Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami get back on track after one of their worse stretches together in Major League Soccer?

Inter Miami will visit the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with Messi’s club in desperate need of a victory.

Inter Miami has one win, a draw, and five losses in their last seven matches. They’ve been outscored 20-12 during the stretch. They’ve tumbled from fourth to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference.

This match will be a tough test against the Union, which is in first place in the East standings.

“It’s a difficult time, but we’re going to come through this together,” Messi said after the club’s last match, a 3-0 loss to Orlando City. “Now we’ll really see if we’re a team in difficult times because when everything is going well, it’s very easy. But when difficult times come, like now, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a real team and get through it.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match:

What time does Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match begin?

The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina), and will be played at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.

How to watch Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match?

The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Is Messi playing? Philadelphia vs. Inter Miami starting lineups

Lionel Messi is in the starting 11 for Inter Miami, and will captain the team for head coach Javier Mascherano:

The Philadelphia Union starting 11 is below:

For Miami, the notable change is that Tómas Avilés has replaced normal starter Maximilano Falcón as one of the two center backs in what is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mascherano also appears to be addressing a documented issue with veteran star Jordi Alba’s defending by pushing him up into an attacking role, starting Noah Allen at left back instead. That was the approach used in Miami’s last match, but Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Orlando City means the solution might need more work.

The Union, meanwhile, have brought Tai Baribo back into the lineup after giving their leading scorer a rest in Saturday’s 1-0 road win over Atlanta United. Head coach Bradley Carnell, deploying what will likely be a 4-4-2, has also restored normal starters Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan, and Indiana Vassilev to the midfield. Center back Jakob Glesnes is preferred over Frankie Westfield (with Nathaniel Harriel moving to right back to make room).

Messi stats vs. Philadelphia Union: Inter Miami star has tormented Union

Lionel Messi has scored on just about everyone he’s faced in MLS, and he has done particularly well against Saturday’s opponent, the Philadelphia Union.

Since Messi came to MLS in 2023, he has been available to play in three of four meetings between Philadelphia and Inter Miami. In those games, he has scored four goals and added an assist.

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union: Historical results, series history

Overall, Inter Miami boasts a 6W-4L-2D record against the Philadelphia Union since Lionel Messi’s club debuted in 2020.

Here is the all-time series record between both clubs across all competitions:

July 15, 2020: Philadelphia 2, Miami 1 (MLS is Back Tournament)
September 28, 2020: Philadelphia 3, Miami 0 (MLS regular season)
April 25, 2021: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
July 26, 2021: Miami 1, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
May 19, 2022: Philadelphia 0, Miami 0 (MLS regular season)
July 14, 2022: Philadelphia 2, Miami 1 (MLS regular season)
March 5, 2023: Miami 2, Philadelphia 0 (MLS regular season)
June 25, 2023: Philadelphia 4, Miami 1 (MLS regular season)
August 16, 2023: Miami 4, Philadelphia 1 (Leagues Cup semifinal)
June 16, 2024: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
September 15, 2024: Miami 3, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
March 30, 2025: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)

Where are Messi, Inter Miami in MLS standings?

Below are the current MLS standings for the Eastern Conference. Where necessary, the tiebreaker involved to separate two teams will be noted after point totals:

Philadelphia Union: 29 points (plus-13 goal difference)
FC Cincinnati: 29 points (plus-4 goal difference)
Columbus Crew: 27 points
Nashville SC: 24 points (seven total wins)
Orlando City: 24 points (six total wins)
Inter Miami: 22 points
New York City FC: 21 points
Charlotte FC: 19 points (six total wins)
Chicago Fire: 19 points (five total wins)
New York Red Bulls: 18 points (plus-3 goal difference)
New England Revolution: 18 points (plus-2 goal difference)
D.C. United: 14 points
Toronto FC: 13 points
Atlanta United: 11 points
CF Montréal: 7 points

In the overall league standings, which are used to crown the Supporters’ Shield winner (a trophy given to teams with the best regular-season performance), Miami sits 11th, trailing five teams from the East as well as all of the top five from the Western Conference. Philadelphia, Miami’s opponent in Saturday’s game, leads that table as well.

