Her sister was a witch
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
What a weekend!
Playoff action aplenty, upset stunners, and some epic knockouts — today’s newsletter has everything you need to know from the last 72 hours in sports. Pulling no punches as we head into this new week.
— LA Laker LeBron James, admitting he has only one or two seasons left in the NBA before his retirement. LeBron’s still cooking in his 22nd season, recording his 117th career triple-double on Friday before nailing back-to-back threes in a Saturday victory. It’s not over ’til it’s over.
NWSL Playoffs
⚽ Caught a vibe
The GIST: After a weekend of thrilling semis, the 2024 NWSL Championship is set, with the No. 1 seed Orlando Pride set to take on No. 2 seed Washington Spirit at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium this Saturday. Hold your applause — here’s how it happened.
Spirit advance on penalty shootout following late equalizer: 2023 champs and No. 3 seed NJ/NY Gotham FC took an early second-half lead and nearly ran away with the win, until Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt’s noggin evened the score 1–1 in the 93rd minute, forcing extra time.
- Despite playing with only 10 after defender Bruninha was sent off for yellow card accumulation following a foul on Spirit striker Trinity Rodman, Gotham held Washington scoreless in extra time, sending things to a penalty shootout.
- That’s when Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury was downright heroic, saving three consecutive penalties to send Washington to the ’ship for the first time since their 2021 title run. She’s a brick…wall.
Orlando advances to first-ever NWSL title game: In a match featuring two of the league’s strongest forward lines, the Pride emerged victorious, staying undefeated at home this season with yesterday’s 3–2 win over the No. 4 seed Kansas City Current.
- With the game tied 1–1 at halftime, the Pride exploded with two epic goals in the second half: First, striker Barbra Banda nailed a clean strike to give Orlando the lead in the 53rd minute, then forward Marta netted what would ultimately be the game-winner.
- Now, the 38-year-old GOAT will make her first NWSL Championship appearance in her eighth season in the league, facing off against a youthful Spirit squad. Magic.
🐃 Quarterback (QB) Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills hand Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season
These longtime AFC foes added yet another thrilling chapter to their rivalry yesterday. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, sealing a 30–21 win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champs and ending KC’s bid for a perfect season in the process.
- On the flipside, Allen’s counterpart, Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes, threw two interceptions in the L (and is now tied with a league-worst 11 on the season), with his second of the game coming on the final drive. Yeesh.
⬆️ Pittsburgh Steelers increase AFC North lead with win over QB Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers continue to be Jackson’s Achilles’ heel — Pittsburgh held the Ravens to season lows in points and total yards en route to an 18–16 divisional victory, Pittsburgh’s fifth straight win. But Baltimore didn’t help themselves: Kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goals in the first half, a concerning recent trend for the typically reliable veteran.
🐦 Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads game-winning drive for first win over San Francisco 49ers in three years
Down by four in the fourth quarter, the 34-year-old signal caller used his legs to find the end zone, leading Seattle to a 20–17 win, their first since December 2021 against their forever rivals. The win leaves both teams with the same 5-5 record, creating a world of chaos in the NFC West standings.
Take Your Pick
Houston Texans
Dallas Cowboys
To close out Week 11 NFL action, giddy up for a Texas-themed 8:15 p.m. ET Monday Night Football showdown between the Houston Texans and the QB Dak Prescott–less Dallas Cowboys. With Lone Star State bragging rights on the line, which team do you think will come out on top?
👀 The Dallas Wings won the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft in yesterday’s draft lottery, while the LA Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Washington Mystics received the second, third, and fourth picks, respectively.
🏀 The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers are the fourth team in NBA history to start the season 15-0 after last night’s 128–114 win over the lowly Charlotte Hornets, a victory that even came without superstar Donovan Mitchell, who was taking some well deserved rest. Ceiling can’t hold ’em.
🔎 The Seattle Storm is investigating its coaching staff following allegations of player mistreatment during the 2024 season.
⛳ World No. 1 Nelly Korda nailed five straight birdies to clinch The Annika tournament yesterday, her seventh LPGA title of the season. No wonder she’s the Player of the Year.
🎾 Great Britain ousted defending Billie Jean King Cup champs Canada and will play Slovakia in tomorrow’s semi. Meanwhile, Poland faces Italy today in the other semi, possibly pitting world No. 2 Iga Świątek of Poland against Italy’s No. 4 Jasmine Paolini. Fireworks, loading.
🏆🎾 World No. 1 Jannik Sinner did not drop a set in this year’s ATP Finals, topping then-No. 5 Taylor Fritz yesterday to win his latest trophy in a successful but scrutinized year.
👊 Boxer Katie Taylor retained her super lightweight title on Friday, beating Amanda Serrano after a controversial decision in an otherwise thrilling headline fight.
🎓🏈 Unranked Kansas upset previously undefeated then-No. 6 BYU 17–13 on Saturday, disrupting BYU’s Big 12 title and College Football Playoff chances. Ruh roh.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
🎧 Who’s changing the game
The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz by bringing a much-needed female perspective to the sports podcast space with the support of fellow game-changer Aflac. We’re closing gaps in sports coverage just like Aflac helps close the gaps in your health insurance.*
🏅 What to watch
The Trin Spin — catch Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman lighting up the pitch with her signature spin. Epic.
👟 What to wear
The Monopoly x Nike LeBron 22s. These board game-inspired kicks drop in two colorways this month.
🌎 How to stay informed
With The DONUT. Thanks to their unbiased and easy-to-understand storytelling, you’ll actually look forward to reading the news. Subscribe today and wow your friends at the next happy hour.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Quack quack.Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Emily Ohman, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Marga Sison. 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.