Happy Friday
It’s another loaded sports weekend ahead, but the defending champs are officially out of the NBA Playoffs. It’s the first time in 18 years that a team with LeBron James has lost in the first round. And with the Clippers on the brink, both L.A. teams could be gone by tonight.
We’ll meet back on Monday for the rundown.
Letter Rip!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NBA
D-Book Sends the Champs Home
Photo: Harry How / Getty Images
Suns Oust Lakers Behind Devin Booker’s 47 Points; Nuggets Eliminate Blazers in 6
A pair of Game 6s saw the higher seeds close out their respective series on Thursday, and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are going home in the first round. Seven of eight second-round tickets have been punched. Only the Mavericks and Clippers (tonight) have the potential for a Game 7.
Gm 6: Suns def. Lakers (113-100)
The Suns and Lakers went back and forth through four games before Phoenix put the series to bed in Games 5 and 6. Anthony Davis was a game-time decision with a groin injury, and he only lasted a few minutes before his night ended and the Suns ran away. Devin Booker (47 points) went 8-for-10 from 3-point range, including 22 points in the first quarter. The Suns will face the Nuggets in Round 2, and the champs are going home. PHX Wins Series (4-2)
Fun Fact: It’s the first time in 18 seasons a team with LeBron James lost in the first round of the playoffs. Only twice have LBJ teams missed the postseason altogether.
Gm 6: Nuggets def. Blazers (126-115)
The Nuggets put the lid on the Blazers in Game 6 thanks to a 28-14 run in the 4th-quarter. Nikola Jokic finished with 36 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as Denver closed an epic series with wins in back-to-back high-scoring affairs. The Blazers have now made the playoffs in eight straight seasons but failed to get out of the first round five times. The Nuggets get the Suns in Round 2. DEN Wins Series (4-2)
Tonight’s Schedule
Gm 6: Clippers at Mavericks (9:00 pm ET)
DAL Leads Series (3-2)
Additional Storylines
FOX Sports: Top Moments From Thursday’s Pair of Pivotal Game 6s
NBA: Series Preview: Sixers-Hawks Could Hinge on Joel Embiid’s Health
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NHL
OTs in Game 3s
Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Bruins & Hurricanes Win Game 3s With OT Winners From Brad Marchand & Jordan Staal
Two Game 3s and two OT winners on Thursday night in the NHL. The Bruins took a 2-1 series lead over the Islanders, and the Hurricanes got a game back on the Lightning. Two more games tonight. Round 2 rolls on toward Stanley’s Cup.
Gm 3: Bruins def. Islanders (2-1, OT)
A crucial swing game in the East was full of twists on Thursday night. Islanders’ center Mathew Barzal scored the game-tying goal late in the 3rd, but it was Brad Marchand with yet another winner 3:36 into the OT. Tuuka Rask was also brilliant in net, making 28 saves with one goal allowed. BOS Leads Series (2-1)
Gm 3: Hurricanes def. Lightning (3-2, OT)
Carolina has life! After blowing a 2-0 lead in the second period, the Hurricanes were staring down a potential 3-0 deficit in the series before Jordan Staal won it on a power play in OT. Sebastian Aho had a goal and two assists for the ‘Canes, who can even the series on Saturday. TBL Leads Series (2-1)
Tonight’s Schedule
Gm 2: Canadiens at Jets (7:30 pm ET)
MTL Leads Series (1-0)
Gm 3: Avalanche at Golden Knights (10:00 pm ET)
COL Leads Series (2-0)
Additional Storylines
ESPN+: Early Takeaways Form the Stanley Cup Playoffs
NHL: Jets’ Center Mark Scheifele Suspended 4 Games for Dirty Hit on Canadiens’ Jake Evans
_________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
️ MLB: Tatis Hits 17th HR, Game-Tying Run
Fernando Tatis Jr. did it all for the Padres in Thursday’s win over the Mets (4-3). He smacked his league-tying 17th homer before scoring the game-winning run in the 8th inning. The Padres (35 wins) are now one back of the Rays for the most wins in baseball.
TENNIS: Big 3 Move On at Roland-Garros
All three of the biggest stars in men’s tennis were winners on a must-see Day 5 Thursday at the French Open. (1) Novak Djokovic and (3) Rafael Nadal were straight-set winners as they advanced to the third round, and (8) Roger Federer smashed 16 aces in a four-set win. All three are on the same side of the draw, with an inevitable pre-finals clash coming soon.
