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Deadspin | After dominant regular season, Thunder big favorite to hold onto NBA crown Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder team owner Clay Bennett and the team hold up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after being announced NBA Champions at the end of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Oddsmakers really like Oklahoma City Thunder to continue their reign over the NBA and successfully defend their championship. The Thunder, who concluded the regular season on Sunday with the league’s best record at 64-18 (.780), are the clear favorite to keep the Larry O’Brien Trophy at a range of +110 to +135, according to a survey of sportsbooks on Sunday night. Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers, playing beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season, have the most convincing to do. The eighth seed in the Western Conference, Portland has a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns and is the biggest underdog to make it all the way and win the NBA Finals, with some odds at +250000. The odds closely align with the records, as the San Antonio Spurs (62-20, .756) have the second-best odds at +450 to +550. The Boston Celtics (56-26), fortified by the solid return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year’s playoffs, are the next favorite. The Detroit Pistons (60-22) had the better regular season but perhaps not the track record of recent playoff runs compared to their Eastern Conference rival, who won the NBA title two seasons ago. DraftKings has the defending champion Thunder at +110, followed by the Spurs at +500, Celtics at +550 and Nuggets at +950. Then there’s a jump to the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600), New York Knicks (+1800) and Pistons (+2200). The longest odds of the 20 teams are for the Trail Blazers at +200000. DraftKings favors the seventh-seeded Suns downing eighth-seeded Portland with a 4.5-point spread in their play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix. FanDuel also likes Oklahoma City to repeat as the NBA champion (+115), with San Antonio and Boston next (each at +550), then Denver and Cleveland (each at +1100) and New York (+1800). Here, Portland is at +75000 along with Phoenix and Miami as the three teams with the longest odds. FanDuel takes the next step by putting odds on the finalists, with a Celtics-Thunder matchup the favorite (+330), which follows the conference breakdown of the overall winner odds. The Thunder represent the Western Conference in the top four favored matchups, against the Cavaliers (+550), Knicks (+850) and Pistons (+900). Those predicting a Celtics-Spurs final can get +1000 odds, and Cavs-Spurs at +1500. The longest odds are +75000 for Cavs-Warriors, Knicks-Lakers, Knicks-Clippers, Knicks-Warriors and Pistons-Lakers. Take the extra step and pick the matchup and winner, and that’s the Thunder over the Celtics at +500. A Boston series win over Oklahoma City is at +1200 odds. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, is favored to repeat as NBA Finals MVP at +135. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is next at +500. BetMGM likes the Thunder to win it all at +135, followed by the Spurs (+450), Celtics (+550), Nuggets (+1000) and Cavaliers (+1400). The Trail Blazers have the longest odds at +250000. NBA FINALS WINNER ODDS (DraftKings) Oklahoma City (+110) San Antonio (+500) Boston (+550) Denver (+950) Cleveland (+1600) New York (+1800) Detroit (+2200) Houston (+6000) Minnesota (+9000) Atlanta (+13000) Philadelphia (+17000) Charlotte (+17000) Los Angeles Lakers (+25000) Toronto (+25000) Orlando (+35000) Phoenix (+60000) Los Angeles Clippers (+70000) Miami (+70000) Golden State (+80000) Portland (+200000) –Field Level Media #Deadspin #dominant #regular #season #Thunder #big #favorite #hold #NBA #crown

Deadspin | After dominant regular season, Thunder big favorite to hold onto NBA crown
Deadspin | After dominant regular season, Thunder big favorite to hold onto NBA crown Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder team owner Clay Bennett and the team hold up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after being announced NBA Champions at the end of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Oddsmakers really like Oklahoma City Thunder to continue their reign over the NBA and successfully defend their championship. The Thunder, who concluded the regular season on Sunday with the league’s best record at 64-18 (.780), are the clear favorite to keep the Larry O’Brien Trophy at a range of +110 to +135, according to a survey of sportsbooks on Sunday night. Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers, playing beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season, have the most convincing to do. The eighth seed in the Western Conference, Portland has a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns and is the biggest underdog to make it all the way and win the NBA Finals, with some odds at +250000. The odds closely align with the records, as the San Antonio Spurs (62-20, .756) have the second-best odds at +450 to +550. The Boston Celtics (56-26), fortified by the solid return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year’s playoffs, are the next favorite. The Detroit Pistons (60-22) had the better regular season but perhaps not the track record of recent playoff runs compared to their Eastern Conference rival, who won the NBA title two seasons ago. DraftKings has the defending champion Thunder at +110, followed by the Spurs at +500, Celtics at +550 and Nuggets at +950. Then there’s a jump to the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600), New York Knicks (+1800) and Pistons (+2200). The longest odds of the 20 teams are for the Trail Blazers at +200000. DraftKings favors the seventh-seeded Suns downing eighth-seeded Portland with a 4.5-point spread in their play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix. FanDuel also likes Oklahoma City to repeat as the NBA champion (+115), with San Antonio and Boston next (each at +550), then Denver and Cleveland (each at +1100) and New York (+1800). Here, Portland is at +75000 along with Phoenix and Miami as the three teams with the longest odds. FanDuel takes the next step by putting odds on the finalists, with a Celtics-Thunder matchup the favorite (+330), which follows the conference breakdown of the overall winner odds. The Thunder represent the Western Conference in the top four favored matchups, against the Cavaliers (+550), Knicks (+850) and Pistons (+900). Those predicting a Celtics-Spurs final can get +1000 odds, and Cavs-Spurs at +1500. The longest odds are +75000 for Cavs-Warriors, Knicks-Lakers, Knicks-Clippers, Knicks-Warriors and Pistons-Lakers. Take the extra step and pick the matchup and winner, and that’s the Thunder over the Celtics at +500. A Boston series win over Oklahoma City is at +1200 odds. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, is favored to repeat as NBA Finals MVP at +135. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is next at +500. BetMGM likes the Thunder to win it all at +135, followed by the Spurs (+450), Celtics (+550), Nuggets (+1000) and Cavaliers (+1400). The Trail Blazers have the longest odds at +250000. NBA FINALS WINNER ODDS (DraftKings) Oklahoma City (+110) San Antonio (+500) Boston (+550) Denver (+950) Cleveland (+1600) New York (+1800) Detroit (+2200) Houston (+6000) Minnesota (+9000) Atlanta (+13000) Philadelphia (+17000) Charlotte (+17000) Los Angeles Lakers (+25000) Toronto (+25000) Orlando (+35000) Phoenix (+60000) Los Angeles Clippers (+70000) Miami (+70000) Golden State (+80000) Portland (+200000) –Field Level Media #Deadspin #dominant #regular #season #Thunder #big #favorite #hold #NBA #crownJun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder team owner Clay Bennett and the team hold up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after being announced NBA Champions at the end of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oddsmakers really like Oklahoma City Thunder to continue their reign over the NBA and successfully defend their championship.