Inter Miami recent results: Messi, Herons struggling with form

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are on a poor run over the last month, a stretch that has seen the Herons tumble down the MLS standings and get eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup.

After starting the season with a 5W-0L-3D run in MLS play and advancing with little fuss through the round of 32 and round of 16 in the Champions Cup, things have started to unravel for Miami. While they did survive a Champions Cup quarterfinal against LAFC, it required a comeback from two goals down, and may have been an early signal that all was not well.

Since then, the Herons have gone 2W-5L-2D in all competitions while struggling on both sides of the ball. The Vancouver Whitecaps dumped them out of the Champions Cup by a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, while Miami has also suffered a 4-3 home loss to a middling FC Dallas side before being thumped 3-0 at Chase Stadium by their Florida rivals Orlando City. Over the last seven games, Miami’s goal difference is minus-8, with their foes averaging just shy of three goals per game over that span.

Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami betting odds

Philadelphia is the favorite to win at home (+120), while Inter Miami is a road underdog (+195) with higher odds for a draw (+260), according to BETMGM. The over/under is set at 2.5 goals in the match.

Messi to join Argentina before Club World Cup

Messi has been called up by defending World Cup champion Argentina for qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament. Argentina will visit Chile June 5, and host Colombia June 10.

Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule

May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET

Messi, Inter Miami schedule for Club World Cup

June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Alhy, 8 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)

Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami get back on track after one of their worse stretches together in Major League Soccer?

Inter Miami will visit the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with Messi’s club in desperate need of a victory.

Inter Miami has one win, a draw, and five losses in their last seven matches. They’ve been outscored 20-12 during the stretch. They’ve tumbled from fourth to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference.

This match will be a tough test against the Union, which is in first place in the East standings.

“It’s a difficult time, but we’re going to come through this together,” Messi said after the club’s last match, a 3-0 loss to Orlando City. “Now we’ll really see if we’re a team in difficult times because when everything is going well, it’s very easy. But when difficult times come, like now, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a real team and get through it.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match:

What time does Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match begin?

The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina), and will be played at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.

How to watch Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match?

The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Is Messi playing? Philadelphia vs. Inter Miami starting lineups

Messi is expected to play, but his status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.

Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami betting odds

Philadelphia is the favorite to win at home (+120), while Inter Miami is a road underdog (+195) with higher odds for a draw (+260), according to BETMGM. The over/under is set at 2.5 goals in the match.

Messi to join Argentina before Club World Cup

Messi has been called up by defending World Cup champion Argentina for qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament. Argentina will visit Chile June 5, and host Colombia June 10.

Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule

May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET

Messi, Inter Miami schedule for Club World Cup

June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Alhy, 8 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)

Jim Irsay passed away in his sleep during the afternoon of May 21. The official cause of death has not been disclosed, but given the significant health challenges that confronted the Indianapolis Colts owner over the years and the personal demons that severely impacted the course of his very public life, it is natural to wonder.

With all due respect, I’d suspect that his heart was in good shape.

At least when it came to goodwill.

As the tributes flowed while news spread of Irsay’s death at 65, the part of his complex legacy that involved his “Kicking The Stigma Action Fund” resonated. The campaign, launched by the Colts in 2021, provided $31 million in grants to raise awareness for dealing with mental health and addiction issues, supporting research, non-profits and other organizations.

That’s heart.

Of course, the most public indication of Irsay’s challenge came in 2014, when he pled guilty for operating a vehicle while intoxicated not far from his home in suburban Carmel, Ind. When arrested, he was also in possession of illegal prescription drugs and more than $29,000 in cash. The incident resulted in a six-game suspension from the NFL and $500,000 fine – and much public shaming.

Reflecting in 2023 with HBO’s Real Sports, Irsay contended his arrest was not above board. “I’m prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” he said.

