From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: After 72 games played, 215 goals scored, and only 16 countries eliminated, the World Cup group stage is complete. So, who is the best team left? Who is going to be in the final? Here are our writers' predictions: nyti.ms/4oPuVyZ

Between injuries, officiating flashpoints, and nonstop reaction around the league’s biggest star, Caitlin Clark’s third season has drifted far from the “fun” it was supposed to be. Free to read from @candacedbuckner.bsky.social: nyti.ms/4gaeR8N

The point, hilariously, is Sophie Cunningham. www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

In news that surely won't provoke reaction -Alyssa Thomas gets a one-games suspension for basically punching Caitlin Clark's throat -The WNBA, meanwhile, won't rescind Clark's fifth technical from Monday www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

"I'm feeling good. ... Hopefully I’ll be able to play a part tomorrow,” Christian Pulisic said Wednesday. More, unlocked and free to read: nyti.ms/4g54kf4

The overwhelming odds are that the USMNT will meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara in the next round of the World Cup. Can a country that has had to fight, literally and diplomatically, to be recognized internationally, pull off a stunner against the USA? We analyze: nyti.ms/4ajxvr6

Caitlin Clark won't have her fifth technical foul of the season rescinded, the WNBA says. Verdict on this matter is in: She's not defining the spirit of the league...yet. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Late Monday, with four claps and a technical foul, the floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse turned into a small claims court. It's the fascinating case of Caitlin Clark v. WNBA, and who wields the power to shape the spirit of the sport. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Becky Hammon is not apologizing. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Nneka Ogwumike was tasked with bringing meaning to the moment ahead of the WNBA's anniversary game. With one shot she gave the league a new touchpoint connecting the weight of its past to the possibility of its future. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

The Dallas Mavericks have named Michigan Wolverines' Dusty May as their new head coach, The Athletic confirms. May won a national championship with Michigan in April. www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

World Cup Day 12: ◽️Argentina vs. Austria ◽️France vs. Iraq ◽️Norway vs. Senegal ◽️Jordan vs. Algeria Our experts have background on each game, players to watch and predictions: nyti.ms/3SFODRP

Angel Reese is now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, accomplishing the feat in just 79 games. Reese surpasses Tina Charles, who hit the mark in 89 games: nyti.ms/4oGhvFD

NEWS: The WNBA is expanding its regular season schedule to 50 games beginning with the 2027 season. www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

After starring for 45 minutes in the United States’ 2026 World Cup opener, Christian Pulisic exited the game at halftime. Ever since, his left calf area has become a source of great concern, inquiry and mystery. Here’s what @henrybushnell.bsky.social is hearing ⤵️

Free New York Times subscriptions are now available to all Chicagoans through the city's public libraries. blockclubchi.co/4vy34Gp

Sunday's win clinched the Liberty's place in the Commissioner's Cup final. But they are not willing to foreshadow any future success despite the track record of past winners of the in-season tournament. "It's a good place to start." www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

From @theathletic.com: "In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, I’ve spent the past five years around the Canadian men’s national team," our reporter writes. He shares what the players are really like. nyti.ms/4v7xAq3

When we say The Athletic’s mega-preview for the USMNT's World Cup opener against Paraguay has everything you could possibly need, we mean it. Odds, predictions, lineups, storylines, TV times and even everyone’s favorite USMNT photo. Read for free: nyti.ms/4xouWh9

New NBA and WNBA rule: If a player does the twirly finger signal for a review, it's automatically a review. Make me commissioner.

Over the next 39 days, I'm locked in on the World Cup, focusing primarily on what this event means for America and the entire world during fraught time across the globe. A free link to my first essay in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Christian Pulisic has been the face of the USMNT for a decade. He was the face of anguish when the U.S. failed to qualify for Russia 2018. He was the hero at Qatar 2022, sending the U.S. through to the knockout round. But this World Cup could take his stardom to the next level. nyti.ms/4vNZffY

In this era, to be noticed, it's not enough to be good. You better have someone worth noticing. That's why Chicago Sky fans chanted "Sell The Team" after a loss to Angel Reese + the Atlanta Dream. That's the disconnect. @theathletic.com story open to all... www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

In this era, to be noticed, it's not enough to be good. You better have someone worth noticing. That's why Chicago Sky fans chanted "Sell The Team" after a loss to Angel Reese + the Atlanta Dream. That's the disconnect. @theathletic.com story open to all... www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

It occurs to me that "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is basically the college sports national anthem at this point.

