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Image: UniversalIf you saw Jurassic World Dominion this past weekend—and the film’s very large box office suggests that you did—I’m so sorry. If you haven’t yet, please let me save you some time by answering all the questions you could possibly have about the staggeringly bad final installment in the Jurassic World trilogy, including whether you should take time and spend money watching it. (Short version: no.)01:57Rainn Wilson’s First Fandoms: Star Trek And D&DYesterday 4:32PMWhen you did your FAQ on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, you wrote “I am actually looking forward to Jurassic World 3, which should theoretically be a post-dinosaur apocalypse movie, which honestly sounds pretty cool.” So, did Dominion live up to your expectations?Not really, mainly because it’s not about a post-dinosaur apocalypse world.Wait, then what is it about?Locusts, mainly. Also that little clone girl from Fallen Kingdom. But mainly locusts.What? This is a Jurassic World movie. I saw dinosaurs in the trailers.Oh, there are certainly dinosaurs. They just… don’t matter. They chase people sometimes. Idiots still bring them to places where they will kill a bunch of people if they get freed, and then the dinosaurs get free and kill a bunch of people. But this is a movie about the least interesting, most unnecessary part of Fallen Kingdom—the clone of the daughter of Sir Benjamin Lockwood, buddy of original Jurassic Park founder John Hammond, a guy that no one ever bothered to mention until the last movie.Hmm. I guess I vaguely remember a little girl clone? But she just got chased by dinosaurs for a little bit, I think.Correct! But now she’s the most important person in the entire world.…because she’s a clone?Yeah, kind of, but because that means her genetic code can stop the locusts.How the hell does that work?I don’t have the faintest clue, but neither does the movie. Presumably, it has something to do with her being the key to solving all illnesses forever, but we don’t learn that until the 3/4-mark of the film. Owen (Chris Pratt) does the hand thing.Image: UniversalWhat the hell is up with Dominion?Okay, let me set the scene. There are dinosaurs everywhere around the world. Some people are selling them on the black market, some people are illegally breeding them, but mostly they’re just kind of everywhere. Yet somehow, dinosaurs have only killed 37 people in 2021.Well, there couldn’t have been more than a hundred dinosaurs let loose in Fallen Kingdom.Agreed, but now there are a ton and they’ve somehow spread all over the world. Doesn’t matter, though, because—locusts!Who gives a crap about locusts?Well, Dr. Ellie Sattler—Laura Dern, reprising her role from the Jurassic Park movies—does, because they’re giant and eating all of America’s crops. At least the crops not using with Biosyn seeds, Biosyn being the franchise’s newest mega-corporation.Please don’t do that thing where you pretend for even a second that a giant corporation in a Jurassic movie isn’t completely evil.I won’t. I mean, “sin” is literally in its name. Also, the company is willing to destroy the world’s food supply and let billions of people around the world starve to death just to make some cash. It’s the most heinously evil company in the Jurassic movies, which is saying something. It’s also an evil company’s stupidest plan in a Jurassic movie, which is saying even more.Did they think no one would notice the only crops in the entire world the locusts were sparing were from Biosyn?Apparently not. Anyway, Sattler enlists her good friend/former romantic partner/co-star Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) to infiltrate Biosyn to find proof that the company is behind the locusts, with help—and an invite—from Biosyn’s arbitrarily hired chaos theory guru Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum). Her cunning plan: to find and collect a DNA sample of the locusts at Biosyn, while Grant serves as a witness.Owen and Barry Sembene (Omar Sy) do the hand thing.Image: UniversalHold on a second.Holding!So Sattler is getting a DNA sample from a locust at Biosyn—a sample she could have theoretically taken from any locust in the world, but her “proof” is that her former lover, and not an impartial third party, saw her get it at Biosyn.Yes, exactly.That’s dumb.Don’t worry, none of this plot matters. The other plotline follows World’s Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), who live in the woods with the teenaged and increasingly surly clone Maisie, whom Grady and Dearing have absolutely kidnapped and are now more or less holding her against her will, although the movie posits this as a good thing, since it’s for her protection.I understand that we shouldn’t root for evil corporations to kidnap and experiment on teenage girls, but “solving all illnesses forever” seems like a pretty worthwhile cause.Ah, but Biosyn CEO Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) doesn’t want Maisie for that. He just kind of wants Maisie for… reasons? Biosyn scientist Henry Wu (B.D. Wong), who was evil in the original Jurassic Park and last two World movies, wants Maisie because he suddenly feels bad that he bioengineered a bunch of mega-locusts that are going to cause tens of millions of people to starve to death, and he needs Maisie’s genes to kill those same locusts. So goons capture Maisie (and Blue the velociraptor’s baby), and then Owen and Claire chase after them.Is the Owen/Claire storyline good?It does involve some dinosaurs, so it definitely has an advantage over the Park crew. They track Maisie and her kidnappers down to a black-market dinosaur bazaar in Malta, where there’s a gun fight and Owen frees a lot of dinosaurs as a distraction and the dinosaurs chase him through the city and presumably kill far more than 37 Maltese citizens after he leaves.Well, I guess that’s something.I mean, the whole Malta section of the movie doesn’t amount to anything since Owen, Claire, and new character/pilot Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) have to go to Biosyn headquarters, and its protected dinosaur reserve, to get Maisie anyway.A reserve?Yes.Sounds kind of like a park.Looks almost exactly like a park! Anyways, Owen, Claire, Kayla, Sattler, Grant, and eventually Goldblum run and/or hide from several thousand dinosaurs individually or in groups until the two generations of Jurassic stars come together… …at which point they run and hide from dinosaurs together.Indeed.Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) does the hand thing to a fusebox.Image: UniversalWhat’s the big, dumb, extra-deadly dinosaur the evil corporation created this time?I beg your pardon?You know, in Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom, they made up two hilariously deadly dinosaurs for the “hero” dinosaurs to fight.Oh, you mean the Indominus Rex—which not only was extra-deadly but inexplicably was given Predator-abilities despite only being a park attraction—and the Indoraptor, a hybrid between the Indominus and a velociraptor created to be even smarter and deadlier than its forebears, despite the fact regular ol’ dinosaurs had proven themselves to be more than sufficiently deadly for decades. Yes.Actually, there’s not one! I guess the giant locusts sort of take the place of a genetically engineered monster, especially when they’re set on fire en masse but somehow escape into the sky so they can fall like flaming meteors for a shockingly long time——Jesus Christ——but the “villain” dinosaur is the very real Giganotosaurus, which may have been bigger than the Tyrannosaurus Rex in real life but is definitely bigger in the movie. Luckily, the “heroic”(?) T.Rex teams us with the also-real Therizinosaurus to tag-team the Giganotosaurus. Then the T.Rex and Therizinosaurus high-five and become best friends.You’re kidding.Well, they don’t try to eat each other, which is what you would think would happen in a movie that pretended to treat dinosaurs at least vaguely realistically. But, as it turns out, the moral of Jurassic World Dominion is that really, all the dinosaurs wanted was best friends.Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Maisie (Isabella Sermon) do the hand thing while Owen doesn’t,Image: UniversalAgain, what on god’s green earth are you talking about?After we’re told the locusts will eventually be taken care of and Biosyn will be held accountable for its bio-sins, the movie ends—and I shit you not—with a voiceover about how we all just need to learn to co-exist with each other over footage of dinosaurs and regular animals hanging out together. A lot of footage.I—I don’t believe you.Pterodactyls and birds, flying together. Whales and that giant alligator dinosaur, just palling around in the sea. Elephants and triceratops, tromping along the savannah. Horses and some other dinosaurs I forget, riding majestically on the plains.I have no words.That’s fine. It’s about the stupidest thing I’ve seen in a movie in the last five years. Just predators and prey, happily chilling out together, not eating nor being eaten. Because they’re friends, you see. Even the peanut-brained dinosaurs have learned how to co-exist. Why, oh why, can’t humans?Ugh. Okay, this all sounds bad, but is the movie at least dumb fun?I guess that depends. Do you like the Jurassic Park and World movies?Yes.Don’t go see Dominion. Do you like dinosaurs?Yeah, sure.Don’t go see Dominion. Do you like locusts?No, of course not.Well, that’s a shame. Do you like watching a 70-year-old paleontologist and 50-year-old paleobotanist moonlight as corporate spies for some reason?Fine, fine, I get it.Look, if you want dinosaur action, go watch any of the other Jurassic movies. There’s nothing in Dominion that you haven’t seen before, including a shocking number of utterly massive dinosaurs that inexplicably manage to sneak up on the main characters for maximum (yet unearned) tension. And there’s so little of it!That’s a real shame.You’re telling me! I stand by my statement that watching a movie about a world where people suddenly had to adapt to the resurrection of dinosaurs would be cool, but that’s an idea that’s never adequately explored. There’s that chase scene in Malta, but then the movie stays resolutely in the park—er, “dinosaur reserve.”Think they’re going to make a sequel?They’ve billed Dominion as the end of the World trilogy and the end of the Jurassic hexology, but the film has made nearly $400 million since its release, so I’d say it’s not out of the realm of human possibility. Just remember that if a sequel is made, dinosaurs and animals should all be BFFs and all illnesses have been cured forever thanks to Maisie the clone girl and a ludicrous twist so far out of left field it landed in a neighboring ballpark.Do tell!No. It doesn’t deserve to be told.Sort of sounds like that could be applied to the entire movie.Your words, not mine.Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Movies

