1 in set two, having lost the first 6-2. If he can attack Cobolli’s second serve and backhand, he might yet make an impression in this match.
Last of his 24 Premier League seasons was at Brighton
‘I could never have dreamed of the journey,’ he says
James Milner has finally pulled down the curtain on a distinguished, record-breaking and extraordinary playing career. It involved the highly versatile 40-year-old midfielder spending 24 seasons in the Premier League and winning 61 England caps as he traversed a road that carried him from Leeds to Brighton with stops at Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool along the way.
In February, Milner, who also had a short loan at Swindon, broke the Premier League appearance record while playing for Brighton against Brentford. He ends his career having clocked up 658 top-tier games for six clubs and represented England in four major tournaments.
SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 29: J.C. Escarra #25 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Friday, May 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Yahoo! Sports | Billy Heyen: During Saturday night’s game, Michael Kay revealed on the YES Network that Yankees backup catcher J.C. Escarra has been trying to become a switch-hitter. Recognizing that the team’s search for a right-handed catcher puts his roster spot in jeopardy, the former Uber driver has once again set out to do whatever it takes for him to stay in The Show. Whether or not this turns out to be successful — starting to switch-hit at the Major League level is already a tall task, let alone trying it in the middle of a season — you can’t help but admire Escarra’s tenacity.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: The biggest story of the season in the Bronx is probably Cam Schlittler, but a close second is definitely the continued breakout of Ben Rice. Following Saturday night’s game, the Yankees first baseman was not only tied with captain Aaron Judge with 17 home runs, his 1.047 OPS ranked second in the league only behind Yordan Alvarez. His teammates and his manager have been nothing short of impressed, with Judge calling his at-bats “must-watch TV” (something that has been said about Judge’s on more than one occasion) and Paul Goldschmidt praising his “ability to make adjustments.”
CBS Sports | RotoWire Staff: Prior to Saturday night’s game, the Yankees placed utilityman Amed Rosario on the paternity list. They did not announce a corresponding move; instead, the team has played with a short bench while finishing out the West Coast road trip.
MLB.com | Sweeny Murti: Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the famous “No, stay there!” moment, when Mike Mussina ordered Joe Torre not to emerge from the dugout and allow him to finish what he had started. To mark the milestone, Sweeny Murti talked with both pitcher and manager, dissecting a moment of passion that has become a meme not only within the baseball Internet world, but beyond.
Hockey might be Canada’s game, but the Stanley Cup resides in the United States.
It’s something Canada has grown accustomed to over recent decades. Despite dominating in the early days of the NHL and into the 1980s, the U.S. has taken complete control over the league and the Stanley Cup.
Just seven of the 32 NHL teams call Canada home, giving the country slim chances of hosting a champion. Toss in those seven teams’ recent playoff history, and the reasons for a significant championship lull become even clearer.
Canada’s quest for the Cup in 2026 lied in the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who made it to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. After winning Game 1 in Carolina, the Habs then lost their next four games, dashing the country’s hopes for a championship.
Just how long has it been since a team took the Stanley Cup to the Great White North? Here’s a breakdown of Canada’s ongoing Stanley Cup drought:
When was the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup?
It’s been 33 years since a Canadian team lifted the Stanley Cup. The Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings four games to one in the 1993 Cup Final, and an American team has won it every year since.
Here’s when each Canadian organization last earned the Stanley Cup:
Montreal Canadiens: 1993 (beat Kings in five games)
Calgary Flames: 1989 (beat Canadiens in six games)
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1967 (beat Canadiens in six games)
Ottawa Senators: Never
Vancouver Canucks: Never
Winnipeg Jets: Never
When was the last time a Canadian team appeared in the Stanley Cup Final?
Prior to the Edmonton Oilers’ appearances in 2024 and 2025, the Canadiens came close to snapping the skid in 2021. However, they fell to the defending-champion Lightning in a gentleman’s sweep during the Cup Final.
Here’s each Canadian team’s last Cup Final appearance:
Edmonton Oilers: 2025 (lost to Panthers in six games)
Montreal Canadiens: 2021 (lost to Lightning in five games)
Vancouver Canucks: 2011 (lost to Bruins in seven games)
Ottawa Senators: 2007 (lost to Ducks in five games)
Calgary Flames: 2004 (lost to Lightning in seven games)
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1967 (beat Canadiens in six games)
Winnipeg Jets: Never
How many times has a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup?
Since 1918, Canadian teams have won 49 Stanley Cups. Along with the four active NHL teams from Canada that have lifted the Cup, the country’s tally also includes two championships from the Montreal Maroons, who existed from 1924 to 1938.
