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

Tom Ley

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England.

Soccer

Manchester United Can Stand On Marcus Rashford’s Shoulders

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers scores career-high 71 points during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2023 at the Moda Center Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Damian Lillard Put Up The Purest 71 Points Ever Scored

Giri Nathan

Lauri Markkanen Is A Dude Now

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


Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid blocks Ja Morant's shot attempt.

When Joel Embiid Decides To Be A Monster, Look Out!

Defector Up All Night

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is—LUSK CALLS THE SNOW DAY. BREAKING NEWS: LUSK CALLS THE SNOW DAY

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch

Great Hands Are Forever

Cam Thomas Is Vindication For Bucket Enthusiasts, If Not For The Nets

College Basketball

Caitlin Clark Knows When To Start The Show

Luis Paez-Pumar

Harold Castro of Leones del Caracas reacts after hitting a home run against Tiburones de la Guaira during the Game Six of the Venezuelan Baseball League Championship Series at the Universitario stadium in Caracas, on January 30, 2023.

Sports Don’t Get Much Better Than The Venezuelan Baseball Final

Getting To The Bottom Of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s So-Called “Blocks”

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Angel Reese Can Do It All Herself, Footwear Be Damned

Ja Morant Resumes Violence On Jakob Poeltl

Zion Williamson flexes during the pregame

Zion Williamson Left The Timberwolves Bruised And Salty

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after making the game tying basket against the New York Knicks with one second left in regulation to send the game to overtime at American Airlines Center on December 27, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.

Luka Doncic Did A Funny Little Dance And Scored A 60-Point Triple-Double

Aaron Gordon Got Up

Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby exchange high-fives.

The Raptors Deserve To Be Good

Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets

A Suggestion For How To Watch Your Puke Team Without Puking

Jimmy Butler Goes With The Flow

Ray Ratto

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 07: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres beats Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets for his first of four goals in the first period of the game at Nationwide Arena on December 7, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Let Tage Thompson Go For Seven, You Cowards


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a touchdown reception over Tre Avery #30 of the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 04, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A.J. Brown Wrecked His Old Team

Kylian Mbappé holds up two fingers to signify two goals scored.

Kylian Mbappé Scores Two Lovely Goals As France Puts Away Poland

Volleyball player dives into table. Blue court, table is press row but empty. South Dakota 1 point vs Houston 5 points Houston leads 1-2 (Best of 5)

Volleyball

Out Of The Way, Table!

Zion Williamson dunks as an entire Toronto Raptors squad looks on.

Zion After Raptors: Burp

Ivica Zubac high-fives head coach Tyronn Lue.

Ivica Zubac Went Ogre Mode For The Indomitable Clippers

Patrick Redford

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Robert Lewandowski of Poland shoots a penalty which is saved by Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Mexico and Poland at Stadium 974 on November 22, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by)