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Defector

Israel Daramola

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

Ray Ratto

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

Patrick Redford

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

Giri Nathan

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?

Barry Petchesky

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

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