️ PGA: Morikawa Leads Rain-Delayed Memorial
Collin Morikawa (-6) is the leader after Round 1 of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. The opening round was delayed due to rain. Xander Schauffele (-4), Justin Thomas (-3) and Jon Rahm (-3) also had strong opening rounds.
🥎 WCWS: JMU Upsets #1 Oklahoma in Softball
A stunner in the NCAA women’s softball World Series! Unranked James Madison University shocked top-seeded Oklahoma (4-3) on Thursday thanks a game-winning home run from Kate Gordon and a complete game from pitcher Odicci Alexander.
️ SOCCER: USMNT Advances to CONCACAF Finals
The U.S. Men’s National Team earned a 1-0 win over Honduras on Thursday night in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, but they left a lot to be desired. A late goal from Jordan Siebatcheu (89’) was the difference-maker. The U.S. will face Mexico in Sunday’s finale.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
THE STORYLINES
One non-NBA athlete’s “dream” came to an unexpected end during the first round of the playoffs. Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ defensive end who has blown up social media in recent months with his basketball exploits, has officially “retired” from hooping. (FOX Sports)
YouTube star Logan Paul carries no fear or worry of embarrassment into his exhibition showdown with Floyd Mayweather this Saturday. Paul has just one pro fight on his resume, but he still thinks he’ll be the man to stop Mayweather in his tracks. (CBS Sports)
Over the course of his historic 46-year coaching career in which the 74-year-old has accumulated an NCAA-record 1,170 career wins, Coach K has had some remarkable teams that have shaped the game. Here’s a look at the top 10 Duke teams in Coach K’s tenure during the last four decades. (USA Today)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
THE HEADLINES
No. 1-Ranked Ashleigh Barty Pulls Out of French Open With Hip Injury
(Bleacher Report)
USFL Set to Return in Spring 2022, 36 Years After League Shutdown
(CBS Sports)
Nearly 10,000 Volunteers Drop Out of Tokyo Olympics With 50 Days Until Games
(ESPN)
Johnny Manziel Claims He Made $33,000 for Autographs at Texas A&M
(Yahoo! Sports)
D-Backs Broadcaster Taking Leave of Absence for Sensitivity Training After Stroman Comments
(USA Today)
17-Year-Old High School Junior Leads After Round 1 at U.S. Women’s Open
(NBC Sports)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
️ WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The Must-Watch List
Summer sports are in full swing. There’s something for everyone this weekend, from collegiate softball to the French Open, and celebrity boxing to the Belmont Stakes. Yankees-Red Sox captures the eyes of baseball fans, and the NBA and NHL Playoffs continue into Round 2. All that in more in Monday’s recap. Enjoy the weekend!
French Open
Horse Racing
151st Belmont Stakes (Sat. 5:00 pm)
Celebrity Boxing
Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather (Sat. 8:00 pm)
CONCACAF Nations League Final
USMNT vs. Mexico (Sun. 9:00 pm)
PGA Tour
The Memorial Tournament (All Weekend)
College Softball World Series
All Weekend | Full Schedule
MLB
Yankees—Red Sox Series
WNBA
Liberty at Sun (Sat. 7:00 pm)
The Playoff Schedules
NBA Playoffs
Gm 6: Clippers at Mavericks (Fri. 9:00 pm)
Gm 1: Bucks at Nets (Sat. 7:30 pm)
Gm 1: Hawks at 76ers (Sun. 1:00 pm)
*Gm 7: Mavericks at Clippers (Sun. 3:30 pm)
*if necessary
NHL Playoffs
Gm 2: Canadiens at Jets (Fri. 7:30 pm)
Gm 3: Avalanche at Golden Knights (Fri. 10:00 pm)
Gm 4: Hurricanes at Lightning (Sat. 4:00 pm)
Gm 4: Bruins at Islanders (Sat. 7:15 pm)
Gm 3: Jets at Canadiens (Sun. 6:00 pm)
Gm 4: Avalanche at Golden Knights (Sun. 8:30 pm)
*All Times Eastern
_________________________________________________________________________________________
©2023 Media Mobilize All rights reserved