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

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet at the net after their Australian Open match.

Tennis

Novak Djokovic Teaches Carlos Alcaraz One More Crucial Lesson

Patrick Redford

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 3: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic leaves the court following the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 3, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

Injury Luck Is All About Timing

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The 76ers Are Showing Signs Of Life Amid Brushes With Death

Israel Daramola

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Even With Patrick Mahomes’s Injury, The Chiefs Feel Inevitable

“Do Not Wear Dad’s DIY Sneakers” Is A Lesson Lonzo Ball Learned The Most Painful Possible Way

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

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is taken off the field in a medical cart during the second quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Azeez Al-Shaair Confronted And Ejected After Ugly Hit That Gave Trevor Lawrence Concussion

Zion Williamson Is Back In The Shop

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

The NBA In-Season Tournament Will Be A Referendum On The Regular Season

Ray Ratto

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 8: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a made basket during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center on November 8, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

The NBA Is Turning Into One Big Hospital Ward

Samer Kalaf

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sustains a shoulder injury while trying to seal second base during the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series

Ah Shit, Shohei Ohtani Messed Up His Shoulder

Tom Ley

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is taken off the field on a medical cart in the second quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengalsat Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Crying Deshaun Watson Carted Off Field After Non-Contact Leg Injury

Josh Allen is injured after a play in the fourth quarter of the Bills-Texans game.

The Bills’ Management Of The Clock And Josh Allen Was Atrocious

Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Squeamish Is The New Game Face

Barry Petchesky

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins walks off the field after play on the field against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

This Can’t Keep Happening To Tua Tagovailoa

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

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings dives with the ball for a first down during the pre-season game against Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy’s season was cut short due to a knee injury in the preseason game.

Funbag

Bad Timing Can Make Any Injury Devastating

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 28: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on in the dugout during the regular season game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

Troutless Again

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after getting hit by a pitch during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

There Is No Replacing Mookie Betts

Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks &amp; Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks help Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks up during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks Are Decaying Rapidly

Joel Embiid Is Persevering, For Good And Ill

Brock Burke pitches for the Texas Rangers

Rangers’ Brock Burke Disrupts Recent Spate Of Pitcher Elbow Injuries, Breaks His Hand

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: Atlanta Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz (r) talks to Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) and Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (16) at the pitching mound during the Atlanta Braves 2024 season Home Opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 5, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Elbows Are Exploding

Ben Simmons Is Back In Hell

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells in the face of head coach Andy Reid in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.