The Thunder, who concluded the regular season on Sunday with the league’s best record at 64-18 (.780), are the clear favorite to keep the Larry O’Brien Trophy at a range of +110 to +135, according to a survey of sportsbooks on Sunday night.

Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers, playing beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season, have the most convincing to do. The eighth seed in the Western Conference, Portland has a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns and is the biggest underdog to make it all the way and win the NBA Finals, with some odds at +250000.

The odds closely align with the records, as the San Antonio Spurs (62-20, .756) have the second-best odds at +450 to +550.

The Boston Celtics (56-26), fortified by the solid return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year’s playoffs, are the next favorite. The Detroit Pistons (60-22) had the better regular season but perhaps not the track record of recent playoff runs compared to their Eastern Conference rival, who won the NBA title two seasons ago.

DraftKings has the defending champion Thunder at +110, followed by the Spurs at +500, Celtics at +550 and Nuggets at +950.

Then there’s a jump to the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600), New York Knicks (+1800) and Pistons (+2200).

The longest odds of the 20 teams are for the Trail Blazers at +200000. DraftKings favors the seventh-seeded Suns downing eighth-seeded Portland with a 4.5-point spread in their play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix.

FanDuel also likes Oklahoma City to repeat as the NBA champion (+115), with San Antonio and Boston next (each at +550), then Denver and Cleveland (each at +1100) and New York (+1800).

Here, Portland is at +75000 along with Phoenix and Miami as the three teams with the longest odds.

FanDuel takes the next step by putting odds on the finalists, with a Celtics-Thunder matchup the favorite (+330), which follows the conference breakdown of the overall winner odds.

The Thunder represent the Western Conference in the top four favored matchups, against the Cavaliers (+550), Knicks (+850) and Pistons (+900). Those predicting a Celtics-Spurs final can get +1000 odds, and Cavs-Spurs at +1500.

The longest odds are +75000 for Cavs-Warriors, Knicks-Lakers, Knicks-Clippers, Knicks-Warriors and Pistons-Lakers.

Take the extra step and pick the matchup and winner, and that’s the Thunder over the Celtics at +500. A Boston series win over Oklahoma City is at +1200 odds.

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, is favored to repeat as NBA Finals MVP at +135. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is next at +500.

BetMGM likes the Thunder to win it all at +135, followed by the Spurs (+450), Celtics (+550), Nuggets (+1000) and Cavaliers (+1400). The Trail Blazers have the longest odds at +250000.

NBA FINALS WINNER ODDS (DraftKings)

Oklahoma City (+110)


San Antonio (+500)

Boston (+550)

Denver (+950)

Cleveland (+1600)

New York (+1800)

Detroit (+2200)

Houston (+6000)

Minnesota (+9000)

Atlanta (+13000)

Philadelphia (+17000)

Charlotte (+17000)

Los Angeles Lakers (+25000)

Toronto (+25000)

Orlando (+35000)

Phoenix (+60000)

Los Angeles Clippers (+70000)

Miami (+70000)

Golden State (+80000)

Portland (+200000)


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #dominant #regular #season #Thunder #big #favorite #hold #NBA #crown

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Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder team owner Clay Bennett and the team hold up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after being announced NBA Champions at the end of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oddsmakers really like Oklahoma City Thunder to continue their reign over the NBA and successfully defend their championship.

The Thunder, who concluded the regular season on Sunday with the league’s best record at 64-18 (.780), are the clear favorite to keep the Larry O’Brien Trophy at a range of +110 to +135, according to a survey of sportsbooks on Sunday night.

Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers, playing beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season, have the most convincing to do. The eighth seed in the Western Conference, Portland has a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns and is the biggest underdog to make it all the way and win the NBA Finals, with some odds at +250000.

The odds closely align with the records, as the San Antonio Spurs (62-20, .756) have the second-best odds at +450 to +550.

The Boston Celtics (56-26), fortified by the solid return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year’s playoffs, are the next favorite. The Detroit Pistons (60-22) had the better regular season but perhaps not the track record of recent playoff runs compared to their Eastern Conference rival, who won the NBA title two seasons ago.

DraftKings has the defending champion Thunder at +110, followed by the Spurs at +500, Celtics at +550 and Nuggets at +950.

Then there’s a jump to the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600), New York Knicks (+1800) and Pistons (+2200).

The longest odds of the 20 teams are for the Trail Blazers at +200000. DraftKings favors the seventh-seeded Suns downing eighth-seeded Portland with a 4.5-point spread in their play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix.

FanDuel also likes Oklahoma City to repeat as the NBA champion (+115), with San Antonio and Boston next (each at +550), then Denver and Cleveland (each at +1100) and New York (+1800).

Here, Portland is at +75000 along with Phoenix and Miami as the three teams with the longest odds.

FanDuel takes the next step by putting odds on the finalists, with a Celtics-Thunder matchup the favorite (+330), which follows the conference breakdown of the overall winner odds.

