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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

Ray Ratto

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fouls Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Target Center on April 23, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Suns Are Two Losses From Organizational Disaster

Barry Petchesky

This Puck Didn’t Go In

<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

Funbag

Help! My Son Won’t Stop Huffing His Own Farts!

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

It’s Getting To Joel Embiid

Kelsey McKinney

Arts And Culture

I Am Obsessed With This Clay Pot

Israel Daramola

Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the New York Knicks reacts after making a three-point shot during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 104-101.

The Knicks Cannot Die

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 22: Tom Brady seen arriving at Palacio De Cibeles on April 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

I Learned It By Watching You, Tom Brady

Lauren Theisen

The Islanders Couldn’t Fake It For 60

Billy Haisley

Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa helps up Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, the scorer of their third goal, after celebrating their third goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park on April 21, 2024 in Birmingham, England.

Soccer

Ollie Watkins Has Taken Himself And Aston Villa To The Summit

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 22: Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights is defended by Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on April 22, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Death, Taxes, And Mark Stone Coming Off Long-Term IR For The Playoffs

Tom Ley

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets scores game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 22, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Jamal Murray Has Never Missed A Jump Shot In His Entire Life

Kathryn Xu

Ranger Suárez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on April 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ranger Suárez Will Not Lie To You

Dave McKenna

Ryan Garcia (white trunks) reacts against Devin Haney (gray trunks) during their WBC Super Lightweight title bout at Barclays Center on April 20, 2024 in New York City.

The Fights

Ryan Garcia Turned A Sad Show Into A Thrilling Fight

David Roth

Yankees manager Aaron Boone argues with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after being ejected in the first inning of his team's game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on April 22, 2024 in New York City.

Aaron Boone Gets Ejected For Whatever Some Fan Yelled At Hunter Wendelstedt

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on April 21, 2024 in Shanghai, China.

Racing

Daniel Ricciardo Found Out How Hard It Is To Be Nice About Lance Stroll’s Driving

<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

Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans after their win

The Jets Ripped Up The Script

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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

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

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

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.