From @theathletic.com: When Victor Wembanyama went to Gramercy Park before Game 3 to sketch a statue, it was more than just having fun in his free time. It was his process. As he sat there, sketching Hamlet, he saw his perspective on a tragic figure.

On Angel Reese’s big night back in Chicago, everyone had moved on. Except maybe the fans. Open to read for everyone... www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

Talked with a dozen HCs today about the Brendan Sorsby news. They're angry, confused and disillusioned. "Unbelievable." "F---ing crazy" "Egregious." "One of the worst things I’ve seen in 20 years of coaching.” Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

From @theathletic.com: In the same botanical family as coffee, kratom is widely available in some U.S. states but illegal in others. Critics have dubbed it “gas station heroin,” arguing that it is addictive, dangerous and poorly regulated.

If you are a human who is not injured and can throw a baseball roughly 60 feet or so, please report to Wrigley Field

According to Reuters, Aymen Hussein, the Iraq World Cup squad’s vice-captain, was held at Chicago’s O’Hare airport for almost seven hours for questioning by U.S. immigration officials when he arrived in the country for the tournament on Friday. Details: nyti.ms/4a5bCvJ

The Chicago Bears board of directors voted Friday to further explore Hammond, Ind., as the team’s priority location for its next stadium. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Everyone says Angel Reese is the missing piece in Atlanta, including the Dream, who have said literally those exact words. But she's not going to fix the nagging, irksome issue in an otherwise solid start. Open to all from Indianapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Yes, yes, everyone pays attention to Angel Reese. It's fair. But after Thursday's belly flop in Indiana, the spotlight is on others if the Atlanta Dream championship talk is to be believed. Free for all to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

I drew Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦 in the #WorldCup2026 company sweepstakes over here at @theathletic.com. We asked their fans to sum up their country in one line: "Above us the sky will burn." Open for all to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

The New York Liberty's offseason changes were all about maximizing the franchise's championship window. Where do things stand a month in? And how far can the Liberty really take things in 2026? www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

In a world more full of phony influencers and contrived personalities, there is one last beacon for the real ones. His name is Roger Maltbie. Followed Roger around at The Players for @theathletic.com. Learned about authenticity. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Big day for France.

Azzi Fudd replaced Odyssey Sims in the Dallas Wings’ starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, and she tied for a game-high 22 points in the Wings’ 95-87 victory over the defending champions. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

“Ego has been the downfall of many people’s careers,” Chet Holmgren told me. Story on how Holmgren learned to win without it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Why Dusty May hired an assistant coach he’d never met before (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon isn’t backing down from her opinion that a short guard can’t lead a team to an NBA title, even after what Jalen Brunson did Monday night. “I’m up for being proven wrong ... I think Jalen Brunson is a hell of a player.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

U.S. Soccer officially unveiled its roster for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie highlighting the host nation’s 26-man squad for this summer. The U.S. opens its World Cup in California on June 12 against Paraguay: www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Jaxson Dart was “pleasured” to introduce Trump at a political rally, Abdul Carter had different words to describe that scene. A very public rebuke from one NFL teammate to another shed slight on how even unified locker rooms might be functioning in the Trump era. www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

A San Antonio library created a “Read Like Wemby” campaign to highlight the NBA star’s love for reading. The goal is to inspire people of all ages, especially children, to read more. More from @mirinfader.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

On one of the biggest WNBA stages rookie Azzi Fudd had a breakout performance, exploding for a career-high 24 points. But is it enough to validate the Wings taking her No. 1 overall? Or is she still chasing Olivia Miles? www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Free to read: @jaredweissnba.bsky.social spent this season closely covering Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Here’s what we’ve learned about the NBA’s Next Big Thing. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

Sabrina Ionescu will play tomorrow against the Wings, she just confirmed post practice. She added that she’s taking things “day by day” so isn’t sure about Monday’s game against the Fire.

NEWS: Kyle Busch, one of the purest racing talents NASCAR has ever seen and winner of more national series races than any driver in history, has died after falling severely ill, NASCAR announced. Busch was hospitalized this week and never recovered. He was 41. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

A wide-ranging talk with Bill Self on roster building in this new era, how he built his 2026-27 roster, why the turnover and what kind of budget he was working with: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...