Bear hugs, incoming
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome back!
ICYMI: We just dropped new limited-edition merch celebrating, what else, women’s sports, saying loud and proud: “She’s not next, she’s now.” Start adding to cart while we catch up on the latest and greatest in sports news.
— Gymnastics legend and newly named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Simone Biles, who’s still undecided on competing in the 2028 LA Olympics after adding four medals (including three golds) to her collection at the 2024 Paris Games. Take your time, GOAT.
NFL Draft
🏈 Queue the chime
The GIST: Hope you like bear hugs because the 2025 NFL Draft starts tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET from Green Bay, Wisconsin. That’s right, the pick is (almost) in.
How it works: Launched in 1936, the draft has evolved from a one-day event held in hotel meeting rooms to a highly anticipated three-day party. The selection order is determined by each team’s performance during the previous season: The squad with the worst record picks first…barring any trades.
- The Tennessee Titans own this year’s first pick after finishing the 2024 season with an abysmal 3-14 record. What they lacked in, well, everything last year, they’ll try to make up for with their No. 1 selection. No pressure.
- From there, the picks keep comin’ and they don’t stop comin’ for seven rounds (with rounds two and three on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday), ending with Mr. Irrelevant, aka the very last pick at No. 257 overall. A true honor.
Storylines to watch: Quarterbacks are usually hot commodities on draft day, but only one signal caller is expected to come off the board early — Miami’s Cam Ward, who should go first overall to the rebuilding Titans. Instead, this year is all about defense: At least seven defensive linemen are expected to be picked in the opening round, including Penn State phenom Abdul Carter.
- Then there’s Colorado’s Travis Hunter. The Heisman Trophy winner is one of college football’s greatest two-way players ever, dominating as a wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes last season. Will he have to be a master of one in the NFL? Only time will tell.
❤️🩹 Milwaukee Bucks lose Game 2 despite Damian Lillard’s return
Diagnosed with a blood clot one month ago, simply seeing the dynamic point guard back on the floor was a welcome sight for hoops fans — but it wasn’t enough to boost the Bucks to a Game 2 win: Milwaukee lost 123–115 to the Indiana Pacers last night. Now in a 2-0 hole, Lillard and double-double machine Giannis Antetokounmpo have some work to do ahead of Friday’s Game 3.
- As one league giant returns, another’s Game 2 availability remains in question: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is doubtful for tonight’s 7 p.m. ET tilt against the Orlando Magic after suffering a bone bruise on his wrist in Sunday’s series-opening win.
✅ Detroit Pistons snap NBA-record 15-game postseason losing streak
The last time Pistons fans saw their squad win a playoff game? 2008, when “Low” by Flo Rida topped the charts. No boots with the fur needed here — Cade Cunningham’s monstrous 33-point, 12-rebound performance lifted Detroit to a 100–94 Game 2 win over the NY Knicks on Monday, evening the series at one game apiece ahead of tomorrow’s 7 p.m. ET Game 3 from Motown.
🪣 LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard nets 39 points in Game 2 win
There’s nothing scarier than vintage Leonard — just ask the Denver Nuggets, who fell 105–102 to the Clips in Monday’s Game 2. The spicy series continues in LA tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET, where Leonard will be basking in being back on the court: He’s spent most of the last few seasons on the sidelines with knee issues, playing just 37 regular-season games this year out of a possible 82.
- As for LA’s sister squad, the Lakers came out of the gates hot last night — in fact, Luka Dončić outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by himself in the first quarter. The 94–85 Lakers win levels the seven-game set as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday.
Together With The GIST
🚨 This merch isn’t next, it’s now — like, right now
Sick of hearing that the future of women’s sports is bright? We thought so. Women are and have been running up the score on and off the field. They’re not next, they’re now.
- To celebrate how far women in sports have already come, we teamed up with Bauer and Rookie Made to create a custom merch drop that meets the moment and celebrates our unmatched community. Giving a whole new meaning to the term “iced out.”
Cop the jersey or the t-shirt and show the world you were there to witness this moment in women’s sports. We’d hurry if we were you — this is a limited-edition run, so place your order while supplies last. Go ahead, wear your heart on your sleeve.
