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One-way traffic in the Conference Finals

Author

Ben Remis
May 23, 2025

Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Thursday, May 22.

NHL

Someone go tell the Carolina Hurricanes that their hockey game started. Or maybe not, because at this point I’m not sure how you respond to the Florida Panthers. The defending champs were unstoppable in game two, scoring early and often in a 5-0 victory. Sam Bennett led the way with two goals as the Panthers take a commanding 2-0 lead back home. I know that’s a pretty short recap, but there’s nothing else to say. As surprising as it seems when you reach this level of the postseason, one team was significantly better than the other.

NBA

It feels a bit like the Oklahoma City Thunder are inevitable. Minnesota threw all they could at the top seed in the West, but just like in game one, OKC was too good. Newly-crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way 38 points, while his all-star teammate Jalen Williams had a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pretty much said it all afterwards: “So we’re going to go home and fight for Game Three. Heads up, look at the tape and get ready for Game Three.

MLB

One more chance for some recaps before the weekend rolls around:

  • The Toronto Blue Jays swept the struggling San Diego Padres, thanks to this Nathan Lukes’ walk-off single in the 11th.

  • Washington won their fifth-straight game after a walk-off win against the Atlanta Braves. The big story, however, is who made the key contributions. CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Robert Hassell III (in his MLB debut) accounted for six of the team’s eight runs. All three exciting young players have been quite successful this season. All were acquired in the Juan Soto trade, along with tomorrow’s starter for the Nationals, the National League strikeout leader MacKenzie Gore.

  • And after a light Thursday schedule, here’s a fun exercise to ponder– esteemed baseball scribe Jayson Stark came up with his team of the last 25 years. The best starting nine, rotation, and closer, considering performances from 2000-present. It’s hard to argue with his selections:

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

The College Football Playoff Committee has voted to change the format again. This time it sorta makes sense– conference champions will no longer receive a bye. Instead, the bracket will be seeded straight-up, 1-12.

Can we talk about the Pacers and that incredible comeback one last time? Aaron Nesmith entered the game with five minutes left in the 4th quarter and hit SIX threes! Nesmith made eight total threes in the game, setting a new personal record.

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric will be leaving the club this summer. Winner of the Ballon d’Or award for best player in the world in 2018, the steady Croatian midfielder leaves Spain after 13 seasons and too many trophies to count. A well-deserved tribute video can be seen here, or you can buy tickets to Modric’s last Real Madrid appearance at the Club World Cup taking place in the US this summer.

The Nuggets are promoting interim coach David Adelman to the full-time role. Apparently the Denver leadership was impressed with Adelman’s performance leading the team over the last few weeks.

Finally, I have to highlight this awesome article from ESPN about the unsung heroes of the NBA: ball boys. Check it out here, I think you’ll enjoy reading.

THIS WEEKEND’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

NBA:

  • Pacers @ Knicks, 8 PM on TNT/Max

  • Thunder @ Timberwolves, Saturday at 8:30 PM on ABC

  • Knicks @ Pacers, Sunday at 8 PM on TNT/Max

NHL:

  • Oilers @ Stars, 8 PM on ESPN

  • Hurricanes @ Panthers, Saturday at 8 PM on TNT/Max

  • Stars @ Oilers, Sunday at 3 PM on ABC

MLB:

  • Mariners @ Astros

  • Padres @ Braves

  • Dodgers @ Mets

FRENCH OPEN: Round one begins Sunday! There’s no order of play yet, but all matches can be streamed on Max

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

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