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

Tom Ley

Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after a three point basket during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena on April 29, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Journalismism

Nobody Can Do That

<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

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with fans in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Target Center on February 06, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 127-114. 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.

Funbag

Notes From A Reborn NBA Fan

Luis Paez-Pumar

Four main characters in 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33'

Video Games

‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Makes Your Wandering Worth It

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics lays on the ground after being injured against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025 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.

It Can All Go To Hell In A Hurry

Billy Haisley

Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest looks dejected after the draw in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Leicester City FC at City Ground on May 11, 2025 in Nottingham, England.

Soccer

Nottingham Forest Is Missing A Trick

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


Chris Thompson

Patrick Dumont smiles that awful fucking smile of his.

The Goddamn Mavericks Won The Goddamn Draft Lottery

Patrick Redford

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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.

Physicality Is Where Basketball Lives And Careers Die

<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

LAVAL, CANADA - JANUARY 29: Catherine Dubois #28 of the Montreal Victoire skates during the second period against the Ottawa Charge at Place Bell on January 29, 2025 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

PWHL

It Took Two Years And Four Overtimes For The Victoire To Live Up To Their Name In The Playoffs

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 02, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Javier Báez Can’t Do It All, But He Sure Will Try

Kelsey McKinney

Politics

What Is My Senator Good For?

Veronica de Souza

Drawing of an Interior: Atelier, 1857. Artist Anon. (Photo by Heritage Images via Getty Images)

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: Bringing Order To Chaos

Albert Burneko

Donald Trump looking like a saggy orange bag of shit on his way onto Air Force 1 for a trip to the Middle East.

NYT Reporter: It’s Not Corruption Unless The Envelope Says “Bribe” On It

Ray Ratto

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, left, during batting practice before the opening day game against the Athletics at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The Colorado Rockies Can’t Even Lose Right

Seth Meyers (R) speaks on stage with Susan Morrison at the premiere screening: Seth Meyers' Comedy Special "Dad Man Walking" during The 2024 New Yorker Festival at SVA Theater on October 25, 2024 in New York City.

Crosswords

The Crossword, May 12: Balls Out

Barry Petchesky

DALLAS, TX - MAY 11: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) tries to block a shot during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets on May 11, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rulebook Aficionados: Let’s Ride

<div id="1695913206.579009" class="c-virtual_list__item c-virtual_list__item--initial-activeitem" role="listitem" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1695913206.579009">
<div class="c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message" role="presentation" data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false">
<div class="c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered" role="document" data-qa-hover="true">
<div class="c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--above">
<div class="c-message_kit__gutter c-message_kit__gutter--compact">
<div class="c-message_kit__gutter__right" role="presentation" data-qa="message_content">
<div class="c-message_kit__indent">
<div class="c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text c-message_kit__blocks--inline">
<div class="c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text c-message__message_blocks--inline" data-qa="message-text">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer p-block_kit_renderer--inline" data-qa="block-kit-renderer">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first">
<div class="p-rich_text_block p-rich_text_block--inline" dir="auto">
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1695913224.677889" class="c-virtual_list__item" role="listitem" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1695913224.677889">
<div class="c-message_kit__background p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message" role="presentation" data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false">
<div class="c-message_kit__hover" role="document" data-qa-hover="true">
<div class="c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--above">
<div class="c-message_kit__gutter c-message_kit__gutter--compact">
<div class="c-message_kit__gutter__left" role="presentation"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


Tom Scocca

New York City police arrested dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Columbia University on Wednesday evening after they took over part of a central library in New York, USA on May 7, 2025.

Margin Of Error

Teachable Moment

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a shot against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers of game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 09, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

All Of You Motherfuckers Are On Fraud Watch

Lauren Theisen

The Savannah Bananas players and Party Animals players get up after making a group photo after a game

The Savannah Bananas Make Baseball Boring

Rafeal Devers wears a green Wally mask in the dugout.

Red Sox Now Chasing Rafael Devers Across The Country, Waving Lineup Card

Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a late goal against Stuart Skinner #74

Leon, No!

Jayson Tatum attempts a three-pointer in Game 3.

Celtics Flatten Knicks By Sticking To The Formula

Defector Staff

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

Staff Chat

The Staff Chat Begins Right Now

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy.

Lamine Yamal’s Wait Is Over

Cyclists in a race are in the background. There is a house or wall on the left side of the road. There is a man in front, looking at the peloton, squatting halfway with his arms spread just past his knees. Next to him in the center of the road is a bicycle laid across the ground.