CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates scoring against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2023 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

Julius Randle’s Knicks Tenure Was Exhilarating And Infuriating

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to shoot against Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter in Game Two

WNBA

Napheesa Collier Keeps The Lynx Cool

A screencap of some unhappy Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball attendees

Life's Rich Pageant

‘Bridgerton’ Fans Paid Hundreds To Attend Sham Ball Organized By Uncle-Niece Duo

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski looks on at a Lakers game

Adrian Wojnarowski Leaves The Scoopster Life For A Job With His Alma Mater

A view of the crowd milling around the U.S. Open

Tennis

The U.S. Open Crowd Has Become Too Much Of A Good Thing

After Beating The Case, Jannik Sinner Beat The Field

Aryna Sabalenka raises the U.S. Open trophy

Aryna Sabalenka Conquers The U.S. Open At Last

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Jessica Pegula (R) of the United States shakes hands after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland during their Women's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Iga Swiatek Came Up With No Answers Against Jessica Pegula

Taylor Fritz of the United States celebrates a point against Alexander Zverev of Germany during their Men's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Nine of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Taylor Fritz Gets Over The Hump

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts after a point against Botic van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz Is Out

Fans cool off in misters during Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

A Sweltering U.S. Open Inspires Many Ways To Stay Cool, Most Of Them Useless

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Jannik Sinner Has The Resources To Take A Doping Violation With Dignity

Jannik Sinner of Italy shakes hands with Frances Tiafoe of the United States after beating him in the final of the Cincinnati Open

Frances Tiafoe Samples The Air At The Top Of The Tour

PARIS, FRANCE: AUGUST 11: A'Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States drives to the basket defended by Valeriane Ayayi #11 of Team France and Janelle Salaun #13 of Team France during the United States of America v France, Women's Basketball Gold Medal Game at the Bercy Arena during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 11th, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Olympics

The U.S. Women Win Gold In An Unfamiliar Nail-Biter

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Lebron James #6 and Stephen Curry #4 of Team United States celebrate after their team's win against Team Serbia during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Steph Curry Kept The U.S. On Top

USA's #11 Joel Embiid celebrates at the end of the men's semifinal basketball match between USA and Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Joel Embiid’s War With The French Nears Its Conclusion

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 04: Gold medallist Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia celebrates during the Tennis Men's Singles medal ceremony after the Tennis Men's Singles Gold medal match on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic Finally Adds Olympic Gold To His Hoard

A picture of US President Donald Trump is seen during a prayer ceremony by the activists of Hindu Sena, a right wing group, for Trump's victory in the US presidential elections in New Delhi on November 3, 2020.

Politics

Donald Trump Bumbles His Way Toward A More Perfect “Kamala”

US' Coco Gauff speaks with an official after a call goes against her while playing Croatia's Donna Vekic during their women's singles third round tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on July 30, 2024.

Coco Gauff’s Olympic Singles Run Ends With An Umpire Argument And Tears

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain, Novak Djokovic of Serbia competing in the Men's Singles Second Round during Day 3 of Tennis - Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal And Novak Djokovic Play One More For The Road

Joel Embiid Continues His Summer Of Grousing

A view of the basketball court at JFK International Airport

Wings Week

Who Was Getting Buckets At The JFK Airport Basketball Court?

Patrick Redford

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.</p>


Owen Lewis

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stretches to play a backhand volley against Daniil Medvedev in the Men's Singles Semi-Final match during day twelve of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

A Bird’s-Eye View Of Tennis’s Post-Wimbledon Landscape

Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick at a Summer League game

Celtics Wing Kisses Ring After Dissing King’s Offspring

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain kisses the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy following victory against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Gentlemen's Singles Final during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)