Monday Minute: Finals Frenzy, Caitlin Clark Getting Beat Up + A Four-Caddie Day
Oh hey, June.
Good morning, sports fans! We’re heading into an action-packed week. Here’s your quick rundown to kickstart your day.
Simone Biles Dominates Yet Again
Simone Biles continues to make history, winning her record-extending 9th all-around national title at the US Gymnastics Championships on Sunday. Even more impressive is that she’s having fun while doing it. The national championships are the final event for US gymnasts before the Olympic Trials in late June. The women’s team for Paris 2024 will be chosen after these trials.
Softball World Series Semifinals
The Softball World Series Semifinals are set for today, determining who will compete in the finals starting Wednesday. Oklahoma is aiming for its fourth straight championship. Here’s the schedule:
Oklahoma (2) vs. Florida (4)
NOON ET
2:30 PM ET (if necessary)
📺 ESPN
Texas (1) vs. Stanford (8)
7 PM ET
9:30 PM ET (if necessary)
📺 ESPN2
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals (NHL—National Hockey League) are set, featuring the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. This marks the fifth consecutive year that a team from Florida has made it to the Cup Final, which kicks off on Saturday.
NBA Finals
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals begin this Thursday, with the Boston Celtics facing the Dallas Mavericks. For an in-depth analysis, tune into our Wednesday Wisdom podcast and get ready to join the conversation.
French Open Highlights
Rain-delayed late-night matches didn’t stop Novak Djokovic from securing his 369th Grand Slam win, tying Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam wins in men’s tennis history. Meanwhile, No. 1 ranked Iga Świątek handed a double bagel (6-0, 6-0) to Anastasia Potapova, completing the shortest match of her career in just 40 minutes.
WNBA Update
The Indiana Fever (Women’s National Basketball Association) celebrated their first home win of the season. Still, the game’s chatter was dominated by Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul, which initially went uncalled. The foul was later changed to a flagrant, and the Sky were fined for not making all players available for post-game media, including Angel Reese, who was fined $1,000.
Golf Drama and Triumph
Robert McIntyre won his first career event at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open with his dad, Dougie, as his caddie. This father-son duo proved to be a winning combination.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese golfer C.T. Pan experienced a unique challenge when his caddie, Mike "Fluff" Cowan, fell and couldn’t continue. Pan enlisted a fan from the gallery to carry his bag, but after one hole, another volunteer took over for the front nine. Finally, veteran caddie Al Riddell, who lives nearby and was watching the tourney on TV, stepped in for the back nine.
Stay Connected
That’s your Monday Minute! Stay tuned to Last Night's Game and follow us on social media for all the latest updates.
Photo: Unsplash
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Diving into June
As we roll into June, here’s what you need to know to keep your sports banter on point this weekend.
French Open: A Sobering Twist
The French Open, the second tennis major of the season and the only one on clay has made headlines by banning alcohol in the stands due to unruly fans. However, you can still grab a drink in the concourses and around the grounds.
NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Celtics
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals are set! The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves last night and will face the Boston Celtics starting Thursday. Stay tuned for our Wednesday Wisdom podcast for all the NBA Finals details you need.
Women’s Basketball: Unrivaled League
Women's basketball continues to rise with the introduction of a new three-on-three league called Unrivaled. Founded by two WNBA players, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, this league aims to offer off-season opportunities with a minimum six-figure salary, set to launch in January 2025. It’s a game-changer for women's professional sports in the U.S.
Cricket in the USA: T20 World Cup
Cricket ventures into new territory with the first major tournament in the United States, kicking off Saturday with the opening game of the T20 World Cup. This is a significant step for cricket in America, promising exciting matches ahead.
UEFA Champions League Final
Get ready for one of the biggest events in sports: the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday afternoon. Borussia Dortmund (from Bundesliga, Germany) will face Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) for the European championship. Last year, the UEFA final drew a global audience of 450M—more than the Super Bowl.
Birmingham Southern's Inspiring Journey
Wrapping up with a heartwarming story, Birmingham-Southern's baseball team has made an unexpected journey to the Division III World Series. Despite their school shutting down for good this month, the Panthers fought to keep their legacy alive. Supporters raised over $100,000 via GoFundMe to fund their trip. After battling a stomach virus that hospitalized two players, they will play today at 4:45 PM Eastern Time. This inspiring tale is one to follow.
Stay Connected
That’s your sports rundown for the week! Check out Last Night's Game and follow us on social media for more updates. Have a fantastic weekend ahead!
Photo: Unsplash
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Your Ultimate Memorial Day Weekend Sports Guide
Good morning! It's Friday, May 24th, and we're rolling into Memorial Day weekend. Whether lounging by the pool, on a road trip or hanging out at a barbecue, we have the best sports banter to keep you in the know. Let's dive right in because a lot is happening this weekend.
Groundbreaking Ruling in College Sports
Last night, the NCAA Board of Governors and every Power Five Conference agreed to dismantle the amateurism model and allow players to share revenue. This transformative legal settlement includes a $2.8B compensation for past athletes and sets the stage for future revenue-sharing models starting as soon as fall 2025. Stay tuned for more details as the NCAA and its conferences hammer out the specifics.
TNT Loses NBA Broadcasting Rights
In a surprising move, TNT lost the rights to air NBA (National Basketball Association) games for the first time since 1989. Long-time TNT commentator Charles Barkley expressed his disappointment, citing poor management decisions. "Morale sucks, plain and simple," Barkley said, referencing the uncertainty of the future of the basketball arm of the network.
FA Cup Final
Saturday starts with the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United. This marks the first time since 1885 that the same two clubs will contest the final in consecutive years. If Manchester City wins, they will secure a domestic double after being crowned Premier League champions earlier this year.
Sunday: A Sporty Spectacle
Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday starts with the picturesque Monaco Grand Prix, an F1 (Formula One) race that winds through the narrow streets of Monaco. Qualifying positions are crucial due to the difficulty of overtaking. Last year saw only 22 overtakes, highlighting the challenge posed by the circuit’s tight turns and narrow lanes.
Indy 500
Next up on Sunday is the 108th running of the Indy 500. Rain is in the forecast, and we’ll know more about how that’ll impact the race as the start time approaches. Local fans in central Indiana will continue to experience a media blackout to encourage attendance, but you can still catch the live broadcast on the radio. For more on the Indy 500, including traditions like milk chugging and BYOB, check out our Wednesday Wisdom Podcast “BYOB and Burning Rubber: Memorial Day Weekend Sports.”
The Coca-Cola 600
The NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) follows the Indy 500. Kyle Larson and Jimmie Johnson will compete in this grueling race after rushing from the Indy 500, where Larson is racing and Johnson is commentating. Expect some drama as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch’s recent feud could flare up again. (Does Stenhouse’s name sound familiar? He dated Danica Patrick for five years).
French Open
Rounding out the day, the first round of the French Open begins on Sunday morning. Keep an eye on top-ranked players Novak Djokovic and Iga Świątek. Djokovic must reach the finals to maintain his world No. 1 ranking, which he has held for 425 weeks. If he loses before the finals, Yannick Sinner will take the top spot, even if he doesn’t play.
Stay Connected
That's your rundown for the Memorial Day weekend! For more details and updates, stick with us here at lastnightsgame.com and follow us on social media. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and stay in the loop with all the exciting sports action.
Photo: Unsplash
What’s Cookin’?
Have you tried our Tailgate Treats? They’re fan favorite meals served best with friends (or you can keep them to yourself). READ
Photo: Instagram/kingjames
GAME CHANGER
Athletes rituals to bring into your 2024 - the good, the bad and the awkward. BRING IT ON