U.S. teams are up to 57 following the 2025 Cup Final. It wasn’t until the Washington Capitals’ triumph in 2018 that the U.S. surpassed Canada in the overall tally.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was published in June 2022.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 10: Baylor Scheierman #55 and Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics smiles against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 10, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Throughout the regular season, previously unproven players stepped up in the absence of Jayson Tatum and the rest of the departed championship core. It was Neemias Queta stepping into the starting lineup for Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Garza being a nightly Tommy Award candidate. It was Jordan Walsh becoming a bona fide 3-and-D threat, the nineteen-year-old rookie Hugo Gonzalez looking like a seasoned vet, and Baylor Scheierman putting it all together in Year 2.
Unfortunately in the playoffs, Joe Mazzulla went away from that depth and eventually back to them too late. And if we learned anything from Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, it’s that depth not only matters in the regular season, but also through the pace and intensity of the postseason and as series go deep and teams’ gameplans start to take away superstars in Games 4, 5, and 6, role players become increasingly more important to clinch the late games of a long series.
CelticsBlog’s Ian Inangelo reminded me of The Grant Williams Game against the Bucks and The Kelly Olynyk Game to eliminate the Wizards as some of the greatest Game 7 performances in the franchise’s glittering history. Now, it was a well-rounded effort by the Spurs to take down the defending champs on the road in Oklahoma City. Victor Wembanyama was crowned the conference finals’ MVP, but let’s not forget the peripheral performances that ultimately tilted the deciding game. It was Julian Champagnie’s 6-of-10 from 3 and even a big momentum-shifting block from Luke Kornet that really turned the tide for San Antonio.
For the Thunder, they’re not there without Alex Caruso’s gutty defense or Isaiah Hartenstein’s physicality or Jared McCain’s sharpshooting paired with SGA’s MVP heroics.
It was just another reminder that for the Celtics to reach this mountaintop again, it won’t just be the efforts of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They’ll get doubled. Opposing teams will scheme against their tendencies and most efficient spaces on the floor. It’ll be up to players #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8 to not only make up the difference, but push the team over the top.
Watching the playoffs without the Celtics, it’s impossible not to daydream about what a postseason run will look like this time next year. Realities blur and my mind’s AI starts Photoshopping Spurs and Thunder out and replacing them with Celtics. I’ll squint my eyes and see Scheierman defending Wemby just like Alex Caruso. When Jared McCain rips off a 14-point quarter, I’ll fantasize that that’s Ron Harper Jr. taking it to baby brother Dylan Harper. And tell me Garza couldn’t have a Luke Kornetesque impact in a big game.
With some financial flexibility this summer, the Celtics will no doubt look to make upgrades. The $27 million TPE and the non-taxpayer mid-level could be in play and if they’re utilized, those additions will come with high expectations. But for the Stay Ready Group, their goal is a little more vague: deliver the unexpected and deliver it when it matters most.
To better highlight the whole field among Europe’s elite, we chose an XI that couldn’t feature more than one player from any one team
This year we are picking a team of the season with a difference: I am allowed only one player per team. Of course, as finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have players with claims to all of these positions, so apologies to Willian Pacho and Declan Rice, among others. But what this format does allow for is an overall view of the Champions League season that was.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Mitchell Robinson #26 of the New York Knicks during the preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on October 3, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Can Wednesday come soon enough?
No, it seems it cannot.
Here’s the latest from Sunday’s practice at Tarrytown and elsewhere.
On Mitchell Robinson’s status during Sunday’s practice:
“I know there’s something there (on his hand), but I can’t… I can’t tell you what. I don’t know (if he’d be cleared for Game 1). I do know that the medical group has to tell me he can go out there for sure, okay.”
On having Knicks legends around the current team:
“It’s fantastic. It’s great to see. It’s great that Leon [Rose] and Mr. Dolan have these guys around. Obviously Pat [Ewing], he’s iconic, and then you have John Starks and Marbury and there’s just a plethora of other guys that you see come to our games, and we encourage that. I love it. And they always have a nugget or two that they can pass on to the guys that are actually playing now, and when you can hear it from different voices or different people, especially guys that played — cause I didn’t play, I was terrible — but from guys that played, it means a ton. So to see them be able to celebrate with us and the joy on their face, it’s priceless for sure.”
On wanting to beat the Spurs despite his San Antonio ties:
“They definitely want to beat me and I want to kick their ass. You love ’em and you can always love ’em before and after … I got ties to San Antonio and you appreciate the people, you appreciate the journey and all that other stuff. But at the end of the day, just like they want to beat you, you definitely want to beat them.”
