Consider the boundaries pushed
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
It’s Friday!
So why not treat yourself? ICYMI, we launched a pride collection featuring iconic hats and statement totes. Celebrate the last weekend of June by adding to cart, then go ahead and get your scroll on.
— Kenyan running sensation Faith Kipyegon, on her message for young girls watching her attempt to run a sub-four-minute mile during yesterday’s special “Breaking4” event. Kipyegon crossed the line in 4:06.42, missing the sub-four mark but still beating her previous world record time. Consider the boundaries pushed.
WNBA
🏀 Lay your cards on the table
The GIST: Think of today’s WNBA updates like an episode of Love Island — there’s a hot bombshell, a dramatic split, and something that just might break the internet. Cracking on…
🔥 A historic night for Las Vegas Ace A’ja Wilson: And no, we’re not talking about this iconic moment — the three-time MVP became the fastest player in league history to reach 5K career points during an 85–59 Wednesday win over the Connecticut Sun. Wilson reached the milestone in 238 games, beating the 242-game mark set by NY Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart.
💔 Indiana Fever waive six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner: The two-time champ missed five straight games due to personal reasons that reportedly centered on her fit with the team. Because in-season trades are out of the norm in the W, waiving Bonner was the next best option — which is good news for the 16-year vet, whose heart is (literally) set on a reunion with the Phoenix Mercury.
👀 Game to watch — Fever vs. Dallas Wings: Everyone’s talking about tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET showdown between the last two No. 1 picks — Indy’s Caitlin Clark and Dallas’ Paige Bueckers — but even with Clark’s status for the game unclear, there’s still plenty of reasons to tune in.
- Starting with the Fever, it’s Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell: Boston has been on an absolute tear this season, posting a career-high 31 points on Tuesday, while Mitchell has found her shooting stroke, knocking down a season-high five three-pointers two games ago.
- As for Dallas, in addition to the all-around play of Bueckers, keep an eye on Arike Ogunbowale. It hasn’t been the fastest of starts for the four-time All-Star, but Ogunbowale’s been deep in her bag lately, averaging 24 points over the last two games. Nothing but net.
🏀 Dallas Mavericks select Duke alum Cooper Flagg with No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft
No surprises here — Flagg was heralded as a top pick even before his standout freshman season at Duke. What was a surprise was the Brooklyn Nets using all five of their first-round draft picks, setting an NBA record for most picks made in one round. Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
🏒 NHL Draft first round set for tonight at 7 p.m. ET amidst free agency rumors
Unlike the NBA, many of this weekend’s selectees will initially remain in the NCAA or development leagues, making this draft feel a bit anticlimactic. But the current pros are keeping things spicy with a schedule extension and some big names — like Toronto Maple Leaf Mitch Marner and Florida Panther Brad Marchand — in the rumor mill ahead of July 1st’s free agent frenzy. Never a dull moment.
😡 MLB’s Wander Franco and NFL’s Justin Tucker face limited consequences for sexual abuse
Two years after Franco, a former superstar shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was first accused of sexually abusing a minor, he was finally convicted in his home country of the Dominican Republic yesterday. But he received a suspended two-year sentence, meaning he’ll avoid prison time as long as he’s not a repeat offender. Awful.
- In other nightmarish news, the NFL handed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker a measly 10-game suspension yesterday despite accusations of sexual harassment from 16 massage therapists. The news comes after the Ravens released the now-teamless Tucker in May for “football reasons.” Ugh.
🏎️ F1: Austrian Grand Prix — Sunday at 9 a.m. ET — ESPN
- Defending race winner Mercedes’ George Russell; the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who are racing for redemption; and a little someone named Max Verstappen of Red Bull, aka the winningest driver at his team’s home track — anyone could top the podium this weekend. Buckle up.
⚽ International Friendly: No. 25 Ireland vs. No. 1 USWNT — Sunday at 3 p.m. ET — TBS
- The red, white, and blue have historically dominated their Irish foes. In fact, the USWNT hasn’t given up a single goal in their eight all-time meetings — including last night’s 4–0 win with two familiar faces back in the lineup. Keep those clean sheets coming.
🏉 WER: Legacy Cup — NY Exiles vs. Denver Onyx — Sunday at 3 p.m. ET — DAZN
- The Onyx are a scoring juggernaut, averaging a mind-boggling 49.2 points per game and dominating the competition all season long. Their only loss? A stunning 24–17 upset L to the Exiles at the beginning of the month. Only one can take home the ’ship.
🇺🇸 Concacaf Gold Cup: No. 16 USMNT vs. No. 54 Costa Rica — Sunday at 7 p.m. ET — FOX
- The American men haven’t been the best version of themselves as of late — and though they’re favored in this quarter-final tilt, Los Ticos are their toughest test since a 4–0 friendly shellacking by No. 20 Switzerland two weeks ago.
Together With Climate Power
Feeling helpless is hard — you can’t help your mediocre pro football team, but there is something you can do when it comes to the Republican tax bill in Congress.
🌳 ICYMI, the proposed bill will take a sledgehammer to the country’s clean energy investments, destroying jobs and costing American families more than $400 every year in energy bills.
Unlike your football fandom, you don’t have to sit quietly and cringe on the sidelines — you have a say: Contact your senator and make your voice heard.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
🏀 Who to know
The unsung heroes of the WNBA. These offseason skills trainers are sharpening players’ games one sweat session at a time.
🎧 What to listen to
Our podcast interview with NY Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart. Stewie joined The GIST of It to discuss the defending champs’ season so far, her WNBA All-Star team picks, and so much more. Buckets.
⚽ What to read
Michele Kang’s game plan. She already owns three women’s soccer teams and is changing the sport on and off the pitch. Goals.
Question of the Day
Run, baby, run. Inspired by the aforementioned Kipyegon’s incredible race, we want to know: What are your running goals?
Today’s email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo, Katie Kehoe Foster, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, Sterling Corum, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.