Who turned the temperature hotter?
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Leveling The Playing Field
It’s the last weekend in May!
Which means the FIFA men’s World Cup is coming in hot. The No. 16 USMNT kickoff their tune-up friendlies this weekend, facing a tough test in No. 14 Senegal Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Set a reminder, then savor the month’s last few sports moments before the calendar turns.
🏀 San Antonio Spurs force series-deciding Game 7 with blowout win
There was only ever one way to decide the Western Conference Finals — with the best two words in sports. On the brink of elimination, the Spurs used a dominant third quarter to silence the Oklahoma City Thunder, cruising to a 118–91 win last night. The NBA’s top defenses have exchanged blows all series long. Now, it all comes down to tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 7. Fire away.
🏒 Carolina Hurricanes (up 3-1) one win away from Stanley Cup Final
It’s been two decades since the Canes’ last Final appearance, a drought they have a chance to end tonight at 8 p.m. ET. After dropping a lopsided Game 1, Carolina’s rattled off three straight wins against the Montreal Canadiens, outshooting their youthful opponents by 65 shots over that stretch. In fact, the Habs’ measly 43 shots is a playoff record for fewest attempts through three games.
- And while Montreal has shown resilience, fighting through two gritty seven-game series, they’re in uncharted territory: Before this untimely slump, they hadn’t lost three straight games since November. Now on the brink of elimination, these kids must get pucks on net.
🎓🥎 Defending champs Texas face elimination at Women’s College World Series (WCWS)
Yesterday’s opening day saw the Longhorns fall 6–3 to No. 2 Tennessee, Texas’ first opening-round loss since 1998 and an especially brutal blow considering 90% of eventual WCWS winners put up a dub on day one. It’s a fate No. 1 overall seed Alabama avoided, exploding for two late home runs in a 6–3 win over fellow powerhouse No. 8 UCLA.
- But opening day really saved the best for last as No. 4 Nebraska topped No. 5 Arkansas 5–3 in 10 innings. Lucky for us, the double-elimination action continues through the weekend, with the final four contenders set before our next newsletter. Blink and you’ll miss it.
French Open
🎾 Heat waves been freakin’ him out
The GIST: French Open emotions, drama, and temperatures have reached new heights as the European heatwave rages on. The women’s bracket has mostly kept it cool and played out as expected, but the men’s field is suddenly wide open.
😱 World No. 1 Jannik Sinner falls in second round: The career Grand Slam will just have to wait. Sinner’s 30-match win streak ended in dramatic fashion yesterday when the tourney favorite lost in five sets to No. 56 Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, succumbing to cramps, fatigue, and dizziness in the heat.
- This is not the first time scorching temperatures limited Sinner’s game: He withdrew from a hot and humid match in Shanghai this past October and suffered severe cramps at the Australian Open in January.
👀 Who can win Roland-Garros now?: Two men have claimed the last nine Grand Slams: Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who’s not competing due to a wrist injury. With both out, the men’s trophy is truly anyone’s for the taking.
- Fan favorite No. 5 Ben Shelton sadly won’t be that guy, but French teen and hometown hero Moïse Kouamé is onto the third round, as is Canada’s favorite son No. 6 Félix Auger-Aliassime.
- Meanwhile Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca will play his dream match vs. No. 4 Novak Djokovic today at 9:30 a.m. ET. Locked in.
☝️ One more thing: In other ace-worthy news, 44-year-old Serena Williams is reportedly planning a comeback after “evolving away” from the sport in 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam champ is seeking a doubles wild card entry with No. 9 Victoria Mboko to London’s Queen’s tournament, a WTA 500-level event which begins the day after the Roland-Garros men’s final. Bring it on.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Chase
🗓️ The Golden State Valkyries’ sophomore season is shaping up to be appointment viewing — and Chase is right there courtside. Through its partnerships with orgs like LOVB, the US Open, and of course, the pride of Golden State, Chase is backing the future of women’s sports.
Some Valkyries games you’ll want to circle in the cal:
- 👀 Sunday, May 31st: The Valkyries take on the reigning champs on Golden State’s home turf.
- 🔥 Tuesday, June 2nd: The Valks put their home-court advantage to the test against one of the newest additions to the league.
Ballhalla is booming thanks to passionate fans, driven players, and support from Chase. Hoop, there it is.
🐱 Minnesota Lynx vs. 🌤️ Chicago Sky — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — ION
- Nearly a month into the season, the Lynx sit atop the WNBA standings — and injured superstar Napheesa Collier hasn’t even hit the hardwood yet. Chalk it up to sharpshooting, defensive tenacity, and rookie sensation Olivia Miles.
🪐 Phoenix Mercury vs. 🗽 NY Liberty — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — ION
- Touted as preseason title contenders, the Mercury shockingly own the league’s second-worst record. They aren’t playing bad basketball: They just can’t seem to play well for a full 40 minutes (see: Wednesday’s game vs. NY). Expect this veteran group to dress for revenge.
😴 Atlanta Dream vs. 🔥 Portland Fire — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET — ION
- The Fire are, well, scorching, winning three straight and five of their first eight. Now, the expansion squad is gearing up for an all-important litmus test: two games in two days against teams with title aspirations, starting with the star-studded Dream.
🃏 Las Vegas Aces vs. 💜 Golden State Valkyries — Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET — NBC
- The weekend finale is arguably the best game on the docket with unprecedented four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and the defending champs lining up against the WNBA’s best defense. No better way to chase away those Sunday Scaries than with a block party.
⚽ Transfers, moving, and motherhood: The hidden cost of traveling as an NWSL player and mom (The Athletic)
🏀 The Caitlin Clark Machine Is Turning on Caitlin (The Ringer)
⚾ Inside the rise of Pokémon card collecting in MLB clubhouses (TSN)
🏒 PWHL 101 with Professor Puck! | Episode 6: Expansion Player Distribution Process (YouTube)
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Grace DePaull, and Charlotte Mackenzie. Fact-checking by Elisha Gunaratnam and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Elisha Gunaratnam and Briana Ekanem. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.