On Gregg Popovich’s lasting impact:
“The job that he’s done, not only on the court with that team and the organization, but off the court too, is gonna be imprinted as long as the game of basketball exists. He still has a huge presence. He’ll always have a presence. His presence is very much felt all the time. I’ve got a lot of respect for the organization for a lot of different reasons. I worked there, having an opportunity to work there and being part of a championship there and my family being down there too reminds me of good times.”
On expecting Josh Hart to be guarded by bigger defenders and how he deals with it:
“Any time a team does that, like Cleveland — Cleveland put their big on Josh and Josh won us a game doing it. I’ll tell you Josh works very, very hard on his shooting and playmaking because he knows that he gets guarded by centers, and my message to Josh is, ‘Let it fly, let it fly, let it fly,’ because we believe in it. So we know that they’re probably going to come in and put their center on Josh, and if Wemby’s down the floor and that ball gets swung to Josh, first of all, he’s a great decision-maker. But secondly, if he’s open, his feet are set, we want him to let that thing fly.”
On the Spurs’ overall makeup entering the Finals:
“It’s going to be tough. They’re well-coached. They have an, obviously, tremendous player in Wemby. They’re quote-unquote young, to a certain degree, but they have some really good veterans on the team that kind of uplift the young guys and give the young guys a lot of guidance. So, they’ve got a nice mix of players on their team and they’re a team that comes out really aggressive and hits first, their crowd is into it and we’ve just have to go make sure we try to match or exceed their physicality to start the ballgame while leaning on our standards. The group has been resilient the whole year and we’ve got to keep sacrificing, we’ve got to keep playing with a competitive edge, we’ve got to stay connected, got to keep believing in each other and what we’re trying to do out on the floor and if somebody’s slipping in this area, that area, we’ve got to make sure that we help get them back on track by holding them accountable. So, all those things are going to come into play, playing a talented, well-coached team like the Spurs.”
On San Antonio’s blend of veterans and youth around Wembanyama:
“Having the mix that they have with Wemby is a nice recipe. If Fox is in, their backcourt — Fox is a veteran, seasoned player that has been in the playoffs before, been in a Game 7 now a couple of times, and been an All-Star, Clutch Player of the Year, a talented guy. … [Barnes] has been around a long time too, and he’s been on the big stage a few times. So they have a nice mix of veteran players and guys that are starting to get in their prime around Wemby. And I think when you have that, you have different messages that you can get from different guys all the time.”
On OG Anunoby’s defensive versatility helping with guarding Wembanyama:
“OG is extremely versatile, and the luxury of having a guy like that is, he’s long enough, athletic enough, strong enough to guard quick smaller guys. He’s obviously got the size and athleticism to guard big wings and then he’s got the strength and the length and the intelligence to guard bigger guys. So having a guy like that gives us a ton of versatility to be able to move him around, knowing that he can adapt-slash-adjust on the fly.”
On OG Anunoby still deserving First Team All-Defense:
“[The voters] were wrong. He should have been First Team All-Defense because of his versatility. And it’s shown throughout the course of the most important time during the year, which is the playoffs, and it will continue to show going into the Finals.”
On the presence of Knicks legends during the current playoff run:
“It truly means a lot, when they’re on the sidelines or baselines, they made their presence known. They’re full of energy. That’s just who they are. They want the best for us, it’s a really cool sight to see. It’s an honor to play for this organization, the history that it has, to see the former players around all the time that makes it even more special.”
"Technically, that game didn't happen, so I don't think there's anything that we can learn from" 😂
Josh Hart was asked how much the Knicks can take from their NBA Cup experience against the Spurs this season: pic.twitter.com/GV4rFHpoZK
On the Spurs’ supporting cast beyond Victor Wembanyama:
“They’re young, athletic, physical – they can do a little bit of everything, can shoot the ball, finish at the rim, defend at a high level. So, obviously, Wemby’s going to get a lot of attention in terms of game plan and media and that, but you can’t sleep on guys like De’Aaron (Fox) or (Stephon) Castle, (Dylan) Harper, (Julian) Champagnie because if you do that, it’s going to be a long series. So, we’ve got to give those guys the respect that they deserve and come out focused.”
On his approach to playing against Wembanyama:
“I go into the game and I play the game the way the game needs me to play. If that’s shooting and scoring, cool. If that’s rebounding and defending, cool. I don’t value what I do based on other people’s game plan or what the boxscore says. For me, it’s shoot the ball with confidence. Or be quick to make other plays — dribble handoff, stuff like that. If [Wembanyama] is down the floor, that’s my ability to get JB open looks, ‘Kal open looks, KAT open looks. It’s not different in terms of anything I’ve seen before. I’m comfortable making those plays.”