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Charlie Sheen’s daughter Sami Sheen responded to a troll who questioned whether she had "the body" to join OnlyFans.The 18-year-old took to Instagram stories Wednesday and hosted a Q&A session following her announcement that she was joining the content subscription platform. One user mocked the influencer and asked, "Do you really think you have the body for of lol."The teen replied with a photo of herself holding a plate filled with multiple slices of pizza."Yes because there’s no ‘body’ you need to have in order to do of," she responded. "Only thing that matters is making sure that you’re comfortable with what you’re posting & remembering that all bodies are beautiful."CHARLIE SHEEN'S EX DENISE RICHARDS VOWS TO ‘SUPPORT’ THEIR DAUGHTER SAMI AFTER ACTOR DISAPPROVES ONLYFANS PAGE Sami Sheen hosted a Q and A session on Instagram stories. (Backgrid)Another user asked if her parents, Sheen and Denise Richards, were aware of her OnlyFans account. Sami replied that her mother was "extremely supportive."Sami’s father had some thoughts about her joining OnlyFans on Monday."She is 18 years now and living with her mother," the former "Two and a Half Men" star told Fox News Digital on Tuesday via his publicist Jeff Ballard. "This did not occur under my roof. I do not condone this, but since I’m unable to prevent it, I urged her to keep it classy, creative and not sacrifice her integrity."The influencer, who has 83,000 followers on Instagram, turned 18 in March. She recently moved back in with Richards after some turbulent times with her mother.CHARLIE SHEEN REACTS TO DAUGHTER SAMI SHEEN, 18, JOINING ONLYFANS: ‘THIS DID NOT OCCUR UNDER MY ROOF’On Tuesday, Sami posted a tease, encouraging her followers to subscribe to her page."Sweet dreams," Sami tweeted. "Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already … I have a new post going up there on Wednesday."Richards told Us Weekly she was aware of her daughter’s OnlyFans account."Sami is 18, and this decision wasn’t based on whose house she lives in," the actress said. "All I can do as a parent is guide her and trust her judgment, but she makes her own choices."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Charlie Sheen said he does "not condone" the 18-year-old joining the predominantly adult content subscription platform. (NBC via AP)The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum also commented on Sami’s Instagram post promoting her latest business venture."Sami I will always support you & always have your back," the actress wrote. "I love you."The 51-year-old’s comment received over 1,000 likes."I love you thank you," Sami replied.CHARLIE SHEEN AND DENISE RICHARDS’ DAUGHTER, SAMI, POSTS GLAMOUR SNAPS AMID CHILD SUPPORT DRAMA Denise Richards vowed to always support her eldest daughter. (Brett Costello/Newspix via Getty Images)OnlyFans, a subscription-based platform, allows creators to share and monetize their content, which can be explicit. Celebrities, such as Carmen Electra, Bella Thorne, Shanna Moakler and Cardi B, among others, have joined the site to take control of their image and interact with fans.The site became popular during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic when numerous sex workers joined to get paid more safely. The site has been tremendously lucrative for some people, allowing them to earn thousands every month.In August of last year, OnlyFans announced it had 130 million users and 2 million creators who have collectively earned $5 billion. That same month, the site said it suspended its initial plan to ban sexually explicit content following an outcry from its creators and advocates for sex workers.Sami’s decision to join OnlyFans came a few weeks after the teen reconnected with her mother. In September of last year, Sami alleged in a since-deleted TikTok video that she was "trapped" in an "abusive home" while she was living with her mother. In February of this year, Richards told SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis that they had a strained relationship.‘TWO AND A HALF MEN’ STAR ANGUS T JONES MAKES RARE APPEARANCE IN LOS ANGELES AFTER LEAVING HOLLYWOOD Denise Richards speaks during an interview on Day 3 of SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVI Feb. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM)"It’s very difficult," said Richards. "I know we’ll get back to where we were eventually, but right now, it is strained."At the time, Sami moved in with her father, 56."Obviously, I would love for her to live with me," said Richards. "She lived with me all these years. But I think it's very difficult raising teenagers now and especially in Los Angeles when there's access to everything. We didn't grow up with Postmates and Uber, where you have everything that you want. There are certain rules and I enforce them, and there's different rules at that [Sheen's] house and that's OK."The star also noted that "Charlie and I, we were on different pages from the beginning."MARTIN SHEEN ON SON CHARLIE SHEEN’S SOBRIETY: ‘HIS RECOVERY AND HIS LIFE IS A MIRACLE’ Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards were married from 2002 to 2006. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)Richards then said that the former couple's daughter is "not in school," seemingly referencing how Sami is working toward her GED. She also said she doesn't "agree with certain things" her ex-husband does."But that's OK. We can agree to disagree," Richards said, adding that she's "not super strict." However, she does have "rules and boundaries."A source told Us Weekly that mother and daughter have since reconnected."They are getting along very well," said the source, adding that Sami "loves her dad."Sheen and Richards married in 2002 before splitting in 2006. They also share a 17-year-old daughter named Lola Rose Sheen.CHARLIE SHEEN REACTS TO SOLEIL MOON FRYE'S CONFESSION HE WAS HER FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE Denise Richards attends Day 3 of SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVI Feb. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM)Sami took to Instagram Monday to announce her new OnlyFans page."Click the link in my bio if you wanna see more," she captioned a photo of herself wearing a black triangle bikini. She also promised to "upload new content 2-3 times a week.""My messages are open so come talk to me!!" she added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.

