CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

<p><span class="il">Hoang</span>&#8211;<span class="il">Kim</span> Vu is the co-editor of the Defector Crossword. His puzzles have appeared in multiple venues, including the New York Times, L.A. Times, and USA Today.</p>


Hoang-Kim Vu

Three competitors take part in the ACPT final

Games

The World’s Fastest Crossword Solvers Can’t Tell You How To Do This

Lauren Theisen

Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans after their win

The Jets Ripped Up The Script

<div id="message-list_1773066846.655809">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<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>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


Abigail Segel

PWHL

I Heard The Roar Of Possibility At The PWHL’s Record-Breaking Sellout 

Dakota Joshua is congratulated by his teammates after scoring

Goals Make Goal Songs

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Fans tailgate prior to the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

Crosswords

The Crossword, April 22: Shake, Shake, Shake

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Matt Rempe Came Up Big

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is interviewed by the media after Round 1 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

That’s Why You Make The James Harden Trade

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a three point shot during the first half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 21, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard’s Playoff Return Was Worth The Wait

Kelsey McKinney

Everyone Pay Attention To My Beautiful Fast Son

Albert Burneko

Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns goes up amid a forest of Minnesota Timberwolves arms in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs.

The Timberwolves Are So Big And Strong

The Great Outdoors

In Defense Of Chaos Gardening

Deuce McBride of the New York Knicks rises up to shoot over Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.

New York’s Second Unit Chased The 76ers Into The Pain Cave

Tom Ley

A fan holds up a sign for Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Target Center on April 3, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Defector Up All Night

Open Thread!

Billy Haisley

Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa reacts after saving the first penalty by Nabil Bentaleb of Lille OSC (not pictured) in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 Quarter-final second leg match between Lille OSC and Aston Villa at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on April 18, 2024 in Lille, France.

Soccer

Troll God Emi Martínez Shows Once Again Why He Is The Penalty Shootout King

Mason Miller #19 of the Oakland Athletics delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 06, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

Mason Miller Is Keeping The A’s Interesting

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Former NFL player and Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders looks on prior to a game between the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)

College Football

Deion Sanders On Transferring Players: Bye Losers

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


Sabrina Imbler

a brown pacific field cricket with a whitish parasitoid fly sitting on top of it

Creaturefector

In Hawaii, Crickets Are Learning New Songs Of Sex And Death

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Singer JoJo Siwa on the red carpet entering the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Hollywood, wearing a black and silver sequins outfit reminiscent of Gene Simmons from the band Kiss.

Arts And Culture

When You Eat Poison Long Enough, It Starts To Taste Good

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ray Ratto

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Dance Lessons for the Palace Club Basketball Team.

For Literally The First Time Ever, A “Preview” Of The NBA Playoffs

Hensley Meulens #31 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a photo during the Colorado Rockies Photo Day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Friday, February 24, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

There Are Several Reasons Not To Let Anyone From The Colorado Rockies Into An Airplane Cockpit

Dave McKenna

Ryan Garcia speaks to reporters during a media workout at World Class Boxing Gym on April 9, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Boxing

Ryan Garcia Is Promoting His Title Fight By Having A Mental Breakdown

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 18: New York Rangers fans cheer on after the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium on February 18, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dear Long-Suffering Fans: Keep It To Yourself

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Atmosphere at the Nike Air Innovation Summit held at the Palais Brongniart on April 11, 2024 in Paris, France.

Capital

The Fanatics Disaster Is Also A Nike Disaster

Kathryn Xu

Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after a call made by home plate umpire umpire Angel Hernandez #5 during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.