Talk about serving
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome back!
The sports world wasted no time swinging into action during this short week: WNBA star Caitlin Clark will compete in the Annika Pro-Am this morning, hitting the links alongside world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam. What a tee-riffic way to start off this Wednesday.
— Canadian broadcaster and Olympic ice hockey gold medalist Tessa Bonhomme, who, alongside fellow hockey enthusiast Julia Tocheri, left sports broadcasting network TSN to work directly for the PWHL ahead of the league’s sophomore season. November 30th can’t come soon enough.
NBA Cup
🏀 Working hard for the hardware
The GIST: New name, same tourney — the rebranded NBA Cup (previously known as the In-Season Tournament) tipped off last night, ushering in the league’s second annual in-season competition, complete with even flashier courts and cash prizes to place a greater emphasis on early schedule games. Let’s hoop.
How it works: All 30 NBA teams were divided into six five-team groups within their conference. Beginning last night and running through December 3rd, group play “Cup Nights” are set for every Tuesday and Friday, with each squad playing two games at home and two on the road.
- Eight teams (the six group winners, plus the two best second-place squads from each conference) will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the quarter-finals on December 10th and 11th and culminating with the championship on December 17th.
- Every game except the championship will count towards a team’s regular-season record.
- The title game will once again be hosted in Las Vegas, a city in the running for an NBA expansion franchise — especially if reigning tourney MVP, LA Laker LeBron James, has anything to say about it.
Last night’s octuple-header highlights: In Eastern Conference news, former MVP Joel Embiid (who was injured to start the year) made his long-awaited season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing 13 points as the Sixers lost 111–99 to the NY Knicks.
- And over in the Western Conference, five-time All-Star Klay Thompson returned to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving the Golden State Warriors — where he won four titles — for the Dallas Mavericks. In the end, Golden State was the victor, winning 120–117. Baby, the games have begun.
Billie Jean King Cup
🎾 Talk about serving
The GIST: The World Cup of women’s tennis is underway in Spain, with 12 nations battling for the title and a slice of the groundbreaking $9.6M purse as the BJK Cup offers equal prize money to the Davis Cup Finals (the men’s tourney equivalent) for the third consecutive year. Booyah.
How it works: The 12 teams are split into four groups of three countries each. Four countries (one per group) earned a bye to this weekend’s quarter-finals (QFs): 2023 defending champion Canada and runner-up Italy, as well as wild cards Czechia and Australia.
- The other eight teams are competing in an opening round now through Friday, hoping to earn a spot in the QFs. Each country vs. country showdown consists of two singles matches and one deciding doubles match, if necessary.
Top teams and players: Team Canada star and world No. 31 Leylah Annie Fernandez is ready to defend her country’s crown after winning last year’s decisive match, a straight sets victory over Italy’s No. 4 Jasmine Paolini.
- But what a difference a year makes: Paolini has been this season’s it girl, reaching two Grand Slam finals and winning a doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Can she cap off a stunning year with one more dub for her country?
- Meanwhile, Team USA will battle Slovakia tomorrow, but they’ll be without No. 3 Coco Gauff, who’s relaxing after winning the WTA Finals last weekend.
- However, the red, white, and blue are championed by No. 11 Danielle Collins, who recently postponed her retirement after a banner year. Aces everywhere you look.
⚽ As expected, former CanWNT head coach Bev Priestman (as well as two assistants) will not return to the team’s coaching staff after an investigation confirmed her role in this summer’s Olympic drone scandal.
🏆 After a long weekend of quarter-final kickoffs, the NWSL semifinal matchups — No. 1 Orlando Pride vs. No 4 Kansas City Current, and No. 2 Washington Spirit vs. No. 3 NJ/NY Gotham FC — are set with four of the league’s five MVP finalists advancing.
- Notably, the No. 6 Portland Thorns lost to Gotham on Sunday, spelling the end of Thorns striker (and CanWNT icon) Christine Sinclair’s decorated career. Not not crying.
🇺🇸⚽ Seventeen-year-old footy phenom and dual-national Lily Yohannes officially declared for the red, white, and blue over rival the Netherlands and could join the world No. 1 USWNT for their upcoming slate of European friendlies.
🎓🏈 Two top-five Week 11 upsets caused a serious shakeup in yesterday’s College Football Playoff (CFP) ranking release, but No. 1 Oregon was the cream of the crop once more after maintaining their perfect season with Saturday’s 39–18 win over Maryland.
🏀 In regular-season NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers (12-0) remain the lone undefeated team in the league, topping the Chicago Bulls 119–113 on Monday behind a season-high 36 points from Donovan Mitchell.
🏒 After dropping back-to-back games to their archrival Canadians this weekend, Team USA women’s hockey find themselves down 2-1 in the five-game Rivalry Series, with the final two games slated for February. Never back down, never what?
🏎️ F1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down and will be replaced by F2 race director Rui Marques with only three races left on the calendar.
👀 Connecticut Sun standout Alyssa Thomas and Washington Mystic Stefanie Dolson are the newest Unrivaled stars, the brand new 3v3 league announced on social media yesterday, ahead of its January debut. Hooptastic.
❤️🩹 Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the remainder of the season and is scheduled to undergo surgery on his injured hamstring tomorrow.
Giveaway Alert
Do you hear that? It’s the sound of waves crashing — paradise is calling for you to enter to win a trip to Mexico. Vamos!
- You and a pal will enjoy a three-night, all-inclusive stay in Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf and Spa Resort in stunning Cabo San Lucas, where you can soak up the sun and relax on a beachside lounger. Toes in the sand and a taco in hand? Sí, por favor.
Ready for the vacay of your dreams? Enter today.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
🏒 Who’s a Hall of Famer
American women’s hockey legends Krissy Wendell-Pohl and Natalie Darwitz, who were enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, marking the first time since 2010 that two women were inducted at the same time. Puck yeah.
🧳 What to pack
Packing cubes, of course. Travel season is on the horizon, so grab a set of these game-changers that are perfect for keeping your suitcase organized and travel stress-free.
🏀 What to shop
NBA x Fear of God Essentials. The new collection is about to drop, featuring looks great for everything from sitting court-side to styling on the streets.
Question of the Day
ICYMI: Washington Capitals captain and 20-year NHL veteran Alex Ovechkin is 31 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL career goals record of 894. Ovi’s notched eight goals in his past seven games, which begs the question: Which month do you think the Great 8 will surpass the Great One?
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