Celebrity

Australia will be sweating on the fitness of Steve Smith after the star batsman appeared to tweak a leg muscle during their 26-run ODI loss to Sri Lanka. Chasing 216 for victory off 43 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method on Thursday (Friday AEST), Australia were on track at 170-5 with Glenn Maxwell in hot form at Pallekele.But Maxwell’s departure for 30 off 25 balls and the run-out of Alex Carey (15) sparked a collapse of 19-5 as Australia were bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs. Sri Lanka had posted 220-9 in 47.4 overs before a rain delay of more than two hours halted proceedings and the home side’s fighting victory levelled the five-match series at 1-1.Sri Lanka paceman Chamika Karunaratne was the hero with 3-47, snaring the key scalps of Smith and Maxwell to go with his run-out of Carey. Smith called for medical attention after pulling up lame while pushing hard for a second run during Australia’s unsuccessful run chase.The 33-year-old received strapping to his thigh area on his left leg, and was able to bat on. Smith was dismissed a few overs later for 28. With the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting on 29 June, Australia will be hoping Smith’s setback is nothing more than a minor niggle.Australia have endured a horror run with injuries during the tour, with Ashton Agar (side), Marcus Stoinis (side), Sean Abbott (finger), Kane Richardson (hamstring), Mitchell Starc (finger) and Mitch Marsh (hamstring) all injured. Stoinis, Abbott and Richardson have already been sent home, while Agar is no guarantee to play again on tour.“I’m definitely not playing any more of the one-dayers,” Agar said. “I’ve got a bit of a tear in my side, which isn’t great. Hopefully, maybe around the second Test match [I can return], being optimistic.”Agar’s injury had a silver lining, with debutant spinner Matthew Kuhnemann proving he will be more than a handy back-up ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in India. Kuhnemann snared 2-48 off 10 overs in an impressive ODI debut, with the left-armer adapting to the conditions expertly.Mitchell Swepson struggled at times in just his third ODI appearance, finishing with 1-58 off his 10 overs. Maxwell was full of smiles on the way to 2-35 off 10 overs, while quicks Pat Cummins (4-35 off 8.4 overs) and Josh Hazlewood (0-26 off seven) were at their impressive best.But it was the performance of Kuhnemann that would have given the national selectors the biggest satisfaction given the need for spinning depth at the 2023 ODI World Cup.“We were on our way to get on the team bus for the Aussie A squad,” Kuhnemann explained of his call-up. “I got a tap on the shoulder from the selector on tour, and he told myself and [Travis]Head to pack our bags and get to Kandy as soon as possible.“It’s been pretty crazy. Pretty overwhelmed at the moment. I was so nervous. When Finchy told me I was going to open the bowling alongside Josh, I didn’t know what to expect.”