That was rather absurd. And quite the departure from what he told me upon his return from the NFL suspension, when, following a rehab stint, he owned up to the incident and didn’t cast himself as a victim. He also maintained that his crisis moved him to lend his voice – and resources, as manifested years later – to a cause greater than himself.

“Any way I can take away from the stigma is good,” Irsay told USA TODAY Sports in 2014. “A lot of people don’t understand the disease. They think you choose an addiction. At the same time, I’ve had many, many years of continual recovery. What’s really important is that you can be honest and talk about an illness.”

Something else that Irsay told me during that interview also hits home about now.

“There are millions of death certificates that don’t read ‘alcoholism,’ but that’s what it is. Instead, they say, ‘Heart attack,’ ‘stroke,’ ‘liver disease’ or something else.

“I know it’s not perceived as a disease, as something like cancer. Hopefully, that will change. This country has a long way to go. It’s not a moral issue.”

Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner, dies at 65

In March of 2024, Irsay, who had back and hip issues, revealed that he had undergone 26 surgeries in the previous seven years, according to NFL.com. Earlier in 2024, the Colts revealed that he was treated for a severe respiratory illness, weeks after Irsay was hospitalized after being found in his home as unresponsive, according to ESPN.

In announcing Irsay’s death, the Colts did not allude to medical specifics.   

It’s no mystery that the outspoken Irsay was not the typical NFL owner. A football lifer who began working for the Colts as an adolescent, inherited the franchise in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert, his NFL roots connected to the generational family-owned teams – which is why he considered patriarchs Wellington Mara, Art Rooney Sr. and Lamar Hunt as uncles.

Irsay, a guitarist who played with his own all-star band, acquired guitars used by Elvis Presley, Prince, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, John Lennon and Bob Dylan, among others. He bought an Elton John piano and Ringo Starr’s drum set. The saddle that sat on Secretariat when he won the Triple Crown. The championship belt that Muhammad Ali claimed in defeating George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Letters written by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

The 500-piece Jim Irsay Collection was used for traveling exhibitions and at the free concerts he would stage.

Maybe Irsay’s most prized possession was the original manuscript for the Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book,” which was printed in 1939. He bought it at an auction for $2.4 million, with the personal significance also connected to the alcoholism that his father and grandfather suffered from.

“Those 12 steps have literally saved hundreds of thousands or millions of lives,” Irsay told Holder and ESPN.

On one level, it may be difficult to relate to an eccentric billionaire who spent tens of millions of dollars on his vast collection. Yet on other levels, there always seemed to be something that less-than-perfect humans – even those not battling addictions – can relate to with Irsay.

He had a heart.

Maybe that’s why Irsay was so beloved by so many who knew him, including players, coaches and staff from his Colts teams, and others in the NFL universe.

Irsay had no qualms about getting close to players, which is why he cried at the farewell press conference for Peyton Manning and why Edgerrin James got a Super Bowl ring when the team won the Lombardi Trophy a year after he left Indy.

Pat McAfee, the one-time punter-turned-media-star, shared a touching memory on social media that illuminated the essence of Irsay’s vibe with players. McAfee went to Irsay’s office to inform him of his decision to retire, and the 2 ½-hour conversation – which included Irsay trying to change McAfee’s mind and offering to re-do his contract, then pivoted to business advice – ended with Irsay ensuring him that there was always a place for him with the Colts.

After all, the Colts – now passed down to Irsay’s three daughters − represented family. Former coaches Tony Dungy and Chuck Pagano can surely vouch for the personal support they received from Irsay while dealing with family tragedy and soul-searching health crisis, respectively.

For Colts fans, they had another way to relate to the team owner who could be touched, so to speak. Irsay would show up at Colts training camp practices with a wad of cash and hand out $100 bills to fans.

His legendary presence on social media came from the heart, too. Irsay was not only prone to witty posts on X, he conducted some of the most amazing giveaways on the social media platform, typically through trivia contests. He’s given away season tickets and Super Bowl tickets. In 2023, he staged a $1 million guess-the-schedule challenge. And last year he gave away Taylor Swift concert tickets.

