Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS
Sun Goes Down
The Calm app is putting their money where their (tennis) Zen is, Lakers are out of the playoffs and a Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul fight preview.
Make a connection on a long summer night with a little sports chatter that can easily be turned into a conversation about travel (hello French Open), tech (thanks Calm app) or YouTube videos (gracias Logan Paul).
Did someone say travel?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Tennis
The Calm app is putting their money where their Zen is. After the uproar about Naomi Osaka missing press conferences and then subsequently dropping out of the tournament to take care of her mental health, the Calm app is stepping in. They announced that they would pay the fines for players who decide to skip their press conferences at the French Open. (Osaka’s fines were $15,000). Keep an eye on Serena Williams (No. 7) as she plays in the third round this morning against a fellow American in an unranked Danielle Rose Collins. SMOOTH MOVE
Overtime
You know you were curious how much it would cost you to see YouTube star Logan Paul go head to head in the ring with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. For the price of $49.99, you can watch one of the best in boxing (likely) knockout his opponent in Miami. As you might recall, these two have been drumming up the buzz around the fight with Paul and his brother hiring round-the-clock security to protect them from Mayweather’s entourage. The fight is non-sanctioned, aka an exhibition fight, so there won’t be judges, but knockouts will be allowed. THE PRICE IS RIGHT TO GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE
Sideline stat
For the first time in his career, LeBron James is out of the playoffs in the first round. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the playoffs last night by the Phoenix Suns (NBA - National Basketball Association). Even after dropping 46 points on them, James still met up with Devin Booker, Kendall Jenner's boyfriend, postgame to give him his signed jersey. (Jersey exchanges are tradition). ONWARD AND UPWARD
Coaches’ corner
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) starts its season today. They are currently the only outdoor professional lacrosse league in the country after buying their competitor, the 20-year-old Major League Lacrosse. The PLL has disrupted the traditional sports business model with a tour-based league (i.e., no home cities) and no team owners (more money to pay players). They’re also providing a vesting schedule to give players equity in the league. (Want to know more about lacrosse? Check out our lacrosse 101). NEW(ISH) KID ON CAMPUS
What to watch…
...Michelle Wie West as she makes her comeback after being absent from competitive golf for two years. In those two years, she’s added wife (married to the NBA’s Jerry West’s son) and mom to her list of accomplishments, all while overcoming major injuries. Wie West will be joining her fellow LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfers Association) players in the U.S. Open this weekend. WELCOME BACK
Just The Way You Like It
Lakers are champs, a vegan pup who inspired a win and “The Bachelorette” premieres tomorrow thanks to LeBron James
Bringing you the hard-hitting news you want like a vegan pup and why you should thank LeBron James for filling your Bachelorette void.
Monday morning done right,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
“The Bachelorette” fans can all breathe a sigh of relief this morning because the show will premiere tomorrow night thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers destroyed the Miami Heat last night to earn their 17th championship. It was bittersweet for the team as this is the first championship since Kobe Bryant won it in 2010. If the series made it to game seven, fans would’ve had to wait until another day to watch Clare search for love on TV. LeBron James and his teammates must have been a fan of the show too because they locked it down in true championship fashion. (Don’t forget to fill out your Bachelorette bracket). CELEBRATIONS ALL AROUND
Overtime
Even at 48 years old Shaquille O’Neal still has things he’s never done before – like vote. The NBA Hall of Famer and basketball analyst revealed that he voted for the first time in this year’s election. This week on his podcast he said "I voted for the first time, and it feels good.” He said he never really understood how the system worked but now that he’s involved in various campaigns encouraging people to vote that he felt like a hypocrite not casting his ballot. YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Sideline stat
Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton, 35, tied the record for career wins yesterday his 91st career victory. No doubt his biggest fan (and maybe fitness inspiration?), his Insta-famous dog Roscoe, who recently went vegan to heal his aches and pains, was oozing with pride. PUP-TASTIC
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday in the NFL (National Football League) we saw quarterback Alex Smith make his triumphant return to the field for the Washington Football Team. Smith suffered a horrific leg injury back in 2018 that almost claimed his life. Even though his team didn’t win, it was a huge victory for him after his long, emotional journey back.
While it was a great day for Smith it was a really rough day for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dax Prescott who was carted off the field with a season ending dislocated ankle and a compound fracture. This will be the first time in his four-year career that he has missed a game. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
What to watch
We’re down to four teams in the MLB (Major League Baseball) playoffs and things are getting spicy with a showdown between the two teams that are undefeated in the playoffs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. On the other side, the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are battling it out for a spot to play in the World Series. BATTER UP