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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

It’s All About Victor Wembanyama

Lauren Theisen

The Avalanche’s Season Hinges On Cale Makar’s Busted Shoulder

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Jaxson Dart and Donald Trump stand on stage at the rally.

Shocker: Jaxson Dart Is A Trump Guy

Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates the overtime winning goal in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Nikolaj Ehlers Rewrote The Hurricanes’ Old Script

The Knicks Have All The Juice

Defector Staff

The cast of Our Gang/The Little Rascals singing, circa 1930.

Defector Up All Night

Hey! Over Here! Come Chat With The Defector Staff

Giri Nathan

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026 in 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images)

The Cavs Created The Conditions For A Josh Hart Game

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Interviews

How The U.S. Military Rots American Masculinity


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

a wall-e ass looking robot called the looming eyes buoy

Creaturefector

Foolish Humans! Gulls Are Not So Gullible After All

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Actors Tracy Morgan (R) and Timothée Chalamet (3R) attend Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21, 2026 in 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Back-To-Back Blown Leads, With Noah Kulwin Of ‘Blowback’

Ray Ratto

What If The Canadiens Are Just This Good?

Kathryn Xu

Dominic Smith of the Atlanta Braves scores after a throwing error by Owen Caissie.

Oh No! Outfielders Have Forgotten How To Play Defense!

Junior Caminero #13, Richie Palacios #1 and Jonathan Aranda #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 16-6 at Tropicana Field on May 18, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida.

The Tampa Bay Rays Are Still Flourishing, And Still Invisible


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu performs during the Skating Club of Boston's annual benefit ice show "Ice Chips 2026: A World Journey" at the Tenley E. Albright Performance Center on February 28, 2026.

Figure Skating

You Don’t Know Alysa Liu’s Power Until You See It In Person

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Paige Bueckers #5 and Azzi Fudd #35 of the Dallas Wings confer against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 20, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

WNBA

The Dallas Wings Can Find A Bucket Anywhere

David Roth

John O'Brien of Troy works on a puzzle as the Times Union hosts the inaugural Upstate Crossword Championship tournament Saturday Sept. 22, 2018 in Colonie, NY.

Song Of The Puzzlesmith, With Ian Livengood

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

The Montreal Victoire celebrate their victory

Women's Hockey

The Montreal Victoire Make A Living As Champions

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<p>Robert Rubsam writes fiction and nonfiction. His work has appeared in the NYT Magazine, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Baffler, and Liberties. He is a contributing writer for Commonweal Magazine.</p>
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Robert Rubsam

Arts And Culture

‘Blue Heron’ Is A Revelation

Mitch Marner #93 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on during warmups ahead of Game One of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

Mitch Marner Needed To Get Out Of Toronto

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jenna Lewis Dougherty, Kyle Fraser, Savannah Louie, Q Burdette, Angelina Keeley, Charlie Davis, Kamilla Karthigesu, Genevieve Mushaluk, Colby Donaldson, Dee Valladares, Chrissy Hofbeck, Benjamin "Coach" Wade, Christian Hubicki, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Emily Flippen, Ozzy Lusth, Rick Devens, Cirie Fields, Tiffany Ervin, Rizo Velovic, Joe Hunter, Jonathan Young, and Aubry Bracco attend and Jeff Probst hosts the Survivor 50 Live Finale at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California on May 20, 2026.

The ‘Survivor 50’ Finale Was A Dark Omen For The Future

Justin Ellis

Minor Dilemmas

How Do We Decide To Have A Baby If We’re On The Fence?

Israel Daramola

Listening Habits

The Passion Of The Drake: A (Mostly) Objective Review Of His Three New Albums

Stephon Castle dribbles against Alex Caruso

You Do Not Have To Hand It To Oklahoma City, And By “It” I Mean The Basketball

<p>Sean T. Collins has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Decider, Pitchfork, and many others. He lives with his family on Long Island.</p>


Sean T. Collins

Kill Grogu

Barry Petchesky

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 20: Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights allows a goal from Valeri Nichushkin #13 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)