The Lead: Starting Five

Plus: The valley sun sets on the Sarver era in Phoenix. And Argentina’s World Cup parade gets a little out of hand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Donovan Mitchell gets a bit of revenge against his old running mates from Salt Lake. And the Chicago Cubs are bringing in the big names – but will it get them back in the playoff hunt?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Two NFC contenders see their playoff prospects head in opposite directions. And the Lakers find themselves in a familiar position — with a key piece out of action.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Warriors hit another bump in the road of their rocky title defense. And Mr. Irrelevant secures the Niners an NFC West Crown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Les Bleus quiet the Atlas Lions and take one step closer to history. And could Alex Ovechkin really break The Great One’s career goals record? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Eastern Conference contender that every team should fear (Hint: It’s not Boston). And the football world says good to be one its true iconoclasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: An old Metropolitan hockey rivalry gets reignited in the Big Apple. And controversy swirls around Gregg Berhalter’s handling of a bright young American star.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The NBA’s newest rivalry gets a little bit spicier. And Steve Cohen’s off-season spending spree continues.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Baker Mayfield has his made for TV moment in LA. And the Rangers new ace offers a dubious explanation about why he chose Texas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Two future faces of the NBA square off in Memphis. And a two-way NHL star looks to keep an epic streak going in Toronto. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Baker Mayfield finds his new home in an unexpected place. And can a former NL MVP find his game again after leaving one of the best teams in baseball? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A former-number one overall pick gets his walking papers. And two NL East teams make some splashy offseason acquisitions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Two top NFL contenders get worrying injury news at the most important position. And two young superstars guide their countries into the round of eight in Qatar.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Bills reassert their dominance over an AFC East foe. And the world’s most dominant swimmer has a new challenger coming for her crown.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Lionel Messi and Argentina make their fans sweat before pulling away from Poland and into the knockout rounds. And the Kraken have emerged from the depths of the NHL’s standings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A new member joins the top four of the College Football Playoff ahead of Championship Weekend. And Tiger says his days of prowling around pro golf courses might be coming to an end.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The off-field storylines surrounding Iran’s massive World Cup match with the USA. And Matt Rhule explains why he didn’t want to take a $34 million paid vacation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: An unexpected hero keeps Germany World Cup dreams afloat. And after 30 near misses, a decorated skier finally ends up on topSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Ben Simmons makes his highly anticipated return to Philadelphia. And Katie Ledecky sets another record in a career littered with them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Are Zach Wilson’s days as the Jets QB1 coming to an end? And how the Devils have gone from walkovers to the hottest team in hockey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Vikings officially go on fraud watch after a drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys. And the top two teams in women’s college hoops put on a show in Palo Alto — and send an important message along the way. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Aaron Judge does something no Yankee outfielder has since Mickey Mantle donned the pinstripes. And an NHL team leans into the power of the moms to turn around a slow start to the season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: CP3 says she'll be running it back for at least one more year – but will it be in Chicago? And one of the World Cup's most notable pieces of memorabilia fetches a huge price at auction.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Pelicans crank up the defense in the absence of their biggest star. And the USC Trojans land college hoops most prized recruit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Miami Marlins make history with a landmark front office hire. And Coach Cal lands the crown jewel of his next great recruiting class.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Joel Embiid puts up an all-time stat line in a much needed win for the Sixers. And the PAC-12 sees two College Football Playoff contenders go down hard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Brooklyn opts for stability behind the bench to help stabilize their season. And some encouraging injury news for one of the NFL’s MVP favorites. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Devils keep the good times rolling behind their rising young star. And could OBJ end up with a star on his helmet? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A surprising champion emerges at the final event of the women's tennis season. And Baltimore bowls over the Saints to take a firm hold on the AFC North.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Jets' defense shines in a surprising win over the Bills. And Major League Soccer wraps up its season with a championship game for the ages.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Eagles make sure the ’72 Dolphins keep the champagne on ice for another week. And the NFL community loses an all-time great. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Madison Square Garden crowd is introduced to another villain from Atlanta. And the Cavaliers announce themselves as Eastern Conference contenders.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Nets try anything and everything to save their season. And college football's top team loses a key piece ahead of a monumental SEC clash. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Golf has a new teen sensation — and she's already reached the number one spot. And the Milwaukee Bucks' strong start continues.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A chaotic finish in Atlanta puts a new team atop the NFC South. And why there’s real reason to worry about a hyped NBA team in Los Angeles… and we’re not talking about the Lakers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Tom Brady’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season gets a little bit worse. And strange bonds that tie the Astros and Phillies ahead of Game 1 in Houston. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The NFL’s only remaining undefeated team just added another piece to their defense. And the Yankees make an unpopular move just ahead of free agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A familiar face stands atop the preseason college basketball rankings. And an early Champions League exit caps the major decline of one of Europe’s top teams.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A quarterback controversy is brewing in the AFC East. And the Rangers opt for an experienced hand to guide them back to contention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A tough weekend for the NFL’s old guard, while some young stars shine bright. And a former-MLS superstar is making waves in the Premier League.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: A surprising star takes center stage in a matchup of Eastern Conference contenders. And the Yankees can’t stop striking out.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Zion comes back with a bang, while the Nets reunite with a whimper. And things start coming together for Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Two key pitching decisions prove pivotal in game 5 of the ALDS. And Mike Tomlin slams the brakes on the Trubisky train in Pittsburgh. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Carolina starts the teardown process in earnest after another big loss on Sunday. And the Padres look to keep the good times going in the NLCS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Yankees face a win or go home game in Cleveland. And Liverpool turn back the clock against Manchester City.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: We somehow got not one but TWO touchdowns on Thursday Night Football. And Mariners fans are starting to feel queasy at the sight of Yordan Alvarez. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Padres and Braves bounce back in Game 2 of the NLDS. And Tom Brady finds a new way to extend his athletic career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Braves fall just short in their comeback bad against the Phillies wobbly bullpen. And the Hornets lose their star just before the start of the season, but could that help them land the biggest potential star of them all in April?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Panthers shake things up to try and rescue their floundering season. And the Braves lock down another talented young player ahead a divisional clash with the Phillies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Is Draymond Green’s scuffle with Jordan Poole a sign of bigger problems in Golden State? And first we had fishing scandals, and now it’s time for some good old fashion chess cheating!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.