It Speaks To Me
The NBA player who stepped up in response to anti-Asian messages, Silicon Valley seeps into sports and once again, Michael Jordan is leading the fan vote.
Bringing you just what you need to up your game.
Rockstar,
The Last Night’s Game
NBA (National Basketball Association)
Though Utah Jazz player Jordan Clarkson is in the middle of the NBA Playoffs, that doesn’t mean he’s lost touch with reality. After hearing the news that the Filipino food truck, Yum Yum, was vandalized, he stepped up to pay for a re-wrap of their truck. As a Filipino American, Clarkson was especially outraged by the anti-Asian phrases spray-painted on the food truck. THE GOOD GUY ALWAYS WINS
Overtime
Of course, the baseball team on the doorstep of Silicon Valley is the first MLB (MLB – Major League Baseball) team to accept bitcoin and dogecoin. The Oakland A’s are taking the cryptocurrencies for payment for tickets and suites. FIRST TO MARKET
Sideline stat
The NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) All-Star race is Sunday night, but it's not for bragging rights only. The winner will take home $1 million. Also on the line is an additional $100,000 for the crew with the fastest pit stop. Who is eligible for the big race? Teams that have won so far this season, drivers who are past All-Star winners or past overall Cup Series champions. The last spot will go to the team with the most fan votes, and Michael Jordan’s team with driver Bubba Wallace is currently in the lead. VROOM
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday the Oklahoma Sooners took home the championship in the Women’s College World Series. Now it’s the men’s turn to step into the spotlight. The super regionals are sure to bring excitement with bench-clearing worthy bad blood between teams and a 100% capacity crowd. The teams are fighting for a spot in the finals which begin on June 19. STEP UP TO THE PLATE
What to watch
We've reached the end of the French Open, the only major in tennis played on clay courts. On the women's side, No. 33 Barbora Krejčíková (pronounced crey-CHEE-koh-va) will face No. 32 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (pronounced pav-loo-CHEN-koh-va) in Saturday's women's final. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play this afternoon for the chance to play the winner of the Alexander Zverev - Stefanos Tsitsipas matchup in the finals on Sunday. OUI
Fueling The Fire
This weekend, athletes from numerous sports proved their haters wrong. We have exactly what you need to show the world who’s the boss.
This weekend, athletes from numerous sports proved their haters wrong. We have exactly what you need to show the world who’s the boss.
Fired up,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you’re twinning at the office. LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers channeled a group of high school girls and wore matching outfits on Friday. The team arrived to the game in matching grey suits on Friday and still lost. On Sunday, they figured they’d try their luck again and wore matching black suits and won. SEE IT
When they doubt you and you prove them wrong. Shocking the world, the New Orleans Pelicans swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs. Why is this surprising? All of the 22 ESPN analysts picked the Blazers to win. Don’t worry the Pelicans didn’t let anyone forget their erroneous choice. Damn straight. READ
Overtime
His team may have won the World Series last season and he may be married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, model/actress Kate Upton, but that doesn’t mean life is perfect for Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (MLB - Major League Baseball). His team still has its haters but he turned the tables on a heckling fan by holding up a “no you suck” sign during the game. That’s right, kick ‘em where it counts. CHECK IT OUT
Sideline stat
Zero – the number of hits recorded by the red-hot Boston Red Sox in Saturday’s Oakland A’s vs. Red Sox game (MLB). A’s pitcher Sean Manaea became the newest member of the exclusive club of pitchers to throw a no hitter. The best part of the night? The food-filled postgame celebration. WATCH
Coaches’ corner
The City of Philadelphia is used to their teams winning championships after the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL – National Football League) and Villanova (college basketball) won it all. Therefore, fans weren’t all too happy when their Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated by their in-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs. They showed their distaste by throwing trash on the ice at the end of the game. Now that’s showing some brotherly love. MORE
Treat Yo Self
Like the jelly of the month club, knowing what to say in the sports conversation is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
Like the jelly of the month club, knowing what to say in the sports conversation is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
#winning,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Looking for a way to take your tailgate beer game to a whole new level? Today’s Tailgate Treat is exactly what you’re looking for.
NFL (NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE)
America loves a great comeback story. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is headed back to the field eight weeks after breaking his collarbone. He’ll return with a few extra plates and screws in his surgically repaired collarbone to help his team, which is on the verge of the playoffs, finish out the season.
When you can't fit one more thing into your weekend. Starting this weekend the NFL will play two games to on Saturday. You can now catch an NFL game on Monday, Saturday or Sunday. If you’re playing in a fantasy football league, don’t forget to set your rosters. (FYI - Yesterday was the last Thursday Night Football game of the regular season).
MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
When decisions of the head and the heart collide. The St. Louis Cardinals were looking to make a trade and it seemed outfielder Stephen Piscotty was the guy. Piscotty missed some of last season to spend time with his mom who was diagnosed with ALS. Taking in account his family situation, amongst other things, Piscotty was traded to the Oakland A’s where he could be close to his mom.
OVERTIME
In the “this really happened” file, New York Jets player Jeremy Kerley (NFL) was suspended for four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy. How’d that banned substance get into his system? He blamed a ghost, specifically the Ghost of Christmas Past. No really. Apparently, he not only needs to avoid any questionable supplements but he should probably lay off the Disney Christmas cartoons.
SIDELINE STAT
Florida and Nebraska will play for the Women’s Volleyball National Championship on Saturday. Florida will be playing for their first national championship. Expect a big crowd as the semifinal game drew a record 18,000+ people, serving up the biggest crowd of all time.
COACHES’ CORNER
College football bowl game season starts tomorrow with the Celebration Bowl featuring Grambling vs. North Carolina A&T. Don't take a snack break and miss halftime of this game because the Grambling band will not disappoint. They're not your average college band. BOWL GAME SCHEDULE
Want to talk college football without all the stats and jargon? Catch our Five Things To Know About College Football Bowl Games right here.