Irsay’s final tweet, late Wednesday morning, underscored his connection with the city and its sports fans. He gave a nod to the Indiana Pacers and team owner Herb Simon as they prepared for Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

“Go PACERS,” he posted. “Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city.”

Hours later, it turned out to be a farewell post from Irsay. RIP.

Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. couldn’t have scripted his return any better.

Acuña, who earned the 2023 NL MVP award after becoming the first player to record at least 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a season, suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on May 26, 2024. Acuña went down after he appeared to twist awkwardly while on the base path, marking his second major knee injury in four seasons.

Friday’s matchup between the Braves and the San Diego Padres marked Acuña’s first game back on the field in nearly a year. Acuña led off for the Braves in the bottom of the first inning and went yard on the first pitch from Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta.

Acuña dropped his bat and took a page out of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s book. Acuña did Morant’s grenade celebration, throwing an imaginary grenade and covering his ears as the crowd erupted in applause.

Acuña’s 467-foot homer marked the Braves’ only run of the entire game. They ultimately lost 2-1 to the Padres and dropped to 24-26 on the season.

Acuña made headlines earlier this month after making a controversial social media post, where he accused Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker of having a double standard. Acuña was critical of Snitker in a viral post on April 19 when he didn’t remove Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic from the game for not hustling after he didn’t run out a ball and was tagged out at second. ‘If it were me, they would take me out of the game,’ Acuña wrote.

He deleted the post and issued an apology to Snitker and his team, admitting that he was frustrated with being away from the team while working his way back from injury.

“I was just frustrated with my situation in the sense of my being able to return to the team,” said Acuña. “I’m coming off a second major injury. I’m in Florida away from my teammates, the team is struggling. Those were sort of the things that were frustrating me. … I wanna be here (in Atlanta) my whole career. So just seeing the team and my teammates going through that and not being able to help and not being able to be with them was where the frustration was coming from.”

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There was no third-period collapse this time.

Stuart Skinner and the Edmonton Oilers shut out the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 to earn a split in the first two games of the NHL Western Conference finals. For Skinner, the shutout was his third in five games since he was reinserted into the lineup following an injury to Calvin Pickard.

Skinner had lost his job in the first round after he was lit up by the Los Angeles Kings, but since his return, he has found his footing. He stopped all 24 shots he faced Friday night.

The Oilers held a 3-1 lead after two periods in Game 1 but wilted as Dallas kept converting on the power play. The Stars were 0-for-2 with the extra man in Game 2.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power-play goal in the first period, and Brett Kulak and Connor Brown blew the game open with goals 1:13 apart in the second period.

Game 3 is Sunday afternoon in Edmonton (3 p.m. ET, ABC).

Check out all the top moments from Game 2 of the Western Conference finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars:

Oilers vs. Stars highlights

Final: Oilers 3, Stars 0

STATS: Check out the full stats from Game 2 here.

Roope Hintz heads down the tunnel after Darnell Nurse slash

Roope Hintz, one of Dallas’ top forwards, was in considerable pain and had to be helped off the ice and into the locker room after he was slashed in the legs by Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.

Nurse was assessed a penalty on the play, a two-minute minor after the play was reviewed.

Stars coach Peter DeBoer was clearly not happy about it only being a two-minute penalty:

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 0

The Oilers strike again just 1:13 later and suddenly they’ve blown this one open.

Connor Brown got the latest goal, deflecting the puck in after a feed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The Oilers take a 3-0 lead into the dressing room and will begin the third period with a little over a minute of power play time after Stars goalie Jake Oettinger picked up a delay of game penalty for putting the puck over the glass.

Edmonton took a two-goal lead into the locker room after two periods in Game 1, but wilted in the third. Can the Oilers avoid a collapse this time?

Score update: Oilers 2, Stars 0

What a great offensive effort from … Brett Kulak?!?

