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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

Barry Petchesky

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner, looks on before Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on April 24, 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)

New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Not Exactly Inspiring Confidence

Dave McKenna

Policing

Five Years After Peyton Ham’s Killing, Lawsuit Against State Trooper Who Shot Him Lives On

Tom Ley

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Pistons Did Everything Wrong


<p>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</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on in the dugout during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Los Angeles Angels on May 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. He has a smile on his face.

Shohei Ohtani Adds “Little League Home Run” To His Résumé

Patrick Redford

BLOCKHAUS, ITALY - MAY 15: Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Team Visma | Lease a Bike celebrates at podium as stage winner during the 109th Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 7 a 244km stage from Formia to Blockhaus 1658m / #UCIWT / on May 15, 2026 in Blockhaus, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Cycling

Jonas Vingegaard And The Impossible Standard

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) embrace after the Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 139-109 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals to clinch the series at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Friday, May 15, 2026. ]

These NBA Playoffs Have Been Fantastic

Defector Staff

Announcements

Defector Numbers Guy Sean Kuhn Called Up To Big Leagues


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

A picture taken on September 6, 2021 shows the reconstruction of the face of the oldest Neanderthal found in the Netherlands, nicknamed Krijn, on display at the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. - - Netherlands OUT (Photo by Bart Maat / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by BART MAAT/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Science

Would You Want This Guy As Your Dentist?

<p>Lindsey Adler is a writer based in Brooklyn. She exclusively covered sports for a decade but has other interests, too.</p>


Lindsey Adler

Arts And Culture

Consider The Sister

Tony Dokoupil at the 2026 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

Media Meltdowns

Tony Dokoupil Flew 8,000 Miles Just To Eat More Shit

David Roth

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs on May 12, 2026.

Podcasts

The “Too Large” Gesture, With Patrick Redford

Mark Vientos of the New York Mets attempts to force out Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers after a fielding error during the sixth inning at Citi Field on May 13, 2026.

Mark Vientos Just Kind Of Falling Down Tells The Story Of The Mets’ Season

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Head coach Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries smiles on the side of the court during the first half of their game against the Chicago Sky at Chase Center on May 13, 2026 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

WNBA

Even A Bad Valkyries Game Is A Pretty Great Time

Boston, MA - April 15: Joe, a Western Lowland Gorilla, at the Franklin Park Zoo on April 15, 2026. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

We Have A Gorilla Trade

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


Chris Thompson

The Pistons Had Their Chances

two computer-animated sheep peering through a window

Defector At The Movies

‘The Sheep Detectives’ Made Me Baaaawl My Eyes Out

<p>Grace Byron is a critic, reporter, and novelist based in Queens. Her writing has appeared in <em>The New Yorker</em>, <em>Granta</em>, <em>Bookforum</em>, and elsewhere. Her debut novel <em>Herculine</em> is out now.</p>


Grace Byron

Patrick Radden Keefe’s ‘London Falling’ Tries To Separate Fact From Fiction

The Saddest Place In America Is Wherever The Washington Post Films This Podcast

DENVER, CO - MAY 13: The Colorado Avalanche celebrate defenseman Brett Kulak (27) of the Colorado Avalanche's overtime goal on goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) of the Minnesota Wild during overtime of Game 5 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Who’s Stopping These Avs?

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<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>
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Abigail Segel

PWHL

Five Nights With The Montreal Victoire, Who Dragged Me To Hockey Heaven

Samer Kalaf

Jason Collins warms up for the Brooklyn Nets

Jason Collins Got To Tell His Own Story

Luis Paez-Pumar

A bookie at the Brighton races studies the field.

Soccer

Southampton In Hot Water Over World’s Most Conspicuous Spygate

<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

A woman sits at the dinner table eating with her young son, who is making a funny face while his plate of food sits untouched. The black and white minor dilemmas logo is in the middle of the image.

Minor Dilemmas

How Do I Get My Picky Eater Off A Chicken Nugget-Based Diet?

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club looks on before the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Golf

Tiger Woods’s Prescription Records Will Be Shielded From The Public

The Pittsburgh Steelers stand in a darkened tunnel