Other Sports

Celebrity | 6/16/2022 12:36 PM PT "It was to a really rough point, and I couldn’t get up off the floor for weeks." Post Malone is opening up about a few of the lowest points in his life and how he's been able to overcome them. During an interview on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show," the "Better Now" singer got candid about his struggles with alcoholism after dealing with the pressures of finding global fame. "I am responsible now," the singer admitted. "It was to a really rough point, and I couldn't get up off the floor for weeks." Malone, whose real name is Austin Post, further opened up about his alcoholism and revealed that his choice of drink affected his life in many ways, and cited "screwdrivers"-- a cocktail consisting of orange juice and vodka -- as the drink he consumed most often. "It was vodka, and it was bodying fifths and trying to hang in there and talking to people who weren't f—ing there," Malone explained and referenced his fiancee, "I just have super beautiful people around me, and I met a really beautiful person that made me feel like a human being again." He added, "It's the guidance out of the dark into the light … She saved my f—ing life — it's pretty epic." Getty Gisele Bündchen Reveals Doctor Told Her She Could Die in Her 20s If She Didn't Change Her Habits View Story Post also revealed that popstar Justin Bieber had been a positive influence within his journey of drinking in moderation, saying that he had turned to Bieber for guidance. "There was a time to where I had so much guidance and Justin [Bieber] was guiding me … [but] at the end of the day I have to do what I want to do, and that's what I'm going to do," he said. "People can look at you from the outside and see that something's wrong, and you can be trapped in your own f—ing world," Malone explained. "I need to do a lot less talking and a lot more listening … I'm 26 and I'm learning every f—ing day." "Now I just want to be better every f—ing day. All we can do is just don't be a d—head, that's the golden rule," the singer concluded.

Celebrity

"To rise to the level of what she was claiming, there wasn’t enough or any evidence that really supported what she was saying." A male juror from the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard defamation lawsuit is speaking out against the “Aquaman” actress. Heard was found to have defamed ex-husband Depp with her claims of domestic abuse in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed piece that did not name Depp specifically. After a six-week-long trial, Depp was awarded $10.4 million in damages. Heard “didn’t come across as believable,” a juror told Good Morning America on June 16 regarding Heard’s testimony. “It seemed like she was able to flip the switch on her emotions. She would answer one question and she would be crying and two seconds later she would turn ice cold. It didn’t seem natural.” The jury consisted of two women and five men; this is the first statement made publicly by anyone on the panel. Speaking about the Depp vs. Heard case, the juror continued, “They had their husband-wife arguments. They were both yelling at each other. I don’t think that makes either of them right or wrong. That’s what you do when you get into an argument, I guess. But to rise to the level of what she was claiming, there wasn’t enough or any evidence that really supported what she was saying.” The juror specifically addressed two photos of Heard that she alleged showed bruising after claims of an altercation with Depp. “Those were two different pictures. We couldn’t really tell which picture was real and which one was not,” the juror explained. Heard also previously vowed to donate proceeds from her divorce from Depp to charity for abuse survivors. “The fact is, she didn’t give much of it away at all,” the juror said. “It was disingenuous.” After Heard and her attorneys argued that the ruling of the case was biased due to Depp’s legions of fans on social media, the juror told GMA that “none of us were really fans of either one of them.” He added, “Social media did not impact us. We followed the evidence. We didn’t take into account anything outside [the courtroom]. We only looked at the evidence…They were very serious accusations and a lot of money involved. So we weren’t taking it lightly.” Leading #MeToo attorney Lee Feldman exclusively told IndieWire that the verdict of the Depp v. Heard case was not surprising “given the reaction to the proceedings on Twitter and social media.” However, the “bizarre” case hinged on the “damaging testimony” by Heard involving the TMZ reporter who claimed Heard called them to photograph her bruised face. “Her acting coach, who said she had a hard time mustering tears when fake-crying, which killed Amber’s credibility when she sobbed throughout her testimony without shedding tears,” Feldman said. “Those two facts were so easy to spin into ‘she fabricated everything.’ Rarely will you ever have evidence like that to introduce in a trial like this.” Despite rumors that Warner Bros. was cutting Heard out of the upcoming “Aquaman 2” DC installment, Heard’s representative confirmed to IndieWire that her career is still in the clear, again pointing to the downfalls of social media. “The rumor mill continues as it has from day one — inaccurate, insensitive, and slightly insane,” Heard’s rep stated. EXCLUSIVE: A juror in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial said what the jury concluded was "they were both abusive to each other" but Heard’s team failed to prove Depp’s abuse was physical. https://t.co/Ax4SMZUq2J pic.twitter.com/EMiMeqh5pn — Good Morning America (@GMA) June 16, 2022 Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.

