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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

Albert Burneko

There’s Never A Bad Time To Gawk At Young Shaq Highlights

Ray Ratto

Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs on April 30, 2026.

Sheesh!

Barry Petchesky

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 30: Jackson LaCombe #2 and Leo Carlsson #91 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal scored in the first period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 30, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Duck, Duck, Goals!

Giri Nathan

Mitchell Robinson staring at the camera, with the caption "Fire in my eyes"

Everything OK Over There, Mitchell Robinson?

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

Figure Skating

Figure Skater Who Reported Sexual Assault Comes Forward

David Roth

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks' center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena.

Podcasts

Getting Kicked In The Back By P.J. Brown

Jack Hanson

Arts And Culture

The Torpor Of ‘Converts’

Lauren Theisen

Vegas And Utah Are Murder On Early Bedtimes

Jon Rahm of Legion XIII celebrates with the trophy after winning the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 19, 2026 in Mexico City.

Golf

Saudi Arabia Decides LIV Golf Is Ready To Be Supported By Its Passionate Fan Base, Unbeatable Product

Patrick Redford

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Players, team members and other participants gather to attend the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The NBA’s Lottery Reform Proposal Will Change, But Not Eliminate, Tanking

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 29: Montréal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) checks Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (78) into the boards in the third period during game five of the first round playoff series between the Montreal Canadians and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, April 29. 2026 at Benchmark Intl Arena in Tampa, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

These Canadiens Will Not Be Pushed Around

Science

Let Pluto Rest In Dwarf Planet Peace

Mark Asch

Charli XCX Is Firmly In Her Cinephile Era

Jose Soriano of the Los Angeles Angels warms up in the outfield prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox on April 28, 2026.

The Angels Might Just Have A Dude In Jose Soriano

Two boys with fishing poles and cans of worms walk along a rural gravel road.

Minor Dilemmas

How Can I Resolve Conflicts Between My Younger Kid And His Older Brother?

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones leaves the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York on April 28, 2026. He wore a black suit and has several news photographers around him.

Prosecutors Got A Guilty Plea In The NBA Gambling Case

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to an apparent injury against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Breaking Down The NBA’s Injury And Jeffrey Epstein Issues, With Henry Abbott

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

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?

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

E.Y. Zhao is a writer and editor from St. Louis. Her debut novel, <a href="https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/underspin-9781662603266/">Underspin</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.

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

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

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

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.