Indeed, the defenseman was the unlikely goal scorer for Edmonton, extending the Oilers’ lead with his first goal of the playoffs. Kulak’s first shot attempt was blocked after a nice setup from Connor McDavid, but Kulak stuck with it and put the follow-up shot past Jake Oettinger.

End of first period: Oilers 1, Stars 0

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ power-play strike was the only goal of the first period.

Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner has stopped all 11 shots he’s faced, while counterpart Jake Oettinger has stopped nine of 10.

The Oilers did manage to kill off a Dallas power play, something they weren’t able to do in the third period of their Game 1 collapse. Edmonton will begin the second period with 1:31 of power play time after Stars defenseman Thomas Harley was called for holding at 19:29.

Oilers 1, Stars 0: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opens scoring

Just like in Game 1, the Oilers are on the board first.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins cashes in with a tap-in on the power play at 5:51 of the first.

What time is Stars vs. Oilers Game 2?

Game 2 of the Oilers-Stars series will be played at 8 p.m. ET on Friday in Dallas.

How to watch Stars vs. Oilers NHL playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. local
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Rookie Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings are off to a rough start this season, losing their first three games.

Bueckers has averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds to start the season. Arike Ogunbowale is leading the team at 15 points per game.

Rhyne Howard leads the Atlanta Dream, averaging 18.3 points per game. Allisha Gray averages 17.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Atlanta (1-2) remains without Jordin Canada, who has not played in the first three games this season. The two-time WNBA champion suffered a right knee injury during the preseason and isn’t expected back until next month.

Here’s how to watch the Wings-Dream game:

What time is Wings vs. Dream?

The Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 24 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

How to watch Wings vs. Dream game: TV, stream

Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia
TV: CBS Sports Network, Peachtree Sports Network (Georgia), KFAA (Dallas)
Stream: YouTube TV

Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream odds

The Atlanta Dream are favored to beat the Dallas Wings, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Saturday, May 24.

Spread: Dream (-7.5)
Moneyline: Dream (-285), Wings (+230)
Over/under: 169.5

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Ben Sheppard started growing his mustache on a whim after the Indiana Pacers drafted him with the No. 26 pick in 2023.

He was clean shaven as a college player at Belmont and stayed that way long enough to take all of the post-draft photos alongside fellow first-round pick Jarace Walker. Then he just started letting his facial hair grow.

By the start of NBA Summer League in 2023, he was showing some stubble, but eventually gave up on everything but the hair above his lip. By training camp he had a full-grown mustache.

‘At first I couldn’t grow any other facial hair except for a mustache,’ Sheppard said, ‘but I like how it looks on me.’

Sheppard, who scored six points and added an assist during Indiana’s Game 2 win over New York in the Eastern Conference finals Friday night, said his parents didn’t buy into his new look right away.

His parents, David and Susan, were not big fans and suggested he shave it. Ben was about to acquiesce, but then he saw a picture of them at their wedding and noticed that his father had a mustache that was almost exactly the same as his.

‘I just wanted to keep it after that,’ Sheppard said.

At that point David bought into the idea, Ben said, because what could he say? Susan was still more than skeptical but eventually had to surrender.

‘It probably took my mom a year to accept the fact that I have a mustache,’ Sheppard said. ‘But my dad likes everything that I do.’

It has since become the defining feature of Sheppard’s aesthetic as he’s settled into a rotation role as the Pacers’ high-energy, low-maintenance wing off the bench ‒ an ’80s style ‘stache sitting above a seemingly permanent smile.

‘I feel like it’s like a part of me now,’ Sheppard said, ‘so I’m keeping it for the time being.’

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Jaden McDaniels’ fourth-quarter flagrant hardly required a body language specialist. Two hands and a thrust is a shove, the universal sign for frustration — the most telling league wide symptom that the Thunder defense has seeped into the bloodstream. 

Other symptoms include but are not limited to: hands flailing or shoulders shrugging in the direction of Scott Foster, seeing six heads instead of the three-headed snake that OKC’s big 3 was on Thursday, a 118-103 Game 2 Thunder win, and a convincing two-game deficit in these NBA Western Conference finals. 