Celebrity

For the better part of the last decade, Golden State, led by Stephen Curry, has been at the forefront of the 3-point revolution in the N.B.A. But in this N.B.A. postseason, it is Golden State’s finals opponent, Boston, that has made more 3-pointers than any team in playoff history. The Celtics set the record when Jayson Tatum hit a 3 in the second quarter of Game 5 on Monday, marking Boston’s 307th 3-pointer of the postseason. Highest number of N.B.A. 3-pointers in each postseason It was appropriate that the Celtics did this against Golden State, since it held the previous record (from its 2016 playoff run). In the same Game 5, the Celtics also made eight straight 3s, the longest such streak in an N.B.A. finals game. That broke a record they shared after they made seven straight to start the fourth quarter in the series opener. Entering Game 6 on Thursday, the Celtics have made 317 playoff 3-pointers compared with Golden State’s 289. But both teams are averaging 13.8 3-pointers. (Boston has played two more postseason games.) In some ways, Golden State can be credited — or blamed, if Boston wins this series — with the unrelenting jumpshooting barrage the Celtics have launched against the team. Golden State has been given credit for changing basketball’s conventional wisdom about offense. Instead of working hard to get shots near the rim and using the 3-pointer as a weapon of last resort, the offense would be geared toward elite perimeter shooting. Instead of slower big men clogging the paint and running a methodical offense from the post, players like Curry and Klay Thompson ushered in a new N.B.A. era, focused more on jumpers than layups. But what’s particularly interesting about the Celtics is that they’ve changed their style since entering the postseason. During the regular season, Boston averaged 37.1 3-point attempts a game. During the playoffs, that number is actually down to 37.0. Wait a minute — didn’t we just say that this is a change from the regular season? This is where you have to look under the hood. In the postseason, 3-pointers have accounted for 41 percent of Boston’s field-goals. In the regular season, that figure was just 32 percent. So far, that change — a nine-percentage-point shift — is the biggest of any N.B.A. finals team. (By contrast, Golden State has not changed much: 37 percent in the postseason, and 35 percent in the regular season.) Highest shifts in playoff 3-pointers as a share of all field goals, among N.B.A. finalists Team Reg. season Playoffs Change Boston ’21-’22 32% 41% +9.0 Miami ’13-’14 21% 26% +5.1 Miami ’11-’12 15% 20% +4.4 Dallas ’10-’11 21% 25% +4.4 Golden State ’14-’15 26% 30% +4.0 Cleveland ’14-’15 26% 30% +4.0 L.A. Lakers ’19-’20 26% 29% +3.5 San Antonio ’04-’05 17% 21% +3.2 L.A. Lakers ’03-’04 12% 15% +2.9 Toronto ’18-’19 29% 32% +2.3 Cleveland ’16-’17 33% 35% +2.2 Golden State ’21-’22 35% 37% +2.0 L.A. Lakers ’08-’09 17% 19% +2.0 Golden State ’15-’16 31% 33% +1.9 Cleveland ’15-’16 31% 33% +1.9 Miami ’05-’06 16% 18% +1.9 Golden State ’16-’17 28% 30% +1.8 N.J. Nets ’02-’03 12% 14% +1.7 San Antonio ’06-’07 20% 21% +1.6 L.A. Lakers ’09-’10 17% 18% +1.4 Detroit ’03-’04 12% 13% +1.3 San Antonio ’13-’14 21% 22% +1.2 L.A. Lakers ’01-’02 16% 17% +0.9 Golden State ’17-’18 26% 27% +0.7 Boston ’09-’10 16% 17% +0.5 Detroit ’04-’05 13% 13% +0.4 San Antonio ’02-’03 15% 16% +0.3 Cleveland ’06-’07 17% 17% +0.2 Miami ’10-’11 18% 18% +0.1 Source: Basketball Reference This table shows the top 15 increases in 3-point share of all field goals of N.B.A. finalists since 2002. Figures are rounded. Some of this is a question of personnel. For example, in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics played the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the championship last season. The Bucks started Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez — two tall, mobile rim protectors who make it difficult for guards to get to the basket. This meant Boston had to shoot more 3s to compensate. In Game 1 of that series, the Celtics shot a whopping 50 3-pointers, well above their average. Games 2 and 6? 43 each. Overall, Boston averaged 41.7 3-point attempts a game against Milwaukee. But against the Miami Heat, a team without the rim protection of the Bucks, the Celtics averaged 34 3-point attempts a game, down from their regular-season average. Still, Don’t Sleep on Steph But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s not forget that Curry and Thompson are known as the Splash Brothers for a reason. Cumulative 3-pointers in playoff games They’re an unparalleled shooting tag team. Each has more postseason 3s than anyone else in N.B.A. history, even people who have played about twice as many playoff games as they have. And although Curry lost a record-breaking streak this week, when he failed to make a single 3 in Game 5, he and Thompson still have more playoff 3s between them than nine franchises.