The Thunder represent the Western Conference in the top four favored matchups, against the Cavaliers (+550), Knicks (+850) and Pistons (+900). Those predicting a Celtics-Spurs final can get +1000 odds, and Cavs-Spurs at +1500.

The longest odds are +75000 for Cavs-Warriors, Knicks-Lakers, Knicks-Clippers, Knicks-Warriors and Pistons-Lakers.

Take the extra step and pick the matchup and winner, and that’s the Thunder over the Celtics at +500. A Boston series win over Oklahoma City is at +1200 odds.

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, is favored to repeat as NBA Finals MVP at +135. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is next at +500.

BetMGM likes the Thunder to win it all at +135, followed by the Spurs (+450), Celtics (+550), Nuggets (+1000) and Cavaliers (+1400). The Trail Blazers have the longest odds at +250000.

NBA FINALS WINNER ODDS (DraftKings)

Oklahoma City (+110)

San Antonio (+500)

Boston (+550)

Denver (+950)

Cleveland (+1600)

New York (+1800)

Detroit (+2200)

Houston (+6000)

Minnesota (+9000)

Atlanta (+13000)

Philadelphia (+17000)

Charlotte (+17000)

Los Angeles Lakers (+25000)

Toronto (+25000)

Orlando (+35000)

Phoenix (+60000)

Los Angeles Clippers (+70000)

Miami (+70000)

Golden State (+80000)

Portland (+200000)

