Spring cleaning inspo inside

The GIST: Spring cleaning on the to-do list? Take inspo from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who busted out the brooms to sweep the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday and became the first team to advance to the second round.

• While the juggernaut Cleveland Cavaliers (up 3-0) ready cleaning supplies of their own for a potential sweep of the Miami Heat tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, every other squad is preparing for a battle of attrition. That’s the postseason, baby.

Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beating dunk lifts Denver Nuggets to 101–99 Game 4 win: Saturday’s improbable play — a perfectly executed airball alley-oop from Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić — evened the series at two heading into tomorrow’s 10 p.m. ET Game 5 back in Denver. It’ll be up to Kawhi Leonard and Co. to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

• On the flip side, a resilient Jalen Brunson and the NY Knicks (controversially) escaped a similar fate yesterday, securing a 94–93 Game 4 win over the Detroit Pistons and setting up a series-clinching Game 5 tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET. Bing meet bong.

LA Lakers on the brink of elimination after Game 4 loss: Despite Luka Dončić and LeBron James combining for 65 points, the Lakers lost 116–113 to the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday, falling behind 3-1 in the series. Between Anthony Edwards’ 43 points and a feisty defense that held LA to just 19 fourth-quarter points, these Wolves are looking like bonafide contenders.

• Another underdog causing a raucous? The shorthanded Golden State Warriors, who leaned on 36 points from the ageless Steph Curry to beat the Houston Rockets 104–93 on Saturday and take a 2-1 series lead. It sure is hot in here ahead of tonight’s 10 p.m. ET Game 4.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard suffers non-contact injury: Yes, the Bucks are down 3-1 to the Indiana Pacers after last night’s 129–103 Game 4 loss — but the bigger concern is Lillard, whose first-quarter injury could be related to his Achilles. The point guard notably returned to the court just two games ago after being sidelined with a blood clot.

The GIST: With every first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series still to be decided, these storylines are the stuff of fairy tales. Grab your tissues and scroll on for the icy and spicy latest.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scores first goal since 2022: In just his second game back from a three-year injury recovery, the longtime Avs captain tallied a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 4–0 Game 4 blanking of the Dallas Stars. This is what sports are all about.

• The dominant Colorado performance leveled this series 2-2, meaning the winner of tonight’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 5 will be one dub away from advancing to round two. Exhilarating.

Ottawa Senators stay alive, avoid sweep in Battle of Ontario: This first-round showdown between the Sens and the Toronto Maple Leafs went to overtime for the third time in four games — but Ottawa emerged victorious this time around, topping Toronto 4–3 on Saturday.

• But the Maple Leafs (up 3-1) have home-ice advantage and a chance to eliminate their provincial foes in tomorrow’s 7 p.m. ET Game 5.

Washington Capitals one win away from advancing: Grab your emotional support frenemy and hold on tight. The Montreal Canadiens made this series interesting by topping Washington 6–3 on Friday, but the Caps roared back last night, winning 5–2 behind an explosive four-goal third period, including two from winger Brandon Duhaime.

• Now boasting a 3-1 series lead, the Caps have momentum on their side as the series shifts back to D.C. for Game 5 Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

👀 Want to see all four NYC pro women’s teams in action this spring for free? Of course you do. We’ve partnered with NJ/NY Gotham FC to give one lucky GISTer (and their bestie) two tickets to:

🏒 The NY Sirens’ final regular-season home game on May 3rd vs. the Montréal Victoire, plus a signed jersey and a post-game meet-and-greet moment.

⚽ Gotham’s Broadway Night match against the San Diego Wave on May 16th, in addition to two signed kits.

🏉 A must-see Women’s Elite Rugby showdown between the NY Exiles and TC Gemini on May 18th, and a supporter hoodie.

🏀 And finally, the NY Liberty’s Barclays battle vs. the Golden State Valkyries on May 27th…as well as another two jerseys. Sheesh.

💰 This prize pack is worth thousands of dollars in tickets and merch, but the experience of a month spent supporting women’s sports with a pal is truly priceless.

👀 Impressed? Don’t wait — enter this giveaway now and experience the women’s sports spring of your wildest dreams.

👕 Finding the perfect gameday look? That can be a fashion nightmare. Thankfully, Jasmine Maietta saw an opportunity for creative merch and founded Round21 — and with the support of Intuit QuickBooks, this CEO’s collection is growing by the minute.

• QuickBooks takes the guesswork out of your small business’s finances, allowing Maietta to focus on new Toronto Tempo designs instead of endless paperwork. Check out how QuickBooks helped Maietta stay efficient as she ascended to the top of the merch game.