Basketball

Across 306 pages of her landmark report, Anne Whyte paints a shocking and often sickening picture of the culture at British Gymnastics at the grassroots and elite level from 2008 to 2020. This was a time when it was an essential part of Team GB’s medal factory, receiving more than £38m in UK Sport funding. But behind the scenes there were numerous abuses taking place.During the period covered by Whyte’s review, the governing body received about 3,800 complaints. Yet between 2008 and 2016 it kept no detailed records of them. But now, at last, some of those stories are being heard.Athletes were forced to hide food from coachesWhyte says coaches would regularly check on gymnasts’ weight, sometimes on a daily basis, and seriously reduce their caloric intake. One gymnast told Whyte: “I would hide food in my toiletries bag, wrap cereal bars up in my socks and knickers and underneath the lining of my suitcase as I was petrified that the coaches would come in and search of our luggage for food. I was 18-19 at the time.”Whyte notes: “I heard extreme accounts of gymnasts hiding food, for example in ceiling tiles or under the bed in their rooms. I received accounts of coaches checking hotel rooms ‘army style’ and travel bags for food.”Grapes were bannedNot only was food rationed but some healthy sounding fruits were also banned. “I was told about various ways in which food was rationed or controlled, including bedroom bins being searched for food wrappers, being refused second portions, including of vegetables, and briefly providing gymnasts with children’s plates to eat from, with sections and ridges to reduce intake of food,” writes Whyte.“Gymnasts also reported being told not to eat grapes because they are the ‘highest fat fruit’ and that their meal should be ‘the size of the palm of their hand’, including the vegetables.”Coaches made no weight allowances for girls’ periodsOne told Whyte: “I would take laxatives to ensure I could poo prior to weigh-ins or I would limit my consumption of water to ensure I was not counting much water weight. Our time of the months were never accounted for either. Being on my period meant I could add one or two kilograms to the weight on the scale. Immediately I would be shunned for this.”Whyte said: “One sport scientist told me that they sometimes saw gymnasts taken off a piece of apparatus, mid-session, and weighed. This usually occurred when the coach felt the gymnast was underperforming. If the gymnasts had gained even the slightest weight, they reported that some coaches would effectively say: ‘That’s why you can’t complete your skill.’”Verbal fat-shaming in front of peersWhyte says many gymnasts reported inappropriate verbal communication about their weight or the weight of others. “For example, it was suggested that poor performance in a routine was because the gymnast was ‘fat’ or they were told not to wear certain leotards because they could make them look ’‘fat’,” Whyte says.“I heard about derogatory language being used, such as ‘fat arse’, ‘you look like a whale’, ‘you look like you have a beer belly’, ‘your thighs are disgusting’, ‘you are spilling out of your leotard’. Another female gymnast said reference would be made to their developing breasts and ‘being hit in the face with them’.”Emotional abuse saw injuries labelled as mental weaknessOne former elite gymnast described being made to stand on the beam for two hours because she was frightened to attempt a skill. Some gymnasts were strapped to bars for extended periods of time while others were made to climb the rope because they needed the toilet or exceeded a break time.“I received multiple submissions from elite gymnasts who were made to feel lazy, a failure and ‘mentally weak’ when it was acknowledged that they had sustained an injury,” says Whyte. “These experiences were spread across the age spectrum.”Physical abuse during trainingWhyte describes how one gymnast was deliberately dropped from equipment and dragged across the gym floor by their arms, while others were put under pressure to train with injuries, including broken bones.“A male gymnast said that he would be slapped for unpointed toes or bent knees,” Whyte adds. “Another also said they would be physically slapped if they had not stood to attention.“One international gymnast explained that their personal coach sat on a gymnast’s lower back, forcing their legs to the floor and then lifting up their knee causing severe pain. I was told that at no stage was the gymnast asked about the process or how it was affecting them. Another gymnast said they didn’t know how their legs didn’t snap when being stretched.”Quick GuideHow do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?ShowDownload the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhones or the Google Play store on Android phones by searching for 'The Guardian'.If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.In the Guardian app, tap the yellow button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.Turn on sport notifications.Gymnasts purged for weight loss“One gymnast told me they deliberately lost 3kg in one weekend before a competition by starving themselves for two days and exercising excessively,” says Whyte. “The attitude of their coaches to weight made some of these young people feel as though any semblance of individuality had been stripped away.” As a result a “significant” number of gymnasts developed dysfunctional relationships with food, weight and body image. Reports of purging were not uncommon in the submissions.Gymnasts as young as seven trained long hoursWhyte says it was not unusual for female artistic gymnasts to train for long hours from a very young age. I was informed about some seven- and eight-year-olds training for 20 hours a week or more. “A gymnast at national level since the beginning of the review told me they trained regularly for 30 hours plus a week during their teenage years. On three school days this would often consist of three hours before and four hours after school.”Review received 30 reports of sexual abuseThis was investigated by British Gymnastics. “The issues raised ranged from reports of grooming and sexual assault to sexual remarks and inappropriate relationships between coaches and gymnasts,” Whyte says. “Other examples of the behaviours reported were gymnasts being tickled, touched on the bottom unnecessarily during gymnastics moves, threatened with being kissed as a punishment for not following instructions and sexualised comments of a personal nature.”However, she adds: “None of these behaviours appeared to be systematic or condoned in the sport during the period of review, in the way emotional and physical abuse appears to have been.”

Other Sports

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson reacted to a YouTuber getting banned from the Chase Center after he was able to get onto the court to shoot some hoops before Game 5 Monday night.Dawson Gurley, known as "Fake Klay Thompson," dressed up as the Warriors star and fooled Chase Center security. He was later informed he would be banned from the arena indefinitely. Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson warms up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in San Francisco, Monday, June 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)The real Klay Thompson was asked about the ordeal Wednesday as the Warriors prepared to close out the Boston Celtics for another NBA championship."Oh man, poor guy. Just trying to get some good content," Thompson said, via the San Jose Mercury News. "You play stupid games, you get rewarded stupid prizes."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMGurley wrote about the ordeal on Twitter and later posted the video he and his team filmed about getting onto the court. A fan dressed as Klay Thompson prior to Game 4 of the Western Conference finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs May 20, 2018, at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)"At game 5 and @warriors just banned me for life from their arena," Gurley wrote.STEPH CURRY FIRES BACK AT BOSTON BAR WITH T-SHIRT MESSAGE"Banned (because) I walked pass 5 layers of security guards (who willingly let me through security without asking for ID) & shot around on the court for 10 minutes. I also spent 10K on tickets which they are not refunding. Why should I be banned because their security is incompetent?"On Tuesday, Gurley tweeted the Chase Center had "every right" to ban him."Im being contacted by a lot of news organizations to do interviews. As of now I will not be doing any. Don’t want to make this a bigger deal than it is, the chase center has every right to ban me. I get it. No hard feelings. Had fun doing it."Gurley dressed up as Thompson for past Warriors’ NBA Finals runs and became known as the "Fake Klay Thompson." He’s appeared in the crowd at Finals games and ring ceremonies. A fan dressed as Klay Thompson prior to Game 4 of the Western Conference finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs May 20, 2018, at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPGame 6 is set for Thursday night in Boston. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

Basketball

BOSTON — Players will say winning a playoff game on the road is one of the most difficult things to do in basketball. But a road win at TD Garden in Game 6 would put the Warriors on an exclusive list of teams to win an NBA title in Boston. The Celtics have hosted the NBA Finals 22 times, including this year, and won 17 of them, and only the 1985 Los Angeles Lakers have won an NBA title in Boston. Up 3-2 in their sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight years, the Warriors have a chance to become just the second visiting team in history to win on the parquet floor. That Showtime Lakers team featuring 25-year-old Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James worthy beat a Celtics team with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale in six games at the Boston Garden. But making history won’t be easy. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney have experienced their fair share of closeout games, at least. The Warriors are a cool 21-10 in closeout games in the Steve Kerr era since 2015. “Thankfully I think having been here six times, been in a lot of different closeout type of opportunities, you just understand what the nerves are like. You can rely on that experience, for sure,” Curry said. “We understand the specifics of how we need to approach the game from a physicality perspective, our game plan adjustments from Game 5 to Game 6, understanding what the building is going to feel like, that energy, being prepared for it.” The Warriors lost each of their first closeout game opportunities during this playoff run. The Denver Nuggets eked out a win in the first round, preventing the Warriors from a sweep and the Memphis Grizzlies beat them by 39 points in Game 5 of the semifinals. The Dallas Mavericks beat them in Game 4 by 10 to prevent a Warriors sweep in the conference finals. Kerr said at shoot around before Game 6 that he sensed a level of confidence in the locker room. “The guys all know what’s at stake, and it’s a great opportunity,” Kerr said before the game. “As a coach, you try to help prepare the guys mentally for what’s coming. You have to go out and play with the desperation that got you this far but without the anxiety that can come with thinking about clinching. You can’t think about any of that. You’ve got to just think about executing one minute at a time, one play at a time, and that’s the focus tonight.”