On being guarded by Wemby:
“That’s the only unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, so that’s a pretty good sign for me, right? That means I’m a pretty good basketball player.”
“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, and he works on it all the time, but he gets tired. It’s natural, being that tall, he gets tired. With the team we have, I think it’s important to give him different looks and, not beat him up, but be very physical with him and make him run. And he’s gonna get tired and he’s gonna have to take some plays off, in my opinion.”
On helping the Knicks beat the Spurs by sharing intel from his stint in San Antonio:
“Whether I’m playing or not, it’s important to feed all the information I have, and I think I know quite a lot. I’m watching their games now, I’m seeing the old plays we [ran], when they go up to certain people and at what times, it’s pretty obvious to see. It’s gonna be interesting.”
On the Spurs’ quick evolution into title contenders:
“I think this year, when I was there in the summer, I think everyone kind of agreed on locking in and playing for each other and playing with energy and just learning and growing. Since I left, you can see they’ve just built on that momentum. You see where they’re at now.”
On his relationship with Wembanyama:
“That’s my brother. Me and him, I came into the league and then he got drafted, we just had a connection from the start, a natural one. On the court, off the court. He’s a guy that loves to do a lot of different things. He’s curious, he wants to grow, wants to learn and is pretty competitive with everything. It’s fun to be around him. We’d always do game night with his people and my people and just compete in different sorts of games. He’s a real one. Let’s be honest, I think he is the face of the league.”
Rasheed Wallace gave his take on the Knicks hiring Leon Rose via the @ZachGelb Show on 6/26/20
“I was with him (Dolan) for a while, this is just a brain fart right here”
On honoring Knicks legends who never stopped supporting the team:
“They’ve been with us my whole five years here. It’s not just showing up when we’re winning — they’ve been with us through a lot. So shout out to them and obviously everything they did. So we just want to get the job done for them.”
On Victor Wembanyama posing a matchup challenge:
“He’s a special player. So, we just have to contain him as a team.”
On the Spurs’ identity entering the Finals:
“They’re a special team. Obviously, they have a Defensive Player of the Year – obviously, a great organization – and they’ve got a lot of great young guys. So, we’re just excited for this matchup.”
On Dylan Harper’s competitive makeup:
“I feel like he’s just a gamer. He’s one of those kids that just probably in the backyard [growing up playing all the time]. I know his family pretty well. So, just in the backyard, playing against his older brother. I have an older brother, so I feel like you just figure out how to score over bigger guys, older guys [that way], and you live for these moments.”
On how the Spurs pressure ballhandlers into Wembanyama:
“What I think they do a great job of is their guards putting a lot of pressure on the ballhandler, which is forcing them into Wemby. If you’re playing off the ball and not setting screens and allowing him to roam freely without being touched, it’s different if somebody’s screening you, and then you’re getting everything.”
On what it would mean to win with the Knicks and their legends watching:
“It’s special, and you see obviously what it means to them. And even only wearing a Knicks jersey for two years, I understand, too. There’s a real pride, you know? So I can’t imagine at that point. But we don’t take it lightly, and it adds to our collective fuel and camaraderie and how we feel. So it’s good to obviously celebrate this with them, but they know as well as we do that there’s more to do.”
On the plan to neutralize Wembanyama:
“Obviously, you’ve got to figure out how to get him out of the paint, how to run him, those little things I feel like OKC did a decent job at. But he’s a special player, so we just have to contain him as a team.”
The most 1999 thing about the previous NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs might be that the Spurs were playing StarCraft against each other in between gameshttps://t.co/YkHrwoEzrX
On seeing similarities between the 1973 team and this Knicks squad:
“I’m living vicariously, man, from especially the ’73 team. In ’73, we were injured most of the season, but towards the playoffs we started to get healthy. And like the Knicks now, we had that momentum. We actually kept getting better and better going into the playoffs. So they remind me of that right now.”
On Jalen Brunson’s impact entering the Finals:
“Well, he’s Mr. Clutch, you know? He makes all the big baskets. He’s dishing and swishing. He’s gotta improve his defense. That’s gonna be amplified the next round. They got some very good guards in San Antonio and in OKC. But other than that, man, he’s been magnificent.”
