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

Sarah Borus

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Harrison Bader #9 of the San Francisco Giants welcomes teammates back to the dugout between innings against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park on June 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Reports: Harrison Bader A Dope

Dave McKenna

Conor McGregor grabs at his knee during his fight against max holloway

The Fights

If Conor McGregor Was A Horse, They’d Have To Shoot Him

Maitreyi Anantharaman

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 22: Kennedy Burke #25 of the Connecticut Sun goes up for a shot defended by Natasha Cloud #9 of the Chicago Sky in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 22, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.

WNBA

The Chicago Sky Have Nothing To Look Forward To

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 and Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty celebrate after a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury at Barclays Center on May 27, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Don’t Think Too Hard About The New York Liberty

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


Chris Thompson

Stephon Castle dribbles against Alex Caruso

You Do Not Have To Hand It To Oklahoma City, And By “It” I Mean The Basketball

Patrick Redford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to an apparent injury against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Breaking Down The NBA’s Injury And Jeffrey Epstein Issues, With Henry Abbott

Ray Ratto

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City. This is the play in which he hurt his hamstring.

A Vengeful Deity Is Smiting The Lakers

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs kneels on the ice after being kneed by Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on March 12, 2026 in Toronto.

Auston Matthews Is Hurt And The Maple Leafs Are Burnt Toast

Jayson Tatum Might Redefine Basketball’s Worst Injury, Or Might Not

Steve Kerr Remembers Too Late That He Is Not A Doctor

USA's Lindsey Vonn takes part in the second official training for the women's downhill event ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 6, 2026.

Olympics

Luck Finally Failed Lindsey Vonn

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks bummed on the sideline.

Make Hay While The Sun Is Shining, By Losing In Earnest While Giannis Is Injured

Jimmy Butler’s Injury Thrusts Steve Kerr And Jonathan Kuminga Once More Into The Hell Of Working Together

Samer Kalaf

Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on at half-time of the NFL football divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills

Broncos Win The Game, But Lose Their Quarterback

Coach John McLendon showing and discussing play strategy to the players on the chalkboard doing basketball practice in the gym. (Photo by North Carolina Central University via Getty Images)

Convening The TrueHoop Ideas Summit, With Henry Abbott

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen Endures An Ass-Kicking And Gets His First Road Playoff Win

Giri Nathan

Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks to shoot as Micah Robinson #5 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs defends

College Basketball

The Health Of Darryn Peterson’s Legs Remains A Mystery

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 14: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs lays on the ground after sustaining an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Patrick Mahomes Tore His ACL And The Chiefs Tore Off The Bandage

Barry Petchesky

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 07: Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts is checked on by trainers after an injury during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

That About Does It For The Colts

Victor Wembanyama sits court-side in street clothes.

Basketball Is Too Hard For All This Soft Tissue

Tom Ley

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders walks to the locker room after injuring his left arm during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in the game at Northwest Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.

Jayden Daniels Shouldn’t Have Been Out There

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty cries on the bench after getting hurt during overtime against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena on September 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

This Liberty Season Can Always Get Grimmer

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria gets an injury in the Gentlemen's Singles Fourth Round match against Jannik Sinner of Italy on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2025 in London, England.

Tennis

On The Brink Of A Defining Victory, Grigor Dimitrov’s Body Failed Him

UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 18: Red Panda performs during halftime of a WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun on May 18, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Get Well Soon, Red Panda

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - JUNE 22: Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)