- P.S. Ten percent of all sales go to Black Girl Hockey Club, which is building on the momentum to make the game more inclusive. Score.
👟 Kenyan distance runner Sharon Lokedi made history at Monday’s Boston Marathon, winning one of the world’s most prestigious races with a blistering 2:17:22 finish — more than two and a half minutes faster than the previous women’s course record. Wicked fast.
🎓🏀 The NCAA basketball transfer portal closes today, meaning players seeking greener pastures must declare intent to transfer and enter the database. Once they’re in the portal, there’s no deadline to find a new home — big names like South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley could keep us guessing for weeks.
⚽ USWNT and Washington Spirit superstar Trinity Rodman will be out indefinitely to manage ongoing back issues, the Spirit announced last weekend. There’s no timeline for her return, and the 22-year-old said she doesn’t think her back “will ever be 100 percent.”
- Meanwhile, Rodman’s USWNT teammate Naomi Girma — aka the Million-Dollar Woman — returned for Chelsea on Sunday, six weeks after aggravating a calf injury in her Champions League debut. Love seeing her back on the pitch, if only for the final 10 minutes.
⛳ The first major of the LPGA season hits the fairways tomorrow with the Chevron Championship teeing off at 7:15 a.m. ET from The Woodlands, Texas. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, the reigning champ and excellent menu curator, will seek her first win of the season.
🎓🥎 Stanford softball set a new NCAA single-game attendance record when more than 13K fans packed the Cardinal’s football stadium for their Saturday game against Bay Area rival Cal. It was a 10–8 loss for Stanford but a win for women’s sports.
🏒 Sunday gifted us a classic USA vs. Canada IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medal showdown, but it didn’t break the Red and White’s way this time: The gritty Canadians battled to the bitter end, but fell 4–3 in an overtime (OT) thriller.
🎓🤸 Oklahoma won their third gymnastics national championship in four years on Saturday, further cementing their dynasty behind an individual title–winning performance from senior Jordan Bowers. Boom(er Sooner).
🔴 Montreal Canadiens vs. 👀 Washington Capitals — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet
- The Canadiens came oh so close to pulling off a Game 1 upset on Monday, but history-making Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin did Ovi things and scored his first-ever playoff OT goal, clinching a 3–2 win.
- The Habs outshot the Caps in Game 1 and will need another magnifique night to keep this matchup closer than anticipated.
💫 Dallas Stars vs. 🏔️ Colorado Avalanche — Tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET — Sportsnet
- The Stars pulled off an OT winner of their own on Monday, topping the Avalanche 4–3 to even the series heading into this Game 3. But tonight, it’ll be all eyes on the Avs to see if longtime captain Gabriel Landeskog makes his highly anticipated return after three years of injury recovery.
💙 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. ❤️ Ottawa Senators — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet
- The Battle of Ontario rages on, with the Leafs boasting a 2-0 series lead after last night’s testy 3–2 OT win. Tune in tomorrow to see if forward Max Domi can lead the Buds once again, this time on the Sens’ home ice.
Together With Smirnoff
Hosting your friends for the game? So in. But people pleasing? It’s out. What’s a girl to do? Enter: Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, the easiest way to satisfy every guest’s cocktail preferences without forcing you to play bartender all night.
- Smirnoff No. 21 delivers consistency and quality every time, whether your guests opt for classic cocktails or something with a little more pizzazz. All that’s left to do is toast the moments that matter — like that game-winning goal.*
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
👟 What to check out
This article about Kenyan runner Mary Ngugi and her mission to create a safe space for girls to train at Nala Track Club. Empowering and inspiring.
💁🏾♀️ Who to know
Brittany Hampton, the stylist dressing Gen Z WNBA stars. Slaying on and off the court.
💃 Who’s serving up confidence
Kt, Knix’s teen-focused, leakproof answer to period anxiety. For a limited time, take 30% off period underwear and sleep shorts, 30% off leakproof activewear, and 40% off Last Call items — so you can always go with the, ahem, flow.
Question of the Day
Now that you’re primed for the upcoming NFL Draft, what’s your fave tradition from the night? Choose from the options below or reply to this email with your highlight.
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Marga Sison, Monica Schrock, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.