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Good morning! 👋
It’s Tuesday, June 17. On this day in 1976, the NBA announced a merger with the ABA, absorbing four of its most successful franchises—the Nuggets, Pacers, Nets, and Spurs—while the ABA's innovative rules and style significantly influenced the NBA's future.
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🏀 Thunder Withstand Pacers in Game 5, Close in on NBA Title |
The Thunder fended off a fierce Pacers rally in the late third and early fourth quarters of Game 5, clinching a 120–109 win on Monday night to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.
Jalen Williams exploded for a career-playoff-high 40 points, while Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander chipped in 31 with 10 assists—and Oklahoma City pounced on 23 Indiana turnovers for 32 points.
Despite Tyrese Haliburton’s lower leg injury limiting him to just four points, the Pacers clawed back within two—only for the Thunder to respond with a killer 18‑4 run to seal the deal.
Oklahoma City can now capture its first NBA championship on the road Thursday night in Game 6.
🎥 Watch: Game highlights (YouTube) |
⚾ Arkansas Throws First CWS No-Hitter in 65 Years |
Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood unleashed absolute dominance in Omaha on Monday, firing the first College World Series no-hitter in 65 years—striking out a record 19 batters in a 3-0 victory over Murray State.
The junior right-hander carried a perfect game into the eighth inning before hitting a batter, but still managed to secure the third no-hitter in CWS history—etching his name alongside Texas’ Jim Ehrler (1950) and Oklahoma State’s Jim Wixson (1960).
Wood's 119-pitch masterpiece, featuring a fastball reaching 98 mph and a devastating curveball, kept Arkansas' season alive in the elimination game, advancing to face the loser of the suspended UCLA-LSU game next. |
⚾ Red Sox Insist Devers Trade Doesn’t Signal White Flag |
The Red Sox insisted on Monday the Rafael Devers trade is a strategic reset—not an admission of defeat—highlighting that internal discord over his role became untenable and this move frees up payroll for reinvestment.
Boston Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow emphasized the deal was about alignment, stating that it doesn’t signal surrender in 2025, as the front office remains confident in the team's ability to compete.
Red Sox President Sam Kennedy also echoed that belief, underscoring optimism that the additions—Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and prospects—position Boston for continued growth this season. |
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► Thunder star Jalen Williams has established himself as one of the league’s premier No. 2 options—channeling a Scottie Pippen–like impact alongside MVP teammate Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander—after dropping 40 points in Game 5 vs. the Pacers. (More)
► Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, despite a calf injury impacting his Game 5 performance, vowed to play in Game 6, saying, "If I can walk, then I want to play," as Indiana aims to force a Game 7 vs. the Thunder. (See Details)
► Suns star Kevin Durant reportedly prefers a trade to the Spurs over teams like the Timberwolves, Heat, and Rockets, but San Antonio is cautious about trading young talent and draft picks for the 36-year-old with one year left on his contract. (More)
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► The Stanley Cup Final continues tonight with a Game 6 matchup between the Oilers and Panthers at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT. (Preview)
► Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, despite initial doubts about playing due to a lower-body injury, feels at his best as Florida prepares for a potential Stanley Cup-clinching Game 6 tonight vs. the Oilers. (More)
► The Oilers, facing a critical Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final, are relying on their experience and resilience in an attempt to overcome a 3-2 series deficit vs. the Panthers. (More)
► NHL stars Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and others headline the first six-player Olympic rosters announced for the 2026 Olympic men’s hockey tournament. (See Rosters)
► Many Canadian Hockey League players are opting for U.S. college hockey to gain an education, develop skills in a less pressured environment, and maintain NHL draft eligibility. (More) |
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► Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani returned to pitching after nearly two years on Monday night, allowing one run in one inning while also hitting a double and an RBI single in Los Angeles’ 6-3 win vs. the Padres. (More)
► Angels rookie Christian Moore notched his first career hit—a triple—during Los Angeles’ 1-0 extra innings win vs. the Yankees on Monday night. (See Video)
► Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton was reinstated from the IL for his season debut Monday night vs. the Angels, going 2-for-4 in New York’s 1-0 shutout. (More)
► Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony hit his first career home run, sparking a 2-0 Boston win vs. the Mariners on Monday night in their first game since trading Rafael Devers to the Giants. (Watch Homer)
► Three teams—the Braves, Padres, and Blue Jays, reportedly tried to trade for Red Sox star Rafael Devers before he was acquired by the Giants in a blockbuster deal. (More)
► The MLB All-Star ballot's first 2025 update reveals Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani as top vote-getters, with Judge leading at 1,568,527 votes and Ohtani at 1,398,771, as fans continue voting for the July 15 game in Atlanta. (See Details)
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► The UCLA-LSU game in the College World Series was suspended due to rain and lightning in Omaha and will resume today with LSU leading 5-3 in the fourth inning. (See Details)
► The Steelers and safety DeShon Elliott agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million extension following his standout performance as one of their top run defenders in 2024. (More)
► Ex-Ohtani interpreter Ippei Mizuhara began serving a 57-month prison sentence in Pennsylvania for stealing nearly $17 million from Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. (More)
► McLaren boss Andrea Stella deemed the Norris-Piastri collision in Canada "not acceptable," but won't curb their racing freedom, as Norris apologized for his misjudgment. (See Details)
► South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers, the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year, rejected an $8 million NIL offer from another school to remain with the Gamecocks, prioritizing his development and education. (More)
► Louisiana will reportedly raise sports betting taxes to fund college athletics, the first state to do so since the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows schools to share revenue with athletes. (See Details) |
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Who holds the record for the most blocked shots in a single NBA Finals game? |
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