–Field Level Media

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NBA roundup: Raptors top Nets to earn first postseason spot since 2022 <div id="content-body-70856954" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Scottie Barnes had 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists Sunday, and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets 136-101 to clinch their first playoff spot since 2022.</p><p>In recording his third triple-double of the season and the ninth of his career, Barnes helped the Raptors (46-36) secure the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They face the fourth-seeded Cavaliers in the first round, beginning on Saturday in Cleveland.</p><p>RJ Barrett scored 26 points, and Brandon Ingram added 25 points for Toronto. Ja’Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each scored 11 points, while A.J. Lawson chipped in with 10 points. Immanuel Quickley had four points and five assists for Toronto and did not return for the second half because of ​a tight hamstring.</p><p>Chaney Johnson had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Nets (20-62), who are in a lottery spot. Tyson Etienne scored 20 points, and E.J. Liddell had 17 points. Ben Saraf scored 15 points and also picked up six fouls.</p><h4 class="sub_head">76ers 126, Bucks 106</h4><p>Tyrese Maxey scored 16 of his team-high 21 points in the third quarter as the host Philadelphia 76ers pulled away from Milwaukee in the second ‌half to win what could be Hall of Fame coach Doc Rivers’ last game at the helm of the Bucks.</p><p>The club and Rivers are discussing a possible move to the front office for 2026-27, according to sources, after he has coached for parts of three seasons with ​the team. Rivers, 64, will be inducted as a coach into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in August. Quentin Grimes had four 3-pointers and scored 20 points for Philadelphia, which won its second straight and is locked into the play-in tournament. The seventh-seeded 76ers will host the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on Wednesday. ⁠Center Joel Embiid was out again while recovering from an appendectomy.</p><p>AJ Green made five 3-pointers for Milwaukee (32-50) to finish the season with 232 treys, breaking Ray Allen’s single-season franchise record of 229 in 2001-02. Green was 7 of 10 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3 in the first half for 19 points; he failed to score after halftime.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Celtics 113, Magic 108</h4><p>Baylor Scheierman tossed in a career-high 30 points to lead Boston to a victory over visiting Orlando in the final regular-season game for each team.</p><p>The Celtics, who had already secured the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs, rested eight players, including their top seven scorers. Boston’s first playoff opponent will be the team that earns the No. 7 seed in the play- in tournament, either the Magic or the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston’s ‌starting lineup was Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Jordan Wash, Luka Garza and Scheierman.</p><p>The loss ended Orlando’s five-game winning streak. The Magic had won three in a row on the road. They will be the eighth seed in the play-in tournament and visit the seventh-seeded 76ers on Wednesday. The winner faces the Celtics, and the loser will host the winner of the 9/10 matchup on Friday.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Heat 143, Hawks 117</h4><p>Bam Adebayo produced 25 points and 10 rebounds, leading host Miami to a win over Atlanta in the regular-season finale for both teams.</p><p>Miami also got 26 points and five assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and 25 ‌points from Norman Powell, who returned from a groin injury. The Heat next will play at the Charlotte Hornets in the first game of the play-in round. The Heat, 5-10 over their past 15 games, are in the play-in round for the fourth straight year.</p><p>Atlanta, which had already clinched its first playoff berth since 2023, sat its entire starting ‌lineup ⁠plus three reserves. Veteran Buddy Hield led the Hawks with a game-high 31 points, and Corey Kispert added 21 points.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Rockets 132, Grizzlies 101</h4><p>Clint Capela produced a double-double in his third start of the season while Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combined for 39 points as host Houston closed the regular season ⁠with a victory over short-handed Memphis.</p><p>The Rockets concluded the schedule with nine victories in their last 10 games. With the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs already secured, Houston rested four starters in its finale: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. Capela paired a season-high 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting with 13 rebounds and three blocks. Eason added 20 points and eight rebounds while Sheppard posted 19 points.</p><p>Memphis had only seven players available. Dariq Whitehead scored a career-high 26 points; Rayan Rupert (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Jahmai Mashack (11 points, 11 assists) added double-doubles for the Grizzlies, who closed the season with 21 losses in 23 games.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Nuggets 128, Spurs 118</h4><p>Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 18-plus minutes of court time — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled to a win over San Antonio in the regular-season finale for both playoff-bound ​teams.</p><p>The Nuggets clinched the third seed in the Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the first two games of their best-of-seven first- round playoff ‌series. Denver ended the regular season with 12 straight wins and took three of the four games against the Spurs this year. Jokic played the necessary minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award consideration.</p><p>Victor Wembanyama sat out the game for San Antonio, which already clinched the No. 2 spot in the West and had little to gain from Sunday’s game. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in tournament game between Phoenix and Portland in the opening two contests of a best-of-seven first-round playoffs series. The Spurs had a three-game winning streak snapped but finished the campaign with a 62-20 mark, their best since the 2015-16 season in which they won 67 games.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Cavaliers 130, Wizards 117</h4><p>Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as playoff-bound Cleveland beat visiting Washington.</p><p>Jaylon Tyson had 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland, which is the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland will have home-court advantage over the ‌fifth-place Toronto Raptors in their first-round series.</p><p>Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for the Wizards, who finished with the worst record in the league. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished out nine assists, and Sharife Cooper had 20 points and six assists off the bench. Cleveland had eight players reach ​double digits in points.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Pistons 133, Pacers 121</h4><p>Eastern Conference leader Detroit closed out just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history, leading wire to wire in a defeat of Indiana in Indianapolis.</p><p>With the East’s No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA playoffs also secured, Detroit limited its entire starting five to fewer than 26 minutes in the regular- season finale. That was plenty of time for Paul Reed to make some Pistons history, as he became the organization’s first player ever to score 25-plus points on a perfect field-goal shooting performance. Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 ⁠from the floor.</p><p>The Pacers finished the worst season by won-loss record in franchise history. Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points each, Kobe Brown added 20 and Ethan Thompson 18. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Hornets 110, Knicks 96</h4><p>Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Coby White each scored 19 points as visiting Charlotte earned the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a win over New York.</p><p>The Hornets will host the Miami Heat in a No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game on Tuesday. Kon Knueppel finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.</p><p>New York had nothing to play for after already clinching the East’s No. 3 seed. With most of their regulars sitting out, the Knicks started Miles McBride, Jose ‌Alvarado, Mikal Bridges, Mohamed Diawara and Ariel Hukporti. Bridges’ consecutive games played streak reached 638 — the eighth longest in NBA history — with his 23-second appearance. New York will face the Atlanta Hawks, the East’s No. 6 seed, in a first-round series beginning Saturday.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Mavericks 149, Bulls 128</h4><p>Ryan Nembhard notched the second-most assists in a game in franchise history as Dallas beat visiting Chicago.</p><p>Nembhard fell narrowly short of a triple-double in the season-ending clash, chalking up 15 points, nine rebounds and 23 assists. Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in a two-overtime game in February 1996, has registered more for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg scored 10 points, his stellar rookie campaign ending with 10:11 left in the second quarter after spraining his left ankle on a bad landing while leaping for an offensive rebound.</p><p>Rob Dillingham scored 25 for the Bulls. Collin Sexton contributed 19, Leonard Miller had 17 and Lachlan Olbrich added a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Timberwolves 132, Pelicans 126</h4><p>Rookie big man Joan Beringer recorded career highs with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Minnesota held on for a victory over New Orleans in Minneapolis.</p><p>Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 26 points for the Timberwolves, who relied on young players and reserves in their final game of the regular season. Zyon Pullin scored 19 points off the bench, and Joe Ingles capitalized on a rare start to notch a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. The Timberwolves already were locked into the No. 6 playoff seed in the Western Conference and will face the third-seeded Nuggets, beginning Saturday in Denver.</p><p>Rookie Jeremiah Fears scored 36 points on 12-for-29 shooting to lead the Pelicans. Fellow rookie Derik Queen finished with 30 points and 22 rebounds, and Micah Peavy scored 21 points.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Suns 135, Thunder 103</h4><p>Jamaree Bouyea scored a career-high 27 points to help Phoenix close the regular season with a road win over Oklahoma ‌City as both teams, with their playoff positions secure going into the game, sat the majority of their starters and major rotational players.</p><p>The Suns’ Ryan Dunn scored a season-high 20 points, shooting 8 for 11 from the field with a career-high tying 11 rebounds and a career-high five assists. Koby Brea added 20 points off the bench for Phoenix. Brea had scored just 25 points total in his first 11 NBA games. Rookie ​center Khaman Maluach had a career-high 18 points and tied his career high with 14 rebounds off the bench as well.</p><p>Branden Carlson tied his career high with 26 points to lead the Thunder. He also had 10 rebounds. Payton Sandfort added 23 points off the bench. Oklahoma City is the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs. Phoenix is the No. 7 seed and will open the play-in tournament at home Tuesday against eighth-seeded Portland.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Lakers 131, Jazz 107</h4><p>Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton each posted 22-point, 10-rebound double- doubles to help Los Angeles down visiting Utah in their regular-season finale.</p><p>LeBron James completed his ⁠23rd regular season, finishing with 18 points in 17 minutes for the Lakers, who will be the No. 4 seed in next week’s Western Conference playoffs and face the Houston Rockets in the first round. Dalton Knecht scored 17 points, Nick Smith Jr. added 12 and Bronny James chipped in 11 for Los Angeles, which finished with its most victories in a season ⁠since the 2010-11 campaign (57).</p><p>Oscar Tshiebwe led the Jazz with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh added 15 points apiece. Cody Williams and Bez Mbeng both scored 14 points and Blake Hinson had 10 for Utah, which recorded its second 60-loss season in franchise history and second in as many years.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Clippers 115, Warriors 110</h4><p>Los Angeles sent a message to it play-in opponent, riding Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 points and a stingy defense to a home win over Golden State in what turned out to be an otherwise meaningless regular-season finale.</p><p>The Clippers lost a tiebreaker with eighth-place Portland and were relegated to ninth for play-in purposes, where they’ll get a ‌home game Wednesday against the 10th-place Warriors. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.</p><p>John Collins backed Mathurin with 18 points, and Mathurin and Collins each collected a game-high nine rebounds, while Mathurin also found time for a game-high eight assists. In just his third game after missing 27 straight with a sore right knee, Stephen Curry paced Golden State with a game-high 24 points.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Trail Blazers 122, Kings 110</h4><p>Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and Portland secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a win over visiting Sacramento in the regular-season finale for both teams.</p><p>Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which will play beyond the regular ​season for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign. The Trail Blazers will visit the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in the play-in round. The winner goes directly to the Western Conference playoffs against the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs while the loser will have a second opportunity on Friday.</p><p>Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. The Kings went 17-65 in 2008-09.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #NBA #roundup #Raptors #top #Nets #earn #postseason #spot

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Spain returned to the top of the FIFA men’s rankings after six months, having dethroned reigning world champion Argentina to lift the World Cup with a 1-0 win in the final on July 19.