On Mike Brown’s work with the bench and overall roster:
“He’s gotta start getting kudos. He’s developed our bench, which Thibs was crucified for. So Brown has 10 guys that are thriving. No matter who he’s seemed to put in there, they’re producing. And that’s what you want in the playoffs. So we’re not relying on Towns and Brunson to do everything. Look at [Mikal] Bridges, they elevated his game. OG [Anunoby], too. And so it’s been incredible to watch.”
On believing the Knicks should have reached this stage last year:
“It’s not surprising me that they are at this point. I thought they should have been there last year. That was my feeling. They should have been there last year. So this is a new year, and now it’s time for it to happen.”
On returning to the Finals atmosphere since 1999:
“It feels good. It’s been a long time, man, since 1999, since we played for a championship. And to be able to get here and see this and be down here in a closeout game, it’s just a special moment. And I’m happy for those guys because they did it together.”
On Jalen Brunson’s leadership:
“Jalen’s been Jalen since he’s been here. He’s just been a true leader, a consummate pro. He guides the team in the direction that we needed to be guided in. So he understands he’s a winner. He’s a champion. So Jalen’s gonna do what Jalen does: He goes out there and wins us ball games, and he’s a very special player.”
On the physical toll of the Western Conference Finals:
“That might go seven, and even when they win — they lose, you know? They’re gonna be beat up, whoever survives that series. But in order to be the champion, you got to overcome adversity, you know? That’s what it’s about. So they can’t be saying they’re tired. That’s not going to be a factor. They’ll be ready if they get there.”
Draymond calls out the Knicks
“Just like Becky Hammon said, prove me wrong…You’re supposed to get out of the East. It’s the f*cking East!”
On downplaying the Knicks’ trip to the Finals and siding with Becky Hammon:
“I double down on this, just like Becky Hammon said, prove me wrong, prove me wrong, double down. Absolutely double down, getting out of the East has never been a sure fire to win a championship, what y’all talking about? You get out of the East, you’re supposed to get out of the East, it’s the fcking East. Of course you’re supposed to get out of the East. That don’t just mean you win a championship because you get out of the East, it’s the fcking East. Great, it’s the East, would have beat up Boston. You should get out the East. Happy for Mike Brown, by the way, but you should get out of the East.”
"When I got there they were getting back on track, redoing everything…What Leon & those guys did, to now be in the Finals, pretty cool, even just for the City
Just rooting for them now…Lot of guys I'm pretty close with. Just happy for them"
On rooting for the Knicks after their Finals berth:
“I’m happy for them. I’d rather be playing against them, but I’m just rooting for them right now. There are a lot of guys I know (there). There are a lot of guys I’m pretty close with. So, I’m just happy for them.”
Kimmel: I like your football jersey. Supporting Ukrainian team?
Chef José Andrés: My beloved Spanish team, of course. But Ukraine is my team today. They didn’t make it to World Cup, but today they're fighting the biggest match — for freedom and democracy.
Plenty of former Pittsburgh Penguins' players have made their mark lately, whether in the Stanley Cup Playoffs or during the IIHF World Championship, which ended Sunday.
And an ex-Penguin was an integral part of Finland's gold medal-winning team.
Forward Jesse Puljujarvi - who played in 48 games for the Penguins in parts of the 2023-24 season and 2024-25 season - was Finland's second-leading scorer in the tournament (four goals, nine points in 10 games) behind only Florida Panthers superstar Aleksander Barkov. Puljujarvi last played in the NHL as Barkov's teammate with the Florida Panthers in 2024-25, when he had one point in five regular season games.
The former first-round pick - selected fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2016 - joined the Penguins on an amateur tryout agreement after undergoing double hip surgery during the 2023-24 season. He was signed as a free agent on Feb. 4, 2024, and re-signed with the team the following summer.
However, healthy scratches and AHL demotions eventually wore on both Puljujarvi and the organization, so the two parties agreed to a mutual contract termination that allowed him to sign as a free agent with Florida on Mar. 5, 2025. He spent this past season with Geneve-Servette HC of the NL, registering 19 goals and 52 points in 52 games.
During his Penguins' tenure, he notched six goals and 13 points in those 48 games. Over the course of his NHL career, Puljujarvi has 58 goals and 128 points in 387 games.
Thirst for renewal is strong and new players could help bridge the gap to PSG but there are no guarantees
The greatest lie ever told about penalty shootouts is that they are a lottery. This is a recognisable and trainable footballing skill, a test not just of ball-striking and placement but research, psychology, mettle under pressure. Eberechi Eze puts the ball wide, Gabriel Magalhães sends it in the direction of the Danube: this is failure on the most brutal and unforgiving terms. But it is failure nonetheless.