Through two games, the toxicity of the Thunder’s all-time defense has bubbled. Third quarters have come strapped in, delivered by lethal injection. The runs, crushing when they happen, feel inevitable for OKC, even so deep into these playoffs. 

They know it. They’ve weaponized it. 

“Our intensity and aggressiveness can wear on you,” veteran Alex Caruso said. “Whether you’re physically aware of it or mentally aware of it.

“By the time we bring in our second unit, first unit’s already pushing. And then you bring in me, Cason (Wallace), and keep one of the bigs out there. It’s like you have a whole new starting five defensively.”

The margin of error in this series is seemingly as small as it’s ever been vs. this Thunder squad. Thursday’s third quarter run was 25-6, a third quarter with all the same furiously forced turnovers. Strips from Minnesota’s helpless hands. 

Nothing tipped the building over quite like Wallace’s late quarter lob to Chet Holmgren, who leaped as if he swung from a branch in order to extend his frame and slam it home. 

Of all the things that the Wolves’ odds are hinged on, very little is swinging their way. It was meant to outrebound the Thunder; OKC’s 14-12 edge in second-chance points isn’t helpful. Not an exemplary ball control team entering the series, its best bet was to inch closer to the median; the Thunder leads the points-off-turnovers count 52-20 this series. 

Minnesota digested the Game 1 film and seemingly set out to force the Thunder into more jumpers. OKC attempted 12 more 3s (making just 27.3% of them), and notably depended on an abundance of midrange jumpers. 

MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lives there, fully licensed. Jalen Williams has similar credentials, though he bordered on audacious Thursday. He was 10 of 14 on 2-pointers. The wrist snapped in all the right ways en route to 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. 

Between the barrage of jumpers, OKC still managed to torment Minnesota on the interior: 22 more points on 2s, and 16 more points in the paint on 69% shooting. 

The world is seeing just exactly how SGA and Williams live. 

Minnesota’s defensive intentions have mostly been pure, too. It played its zone with the conviction of a truck driver already five Modelos in. It still feels mighty in man coverage. Rudy Gobert still leaps toward the top of the arc when the finger is wagged at him. 

But the Thunder’s intentions have been sinister. 

They’ve trained their noses like airport canines for the aroma that came with the third quarter. You smell blood in the water, you follow the scent. In this case, that meant forcing Julius Randle turnovers and flipping Minnesota on its head. 

Through two wins, OKC is outscoring Minnesota by 28 points in the third quarter. Even when Minnesota threatened a 24-point lead, trimming it to 10 in the fourth, the Thunder budged about as far as Foster would on a coach’s challenge. 

Second halves versus the Thunder have become wastelands. It has these playoffs — and Denver specifically — to thank for that. Caruso admits that Game 1 of the West semifinals, as well as the late-February meltdown versus the Wolves, both float atop the memory bank at this juncture.

“I don’t know if we get the due credit we deserve for how we’ve learned and how we’ve grown as a team,” Caruso said. 

Stepping into Oklahoma City means being prepared for the blender. Nikola Jokic was. His hide even dulled the blade at times. He provided OKC a dilemma it hadn’t seen in the series before or since, a player needing the attention of at least two defenders at most times. 

Stellar outside shooting has long been wishful thinking for these Thunder during its postseason run. It hasn’t needed it, anyway. And Minnesota has yet to make OKC truly budge. To change Gilgeous-Alexander’s gravitation toward the line. To change the Thunder’s La-Z-Boy comfortability in running the Wolves’ pockets. 

McDaniels seemingly feels all of it. He’d have maybe flipped a table over. But Gilgeous-Alexander was right there. 

“Just wanted to foul him, for real,” McDaniels said postgame. “I wasn’t even mad. I just had fouls to use.” 

“That’s frustration,” Caruso said. “Like, that’s clear as day. That’s just him being frustrated. So yeah, for sure, being able to use that. I mean, playoffs are emotional ups and downs, and usually the team that can stay the most even keel throughout the series and playoffs has the upper hand.”