Ferran Torres struck the winner in extra time as La Furia Roja had the last laugh in the summit clash. The latest ranking keeps Spain atop the rankings in both men’s and women’s football. The women’s team is the reigning world champion, having beaten England in the final.

Meanwhile, Argentina (men), led by Lionel Messi, fell one spot to second. France remained third despite finishing fourth in the quadrennial tournament.

Morocco, the semifinalist at Qatar 2022, continued its ascent to get to sixth, its best-ever position in the rankings. The Atlas Lions continued their form in the 2026 World Cup, beating the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and reaching the quarterfinals, where they were humbled by France.

RELATED: Haaland’s World Cup heroics help Norway become biggest climber in FIFA rankings

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Nations League champion, which lost to Spain in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, fell two spots to seventh in the rankings, while Brazil, which also exited in the same round in this tournament, got back into the top five after six months, rising one spot to fifth.

FIFA Men’s Rankings after World Cup: (Top 10)

1. Spain

2. Argentina

3. France

4. England

5. Brazil

6. Morocco

7. Portugal

8. Belgium

9. Netherlands

10. Mexico

Four-time world champion Germany, which lost on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32, fell to its lowest ranking since September 2025, dropping out of the top 10, to 12th.

The June ranking round saw 105 matches being played, 104 of which were played in the FIFA World Cup, which took place in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Among the co-hosts, Mexico was the highest climber, rising four spots to 10th. It reached the round of 16 and narrowly lost to England with a 2-3 defeat on home soil, at the Azteca.

Published on Jul 21, 2026

#Rankings #FIFA #World #Cup #Spain #dethrones #Argentina #Portugal #Germany #fall">Rankings after FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain dethrones Argentina as No. 1; Portugal, Germany fall Spain returned to the top of the FIFA men’s rankings after six months, having dethroned reigning world champion Argentina to lift the World Cup with a 1-0 win in the final on July 19.Ferran Torres struck the winner in extra time as La Furia Roja had the last laugh in the summit clash. The latest ranking keeps Spain atop the rankings in both men’s and women’s football. The women’s team is the reigning world champion, having beaten England in the final.Meanwhile, Argentina (men), led by Lionel Messi, fell one spot to second. France remained third despite finishing fourth in the quadrennial tournament.Morocco, the semifinalist at Qatar 2022, continued its ascent to get to sixth, its best-ever position in the rankings. The Atlas Lions continued their form in the 2026 World Cup, beating the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and reaching the quarterfinals, where they were humbled by France.RELATED: Haaland’s World Cup heroics help Norway become biggest climber in FIFA rankingsCristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Nations League champion, which lost to Spain in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, fell two spots to seventh in the rankings, while Brazil, which also exited in the same round in this tournament, got back into the top five after six months, rising one spot to fifth. FIFA Men’s Rankings after World Cup: (Top 10) 1. Spain 2. Argentina 3. France 4. England 5. Brazil 6. Morocco 7. Portugal 8. Belgium 9. Netherlands 10. Mexico Four-time world champion Germany, which lost on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32, fell to its lowest ranking since September 2025, dropping out of the top 10, to 12th.The June ranking round saw 105 matches being played, 104 of which were played in the FIFA World Cup, which took place in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.Among the co-hosts, Mexico was the highest climber, rising four spots to 10th. It reached the round of 16 and narrowly lost to England with a 2-3 defeat on home soil, at the Azteca.Published on Jul 21, 2026 #Rankings #FIFA #World #Cup #Spain #dethrones #Argentina #Portugal #Germany #fall

Haaland’s World Cup heroics help Norway become biggest climber in FIFA rankings

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Nations League champion, which lost to Spain in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, fell two spots to seventh in the rankings, while Brazil, which also exited in the same round in this tournament, got back into the top five after six months, rising one spot to fifth.

FIFA Men’s Rankings after World Cup: (Top 10)

1. Spain

2. Argentina

3. France

4. England

5. Brazil

6. Morocco

7. Portugal

8. Belgium

9. Netherlands

10. Mexico

Four-time world champion Germany, which lost on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32, fell to its lowest ranking since September 2025, dropping out of the top 10, to 12th.

The June ranking round saw 105 matches being played, 104 of which were played in the FIFA World Cup, which took place in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Among the co-hosts, Mexico was the highest climber, rising four spots to 10th. It reached the round of 16 and narrowly lost to England with a 2-3 defeat on home soil, at the Azteca.

Published on Jul 21, 2026

#Rankings #FIFA #World #Cup #Spain #dethrones #Argentina #Portugal #Germany #fall">Rankings after FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain dethrones Argentina as No. 1; Portugal, Germany fall

Spain returned to the top of the FIFA men’s rankings after six months, having dethroned reigning world champion Argentina to lift the World Cup with a 1-0 win in the final on July 19.

Ferran Torres struck the winner in extra time as La Furia Roja had the last laugh in the summit clash. The latest ranking keeps Spain atop the rankings in both men’s and women’s football. The women’s team is the reigning world champion, having beaten England in the final.

Meanwhile, Argentina (men), led by Lionel Messi, fell one spot to second. France remained third despite finishing fourth in the quadrennial tournament.

