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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

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets draws a triple team from Rudy Gobert (27), Jaden McDaniels (3) and Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 142-138 overtime win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Nikola Jokic And Anthony Edwards Gave Us A Christmas Game For All Time

Eva Holland is a freelance writer and editor based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She&#8217;s a correspondent for Outside magazine and the author of the books Nerve and <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-sleep-til-fairbanks#/">No Sleep &#8216;Til Fairbanks</a>.

Eva Holland

Arts And Culture

‘Heated Rivalry’ Is Bringing Me Back To Hockey

Patrick Redford

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 25: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on December 25, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images)

De’Aaron Fox Is In Control

Defector Staff

Early gramophone in photo on Norwegian postcard of young people listening to record on a gramophone, early thirties.

Year In Review

The Best Things We Heard In 2025

Matt Ufford is the head of video and audio at Yahoo Sports.

Matt Ufford

Reginald Owen, playing Scrooge, confronts the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Lionel Braham, in the 1938 MGM production of "A Christmas Carol." Undated movie still.

Jamboroo

You Can’t Defeat Christmas, But You Can Survive It

Barry Petchesky

What Did We Get Stuck In Our Rectums Last Year?

A fan dressed in a snowman costume looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Defector Up All Night

Have A Wonderful Christmas Time In This Open Thread

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

Diana Moskovitz

A screenshot of gymnastics coach Al Fong from his YouTube podcast It shows Fong sitting at a desk, with a laptop screen nearby and a water bottle. He is talking into a microphone.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics Coach Al Fong Suspended Five Years For Physical And Emotional Misconduct

Israel Daramola

The 2025 Hate List

Albert Burneko

Pedestrians pose for pictures in front of a giant Santa Claus figure displayed in a shopping mall in Berlin, on December 24, 2024.

Funbag

Advertisers Mustn’t Besmirch The Sacred Seasonal Shopping Demon

Ray Ratto

Draymond Green (23) argues an out of bounds call with referee Marc Davis (8) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Orlando Magic on December 22, 2025.

Draymond Green Is Still Innovating In The Meltdown Space

Veronica de Souza

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: How To Shop For A Couch

Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) experimenting with the first motion picture machine. B/W photo,1905.

The Best Things We Saw In 2025

Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (4) walks off the field after the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens NFL game at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Baltimore, MD.

DK Metcalf Suspended Two Games For Punching A Really Annoying Guy

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Kelsey McKinney

a hand holds a framed photo of Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Cox, and a terrier mix played by Gus the Dog. Everyone is in christmas attire

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘Merv’

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Jalen Duren #0 and Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on November 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Project B For “Basketball”, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid rubs his head after a failed third down play during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, December 21, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When The Window Closes, It Slams Shut

Dave McKenna

US boxer and influencer Jake Paul gets hit by British boxer Anthony Joshua (R) in a non-title heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on December 19, 2025.

Boxing

Jake Paul Getting All Fucked Up Is A Real Good News/Bad News Situation

Giri Nathan

Presenting The 2025 Shams Charania Award For Excellence In Divulging Of Information Through Syntax Comprehended By Many

College Football

UNC Plans To Employ Two Formerly Great Coaches

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Journalismism

Bari Weiss Keeps CBS News Groveling At The Feet Of Donald Trump

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Athina Ioannidou and guest attend the Sephora Cardiff Opening on October 23, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Dec. 22: Spinning Tops

EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 21: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers shields the puck from Jeremy Lauzon #5 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of the game at Rogers Place on December 21, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Leila Devlin/Getty Images)

Connor McDavid, Speed Demon

Fans cheer as Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field on October 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Our Favorite Sports Moments Of 2025

Rachelle Hampton

A man is asleep on a couch in front of a television.