Lu Dort mostly seemed understanding of the sequence. Of McDaniels’ experience.

“It was a good foul,” Dort said when relayed McDaniels’ words, smirking through the giggles in the room.  

The expression of a man with empathy. 

Joel Lorenzi covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. He can be reached at jlorenzi@oklahoman.com or on X at @joelxlorenzi.

The picture of the coveted Oklahoma City Eight of the NCAA softball tournament bracket is starting to become clearer.

Behind star pitcher NiJaree Canady, No. 12 Texas Tech on May 23 became the first team to advance to the Women’s College World Series. The Red Raiders upset No. 5 national seed Florida State in a clean two-game sweep.

There remain seven more tickets around the country to be claimed. Entering Saturday’s competition, several national seeds — No. 7 Tennessee and No. 4 Arkansas — find themselves on the cusp of elimination and upset, adding to the madness of the tournament.

All spots in the WCWS can be all locked up by the end of Saturday. No. 2 Oklahoma looks to punch its ticket to the WCWS for the ninth consecutive season, in which Patty Gasso’s Sooners will look to win their fifth straight national championship.

Action in Oklahoma City gets underway on Thursday, May 29 with a quadruple header of first-round games at Devon Park.

Here’s what you need to know about who is advancing to the Women’s College World Series, including a first look at the matchups in Oklahoma City and more:

Watch the Women’s College World Series live with Fubo (free trial)

Who’s in Women’s College World Series? Updated NCAA softball bracket

This section will be updated as teams secure their spot in the WCWS after winning their super regional

No. 5 Texas Tech (Won Tallahassee Super Regional)

Super Regional scores

Norman Super Regional

Game 1: No. 2 Oklahoma 3, No. 15 Alabama 0

Gainesville Super Regional

Game 1: No. 3 Florida 6, Georgia 1 (Florida leads 1-0)

Fayetteville Super Regional

Game 1: Ole Miss 9, No. 4 Arkansas 7 (Ole Miss leads 1-0)

Tallahassee Super Regional

Game 1: No. 12 Texas Tech 3, No. 5 Florida State 0 (Texas Tech leads 1-0)
Game 2: No. 12 Texas Tech 2, No. 5 Florida State 1 (Texas Tech wins)

Austin Super Regional

Game 1: No. 11 Clemson 7, No. 6 Texas 4 (Clemson leads 1-0)
Game 2: No. 6 Texas 7, No. 11 Clemson 5 (10 innings) (series tied 1-1)

Knoxville Super Regional

Game 1: Nebraska 5, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (Nebraska leads 1-0)

Greenville Super Regional

Game 1: No. 8 South Carolina 9, No. 9 UCLA 2 (South Carolina leads 1-0)

Eugene Super Regional

Game 1: No. 16 Oregon 3, Liberty 2 (8 innings) (Oregon leads 1-0)

When is the Women’s College World Series?

Women’s College World Series start date: Thursday, May 29
Women’s College World Series end date: Thursday, June 5/Friday, June 6

The Women’s College World Series will start on Thursday, May 29 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City and run through either Thursday, June 5 or Friday, June 6, depending on whether the WCWS championship series needs the ‘if necessary’ Game 3 to be played or not.

Women’s College World Series schedule

Here’s a breakdown of the Thursday and Friday schedule for the 2025 WCWS, including first pitch times and TV information:

All times Eastern

Thursday, May 29

Game 1: Noon | ESPN
Game 2: 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 3: 7 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 4: 9 p.m. | ESPN2

Friday, May 30

Game 5: 7 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 6: 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

How to watch Women’s College World Series?

TV channels: ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPNU | ABC
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

The entirety of the Women’s College World Series will be nationally televised across the ESPN family of networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ABC. Streaming options for the WCWS include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

When is the NCAA softball tournament?

Here’s the full 2025 NCAA softball tournament schedule:

Regionals: May 16-18
Super Regionals: May 22-25
Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 5/6