Morocco, the semifinalist at Qatar 2022, continued its ascent to get to sixth, its best-ever position in the rankings. The Atlas Lions continued their form in the 2026 World Cup, beating the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and reaching the quarterfinals, where they were humbled by France.

RELATED: Haaland’s World Cup heroics help Norway become biggest climber in FIFA rankings

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Nations League champion, which lost to Spain in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, fell two spots to seventh in the rankings, while Brazil, which also exited in the same round in this tournament, got back into the top five after six months, rising one spot to fifth.

FIFA Men’s Rankings after World Cup: (Top 10)

1. Spain

2. Argentina

3. France

4. England

5. Brazil

6. Morocco

7. Portugal

8. Belgium

9. Netherlands

10. Mexico

Four-time world champion Germany, which lost on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32, fell to its lowest ranking since September 2025, dropping out of the top 10, to 12th.

The June ranking round saw 105 matches being played, 104 of which were played in the FIFA World Cup, which took place in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Among the co-hosts, Mexico was the highest climber, rising four spots to 10th. It reached the round of 16 and narrowly lost to England with a 2-3 defeat on home soil, at the Azteca.

Published on Jul 21, 2026

#Rankings #FIFA #World #Cup #Spain #dethrones #Argentina #Portugal #Germany #fall
Deadspin | G Jack Campbell officially retires Oct 19, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Former NHL goaltender Jack Campbell announced his retirement on Sunday. Campbell, 34, last played in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023-24 season. He went 93-52-18 with 10 shutouts, a .909 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average with four teams. Campbell was an All-Star with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22 and signed a five-year, million deal with the Oilers in July 2022. Edmonton bought out the final three years of his contract and placed him on waivers on Nov. 7, 2024. Campbell posted on social media that he is starting a new chapter as an identity and performance coach. “I grew up my entire life chasing one dream and that was to play in the NHL,” he said in a video posted on his Instagram account. “I was fortunate enough to accomplish that goal of playing eight seasons in the NHL, becoming an NHL All-Star (2021-22) and thankfully on paper, living a pretty awesome life. Super grateful for my days of playing but what a lot of people don’t see is the personal battles that I went through throughout my career. Not having somebody to hold me accountable for having a well-balanced life, that’s when I found four years ago my life coach, who’s completely changed everything for me.” The Dallas Stars drafted Campbell with the No. 11 pick in 2010. He made one appearance for the Stars in 2013-14 before stints with the Los Angeles Kings (2016-20), Maple Leafs (2020-22) and Oilers (2022-24). “Walking away from hockey wasn’t easy,” Campbell said. “It gave me more than I could have ever imagined. But over the last few years, I realized the work that brought me the most fulfillment wasn’t stopping pucks, it was helping people become who they’re capable of becoming.” Campbell appeared in 18 Stanley Cup playoff games, finishing 7-8 with a 2.28 GAA, .920 save percentage and two shutouts. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jack #Campbell #officially #retiresOct 19, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Former NHL goaltender Jack Campbell announced his retirement on Sunday.

Campbell, 34, last played in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023-24 season.

He went 93-52-18 with 10 shutouts, a .909 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average with four teams.

Campbell was an All-Star with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22 and signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Oilers in July 2022. Edmonton bought out the final three years of his contract and placed him on waivers on Nov. 7, 2024.


Campbell posted on social media that he is starting a new chapter as an identity and performance coach.

“I grew up my entire life chasing one dream and that was to play in the NHL,” he said in a video posted on his Instagram account. “I was fortunate enough to accomplish that goal of playing eight seasons in the NHL, becoming an NHL All-Star (2021-22) and thankfully on paper, living a pretty awesome life. Super grateful for my days of playing but what a lot of people don’t see is the personal battles that I went through throughout my career. Not having somebody to hold me accountable for having a well-balanced life, that’s when I found four years ago my life coach, who’s completely changed everything for me.”

The Dallas Stars drafted Campbell with the No. 11 pick in 2010. He made one appearance for the Stars in 2013-14 before stints with the Los Angeles Kings (2016-20), Maple Leafs (2020-22) and Oilers (2022-24).

“Walking away from hockey wasn’t easy,” Campbell said. “It gave me more than I could have ever imagined. But over the last few years, I realized the work that brought me the most fulfillment wasn’t stopping pucks, it was helping people become who they’re capable of becoming.”

Campbell appeared in 18 Stanley Cup playoff games, finishing 7-8 with a 2.28 GAA, .920 save percentage and two shutouts.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jack #Campbell #officially #retires">Deadspin | G Jack Campbell officially retires Oct 19, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Former NHL goaltender Jack Campbell announced his retirement on Sunday. Campbell, 34, last played in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023-24 season. He went 93-52-18 with 10 shutouts, a .909 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average with four teams. Campbell was an All-Star with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22 and signed a five-year, million deal with the Oilers in July 2022. Edmonton bought out the final three years of his contract and placed him on waivers on Nov. 7, 2024. Campbell posted on social media that he is starting a new chapter as an identity and performance coach. “I grew up my entire life chasing one dream and that was to play in the NHL,” he said in a video posted on his Instagram account. “I was fortunate enough to accomplish that goal of playing eight seasons in the NHL, becoming an NHL All-Star (2021-22) and thankfully on paper, living a pretty awesome life. Super grateful for my days of playing but what a lot of people don’t see is the personal battles that I went through throughout my career. Not having somebody to hold me accountable for having a well-balanced life, that’s when I found four years ago my life coach, who’s completely changed everything for me.” The Dallas Stars drafted Campbell with the No. 11 pick in 2010. He made one appearance for the Stars in 2013-14 before stints with the Los Angeles Kings (2016-20), Maple Leafs (2020-22) and Oilers (2022-24). “Walking away from hockey wasn’t easy,” Campbell said. “It gave me more than I could have ever imagined. But over the last few years, I realized the work that brought me the most fulfillment wasn’t stopping pucks, it was helping people become who they’re capable of becoming.” Campbell appeared in 18 Stanley Cup playoff games, finishing 7-8 with a 2.28 GAA, .920 save percentage and two shutouts. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jack #Campbell #officially #retires

I can’t stop thinking about the halftime show of the World Cup final. It was one of those things you just had to see to believe. It was so weird, so improbable, so nonsensical that part of me is in awe of what took place, and part wonders how many people it took to greenlight this and assume it was a good idea.

