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The GIST: Like your friends in their late twenties, NBA teams are on very different trajectories: Some are preparing for the start of the second round, others are still locked in a tightly-contested first-round series, and a few more are catching flights to Cancun. Let’s dig in.

✈️ LA Lakers, Detroit Pistons sent packing: For the first time in franchise history, the Lakers fumbled a top-three seed, falling 103–96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Wolves, led by a 27-point, 24-rebound masterclass from Rudy Gobert, were simply the better team, taking advantage of a smaller Lakers squad to punch a second-round ticket. Cue the rumor mill.

• The NY Knicks also dished out an L on the road, using a clutch game-winning three from Jalen Brunson to eliminate the upstart Pistons with last night’s 116–113 dub and set up a second-round showdown with NY’s forever foe, the reigning champ Boston Celtics. Spicy.

🔥 Two first-round series still to be decided: Perhaps the feistiest opening-round set, the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are neck-and-neck, trading baskets and (almost) punches through the first five games. The Warriors boast a 3-2 lead heading into tonight’s 9 p.m. ET Game 6. Ready for some high-stakes hoops? Two one thumb up.

• If that’s not enough drama, tomorrow’s the first Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers clash at 7:30 p.m. ET in a winner-take-all matchup. On the line? A second-round date with the top-seeded (and well-rested) Oklahoma City Thunder.

▶️ Second round action tips off on Sunday: After cruising through their opening round, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. And while one overly proud pops won’t make the trip, his All-Star son, the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, will go head-to-head with Cavs superstar Donovan Mitchell. Buckets, literally.

The GIST: Being in the running for an individual award is nice, but Lord Stanley is the most coveted accolade for these NHLers. And after last night’s action, three teams clinched their first-round series to move one skate closer to the most famous trophy in sports. Buckle up.

Toronto Maple Leafs meet the moment, advance to second round: The Leafs shook off their demons and topped the Ottawa Senators 4–2 in last night’s Game 6. But after ousting one Tkachuk brother, the Buds must face another, taking on Matthew and the defending champion Florida Panthers in the upcoming second round.

• Similarly, the Vegas Golden Knights advanced with a tightly-contested 3–2 dub over the Minnesota Wild last night. Even more impressive? The Knights have now reached the second round in five of their eight seasons in existence. Sheesh.

Late-night slate features two high-scoring affairs: After three back-and-forth periods, the Colorado Avalanche snuck away with a 7–4 win over the Dallas Stars, extending their feel-good playoff run to tomorrow’s sure-to-be-epic 8 p.m. ET Game 7 back in Dallas.

• Five total goals were scored in just the first period of the Edmonton Oilers’ 6–4 win over the LA Kings, sending the City of Stars squad out of the postseason in the first round for the fourth straight season. As for the Oil, it’s onto the next one, aka, the aforementioned Knights.

👟 Track & field: Grand Slam Track Miami — Today through Sunday — NBC and Peacock

• The 305 is the place to be this weekend (more on that below), with track & field’s best — including 400m hurdles queen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone — descending on the Magic City for the second Grand Slam Track event of the season. On your mark, get set, go.

🏉 Rugby: Women’s HSBC SVNS — Tomorrow and Sunday — Peacock

• The seven-event series culminates at LA’s future Olympic venue, where a winner will finally be crowned. As expected, the top spot will likely come down to New Zealand and Australia, but our sixth-place red, white, and blue gals could finish as high as fourth. Let’s ruck and roll.

🏇 Horse racing: Kentucky Derby — Tomorrow at 6:57 p.m. ET — NBC

• Grab your fascinator, because the first race of the Triple Crown is almost here. Among the favorites? A horse named Journalism — giddy on up!

🏎️ F1: Miami Grand Prix — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — ESPN

• The first North American race of the season is bringing the party and guaranteeing heat on the grid, especially with the standings as crowded as ever. Can McLaren’s Lando Norris defend his title? Dale!

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