The second greatest lie ever told about penalties is that fortune plays no part. Any encounter decided by 10 kicks of a football will evidently be at the disproportionate mercy of random factors: the divot, the bad contact, the goalkeeper’s guesswork (and to all the preparation that goes into the process, it remains partly guesswork). That this sport – already a sport of low scores, narrow differentials and infinite variables – chooses to decide its biggest prizes on these smallest of morsels is one of its cruellest traits.
Giro d’Italia triumph completes grand slam of Grand Tours although the Dane may still require a dip in from from his great rival to prevail in July
Jonas Vingegaard’s achievement in completing a grand slam of Grand Tours lifts him into a select club of champions that have recorded victories in the tours of Italy, France and Spain. The 29-year-old Dane joins Belgium’s Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil of France, Spain’s Alberto Contador, Italians Felice Gimondi and Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome, of Great Britain, as winners of all three Grand Tours.
It’s an accomplishment that has, to date, proven beyond his great rival, Tadej Pogacar, who, despite his multiple successes in other races, has yet to add the Vuelta a España to his wins in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. “It is a special day for me,” Vingegaard said, showing rare emotion as he paid tribute to the support of his family. “It’s way more than I could ever dream of when I was a kid.”
Fewer than 60,000 saw Wigan beat Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final and the sport needs to address its attendance problem
There was more Challenge Cup history under the Wembley arch on Saturday afternoon as Wigan Warriors secured a record-extending victory in rugby league’s most prestigious competition. But there was a slice of more sobering history too.
The Warriors’ demolition of Hull KR was watched by just 56,383 spectators; excluding the two Covid-affected finals of 2020 and 2021, that is the lowest figure for a Wembley Challenge Cup final since 1946. Granted, few sports obsess over attendance figures quite like rugby league but the reality is a statistic that stark is enough to merit a debate about where the sport goes next.
The Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes by the numbers:
87%
Of the 76 playoff games so far were decided by one goal or by two with the second being an empty-netter. That's the second-highest rate in a playoffs in NHL history.
68
Different unique matchups in the final now with Vegas against Carolina, after Florida and Edmonton faced each other back to back in 2024 and '25.
22
Years since John Tortorella coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup title. There was no champion the following season because it was wiped out by a lockout.
20
Years since now-Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour captained the team to the Stanley Cup. That was Carolina's last trip to the final.
16
Previous sets of brothers have won the Stanley Cup with the same franchise. Carolina's Jordan Staal is looking to join Eric from 2006 to make it 17.
13
Players in the series who participated in the Milan Cortina Olympics, the first involving NHL participation since 2014.
12
Players on the rosters who have won the Stanley Cup before. Eleven were on Vegas during its 2023 title run, including Carolina's William Carrier. Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal won it in 2009 with Pittsburgh.
11
Days the Hurricanes had off between the second round and the Eastern Conference Final, the longest gap between rounds since at least 1920. They lost Game 1 to Montreal 6-2 before winning four in a row to advance.
10
Goals apiece for Vegas' Brett Howden and Pavel Dorofeyev, who are tied for the most in the playoffs. Carolina's Logan Stankoven is next with nine.
9
Seasons of existence for the Golden Knights. They are in the final for a third time and are going for their second championship.
5
Combined losses between the teams in the playoffs, the fewest by the finalists since the NHL went to four rounds of best-of-seven series in 1987.
4
Players who have the chance to get retribution after losing in the Olympic gold-medal game. Vegas’ Mark Stone, Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore and Carolina’s Seth Jarvis played for Canada, which outshot the U.S. 42-28.
3
Players who have the chance to pull off the Olympic gold medal-Stanley Cup double. Vegas' Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin and Carolina's Jaccob Slavin were all part of the U.S. team that beat Canada in overtime in the final in Milan.
1.62
Goals-against average for Carolina, the best in the playoffs. It's the lowest since the 2012 Los Angeles Kings, who won the Cup.
1
Loss by Carolina through the first three rounds, following sweeps of Ottawa and Philadelphia and a five-game series victory against Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes are the first team to do that since the change to four rounds of best of seven in '87.
0
Coaches before Tortorella who swept the Presidents’ Trophy winner in two different playoff series. Tortorella’s Golden Knights did so to NHL-best Colorado in the West final, seven years after his Columbus Blue Jackets swept Tampa Bay in the first round in 2019.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Cameron Boozer warms up during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
If you were drafting a player solely on winning, Cam Boozer might be that player. In every competitive league that Boozer has been a part of, he’s been a winner. And not just a winner, but dominant. Don’t believe me, here’s a list of his accomplishments:
High School (Christopher Columbus High School, FL): Won four consecutive Florida state championships and a national title.
