Consider the boundaries pushed
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
It’s Friday!
So why not treat yourself? ICYMI, we launched a pride collection featuring iconic hats and statement totes. Celebrate the last weekend of June by adding to cart, then go ahead and get your scroll on.
— Kenyan running sensation Faith Kipyegon, on her message for young girls watching her attempt to run a sub-four-minute mile during yesterday’s special “Breaking4” event. Kipyegon crossed the line in 4:06.42, missing the sub-four mark but still beating her previous world record time. Consider the boundaries pushed.
WNBA
🏀 Lay your cards on the table
The GIST: Think of today’s WNBA updates like an episode of Love Island — there’s a hot bombshell, a dramatic split, and something that just might break the internet. Cracking on…
🔥 A historic night for Las Vegas Ace A’ja Wilson: And no, we’re not talking about this iconic moment — the three-time MVP became the fastest player in league history to reach 5K career points during an 85–59 Wednesday win over the Connecticut Sun. Wilson reached the milestone in 238 games, beating the 242-game mark set by NY Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart.
💔 Indiana Fever waive six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner: The two-time champ missed five straight games due to personal reasons that reportedly centered on her fit with the team. Because in-season trades are out of the norm in the W, waiving Bonner was the next best option — which is good news for the 16-year vet, whose heart is (literally) set on a reunion with the Phoenix Mercury.
👀 Game to watch — Fever vs. Dallas Wings: Everyone’s talking about tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET showdown between the last two No. 1 picks — Indy’s Caitlin Clark and Dallas’ Paige Bueckers — but even with Clark’s status for the game unclear, there’s still plenty of reasons to tune in.
- Starting with the Fever, it’s Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell: Boston has been on an absolute tear this season, posting a career-high 31 points on Tuesday, while Mitchell has found her shooting stroke, knocking down a season-high five three-pointers two games ago.
- As for Dallas, in addition to the all-around play of Bueckers, keep an eye on Arike Ogunbowale. It hasn’t been the fastest of starts for the four-time All-Star, but Ogunbowale’s been deep in her bag lately, averaging 24 points over the last two games. Nothing but net.
🏀 Dallas Mavericks select Duke alum Cooper Flagg with No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft
No surprises here — Flagg was heralded as a top pick even before his standout freshman season at Duke. What was a surprise was the Brooklyn Nets using all five of their first-round draft picks, setting an NBA record for most picks made in one round. Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
🏒 NHL Draft first round set for tonight at 7 p.m. ET amidst free agency rumors
Unlike the NBA, many of this weekend’s selectees will initially remain in the NCAA or development leagues, making this draft feel a bit anticlimactic. But the current pros are keeping things spicy with a schedule extension and some big names — like Toronto Maple Leaf Mitch Marner and Florida Panther Brad Marchand — in the rumor mill ahead of July 1st’s free agent frenzy. Never a dull moment.
😡 MLB’s Wander Franco and NFL’s Justin Tucker face limited consequences for sexual abuse
Two years after Franco, a former superstar shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was first accused of sexually abusing a minor, he was finally convicted in his home country of the Dominican Republic yesterday. But he received a suspended two-year sentence, meaning he’ll avoid prison time as long as he’s not a repeat offender. Awful.
- In other nightmarish news, the NFL handed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker a measly 10-game suspension yesterday despite accusations of sexual harassment from 16 massage therapists. The news comes after the Ravens released the now-teamless Tucker in May for “football reasons.” Ugh.
⚽ International Friendly: No. 43 Costa Rica vs. No. 8 CanWNT — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — OneSoccer
- The red and white has historically dominated their Costa Rican foes: They haven’t lost to Las Ticas since 2015. And that’s great news as the Canadians continue to adapt to new head coach Casey Stoney ahead of next week’s showdown vs. the No. 1 USWNT.
🏎️ F1: Austrian Grand Prix — Sunday at 9 a.m. ET — TSN
- Defending race winner Mercedes’ George Russell; the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who are racing for redemption; and a little someone named Max Verstappen of Red Bull, aka the winningest driver at his team’s home track — anyone could top the podium this weekend. Buckle up.
🏉 WER: Legacy Cup — NY Exiles vs. Denver Onyx — Sunday at 3 p.m. ET — DAZN
- The Onyx are a scoring juggernaut, averaging a mind-boggling 49.2 points per game and dominating the competition all season long. Their only loss? A stunning 24–17 upset L to the Exiles at the beginning of the month. Only one can take home the ’ship.
🇨🇦 Concacaf Gold Cup: No. 106 Guatemala vs. No. 30 CanMNT — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — TSN
- If there’s anything we know about this Canadian squad, it’s that we never know what to expect. Here’s hoping a disappointing group stage finale draw with No. 90 Curaçao will light a fire under the unpredictable Canucks ahead of this do-or-die quarter-final.
Together With The Walrus
🏀 The future of women’s sports is taking shape in Canada. That’s right — plans for the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo are in full swing behind the scenes, and team president Teresa Resch is sharing her insights on the latest episode of Courage Inc.
- Tune in to hear host Duncan Sinclair and Resch discuss the Tempo’s plans for fan engagement, the challenges of building a franchise in Canada, and their efforts to build a competitive roster before the squad’s 2026 WNBA debut. Don’t miss this.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
⛵ What’s leveling the playing field
The Rolex SailGP Championship, the world’s leading sailing series featuring 12 co-ed (!!!) national teams competing on unpredictable international waters. All aboard.*
🎧 What to listen to
Our podcast interview with NY Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart. Stewie joined The GIST of It to discuss the defending champs’ season so far, her WNBA All-Star team picks, and so much more. Buckets.
⚽ What to read
Michele Kang’s game plan. She already owns three women’s soccer teams and is changing the sport on and off the pitch. Goals.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Set sail.Question of the Day
Run, baby, run. Inspired by the aforementioned Kipyegon’s incredible race, we want to know: What are your running goals?
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