In a Birkin
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
That Friday feeling!
Heads up, there’ll be no newsletter on Monday as our team enjoys some egg-shaped treats, but some bunny told us there’s something exciting and new in store for Sunday. Can’t wait to show you what we’ve been cooking — but first, today’s news.
— USWNT legend and Unrivaled investor Alex Morgan, praising the innovative 3v3 basketball league in a profile on its founders, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, who were named to the 2025 TIME100 list yesterday. Taking matters into their own hands.
NCAA gymnastics
🎓🤸 Stick it
The GIST: Last night’s semifinal round of the NCAA women’s gymnastics championship ended in a stunning upset, clearing the way for a new national champ to be crowned during tomorrow’s 4 p.m. ET final, aka Four on the Floor, on ABC. Preemptive chills.
Last night’s semifinals: The first semi was half dynasty, half upset. The No. 2 seed Oklahoma Sooners, who’ve won two of the last three ’ships, unsurprisingly led the quad with a decisive, redemptive win, but No. 7 Missouri squeaked past No. 3 Florida to reach the program’s first-ever natty thanks to comeback kid Helen Hu’s individual title–winning beam routine. Hugs all around.
- But the second semi was a stunner: No. 4 Utah and No. 5 UCLA topped the reigning national champs, No. 1 LSU, by a confident margin to end the Tigers’ season in the semis. The upset also ended the career of the reigning all-around champ, LSU’s Haleigh Bryant. Holy moly.
Tomorrow’s championship: With the Tigers out of contention, the Sooners are the heavy favorites to win it all. But you can never count out the Utah Utes, who are competing in their fifth straight final, or UCLA, led on the floor and in the locker room by Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles.
- Mizzou is the only finals first-timer, but if they can oust powerhouse Florida, why not the rest of the field?
The individuals: While the team trophy will be awarded tomorrow, five gymnasts have already earned individual championships: the aforementioned Hu on beam, Chiles on the uneven bars, LSU’s Kailin Chio on vault, and UCLA’s Brooklyn Moors on floor.
- As for the sport’s highest individual honor? Meet your new all-around champion, Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers, who bounced Olympic gold medalist and Oregon State senior Jade Carey to win the title. Queen.
🏎️ Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (GP) features the return of F1 Academy
Parity has been the name of the game this year, with every team tallying at least a point so far (a rarity, especially this early in the season). And it’ll only get spicier this weekend: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a street circuit, meaning it takes place on city roads. It’s extra fast, tight, and twisty — and oh so fun.
- The Saudi Arabian GP also brings the second round of F1 Academy, the all-women racing championship. Mercedes’ Doriane Pin sits atop the leaderboard, but Ferrari’s Maya Weug is hot on her heels. Buckle up.
⚽ CanWNT star Quinn scores Northern Super League’s (NSL’s) first goal, lifting the Vancouver Rise FC over Calgary Wild FC 1–0 in league premiere
Quinn rose to the occasion on Wednesday, burying the first goal in NSL history with a perfect penalty kick at Vancouver’s BC Place. And the fun has only just begun: AFC Toronto hosts the Montreal Roses at BMO Field tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET.
- Meanwhile in the NWSL, Angel City FC hired Alexander Straus as their new head coach effective June 1st, bringing the back-to-back Bundesliga winner stateside.
🏀 NBA Playoffs tip off tomorrow after Play-In Tournament wraps tonight
Pop that corn because the eighth and final postseason berth in both the Eastern and Western Conferences is up for grabs tonight. After dropping their first Play-In tilt, the Atlanta Hawks will face the surging Miami Heat at 7 p.m. ET before fellow first-game loser, the Memphis Grizzlies, attempt a rebound of their own vs. the Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. ET.
- In other NBA news, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard has been medically cleared of the blood clot that sidelined him last month. The news opens the door for a postseason return though he’s been ruled out for tomorrow’s series opener against the Indiana Pacers.
🏒 World No. 2 U.S. defeat No. 9 Germany 3–0 in IIHF Women’s Worlds quarter-final
The 10-time champs are onto the semis (as expected), still undefeated at this year’s tourney, including a crucial 2–1 group-stage win over their rivals No. 1 Canada. Now, the Red, White, and Blue are onto tomorrow’s 9 a.m. ET semi against No. 4 Czechia — who they beat 4–0 one week ago — with eyes on a spot in Sunday’s 12 p.m. ET final. Bring it on.
Question of the Day
As you read, only four teams remain in contention for the IIHF Women’s World Championship title. Which squad do you think will hoist the trophy come Sunday?
Together With Ford Maverick
📦 Looking for the ultimate moving buddy?
Friends help friends move — even when your bestie’s swapping lofts for the fifth time in three years. Luckily, you have the know-how and, more importantly, the vehicle that can help make moving easier: You drive the new 2025 Ford Maverick® truck.
💪 The FLEXBED® Storage System and available 4K Tow Package* mean this compact truck can move the big stuff (hello, grandma’s vintage armoire).
🌸 But what about that antique vase? The rear under-seat storage bins help ensure everything, even the most delicate knickknacks, has a place.
That’s right, the new 2025 Ford Maverick truck is capable of big things. Talk about earning that post-move pizza party. Delish.
*Max towing on AWD models with available Max Trailer Tow Package. Excludes Maverick® Lobo™ and Tremor® models. When properly equipped. Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers.
⛳ LPGA: LA Championship — Today through Sunday — Golf Channel
- It’s no Birkin, but there’s a giant $3.75M purse on the line at the LA Championship, aka the final tourney before next week’s Chevron Championship, the first major of the LPGA season.
- Sweden’s Madelene Sagström is tied for third with plenty to celebrate after hitting the tour’s first hole-in-one of the season yesterday. Pop that.
🏌️ PGA: RBC Heritage — Today through Sunday — Golf Channel
- For the first time in forever, world No. 8 Justin Thomas is leading the field after posting a 10-under-par in the first round. Notably, Heritage is the first PGA event to permit rangefinders (which measure distance on a hole) as the tour toys with ideas to ramp up the speed of play.
🏒 NHL: Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars — Tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET — TNT
- Last year’s epic postseason matchup just got a whole lot spicier after the Stars added former Avs superstar forward Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline. Rantanen and his new squad will now face off against the Colorado crew he spent a decade with. Pass the milk.
Together With Ford Maverick
Trying to do it all in one trip? That sounds like you. But with the new 2025 Ford Maverick® truck and your superior organizational skills, emptying your bestie’s apartment in one go isn’t just a pipe dream but an attainable goal.
📦 In addition to the FLEXBED® Storage System, this pickup boasts available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™, making navigating tight spaces with a trailer that much easier.
✅ Friends help friends move, but best friends bring the new 2025 Ford Maverick truck.
Recs from our roster!
🛍️ What to shop
Kt’s anniversary sale. Enjoy 30% off period underwear and sleep shorts and leakproof activewear. Bleeding confidence has never been easier.
🛻 What to drive on moving day
The new 2025 Ford Maverick® truck, of course, because good things (like the FLEXBED® Storage System) really do come in compact packages.*
⭐ Who to celebrate
BJK, as usual. Billie Jean King just became the first woman athlete with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s sports entertainment category. Just GOAT things.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Vroom vroom.Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Katie Kehoe Foster, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