International (USA Basketball): Went an undefeated 13-0, securing gold medals at the 2023 FIBA U16 AmeriCup and 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. He was named MVP for both tournaments.
Nike EYBL: Won three Nike Peach Jam titles during his AAU circuit career.
College (Duke): Captured the ACC regular-season title, the ACC Tournament MVP, and led the Duke Blue Devils to the Elite Eight. He led the country in double-doubles (22) while averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. All that while shooting 55.6% from the field and 39.1% from three.
If there’s one thing that Cam Boozer has done, it’s win basketball games, and if you are drafting Boozer, that’s exactly what you can expect him to do.
The only reason Boozer isn’t the clear-cut #1 pick in this draft is that it’s one of the top-heavy drafts in a long time. Boozer is going up against two of the most impressive on-ball prospects we’ve seen in some time in AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. That said, there’s no reason that Boozer shouldn’t get considered by the Washington Wizards or the Utah Jazz at the #1 or #2 pick.
If you wanted a description of Cam Boozer’s game, it would be that he’s quite literally good at everything a big will be asked to do. Boozer can score from everywhere on the floor as a true three-level scorer. He’s an elite three-point shooter whether it’s off the bounce or the catch. That elite shooting forces defenders to run out to contest his shot, which leads to him driving and scoring. If the big is there on the drive, he can drop a floater with fantastic touch. His bread and butter typically comes in isolation with his back to the basket. He has an array of moves, whether it’s pure brute force backing down a mismatch, he’ll face up and knock down a pull-up jumper, or he’ll go with a wide array of spin moves leading to a variety of baby hooks.
He’s also a deft passer, whether passing within the offense, kicking out to shooters in the short roll, or passing to an open shooter out of the post. The thing his passing shows is an elite-level IQ, and it’s that IQ that gives you confidence that his game can translate to the NBA.
The only question marks about Boozer concern his defense and potential position. Boozer was not a good rim protector in college, and that weakness will only get worse in the league. That means that Boozer will be playing exclusively at the power forward. That’s not a big issue, but it does make roster construction around him vital to maximize everything he does. For example, Boozer’s back-to-the-basket game gets neutralized a bit if he’s on the floor with a non-stretch center. In college, where Boozer got blocked a surprising amount on post-ups, that will only get worse in the NBA, where he’ll face bigger, more athletic opposition. Now, that doesn’t mean he can’t figure things out, it’s just something to consider, and it means a good chunk of his game might be taken away. That said, Boozer can still do a lot with the ball, and a smart coach will find a lot of ways to use him. If he’s not backing people down in the post, he can just replace those post plays by getting the ball at the top of the key. He can hit cutters, pull up from three, or make his patented punishing drives to the basket.
As I mentioned before, the other element that raises some questions is his defense. Boozer can’t protect the rim, and he might also struggle on the perimeter in the NBA. Very rarely do you see multiple bigs on the floor that can’t handle and shoot. There will also be coaches that will challenge Boozer by forcing him to defend more agile 3s and 4s. It will be fascinating to see how Boozer handles those matchups. If he does well, then he’s the type of player that can contribute to championship-level basketball, maybe even be the leader of a championship team. If he can’t, then he becomes a liability come playoff time. A team deciding to make Boozer their franchise player is betting that Boozer can figure that element of his game out. And if there’s one thing we know about Boozer, he figures out how to win wherever he plays, there’s no reason to think he can’t do that in the NBA.
At FanDuel, Boozer is +1500 to go #1, but you never know if a GM makes a surprise decision and changes the entire layout of the draft. Could Utah make an unexpected move for Cam Boozer at #2? We’ll find out on June 23rd.
Brusdar Graterol’s year-and-a-half-long injury saga took another disappointing turn Sunday.
The Dodgers reliever underwent surgery for a recent back injury he suffered while on a minor-league rehab assignment earlier this month, multiple sources confirmed to The California Post after Graterol posted about the operation on Instagram.
Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol’s status for the rest of the season is uncertain after he recently underwent back surgery. AP
It leaves Graterol facing another long-term recovery process, putting his chances of returning this season in jeopardy, sources said.
“I fell again, but I won’t stay down here,” Graterol wrote on Instagram. “I will rise. My goal isn’t over — it’s just beginning.”
Looks like Brusdar Graterol ended up getting surgery. He posted this to his IG pic.twitter.com/jXHBQbBPQ8
At the start of May, Graterol went out on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City, trying to return from a shoulder surgery that sidelined him for all of last year and the start of this one.