Basketball

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! On the one-year anniversary of the "Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show" officially taking over for the late Rush Limbaugh, the hosts celebrated their last 52 weeks at noon eastern, while touching on pressing issues of the day as always.Travis, who typically broadcasts from Nashville, traveled to New York to anchor in-person with his co-host, city native Sexton.The hosts said that, like their EIB Network predecessor, they encourage and enjoy listeners' reactions and analysis to anything that happens on the program or in the news, down to the most apolitical.In the most recent example, Travis said a listener named Gregory emailed him at 5:18 in the morning on the East Coast to inform him that Sexton has been botching "Top Gun" references on-air.RUSH LIMBAUGH'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS ON THE EIB NETWORK Clay Travis and Buck Sexton (Fox/Composite)"The [email] headline was ‘Buck Messed Up on Top Gun’," Travis recalled. "First of all, before I even read his email, I didn't know how we ended up in a world where people reach out to me to share opinions about you on movies." Sexton had purportedly confused "Merlin" with Tom Skerritt's "Viper."Sexton and Travis suggested that exchange, on even a tangential topic, and the requisite political interjection (about "Merlin" being played by "that freaking socialist-liberal Tim Robbins"), shows how listeners are engaging with the program as they were with Limbaugh:"Thank you to Gregory. In all honesty, one of the most fun things I think about the one-year anniversary is … how committed this audience has been to helping us to continue to fight, that Rush was so committed to himself," Travis added.And, just as in the case of Limbaugh, listeners have not been apprehensive about offering an opposing viewpoint, Sexton said, explaining an episode where a listener wrote in to object to how the former CIA officer cracks his eggs – directly into the frying pan, rather than an intermediary bowl.FLASHBACK: RUSH LIMBAUGH ERA COMES TO AN END, AS TRAVIS & SEXTON LAUNCH NEW ERA Rush Limbaugh III (Mark Peterson/Corbis-Getty)"The Rush Limbaugh Show" first hit the airwaves on August 1, 1988. Limbaugh spent 33 years behind the golden microphone, many of those at #1, before passing away in 2021 at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 from President Donald Trump.On one of his final shows, the 2020 edition of the annual Christmas-themed affair, an emotional Limbaugh spoke at length about his love for his audience, and how he was grateful to God to have outlived his cancer prognosis – as the final chords of Mannheim's ‘Silent Night’ rung out.Almost immediately following news of his passing, scores of Dittoheads dropped off mementos and cards, creating a makeshift memorial in front of his Palm Beach, Fla. home.Following his death, the EIB Network was helmed by several of the program's popular guest hosts, including New Hampshire's Mark Steyn, Pennsylvania's Ken Matthews of WHP-580, former Seattle host Todd Herman and North Carolina's Brett Winterble.RUSH LIMBAUGH REMEMBERED BY BO SNERDLEY: ‘INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING’ Clay and Buck appear on Fox News. (Fox)When Sexton and Travis took over for Limbaugh, both said it was an honor and privilege to do so."I was inspired by Rush, and so was Clay," Sexton told Fox News at the time. "One of the biggest breaks in my career was guest-hosting for Rush [eight] years ago."Sexton said he could personally attest to the connection the late Limbaugh had with his millions of Dittoheads, remarking to Fox News that after just one day of guest-hosting years prior, he received numerous encouraging communications from listeners who made a real connection with him – as they still continue to do to this day.CLICK TO GET FOX NEWS APPTravis added at the time, Limbaugh won't ever be replaced, but together he and Sexton work to continue the late Missourian's core values:"[M]ost importantly – American exceptionalism, a fervent embrace of capitalism, and a belief in a robust marketplace of ideas," he said. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

