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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Giri Nathan

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

TENNIS-AUS-OPEN

Tennis

Novak Djokovic Teaches Carlos Alcaraz One More Crucial Lesson

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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.

Orlando Magic v Toronto Raptors

Injury Luck Is All About Timing

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Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid vs Boston

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

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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.

Kansas City Chiefs v Cleveland Browns

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

lonzo

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

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

DFM New Headshot

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.

Trevor Lawrence on medical cart

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.

steph and luka

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

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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.

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder

The NBA Is Turning Into One Big Hospital Ward

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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

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Ah Shit, Shohei Ohtani Messed Up His Shoulder

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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.

Cincinnati Bengals v Cleveland Browns

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.

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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.

Tua Tagovailoa

Squeamish Is The New Game Face

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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)

Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins

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.

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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.

Las Vegas Raiders v Minnesota Vikings

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)

Oakland Athletics v Los Angeles Angels

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)

Kansas City Royals v Los Angeles Dodgers

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)

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The Knicks Are Decaying Rapidly

Joel Embiid and Isaiah Hartenstein

Joel Embiid Is Persevering, For Good And Ill

Brock Burke pitches for the Texas Rangers

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

injuries