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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

Giri Nathan

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five

Joel Embiid Stuns In New Upright Look

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's third goal from the penalty-spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France.

Soccer

PSG-Bayern Was Everything Soccer Can And Should Be

Ray Ratto

Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines dunks the ball during the National Semifinal game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026.

College Basketball

Who Actually Wants A Bigger NCAA Tournament?

Barry Petchesky

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 28: Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) blocks a shot during the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round game 5 between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild on April 28, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

They Don’t Call Him Jesper Sievestedt

<p>E.Y. Zhao is a writer and editor from St. Louis. Her debut novel, <a href="https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/underspin-9781662603266/"><i>Underspin</i></a>, set in the world of competitive table tennis, is out now. She holds a BA in history from Harvard College and an MFA from the University of Michigan.</p>


E.Y. Zhao

Berkeley's Sid Naresh hits a forehand on the move.

Table Tennis

The Biggest Tournament In Collegiate Table Tennis Is Underdog Utopia

<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

TREMOLI, ITALY - MAY 16: Portrait of professional road racing cyclist David Millar taken on May 16, 2011. (Photo by Joby Sessions/Procycling Magazine via Getty Images)

Funbag

I Have No Pages

Ty France grabs a ball that is seemingly foul. But it's fair!

That’s A Fair Ball, Believe It Or Not

Patrick Redford

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 27: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic dives for a loose ball during the first half of game four of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at the Kia Center on April 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Pistons 94 to 88 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wendell Carter Jr.

The Magic Are Winning The Beef War

Israel Daramola

US actor Jaafar Jackson poses for photogaphers as he arrives on the red carpet for the world premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" at the Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin on April 10, 2026.

Arts And Culture

‘Michael’ Is The Most Cynical Attempt At Biopic Myth-Making Yet

Dave McKenna

Future Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby shouts during the first half of the game between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Red Raiders

College Football

Texas Tech Transfer QB Brendan Sorsby Leaves School, Enters Gambling Rehab

<p>Ben Dowsett is a freelance technology and sports nerd based in Utah. His other recent work can be found at Wired, ESPN and elsewhere.</p>


Ben Dowsett

An illustration of a referee's shirt with an absurd number of military-style medals pinned to it

One Of The NBA’s Most Important Jobs May Be Headed Toward A Crisis

Manager Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets removes Kodai Senga #34 from the game during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

It’s Almost Time For MLB’s Underachievers To Rearrange Some Deck Chairs

Kathryn Xu

Manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout.

The Red Sox Can’t Even Clean House With Dignity

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs walks off the court after a 114-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Moda Center on April 26, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

De’Aaron Fox Makes The Game Fun For The Spurs

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Connor Murphy #5 , Trent Frederic #10, Darnell Nurse #25 and Tristan Jarry #35 of the Edmonton Oilers fill the goal after a shot by Ryan Poehling #25 of the Anaheim Ducks trickled over the line for a goal during the overtime period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 26, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Oilers, As Usual, Have Bigger Problems

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Amen Thompson #1 celebrates with Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Rockets Put Selves In Fine Position For Gentleman’s Sweep

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Sam Kerr #2 of Team Australia battles for possession with Samantha Mewis #3 of Team United States during the Women's Bronze Medal match between United States and Australia on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kashima Stadium on August 05, 2021 in Kashima, Japan.

Crosswords

The Crossword, April 27: You Lose (Themeless)

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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

Gwendoline Riley’s Phantom Lives

Qinwen Zheng of China returns a shot to Ekaterina Alexandrova during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 04, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Tennis

How Much Good Can A Green Clay Tennis Court Do?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees stands on deck in the third inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Jazz Chisholm Is So Bad At ABS Challenges

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs

Report: Victor Wembanyama Cleared To Play Game 4

Guests huddle under tables and on the floor after Secret Service agents hustle Donald Trump out of the WHCA Dinner on Apr. 25 2026

Politics

Everyone Survives White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

Paolo Banchero backs down in the post in Game 3 against Detroit.

Is Magic-Pistons The Most Interesting Series So Far?

Ayo Dosunmu celebrates against the Denver Nuggets

Ayo Dosunmu Had Himself A Game

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts on the bench after a go-ahead basket by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)