Truthfully, here’s how I presented the halftime show to my non-soccer watching friends in our group chat.

Let’s expand beyond the group chat to examine the key elements of all this. It begins with Madonna emerging from a disco ball amidst roller skaters before jumping in a dune buggy being driven by Ronaldo (R9) and Ronaldinho. Poor R9 seemed frozen while driving the dune buggy. He was smiling as if he was trapped in a hostage video and didn’t seem relaxed for one second until he was off camera altogether.

Madonna represented the USA element of this halftime show. This is important, because we’re going to come back to this.

Then we got the Muppets playing “Seven Nation Army,” with Gustavo Dudamel leading the New York Philharmonic, which was a delight. I don’t know why exactly they were playing “Seven Nation Army, but I didn’t care because it was cool.

BTS were great because they’re BTS. Look, I am a 41-year-old man, and yes, my view of K-Pop might be extremely skewed due to my nine-year-old daughter’s love of K-Pop — but it was rad. BTS put on a great show, and are still my pick (along with Blackpink and others) to be the Super Bowl halftime show this year.

Next up was a Ted Lasso interlude, because of course there was. It made me wonder how much Ted Lasso resonates outside the USA at all. I know the show has fans in England, but is this something that has really gone global? If not this would be wildly confusing, but nonetheless it led to the Canadian element of the halftime show: Justin Bieber.

Never really cared for Biebs. It was fine. I’m not gonna lie though, the “BELIEBE” sign made me giggle.

Okay then, we’re well past the halfway point and we’ve had USA’s artist and Canada’s artist representing two of the host nations — now we just need a performer from Mexico to bring it home. Introducing … SHAKIRA?!

Look, I know Shakira is intimately involved in all things FIFA, but she is very well known and established to be Colombian. You can’t just replace Mexico’s place in all this by grabbing another Latin artist and calling it a day. Sure, the theme of all this was supposed to be global, but it was extremely weird to have two host nation countries represented and not a third.

Shakira did what Shakira has done for 20 years.

It was time to close out the show by remembering the children are our future. Dozens of kids were on the field, and incredible props to some of these youngsters for performing solos in front of an entire stadium, with hundreds-of-millions of people watching around the globe. I could have never.

The Muppets were back, this time in their Sesame St. variant forms, because children and Sesame St. Chris Martin and Coldplay were in the background offering support. It was technically their number, but nobody puts Miss Piggy in the corner.

The prevailing theme of the whole show was love across the world, which I could be really jaded about — and normally I would be, but damn did it feel needed right now. This was joyous anarchy, and while the world might not be accustomed to the halftime show, it was a really nice breather. The big misstep was not having a performer representing Mexico, however.

#FIFA #World #Cup #halftime #show #unhinged">The FIFA World Cup halftime show was so unhinged you need to see it to believe it I can’t stop thinking about the halftime show of the World Cup final. It was one of those things you just had to see to believe. It was so weird, so improbable, so nonsensical that part of me is in awe of what took place, and part wonders how many people it took to greenlight this and assume it was a good idea.Truthfully, here’s how I presented the halftime show to my non-soccer watching friends in our group chat.Let’s expand beyond the group chat to examine the key elements of all this. It begins with Madonna emerging from a disco ball amidst roller skaters before jumping in a dune buggy being driven by Ronaldo (R9) and Ronaldinho. Poor R9 seemed frozen while driving the dune buggy. He was smiling as if he was trapped in a hostage video and didn’t seem relaxed for one second until he was off camera altogether.Madonna represented the USA element of this halftime show. This is important, because we’re going to come back to this.Then we got the Muppets playing “Seven Nation Army,” with Gustavo Dudamel leading the New York Philharmonic, which was a delight. I don’t know why exactly they were playing “Seven Nation Army, but I didn’t care because it was cool.BTS were great because they’re BTS. Look, I am a 41-year-old man, and yes, my view of K-Pop might be extremely skewed due to my nine-year-old daughter’s love of K-Pop — but it was rad. BTS put on a great show, and are still my pick (along with Blackpink and others) to be the Super Bowl halftime show this year.Next up was a Ted Lasso interlude, because of course there was. It made me wonder how much Ted Lasso resonates outside the USA at all. I know the show has fans in England, but is this something that has really gone global? If not this would be wildly confusing, but nonetheless it led to the Canadian element of the halftime show: Justin Bieber.Never really cared for Biebs. It was fine. I’m not gonna lie though, the “BELIEBE” sign made me giggle.Okay then, we’re well past the halfway point and we’ve had USA’s artist and Canada’s artist representing two of the host nations — now we just need a performer from Mexico to bring it home. Introducing … SHAKIRA?!Look, I know Shakira is intimately involved in all things FIFA, but she is very well known and established to be Colombian. You can’t just replace Mexico’s place in all this by grabbing another Latin artist and calling it a day. Sure, the theme of all this was supposed to be global, but it was extremely weird to have two host nation countries represented and not a third.Shakira did what Shakira has done for 20 years.It was time to close out the show by remembering the children are our future. Dozens of kids were on the field, and incredible props to some of these youngsters for performing solos in front of an entire stadium, with hundreds-of-millions of people watching around the globe. I could have never.The Muppets were back, this time in their Sesame St. variant forms, because children and Sesame St. Chris Martin and Coldplay were in the background offering support. It was technically their number, but nobody puts Miss Piggy in the corner.The prevailing theme of the whole show was love across the world, which I could be really jaded about — and normally I would be, but damn did it feel needed right now. This was joyous anarchy, and while the world might not be accustomed to the halftime show, it was a really nice breather. The big misstep was not having a performer representing Mexico, however. #FIFA #World #Cup #halftime #show #unhinged

Let’s expand beyond the group chat to examine the key elements of all this. It begins with Madonna emerging from a disco ball amidst roller skaters before jumping in a dune buggy being driven by Ronaldo (R9) and Ronaldinho. Poor R9 seemed frozen while driving the dune buggy. He was smiling as if he was trapped in a hostage video and didn’t seem relaxed for one second until he was off camera altogether.

