The Lead

Last season, the Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA championship in style, especially when it came to their post-championship celebrations. But now, with the 2023 WNBA season about to tip off, the Aces find themselves wrapped up in not one but two controversies. Today, can the Aces move beyond their off-court problems and find a way to repeat? Or will the league's newest super team, the New York Liberty, come for their crown?Guest: Sabreena Merchant, The AthleticCheck out The Athletic's special WNBA coverage: "Super Squads"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you say the name Darvin Ham to a basketball fan of a certain age, chances are they’ll think of the time he shattered a backboard playing for Texas Tech during the 1996 NCAA tournament. But what's less known about the Lakers’ first-year head coach is his life before all of this, in Saginaw, Michigan, a life that almost ended when he was just 14 years old. Today, we look at how Ham was shaped by the Midwest city he grew up in, and the tragic accident that nearly ended his life. Plus, can Ham steer the Lakers past Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets as they try to win an improbable NBA title?Guest: Dan Woike, Los Angeles TimesRead his full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Jonathan Marchessault delivers with an elimination-game silencer of his own. And Todd Bowles fulfills his mother’s dream decades in the making. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last weekend, a 15:1 long shot named Mage raced to a dramatic victory at the Kentucky Derby. But that feel-good story was largely overshadowed by a series of tragic -- and in some cases mysterious -- racehorse deaths. Today, we explore what could be behind those deaths, the progress that horse racing has and hasn’t made in terms of animal welfare, and why people inside the sport often fail to see eye to eye with people outside of it.Guest: Natalie Voss, The Paulick ReportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After back-to-back 100-loss seasons, and with one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball, life as a Pittsburgh Pirates fan has been pretty frustrating. However, this year, they started out as one of baseball's biggest surprises, with Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen helping to fuel a 20-8 start. Then came a recent seven-game losing streak — and fans were scratching their heads once again. Today, we look at the key factors behind the Pirates’ early success, the cause of their recent struggles, and what to make of this roller coaster season so far.Guest: Britt Ghiroli, The AthleticRead Britt's full story about the Pirates hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Devils bounce back to make it a series with Carolina. And college basketball’s most famous recruit finally announces where he’ll play next season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, we got the long awaited — and widely expected —answer of who would go first in the NFL Draft, when the Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. But the questions about Young, and specifically his height (5-10 1/8), are not going away soon. Today, we dive deep into the history of undersized quarterbacks to find out why some have succeeded where many others have failed. And, as we comb through the careers of Sonny Jurgensen, Russell Wilson, and Doug Flutie (among others), we attempt to answer the question of whether Bryce Young can write his name alongside the all-time greats. Guest: Dan Pompei, The AthleticRead his full story about Bryce Young hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra has long been known as a fiery competitor who does not shy away from confrontations -- even with his own players. Today, with the Heat cruising through the playoffs, we explore the method to Erik Spoelstra’s madness and explain why the confrontations, along with a heavy dose of compassion, are all part of the plan.Guest: Jason Quick, The AthleticRead Jason' full story here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: The Bruins’ historic season ends with a whimper and the defending champs go down to a first timer. And a father-son phone call that will warm even the staunchest Cowboy hater’s heart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics — one of the favorites to win the NBA title — moved on to the Eastern Conference semifinals. But during their not-always-so-smooth first-round series against Atlanta, we got a reminder that there are still questions when it comes to their 34-year-old head coach, Joe Mazzulla, who took over after Ime Udoka’s sudden suspension in September. Today, we look at how the team’s identity on and off the floor have changed under Mazzulla’s intense leadership, and the one question that won’t go away: Is Mazzulla the right guy to lead this team to a title? Plus, a snapshot of team camaraderie through the eyes of the Celtics players who rarely get in the game — and the bus that bonds them together. Guest: Jared Weiss, The AthleticHear Jared on the NBA Daily Ding podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.