He can’t keep getting away with this

The GIST: With a pair of Game 1s done and dusted, the postseason push to hoist the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy and the NHL’s Stanley Cup continues. Let’s dive in on the glorious, championship-defining deets.

🏀 Indiana Pacers steal Game 1 in Oklahoma City: The Pacers picked the perfect time to snag their first lead of last night’s series-opening game — with 0.3 seconds left on the clock. That’s right, Indy’s finest did it again, forging a stunning fourth-quarter comeback behind who else but Tyrese Haliburton and beating the OKC Thunder 111–110. Basketball is fun, indeed.

• Buoyed by 38 points from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder led by 12 points at the half and as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, and forced the Pacers into an NBA record 19 first-half turnovers…but can they play a full 48 minutes in Sunday’s 8 p.m. ET Game 2?

🏒 Edmonton Oilers complete comeback in Game 1 win: No déjà vu here — the Oil took a 1-0 series lead in their Stanley Cup Final revenge tour, rallying from two goals down in Wednesday’s 4–3 overtime win over the defending champ Florida Panthers. The blown lead is out of character for the Cats, who were 31-0 in the playoffs when leading after the first two periods.

• Another departure from the 2024 script? A vintage performance from Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl, who tallied zero goals in last year’s final but already has two (including the game-winner) this time around. See if the magic continues in Game 2 tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

The GIST: Not done yet. No. 12 seed Texas Tech softball beat No. 6 seed Texas 4–3 in last night’s Women’s College World Series (WCWS) final Game 2, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

• And while the collegiate softball season is coming to an end, the pro campaign is just beginning — Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) begins its highly anticipated debut season tomorrow. How lucky are we?

🎓 NiJaree Canady, Red Raiders keep their title hopes alive: After losing Wednesday’s viewership record-setting Game 1 in stunning fashion, Canady & Co. bounced back in a big way last night, posting a three-run sixth inning before surviving a valiant Texas comeback attempt in the seventh.

• The star pitcher will almost certainly be in the circle for tonight’s do-or-die Game 3 as the Longhorns likely counter with their ace, Teagan Kavan. We will be seated for this one.

🚨 AUSL action begins after historic leadup: But wait, there’s even more softball on deck. Fresh off inking the first-ever pro softball partnership with MLB, the landmark AUSL season begins with tomorrow’s two-game opening day slate, beginning at 3 p.m. ET and airing on MLB.TV.

• In a move away from the initial AU individual format, AUSL will follow a more traditional team-based model, with the league’s four teams — the Bandits, the Blaze, the Talons, and the Volts — competing around the country throughout the season.

• Not only will the AUSL feature the game’s best on the diamond — including just-graduated NCAA stars like the No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma’s Sam Landry — it also boasts a superstar front office, including former MLB general manager Kim Ng as commissioner.

We have a winner — blind hockey player Joe Fornasier is officially Canada’s Next Great Hockey Creator thanks to his inspiring submission in the contest held by The GIST and Truly Hard Seltzer to elevate underrepresented voices in the hockey community. And lucky for Joe, winning the $10K grand prize was just the beginning.

• Truly, the Official Hard Seltzer of the NHL® in Canada, is sending Joe (and a buddy) to the 2025 Stanley Cup® Final where he’ll create content for Truly’s socials. Slay.

Follow Truly today to catch all of Joe’s upcoming hockey adventures, from the NHL postseason to Joe’s own escapades with the Canadian national blind hockey team. He shoots (great content), he scores. Congratulations, Joe!

The GIST: One fortnight and several allegations of sexism later, the final weekend of Roland-Garros is here. The women’s championship is set and the men’s semis are underway now, but unlike the tournament schedulers, we’re giving the gals the prime spot. Allez.

👏 World No. 2 Coco Gauff to face No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in final: For the first time since 2013, the top two women’s players will compete for the French Open title. Gauff booked her spot by overpowering French phenom Loïs Boisson in yesterday’s semi, while Sabalenka defeated three-time reigning champ Iga Świątek in three sets hours later.

• These fierce competitors have split their 10 pro faceoffs — including their last major final, Gauff’s 2023 US Open win — though Sabalenka took their most recent battle, the Madrid Open final last month.

• How will Sabalenka’s serve hold up against the American icon, a formidable returner? Brew that coffee, grab a croissant, and tune in tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET.

📖 History on the line in men’s semis: There are two matches today: defending Roland-Garros champ and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti, happening now, and No. 1 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 6 Novak Djokovic at 1 p.m. ET.

• Both matchups are showstoppers ahead of Sunday’s finale, but our eyes are on The Joker, who is once again searching for his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Tick tock.

💜 LA Sparks vs. 🪽 Dallas Wings — Tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET — WNBA League Pass

• With just three wins between them, it’s no secret these two squads are a work in progress, but that doesn’t mean this late-night tilt lacks starpower (even without Wings rookie Paige Bueckers). Buckle up for a savvy guard battle between Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale and LA’s Kelsey Plum.

♠️ Las Vegas Aces vs. ⚔️ Golden State Valkyries — Tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET — WNBA League Pass

• Sometimes breakups happen because of bad timing — just ask former Aces rookie Kate Martin, who was snagged by the Valkyries in last year’s expansion draft. Now with a new crew, Martin knows firsthand how tough it is to top reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and Vegas.

🥵 Indiana Fever vs. 🌤️ Chicago Sky — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — WNBA League Pass

• The Sky and Fever (who are still sans Caitlin Clark) lead the league in pace, meaning they play — and usually score — fast. Blink and you’ll miss them at the nearly 21K-seat United Center in Chicago, the backdrop for this spicy showdown.