Talented, brilliant, incredible
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome to Wednesday!
Take a mid-week moment to remember legendary MLBer Jackie Robinson, who was recognized across the league with yesterday’s annual Jackie Robinson Day celebrations. Here’s to the ultimate trailblazer as we round the bases on today’s news.
— 2025 No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers, who’ll be brushing up on her local lingo as she prepares to join the Dallas Wings. Can’t wait to see what she cooks up.
NCAA gymnastics
🎓🤸 Flippin’ fantastic
The GIST: Grab your leotard and get ready to giddy up because the NCAA gymnastics national championship semifinals hit the mat in Fort Worth, TX, starting tomorrow. The top two squads from each four-team semi will flip on to Saturday’s final meet (on network TV!). Your Thursday night plans? Stickin’ it on ESPN2.
The matchups: The 4:30 p.m. ET semi is The SEC Show — all four teams hail from the cutthroat Southeastern Conference. Powerhouses No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, and No. 11 Alabama are all back in the semis for the second straight year, while No. 7 Missouri advanced out of the regional final for the first time since 2022.
- As for the 9 p.m. ET semi, defending champ No. 1 LSU, led by reigning all-around champ Haleigh Bryant, is favored, but it might be closer than you think: The Tigers advanced out of the regional final with a 198.050, but No. 8 Michigan State was hot on their tail with a 198.000.
- No. 4 Utah is notably making their 49th (!!!) consecutive championship appearance, while the always impressive No. 5 UCLA features Team USA superstar Jordan Chiles, who’s hungry for some uncontested hardware. These meets are anyone’s for the taking.
The individual qualifiers: Four all-arounders and 16 event specialists from non-qualifying schools will also compete as individuals alongside the eight teams mentioned above, hoping to advance for a shot at a solo national title in their event. Of these contenders, Chiles’ Olympic teammate Oregon State’s Jade Carey looks particularly dangerous in the all-around competition.
- And although Alabama upset No. 6 seed Cal in the regional final, two Golden Bears are serious individual title threats: Madelyn Williams logged a near-perfect score on bars during the last round on April 4th, and Mya Lauzon was similarly almost flawless on beam and floor. Time to bear down.
🏆 No. 7 seeds locked in after Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors win last night’s NBA Play-In Tournament openers
The stifling Magic defense silenced the Atlanta Hawks in a 120–95 dub, setting up a first-round matchup against the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 Boston Celtics. Then, it was the Warriors’ turn, and Steph Curry was clutch, knocking down two timely threes to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121–116 and secure a first-round date with the Western Conference’s No. 2 Houston Rockets.
- The postseason journey isn’t over for the Hawks and Grizz though: They’ll play the winners of tonight’s games — the No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. the No. 10 Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET and the No. 9 Sacramento Kings vs. the No. 10 Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET — with the eighth and final playoff spot in each conference on the line.
- In other NBA news, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will miss the start of the playoffs with a blood clot but could be cleared soon, while the vacation-bound Phoenix Suns are hunting for their third head coach in as many years after firing Mike Budenholzer on Monday.
🏀 Monday’s WNBA Draft second-most viewed in league history
An average of 1.25M viewers tuned in as the aforementioned Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Wings (as expected) — but there was plenty of additional starpower (with ’fits to match). French phenom Dominique Malonga went No. 2 overall to the Seattle Storm, while Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron one-upped her NFL boyfriend, going third to the Washington Mystics.
- Other big names to come off the board? USC’s Kiki Iriafen, who’ll join Citron in the District as the No. 4 overall pick, and TCU’s Hailey Van Lith, who’ll be reunited with former LSU teammate Angel Reese after being taken 11th by the Chicago Sky.
🏒 NHL postseason picture nearly complete with two regular-season game days remaining
Seven of the eight first-round matchups are set, meaning our pro men’s hockey bracket challenge will be coming your way soon. The only squad awaiting their first-round opponent? The Eastern Conference’s top dog, the Washington Capitals. The Montreal Canadiens have a stranglehold on that final Wild Card spot, barring a late surge from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
- Elsewhere, both the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues won their respective games last night, clinching the Western Conference’s two Wild Card spots and eliminating the Calgary Flames from postseason contention. Icy and spicy.
Together With MILK
🏃You can go the distance
Think you can’t run a marathon? Well, think again — running is a mental sport, and the first step to accomplishing a major life milestone is saying “yes.” Good thing we know the place to test your limits: November’s Every Women’s Marathon in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Last year, 42% of runners at the inaugural race were first-timers, a feat made possible by the community created by Team Milk. Because when you fuel your training with milk, the original performance drink, you’re setting yourself up for success.
- Trust us — seven months is plenty of time to train for 26.2. Grab your spot on Team Milk — this marathon’s bringing the energy.
⚽ Northern Super League (NSL): Calgary Wild FC vs. Vancouver Rise FC — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET — ESPN+
- At long last, Canada has a pro women’s soccer league of their own, with the NSL making its long-awaited debut in an inaugural match between two teams whose rosters mirror the league’s global intentions.
- Afghanistan national team captain Farkhunda Muhtaj will lead the Wild, while stalwart CanWNT midfielder Quinn anchors the Rise, giving the young team crucial veteran experience. Golazos, incoming.
🏒 IIHF Women’s World Championship: USA vs. Germany — Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. ET — NHL Network
- The undefeated Americans have looked sharp all tourney long, but now the real test begins with this quarter-final tilt. Luckily, this squad features longtime captain Hilary Knight, who just broke the all-time tourney assists record. An apple a day…
🏐 PVF: Grand Rapids Rise vs. Omaha Supernovas — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — VBTV
- With the regular season winding down, the Supernovas will be looking to take a commanding lead atop the PVF standings. But in order to do so, they’ll have to thwart the Rise, who are surging after last week’s block party win against the Indy Ignite.
Together With Ford Maverick
Calling all makers and doers — on the court and off of it. Just like the hoops superstars that tear it up on both ends of the hardwood, the new 2025 Ford Maverick® truck is a pickup that delivers both power and smart efficiency.
- Whether you’re loading up for home renos, prepping for your next DIY project, or heading cross-country to watch your fave women’s hoops team, Ford has you covered. Go ahead, Make It With Maverick™ and learn more today.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
👯 Who to know
Laviai and Lina Nielsen, identical twins and Olympic medalists doing it all while managing MS. A story of grit and sisterhood.
🌱 What to do
Compost. Under Armour just dropped a fully plant-based, biodegradable sportswear line. Look good, feel good, indeed.
👀 What’s getting a glow-up
Our Sunday Scroll. Stay tuned for something new hitting your inbox Sunday morning — can’t wait.
Question of the Day
It’s time for a flippin’ fun question to get you even more hyped for the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships. If you were a gymnast, which event would you compete in?
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.
