Caitlin Clark's drama-filled season rolls on, plus Ohtani hits 100
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The Indiana Fever are the most talked-about team in the WNBA, for obvious (read: Caitlin Clark) reasons. But they're also supposed to be a rising team in the W, and they've had a bizarre first month and change of the season. Think about all that's happened:
On the one hand, Indiana is a compelling story even without Clark. On the other hand, the attention is probably ratcheted up because she's on the roster. I asked Ben Pickman, a women's hoops reporter for The Athletic, about these dynamics: Are there any signs amid Indiana's weird year that the circus around Clark is cooling?
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💬 Not any signs that I am picking up on. The Fever continue to be the league's most interesting team, with the league's biggest draw. Yes, Clark is having an All-Star caliber season (she'll almost definitely be a starter in the exhibition), but she has also missed time due to injury for the first time in her professional career. Add in Clark being at the center of conversations surrounding officiating and the Bonner departure, and this first half of the season has given people lots to discuss. Clark said a successful year for Indiana constituted a championship. The Fever have a long way to go.
Also, note this point from Ben: Indy hosts All-Star weekend starting July 18, and that will be yet another microscope event for Clark. 'Could she take part in her first 3-point shootout as a pro? That would certainly bring some more juice to All-Star Friday night.'
A Club World Cup thriller
On Friday, Jurgen Klopp called the Club World Cup 'the worst idea ever implemented in football.' There has been much debate regarding the merits of the tournament. Nevertheless, yesterday's round of 16 action provided a thrilling Chelsea win that took nearly five hours thanks to a weather delay and plenty of controversial refereeing. Perhaps even more intriguing, Messi and Inter Miami get a crack at PSG this afternoon.
Lonzo traded to Cavs
The Bulls traded guard Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers yesterday in return for forward Isaac Okoro. Ball, still just 27 years old, has spent the last four seasons in Chicago but played a total of just 70 games. Despite the chronic knee issues, Ball can be a productive bench guard for Cleveland if he can stay healthy. The Bulls, meanwhile, have netted zero first-round picks in moving Ball, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine over the last two seasons. Zach Harper has trade grades here.
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More news:
Dave Parker, a legendary Pirates outfielder who was set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month, died yesterday. He was 74.
As NHL free agency looms, the Golden Knights are discussing a sign-and-trade to acquire Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs, The Athletic reports. Read the full report.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani threw the hardest pitch of his career yesterday in just his third appearance back on the mound. Ohtani remains ridiculous.
📺 Formula 1: Austrian Grand Prix
9 a.m. ET on ESPN
Note: a real race, not a movie starring Brad Pitt. But here's an interesting story from Luke Smith about F1 (the racing series) and its close collaboration with F1 (the film). Red Bull Ring is a cool track and one of the most picturesque settings in racing.
📺 Soccer: USMNT vs. Costa Rica
7 p.m. ET on Fox
After a comfortable 3-0 run through the Gold Cup group stage, the Americans move to the quarterfinals. The winner gets Canada or Guatemala in the semis. Among other things, this tournament is a World Cup audition for a bunch of USMNT players.
Before the first round of Wimbledon starts tomorrow, read the fascinating behind-the-scenes story on how the All England Club gets ready for Grand Slam action. It's a year-round process. Also: Bookmark our Wimbledon watch guide. More: The Tennis Podcast has a killer preview. Listen up!
I started watching 'Stick' on Apple TV+. Owen Wilson is the same guy in every performance and I'm not tired of it. — Chris Branch
'The Athletic FC Podcast' has a great series right now called 'Transfers that shook the world.' The latest episode: Robin van Persie leaving Arsenal to join Manchester United in 2012. Listen on Apple and Spotify.
Audible books on car speakers en route to summer little league games? A hit! Willy Wonka is clipping spoiled kids left and right. The 7-year-old begs: 'What's gonna' happen to Veruca??' — Chris Sprow
South Carolina barbecue legend Rodney Scott's cookbook is the thing I'd put on our coffee table, if we owned one. — Jason Kirk
Trader Joe's chimichurri is my new cheat code for improving otherwise super basic weekday lunches and dinners. — Torrey Hart
I bought a box of 1995-96 Upper Deck Collectors Choice Series 1 basketball cards and a box of 1995-96 Upper Deck Collectors Choice Series 2 basketball cards on eBay. I will either spend the next few weeks slowly opening these packs one by one and organizing while reveling in this nostalgia, or I will do it all this weekend and organize them in a binder. This is living. — Zach Harper
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Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: NHL Draft grades for every first-round pick.
Most-read on the website yesterday: The NHL Draft live analysis, again.
Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
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