After his fourth outing on May 12, however, he was pulled off the assignment as his back “flared up” on him, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced at the time.
Graterol was transferred to the 60-day injured list a week later.
General manager Brandon Gomes said then that surgery was an option for the 27-year-old right-hander, but that the club wanted “to exhaust all options” first.
“He’s worked really hard [to try and come back],” Gomes said.
Now, he’ll have to start all over again.
While Graterol’s exact timeline wasn’t immediately clear, sources indicated it’s likely he will require a months-long recovery process.
Graterol has a 2.78 career ERA over six MLB seasons and last pitched in the majors during the 2024 postseason. Getty Images
Roberts had hinted at a prolonged absence for the flamethrower earlier this month, saying that “it’s gonna be a slow program for a while for him, unfortunately.”
Graterol, who has a 2.78 career ERA over six MLB seasons, last pitched in the majors during the 2024 postseason, as part of a bullpen that carried the Dodgers to the first of their current back-to-back World Series championships.
After that, he underwent surgery on his labrum in November, initially ruling him out for the first half of the 2025 season. When his shoulder didn’t recover as quickly as hoped, he ended up missing all of the Dodgers’ title-defense campaign on the injured list.
Graterol was slow-played again this spring, after struggling to regain his upper-90s mph velocity in a throwing program during camp. He opened the season back on the IL but said at the end of spring training that he was confident in making his return this year.
He seemed on track for that up until his May 12 outing, when his fastball velocity dipped back under 95 mph amid his back issue.
Now, suddenly he’s essentially back to square one all over again. Facing another surgical recovery. Another elongated rehab. And, quite possibly, another season spent entirely on the shelf.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on May 12, 2026 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now, when the system is as absurd as the one implemented by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, there’s going to be lots and lots of those types of ripple effects.
Last week, the league adopted a new draft lottery system that flattened odds overall and will punish teams for both being really bad and for being bad for a consecutive number of years. In doing that, it also brings play-in teams into the equation, increasing their odds of earning a top pick in the draft now.
For example, last year, the Hornets lost the second play-in game, landing in the 14th spot in the lottery. Subsequently, they had a 2.4% chance of moving into the top four and a 0.5% chance at the No. 1 pick. Under the new rules, which go into effect next season, the team in the 14th spot in the lottery now has a 2.7% chance at the first pick.
However, importantly, all 16 picks will be drawn now instead of just the top four with the remainder of the lottery sorted by record. So, a team could make the play-in, lose, and end up with a top pick in the draft all in the span of a couple of months.
By nature, those unintended consequences won’t be known until teams start operating under the new rules and find the loopholes. We’ve already started to see them as teams read the rules, most notably in that teams can not have top-five picks even if they own another team’s pick.
To provide another example, the Nets own the Nuggets’ 2032 first round pick. If Brooklyn picked in the top five in the 2030 and 2031 drafts but has things figured out while Denver stinks and would provide them another top-five pick, the Nets will not be allowed to pick in the top five even though it’s not their own pick.
Great work, Adam Silver.
More of these types of details will be found out moving forward, but an unintended result of all this could be the freedom with which picks are traded. If a team can so easily move into a top pick despite being a middling team, the calculation for making a deal changes.
No longer is a team that is going to be battling for the play-in trading a straightforward late-lottery pick. The odds and format will change things. Unless you’re a team with a clear direction, then second-guessing is going to come into play now.
And that could help the Lakers.
LA is not second-guessing about their future. They have a north star in Luka Dončić and a clear path to contention every year. They also have draft picks to trade and a roster that needs reshaping. There should be no hesitation on their end to go and find upgrades.
Teams might see the new lottery odds, realize how injuries could derail a season and decide to take the risk on a future Lakers pick. At the same time, if the other teams aren’t as willing to make those deals, then the picks could
If they enter the offseason with aggression and other teams enter with doubts of risking a potential top pick in the draft, could LA actually take advantage of those unintended consequences of the new lottery rules?
The inverse could also be true. Will Oklahoma City see the same value in having a host of draft picks if they can’t routinely make them top-five picks? The same goes for San Antonio.
And if the trade market is barren for draft picks, will those teams feel more eager to pull the trigger?
The Lakers find themselves at an interesting crossroads. The league just changed how the draft works, ahead of an offseason in which the Lakers have made it clear for years that they’ll have multiple draft picks to trade.
Is it a change that improves their ability to build a contender this summer? Or could there be other unintended consequences that shake things up?