Madonna represented the USA element of this halftime show. This is important, because we’re going to come back to this.

Then we got the Muppets playing “Seven Nation Army,” with Gustavo Dudamel leading the New York Philharmonic, which was a delight. I don’t know why exactly they were playing “Seven Nation Army, but I didn’t care because it was cool.

BTS were great because they’re BTS. Look, I am a 41-year-old man, and yes, my view of K-Pop might be extremely skewed due to my nine-year-old daughter’s love of K-Pop — but it was rad. BTS put on a great show, and are still my pick (along with Blackpink and others) to be the Super Bowl halftime show this year.

Next up was a Ted Lasso interlude, because of course there was. It made me wonder how much Ted Lasso resonates outside the USA at all. I know the show has fans in England, but is this something that has really gone global? If not this would be wildly confusing, but nonetheless it led to the Canadian element of the halftime show: Justin Bieber.

Never really cared for Biebs. It was fine. I’m not gonna lie though, the “BELIEBE” sign made me giggle.

Okay then, we’re well past the halfway point and we’ve had USA’s artist and Canada’s artist representing two of the host nations — now we just need a performer from Mexico to bring it home. Introducing … SHAKIRA?!

Look, I know Shakira is intimately involved in all things FIFA, but she is very well known and established to be Colombian. You can’t just replace Mexico’s place in all this by grabbing another Latin artist and calling it a day. Sure, the theme of all this was supposed to be global, but it was extremely weird to have two host nation countries represented and not a third.

Shakira did what Shakira has done for 20 years.

It was time to close out the show by remembering the children are our future. Dozens of kids were on the field, and incredible props to some of these youngsters for performing solos in front of an entire stadium, with hundreds-of-millions of people watching around the globe. I could have never.

The Muppets were back, this time in their Sesame St. variant forms, because children and Sesame St. Chris Martin and Coldplay were in the background offering support. It was technically their number, but nobody puts Miss Piggy in the corner.

The prevailing theme of the whole show was love across the world, which I could be really jaded about — and normally I would be, but damn did it feel needed right now. This was joyous anarchy, and while the world might not be accustomed to the halftime show, it was a really nice breather. The big misstep was not having a performer representing Mexico, however.

#FIFA #World #Cup #halftime #show #unhinged">The FIFA World Cup halftime show was so unhinged you need to see it to believe it

I can’t stop thinking about the halftime show of the World Cup final. It was one of those things you just had to see to believe. It was so weird, so improbable, so nonsensical that part of me is in awe of what took place, and part wonders how many people it took to greenlight this and assume it was a good idea.

Truthfully, here’s how I presented the halftime show to my non-soccer watching friends in our group chat.

Let’s expand beyond the group chat to examine the key elements of all this. It begins with Madonna emerging from a disco ball amidst roller skaters before jumping in a dune buggy being driven by Ronaldo (R9) and Ronaldinho. Poor R9 seemed frozen while driving the dune buggy. He was smiling as if he was trapped in a hostage video and didn’t seem relaxed for one second until he was off camera altogether.

Madonna represented the USA element of this halftime show. This is important, because we’re going to come back to this.

Then we got the Muppets playing “Seven Nation Army,” with Gustavo Dudamel leading the New York Philharmonic, which was a delight. I don’t know why exactly they were playing “Seven Nation Army, but I didn’t care because it was cool.

BTS were great because they’re BTS. Look, I am a 41-year-old man, and yes, my view of K-Pop might be extremely skewed due to my nine-year-old daughter’s love of K-Pop — but it was rad. BTS put on a great show, and are still my pick (along with Blackpink and others) to be the Super Bowl halftime show this year.

Next up was a Ted Lasso interlude, because of course there was. It made me wonder how much Ted Lasso resonates outside the USA at all. I know the show has fans in England, but is this something that has really gone global? If not this would be wildly confusing, but nonetheless it led to the Canadian element of the halftime show: Justin Bieber.

Never really cared for Biebs. It was fine. I’m not gonna lie though, the “BELIEBE” sign made me giggle.

Okay then, we’re well past the halfway point and we’ve had USA’s artist and Canada’s artist representing two of the host nations — now we just need a performer from Mexico to bring it home. Introducing … SHAKIRA?!

Look, I know Shakira is intimately involved in all things FIFA, but she is very well known and established to be Colombian. You can’t just replace Mexico’s place in all this by grabbing another Latin artist and calling it a day. Sure, the theme of all this was supposed to be global, but it was extremely weird to have two host nation countries represented and not a third.

Shakira did what Shakira has done for 20 years.

It was time to close out the show by remembering the children are our future. Dozens of kids were on the field, and incredible props to some of these youngsters for performing solos in front of an entire stadium, with hundreds-of-millions of people watching around the globe. I could have never.

The Muppets were back, this time in their Sesame St. variant forms, because children and Sesame St. Chris Martin and Coldplay were in the background offering support. It was technically their number, but nobody puts Miss Piggy in the corner.

The prevailing theme of the whole show was love across the world, which I could be really jaded about — and normally I would be, but damn did it feel needed right now. This was joyous anarchy, and while the world might not be accustomed to the halftime show, it was a really nice breather. The big misstep was not having a performer representing Mexico, however.

#FIFA #World #Cup #halftime #show #unhinged

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