The Lead

Plus: The Warriors go full steamroll mode in Game 2. And Max Scherzer wants you to know that nothing happened with his dog.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the minute the Green Bay Packers called his name with the 34th pick of this year’s NFL Draft, wide receiver Christian Watson has had to answer questions about becoming the new face of the team’s wide receivers room — as he steps into the void created by the trade of Davante Adams. Today, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman tells the story of Watson’s amazing rise from 4-year-old on a dirt bike, to undersized, awkward teenager, to now potentially becoming Aaron Rodgers’s top target.  Read Matt Schneidman’s full story about Christian Watson: https://theathletic.com/3298227/2022/05/27/christian-watson-packers-wide-receiver/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're just over two rounds into the NHL Playoffs, and the league's brightest star -- Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid -- has already put in a performance for the ages. Today, reporter Jonathan Willis joins us to discuss how the 24-year-old McDavid has somehow taken his game to yet another level, the records he’s breaking and minds he’s blowing along the way, and what his continued ascent means for the NHL. Plus, what to watch for as the Western Conference Finals between the the Oilers and Colorado Avalanche continue.More from Jonathan Willis: https://theathletic.com/author/jonathan-willis/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Another European triumph for the kings of the Champions League. And two major leaguers take a fantasy football dispute way too far.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back in December, just a couple of days before his wedding, San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb and his family endured a devastating tragedy. Today, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly joins us to talk about how it upended the life of the Webb family, and what they are doing now to try to fight a growing epidemic. Read Andrew Baggarly’s full story about the Webb family: https://theathletic.com/3326815/2022/05/24/logan-webb-giants-cousin/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A title race for the ages. A dramatic comeback victory for the champions. And a desperate battle to avoid relegation. The Premier League's final weekend had all the drama -- and then some. Roger Bennett of the Men In Blazers Media Network joins us today to break down all the action from Championship Sunday, and to preview this weekend's Champions League Final.More from Roger Bennett: www.meninblazers.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Justin Thomas defies the odds at Southern Hills. And a dramatic Premier League title race comes down to the wire.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re nearly one fourth of the way through the 2022 MLB season, and after a devastating finish last year, one of the best teams in baseball so far this year has been the National League East-leading New York Mets. Today, The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd tells us about some of the key factors that have powered the Mets’ renaissance, including a box of T-shirts, a squirrel, and big-spending billionaire owner Steve Cohen. But, with injuries mounting and memories still fresh from last year, are these good vibes built to last for Buck Showalter’s team? Follow Rustin Dodd’s recent coverage of the Mets, and read his feature stories: https://theathletic.com/author/rustin-dodd/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Tiger is back on the prowl at the PGA Championship. And a boozy Luka Doncic beer conspiracy takes flight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One year ago, Phil Mickelson was riding the highest of highs, having won the PGA Championship, and becoming the oldest major champion in golf history. But now, after making controversial comments about Saudi Arabia and a new Saudi-backed golf league, “Lefty” has found himself in hot water and a self-imposed exile from the PGA. Mickelson's unofficial biographer, Alan Shipnuck, who published the comments that landed Mickelson in hot water earlier this year, joins us today to discuss the golf superstar’s tumultuous year, new revelations about the scale of his gambling losses, and what a path to redemption would look like for the golf legend.Alan Shipnuck's new book about Phil Mickelson:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Phil/Alan-Shipnuck/9781476797090See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.