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Deadspin | Spurs, emboldened by wins over Thunder, put streak on line vs. Jazz

Deadspin | Spurs, emboldened by wins over Thunder, put streak on line vs. Jazz

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Dec 25, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) moves the ball across the court against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The San Antonio Spurs will look to continue their hot streak and move closer to the top spot in the Western Conference when they host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

San Antonio brings a league-leading eight-game winning streak into its first of three meetings with the Jazz this season.

The Spurs head home after a 117-102 road win over the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day. It was the third time in 13 days that San Antonio pinned a loss on Oklahoma City, while the Thunder is 26-2 against the rest of the league. The Spurs’ victories in that span came at a neutral site (in Las Vegas on Dec. 13), in San Antonio (on Tuesday) and in Oklahoma City.

De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points to lead San Antonio on Thursday as the Spurs extended their longest winning streak since 2018-19. However, he is listed as questionable for Saturday due to left adductor tightness.

Victor Wembanyama, who came off the Spurs’ bench for the sixth consecutive game after missing 12 contests with a calf injury, racked up 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes on Christmas. Stephon Castle also had 19 points, Harrison Barnes hit for 15 points and Dylan Harper scored 12.

“We learned that when you play a team multiple times in short stretches, there’s a familiarity, obviously, and it breeds, and when you play a team (Thunder) of this caliber, the details are that much more magnified because of the familiarity, and we did a phenomenal job as the game progressed,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said.

San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field in the win, its second consecutive game above 50% — both contests vs. the Thunder, who lead the league in opponents’ field-goal percentage (43.4).

“This was like a playoff series, and we learned a lot on the tactical side, and we definitely got some intelligence,” Wembanyama said. “All of us are happy to come into work. We know we’re going to have fun, we know we’re going to go out there and produce competitive basketball.”

The Jazz travel to San Antonio for the second game of a home-road back-to-back set after edging the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons 131-129 on Friday. Keyonte George canned a short jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining for the winning points after Utah squandered a 15-point, third-quarter lead.

George scored 31 points to lead the Jazz while Lauri Markkanen had 30 and Jusuf Nurkic added 16 points and 11 rebounds. Brice Sensabaugh and Kevin Love contributed 20 and 14 points, respectively, off the bench as Utah snapped a four-game losing streak.

“At the end of the day, it’s just about us playing the basketball that we wanna play,” George said postgame. “That’s what we did tonight. This is a team win for sure. It’s easier to carry momentum when you win, especially going into a tough back-to-back. This is a big test for us.”

George scored at least 31 points for the fourth time in his past seven games. He is averaging 30.3 points per game over that stretch, during which Utah has won three times.

The Jazz were also bolstered on Friday by the return of Markkanen, who missed four of the team’s previous seven games with a nagging groin injury that has kept him out of back-to-back games. It remains to be seen if Markkanen will play on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Surprise HR by Jonatan Clase propels Jays past Giants Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night. Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack. Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run. Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys. The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run. The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third. Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez. McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout. Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one. Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez. The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement. Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday. Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #GiantsJul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.

Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack.

Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run.

Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys.

The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run.

The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third.


Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez.

McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout.

Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one.

Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez.

The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement.

Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday.

Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #Giants">Deadspin | Surprise HR by Jonatan Clase propels Jays past Giants Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night. Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack. Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run. Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys. The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run. The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third. Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez. McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout. Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one. Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez. The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement. Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday. Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #Giants

#Egypts #World #Cup #loss #compared #Falcons #debacle">Egypt’s World Cup loss is being compared to the Falcons’ 28-3 debacle It’s been almost a decade, but the Atlanta Falcons still aren’t living down the horrific memories of their 28-3 Super Bowl collapse against the New England Patriots. Just when you think there’s no possible way for the Falcons to catch a stray during the World Cup, Argentina vs. Egypt happens — in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, no less.Egypt legitimately looked like a team about to pull off the upset of the tournament up 2-0 with less than 30 minutes to go. Then, in the span of four minutes, Argentina roared back to life with two goals from Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi to even the score. It’s here the comparisons began.The collapse was seemingly unstoppable. Egypt were reeling, clearly panicking from the back-to-back goals, then Enzo Fernandez drove the dagger in stoppage time to give Argentina a 3-2 comeback win. If there was ever time for a perfect social media post it was now, and we got one.Two teams who wear red and black, both about to pull off a stunning upset that nobody saw coming, both with huge, seemingly insurmountable leads — both crumbling into dust. There’s only one thing left in a moment like this, and that’s to hear from someone with intimate knowledge of the legendary 28-3 collapse.On the plus side Falcons fans, if Brady himself says Egypt’s loss in Atlanta was worse than y’alls then he might have exorcised a few demons? I guess that’s the only bright side for this one I can think of. #Egypts #World #Cup #loss #compared #Falcons #debacle

Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.

Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.

Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.

“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.

“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.

“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”

ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER

Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.

RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals">Wimbledon 2026: ‘Racket and heart’ as Djokovic tames Auger-Aliassime to enter semifinals Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNERDjokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTSThe move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals

Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals">Wimbledon 2026: ‘Racket and heart’ as Djokovic tames Auger-Aliassime to enter semifinals

Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.

Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.

Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.

“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.

“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.

“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”

ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER

Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.

RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals

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