The English teacher and the gym teacher

The GIST: The WNBA standings are like reality TV, but with layups. Aside from the Minnesota Lynx, who’ll likely lock in the No. 1 spot this week, nearly every postseason position is up for grabs — and there are only two weeks left in the regular season. The drama.

🔥 A’ja Wilson powers postseason-bound Las Vegas Aces: The Aces became the second team to punch their postseason ticket after Monday’s 79–74 win over the Chicago Sky, but that wasn’t always in the, ahem, cards. The Aces were tied for eighth at the All-Star break — now, they’re on an 11-game win streak, and Wilson’s a major reason why.

• The three-time MVP has been virtually unstoppable since an impassioned plea to her teammates after a 53-point loss to the Lynx at the beginning of the month, averaging 26.2 points and 12.7 rebounds over the last 11 games.

• But that’s not the only way she’s influencing her squad: Wilson’s also taking on additional scouting duties, helping prepare for opponents from a strategic perspective — and that’s paid dividends, leveling up the Aces’ offensive output in particular. Truly A’one of one.

👀 Six postseason tickets still up for grabs: Three of the remaining spots will almost certainly go to the Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, and NY Liberty, who are second, fourth, and fifth in the standings respectively, while the Golden State Valkyries (seventh), Seattle Storm (eighth), LA Sparks (ninth), and Washington Mystics (tenth) will all contend for the other three. Prepare for hoopla.

The GIST: Taylor Swift has her ring, but the chase is just beginning for the NFL’s 32 teams. The season kicks off in just over a week (!!!), meaning fantasy football drafts are in full swing as millions of people assemble their imaginary rosters.

• Whether you’re new to fantasy football or a seasoned vet, you take care of the (maybe Swiftie-inspired) team name and let us help with the rest. Here’s a cheat sheet to make draft day a breeze.

✅ Select running backs (RB) and wide receivers (WR) in the early rounds: Top-tier RBs and WRs are drafted early and often, and for good reason — they accumulate the most points compared to other positions. That said, beware of injuries: Last year’s consensus No. 1 pick, San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, spent most of the 2024 season injured. Oof.

💪 Top players for your draft day wishlist: Based on last year’s fantasy dominance, RBs Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), and Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) are topping draft boards while Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), and CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) are holding it down for the WRs.

• Notably missing from the top player picks? Quarterbacks (QBs). Though they’re the most important players on actual NFL rosters, don’t waste an early fantasy football pick on a signal-caller — most starting QBs will get the job done.

⭐ Most importantly, update your lineup weekly: Injuries, opposing matchups, and bye weeks all impact which players you should start (the ones that are eligible to contribute points to your team’s total) and which ones will be riding the pine. You can also trade, drop, and add players to your lineup all season long. Happy managing, and may the draft order odds be ever in your favor.

You know that women’s sports are Glinda-level popular — but that doesn’t mean pro women athletes receive all the resources and support they deserve. Thankfully, Golf Town is leveling the playing field, one Players Tour Truck at a time.

• For the second straight year, competitors at the CPKC Women’s Open had their clubs adjusted, regripped, repaired and more by Golf Town’s team of experts at this truck hub. Player centers like these are a mainstay for male pros, but a luxury in the women’s game. Sigh.

Thankfully, Golf Town is part of the solution, supporting women’s golf one new club at a time. Experience Golf Town’s patron commitment yourself and check out their custom fit program today.

Basketball icon Angel Reese’s bold “you can’t see me” hand wave during LSU’s 2023 NCAA title run sparked headlines, heated debates, and a whole new wave of women’s basketball fandom. Now, she’s bringing that same fire to the WNBA, rebounds included.

👏 Why we’re a fan:​ She’s confident, passionate, and always entertaining. As for her star power? It’s simply undeniable.

🚨 Reese’s hustle leads the Sky to dubs, and she could do the same for you. With FanDuel’s best-in-class WNBA bets, you can wager on whether the two-time All-Star will haul in more than six, eight, 10 or even 12 mebounds rebounds in tomorrow’s game.

🎾 US Open: World No. 91 Elsa Jacquemot vs. No. 30 Leylah Fernandez — Today at 3:30 p.m. ET — TSN

• After cruising past compatriot No. 117 Rebecca Marino in the first round, Fernandez faces a tougher test in Jacquemot as she swings to rediscover the magic from her 2021 US Open finals run.

• And tomorrow, three Canadian men will serve in the second round: No. 27 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 29 Denis Shapovalov, and No. 33 Gabriel Diallo.

⚾ MLB: Minnesota Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays — Tonight at 7:07 p.m. ET — Sportsnet

• The Jays blew their ninth-inning lead in last night’s 7–5 loss to the lowly Minnesota Twins, a tough L against a struggling squad. Have no fear, though, sharp southpaw Eric Lauer will take the mound for tonight’s series finale from Rogers Centre.

⛳ LPGA: FM Championship — Tomorrow through Sunday — GOLF Channel

• The LPGA is shipping up to (TPC) Boston for the FM Championship, a tourney featuring 35 of the top 40 players on tour, including Canadian Open champ Brooke Henderson and world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul.

• And the trophy is truly anyone’s for the taking, given there’s yet to be a repeat winner this season. Pari-tee at its finest.

⚽ NSL: Halifax Tides vs. Ottawa Rapid FC — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — CBC Gem

• We’re about two-thirds of the way through the Northern Super League’s (NSL) inaugural season, which means it’s time to start talking playoffs. The top four teams out of six will make it to the postseason in October, and right now, Halifax is on the outside looking in. No pressure.