NBA – National Basketball Association – 2025 NBA Finals (best of 7)
Last Night
Game 5
Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Indiana Pacers 109 OKC leads 3-2
Thunder 120, Pacers 109 – Williams scores 40 points and Thunder win 120-109 for a 3-2 series lead over Pacers
Jalen Williams had a career playoff-high 40 points, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 and the Oklahoma City Thunder moved one win from a title by beating the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. It was the 10th — and by far, the biggest — time the Thunder stars combined for more than 70 points in a game. Williams was 14 of 24 from the field, and Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 assists for the Thunder. Pascal Siakam had 28 points for Indiana, which now trails the series 3-2 and will play host to Game 6 on Thursday night.
NBA – Pacers’ Haliburton plays through lower leg injury in Game 5 loss to Thunder
Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton grabbed at his lower right leg after an awkward fall in the first quarter, briefly leaving Game 5 of the NBA Finals for treatment. He kept playing. He clearly wasn’t right. To his credit, Haliburton gutted his way through 34 minutes — largely playing the role of a facilitating decoy in the second half, hardly ever looking to shoot. He finished with four points, all from the foul line, and the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-109 on Monday night to fall behind 3-2 in the title series.
NHL – National Hockey League – 2025 Stanley Cup Finals (best of 7)
Tonight
Game 6
Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, 8:00 p.m. FLA leads 3-2
NHL – Oilers dealing with Stanley Cup Final goalie debate. Panthers, 1 win from repeat
Coach Kris Knoblauch is not sure whether Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard will start in goal for the Edmonton Oilers when they face elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. The defending champion Panthers have no such uncertainty at the most important position in hockey. Sergei Bobrovsky has been in net for 63 playoff games in a row going back to the first round in 2023, and Tuesday night is expected to be his 64th. That consistency is a big reason Florida is on the cusp of a second consecutive title, while Edmonton stares down another summer of questions.
MLB – Major League Baseball
Last Night
Tigers, White Sox, and Cubs were off
Tonight
Pittsburgh (Falter 5-3) at Detroit (Mize 6-2), 6:40 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 6:15p
St. Louis (Liberatore 3-6) at Chicago White Sox (Smith 3-3), 7:40 p.m.
Milwaukee (Patrick 3-6) at Chicago Cubs (Brown 3-5), 8:05 p.m.
MLB – Ohtani makes his long-awaited return to the mound after elbow surgery
Shohei Ohtani gave up a pair of two-strike hits and a run in his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut against the San Diego Padres, which came 21 months after the two-way superstar had elbow surgery. Ohtani threw 28 pitches — 16 for strikes — in the first inning as Dodger Stadium fans hung on every one. They oohed when a fastball was clocked at 100.2 mph — the second-hardest pitch thrown by a Dodgers hurler this season. After getting through the top of the first on the mound, Ohtani struck out swinging at the plate leading off the bottom of the inning against Dylan Cease. Los Angeles reliever Anthony Banda replaced Ohtani in the second. Ohtani finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs as the Dodgers won 6-3.
MLB – Smith and Vasil look like two Rule 5 hits for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have two pitchers from December’s Rule 5 draft on their roster, and each one looks like he belongs in the major leagues. Shane Smith has become a dependable part of the team’s rotation, and fellow right-hander Mike Vasil also is putting together an impressive rookie season. It’s quite a coup for a rebuilding White Sox team that lost 121 games last year. The Rule 5 draft provides an opportunity for players left off 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana are two of the most famous Rule 5 success stories.
WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association
Tonight
Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever, 7:00 p.m.
Washington Mystics at Chicago Sky, 8:00 p.m.
WNBA – Rick Carlisle is a WNBA fan, and in the NBA he’s far from alone in that club
It’s official: Rick Carlisle isn’t just an Indiana Fever fan. He’s a fan of the WNBA game in general. The Indiana Pacers coach — shortly before his team was to play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night — was asked to share his thoughts about how the WNBA is getting attention at this time of year. Carlisle didn’t hesitate to tout how he thinks the WNBA is a great basketball product, in just the latest reminder than the W has some big fans all over the NBA.
NFL – Kalen Jackson carryies on her father’s legacy through her mental health advocacy
Breaking down barriers surrounding mental health was a personal mission for Jim Irsay, the beloved owner of the Indianapolis Colts who passed away last month. It’s personal for Kalen Jackson, too. Irsay’s youngest daughter has talked openly about dealing with anxiety. Jackson leads “Kicking The Stigma,” the family’s initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders. They’re committed to dismantling the stigma often associated with these illnesses and focused on expanding access to critical services across Indiana and nationwide. The Colts have donated more than $30 million to nonprofits and organizations in the mental health space since the initiative launched in 2020.
NCAABB – Arkansas’ Wood pitches third no-hitter in CWS history
Arkansas’ Gage Wood pitched the third no-hitter in College World Series history and first in 65 years, striking out a record 19 and never letting Murray State come close to getting a hit in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 victory. Wood joined Jim Ehrler of Texas in 1950 and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State in 1960 as the only pitchers to throw CWS no-hitters. His defense was never really challenged as he dominated a Racers team that was making its first Omaha appearance. The junior right-hander set the CWS record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game.
MLS – Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire release renderings for new stadium
The Chicago Fire envision a new stadium with a throwback look, according to renderings released by the Major League Soccer club. The privately funded, 22,000-seat stadium built along the Chicago River on a 62-acre parcel of land in the city’s South Loop known as “The 78” would boast an industrial look with its red brick exterior and large glass panels. The renderings show sweeping views of the Willis Tower and large gathering spaces outside the stadium. The Fire, who currently play at Soldier Field, announced plans two weeks ago to build their new home on the plot owned by development firm Related Midwest.
Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut to return to Coney Island hotdog contest after contract dispute
Competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is making a return appearance at this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. The 41-year-old had skipped last year’s gastronomic battle for the coveted Mustard Belt amid a dispute over his relationship with a competing brand. It will mark Chestnut’s 20th appearance. He’s won 16 times and holds the world record of eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Chestnut told The Associated Press he never appeared in any ads for Impossible Foods touting their vegan hot dogs, but acknowledged that should have been made more clear with Nathan’s.
MWL – Midwest League Baseball
Tonight
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at West Michigan Whitecaps, 6:35 p.m.
Peoria Chiefs at Great Lakes Loons, 7:05 p.m.
Lake County Captains at South Bend Cubs, 7:05 p.m.WSBT 6:45p
Lansing Lugnuts at Quad Cities River Bandits, 7:30 p.m.