The English teacher and the gym teacher

The GIST: The WNBA standings are like reality TV, but with layups. Aside from the Minnesota Lynx, who’ll likely lock in the No. 1 spot this week, nearly every postseason position is up for grabs — and there are only two weeks left in the regular season. The drama.

🔥 A’ja Wilson powers postseason-bound Las Vegas Aces: The Aces became the second team to punch their postseason ticket after Monday’s 79–74 win over the Chicago Sky, but that wasn’t always in the, ahem, cards. The Aces were tied for eighth at the All-Star break — now, they’re on an 11-game win streak, and Wilson’s a major reason why.

• The three-time MVP has been virtually unstoppable since an impassioned plea to her teammates after a 53-point loss to the Lynx at the beginning of the month, averaging 26.2 points and 12.7 rebounds over the last 11 games.

• But that’s not the only way she’s influencing her squad: Wilson’s also taking on additional scouting duties, helping prepare for opponents from a strategic perspective — and that’s paid dividends, leveling up the Aces’ offensive output in particular. Truly A’one of one.

👀 Six postseason tickets still up for grabs: Three of the remaining spots will almost certainly go to the Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, and NY Liberty, who are second, fourth, and fifth in the standings respectively, while the Golden State Valkyries (seventh), Seattle Storm (eighth), LA Sparks (ninth), and Washington Mystics (tenth) will all contend for the other three. Prepare for hoopla.

The GIST: Taylor Swift has her ring, but the chase is just beginning for the NFL’s 32 teams. The season kicks off in just over a week (!!!), meaning fantasy football drafts are in full swing as millions of people assemble their imaginary rosters.

• Whether you’re new to fantasy football or a seasoned vet, you take care of the (maybe Swiftie-inspired) team name and let us help with the rest. Here’s a cheat sheet to make draft day a breeze.

✅ Select running backs (RB) and wide receivers (WR) in the early rounds: Top-tier RBs and WRs are drafted early and often, and for good reason — they accumulate the most points compared to other positions. That said, beware of injuries: Last year’s consensus No. 1 pick, San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, spent most of the 2024 season injured. Oof.

💪 Top players for your draft day wishlist: Based on last year’s fantasy dominance, RBs Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), and Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) are topping draft boards while Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), and CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) are holding it down for the WRs.

• Notably missing from the top player picks? Quarterbacks (QBs). Though they’re the most important players on actual NFL rosters, don’t waste an early fantasy football pick on a signal-caller — most starting QBs will get the job done.

⭐ Most importantly, update your lineup weekly: Injuries, opposing matchups, and bye weeks all impact which players you should start (the ones that are eligible to contribute points to your team’s total) and which ones will be riding the pine. You can also trade, drop, and add players to your lineup all season long. Happy managing, and may the draft order odds be ever in your favor.

Let’s be honest, who has the time for a 12-step skincare routine? Thankfully, three steps is all you need with the Merit Beauty Great Skin Trio, three products that layer seamlessly and are perfect for day and night. This trio includes:

🫧 A foaming double cleanse face wash

🌟 The hydrating instant glow serum

🧴 And the priming moisturizer. Yes, please.

Best of all, the Merit Beauty Great Skin Trio is on sale for just a few more days. Grab yours before it’s gone and get your glow on.

Ever wish you had a teammate who just gets you? Caitlin Clark is that girl for her Indiana Fever squad, and Jake from State Farm can bring that same “supportive superstar” energy to your life. Because just like Clark, State Farm is:

👀 Helping you read plays before they unfold

🙌 Serving up clutch assists like it’s their day job (because it is)

💬 Always in your corner, no matter the score

State Farm’s the teammate that always has your back, especially when you need it most — because All-Star support should be non-negotiable.

🎾 US Open: World No. 95 Cristina Bucşa vs. No. 75 Alexandra Eala — Today at 1 p.m. ET — ESPN

• Meet your new favorite underdog. On Sunday, Eala became the first Filipino player to ever win a Grand Slam match, stunning No. 14 Clara Tauson in three sets. We smell a Cinderella run.

• And on the men’s side, catch today’s second-round action featuring Americans No. 4 Taylor Fritz (1 p.m. ET), No. 17 Frances Tiafoe (3 p.m. ET), and No. 6 Ben Shelton (8:10 p.m. ET).

⚾ MLB: San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners — Today at 4:10 p.m. ET — MLB Network

• Mariners star Cal Raleigh simply can’t stop hitting home runs. With the single-season record for homers by a catcher already secured, The Big Dumper deposited his 50th of the year in Monday’s win before the Padres evened the series last night. Consider this your permission to log off early to see what happens next.

⛳ LPGA: FM Championship — Tomorrow through Sunday — GOLF Channel

• The LPGA is shipping up to (TPC) Boston for the FM Championship, a tourney featuring 35 of the top 40 players on tour, including Canadian Open champ Brooke Henderson and world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul.

• And the trophy is truly anyone’s for the taking, given there’s yet to be a repeat winner this season. Pari-tee at its finest.