Music

Tribeca: Holmes writes, directs, produces, and stars in a YOLO pandemic love story at the start of the pandemic, opposite Jim Sturgess. Don’t let this film fool you: It’s not great, but it is a cozy reminder of rom-coms past. “Alone Together,” while set in 2020 amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, infuses the genre with the comfort of a matching cashmere bralette and cardigan sweater from the late 2010s, per the trend writer-director-producer-star Katie Holmes made famous then. It’s easy to get lost in the nostalgic parts of “Alone Together,” like the effortlessly picturesque Anthropologie home furnishings and stylish wardrobes of a “woman on the go in the Big Apple.” It’s even easier to get lost in Jim Sturgess and Holmes’ simple yet charming banter. But don’t get too dreamy-eyed for the rom-coms of days past: the film, which premiered at Tribeca 2022, has a jarring reminder that the world is a heartbreaking place, full of death, betrayal, and traumatic loss. So goes our cute and quirky escape. “Alone Together” centers on June (Holmes), a restaurant critic who is suddenly out of a job and on a relationship hiatus with her boyfriend John (Derek Luke, with whom Holmes is set to work again on another film, “Rare Objects”) starting March 15, 2020 when Manhattan is at a standstill and COVID-19 leads to a city-wide exodus. June travels upstate to Hudson, NY to camp out at an Airbnb which John booked; John, however, opts to stay behind in New York City to care for his parents. Upon arriving at the rental, June is confronted by Charlie (Jim Sturgess), who apparently double-booked the same French chateau-inspired cottage. The opening of Holmes’ sophomore directorial effort “Alone Together” makes for a stomach-gripping drag: A cover of “Blue Moon” plays as a Lifetime-type font rolls out the credits. (And yes, we judge films based on font.) But seeing Holmes onscreen again on her own terms has a “you go, girl” sense of empowerment. Sure, this could just be our projection that “Alone Together” quietly debuts the same summer as “Top Gun: Maverick” and the “M:I 7” trailer, but Holmes seems happiest writing, directing, and producing, while also starring as the lead. The whole “world’s ending” backdrop is where “Alone Together” fumbles, and it’s quite a fumble indeed. June starts crying when she sees a deer on the drive to Hudson, and Charlie’s career is rooted in “fixing things,” such as June’s hardened heart. Charlie is devoted to having Indiana-born career woman June take a pause and return to her beer-drinking, Big Mac-eating authentic self. Ugh, June’s boyfriend John was pressuring her to become a vegan, and who really sticks to their diet goals during a pandemic?! The small classic rom-com details like a large and extensively furnished home only having one bathroom and one bedroom make for an already claustrophobic pandemic premise feel even closer: June and Charlie aren’t necessarily worried about getting COVID from one another — although Charlie at one point adorably sews homemade masks for both him and June — but rather the concern is that their “we may die tomorrow anyway” attitude will lead to a romance rooted in both of them taking advantage of each other being in vulnerable states. June resorts to first banging a bottle of white wine against a wall to uncork it (…OK…) and then, inevitably, banging Charlie himself. We could get used to this. But nope, here is yet another voiceover by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo talking about PPE when June is only really focused on BDE. And then comes all the death. June’s Alzheimer’s-addled grandfather dies in a nursing home (cue up some more Cuomo soundbites, perhaps?), and she reveals to Charlie that her grandpa raised her after her parents died in a murder-suicide. Yes, this rom-com has a murder-suicide reference. The last time a domestic violence murder-suicide was paired with this much hooking up was in Season 1 of “Temptation Island” (it’s on Peacock, watch it ASAP.) And while June opening up to Charlie could have been an emotional moment, less than 12 hours later she’s back biking with him through the forest and musing over the romanticism of Instagram-friendly motels. Everything is magnified until it’s not. Everything matters until nothing does. Charlie, meanwhile, bonds with June over the loss of a parent. His father passed away years ago, and his mother (Melissa Leo) raised him and his brother by herself. If there was a manic pixie dream man, Charlie would be it. He dresses impeccably in Brooklyn thrift store-salvaged GQ-ready ensembles, pairing flannel pullovers with sherpa jackets featuring obscure karate dojo logos. Zosia Mamet occupies the voice of reason BFF role as per her “Flight Attendant” and “Girls” arcs, and seems supportive of June’s McDonald’s dates with Charlie. From picnics in the front yard to at-home karaoke and making love on a pink velvet couch with monochromatic floral prints, June and Charlie’s romance seems like the best thing to come out of the start of the pandemic…. ….until John crashes the Airbnb to retrieve his girlfriend and tell her that while she was falling in love with another man, his dad died of COVID. You know, the dad that June was annoyed John stayed behind in Manhattan for. Well, guess he was right. It’s only when June and John are together do we see the true “Alone” aspect; June cooks alone, bikes alone, even watches movies by herself. John only chimes in to tell her that she should be thankful she’s free of her “dead end job” and doubts her abilities to write a novel. But John isn’t a bad guy: Who is the bad guy? Does there have to be one? June wasn’t there for John in his grief, but then again, neither was he for hers. The film sidesteps guilt or emotional tolls; the rush of the pandemic shutdowns are used only for YOLO hook-ups that apparently bloom into true love sponsored by endless bottles of white wine. June sheds her self-conscious attitude about her makeup-less appearance and ticking biological clock when she’s with Charlie, and their awkward ease with one another feels real. When Charlie warns that if June gets back with John, she’ll be either “dating yourself or losing yourself,” it feels like Holmes is giving a PSA for the audience. “Alone Together” has the momentum of a reclamation of sorts, but the plot tries to do too much, say too much, when it really should just be about love. Who cares if it’s formulaic or not? In the middle of this pandemic, maybe being something we can rely on is a good thing. Grade: C “Alone Together” premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. Vertical Entertainment will release the film in theaters on Friday, July 22. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.

Movies

There is precious little that could switch the discussion around golf from matters of Saudi Arabia, a rebel tour and the resulting grisly civil war. A Rory McIlroy success at this US Open is, however, among the topics that would trigger even a brief change of theme. So far, so good.On day one at the Country Club there were flashes of McIlroy brilliance and flashes of McIlroy frustration. A three-under-par 67 was sufficient to tie the clubhouse lead before the afternoon wave took to the course. From that group, the Canadian Adam Hadwin emerged to sit at the leaderboard’s summit at minus four.McIlroy smashed a bunker in anger at the 5th before saving par. He tossed his club away on the 9th (his 18th) after missing the green from the middle of the fairway. There was to be no salvation there: the closing bogey was McIlroy’s sole aberration of the round.“Some of these reactions that you saw out there today, whether it be hitting the sand on five or the club throw on nine, you just have to be so precise and so exact at this tournament maybe compared to some others that any little thing that doesn’t quite go right, you’re putting yourself behind the 8-ball,” McIlroy said. “The margins are just so fine in this tournament and I think you can see that out there with some of the reactions.” On the 5th, McIlroy’s tee shot had stuck in horrible rough alongside a bunker. He had to stand in the sand trap, with his shot advancing just yards and into another one. And yet the outcome was a par four. McIlroy had kept his card clean in equally impressive style after finding dense grass at the par-three 2nd. Birdies arrived at the 16th, 18th, 7th and 8th.“You feel like you’re right in the tournament from the start of the week, which is nice,” said the four-time major winner. “I’m going into tomorrow with the mindset of ‘Let’s keep it going’ rather than where is the cut line or whatever. If you don’t get off to a great start those thoughts start to creep in – ‘OK, what do I need to just be here for the weekend?’ It’s certainly a different mindset when you get off to a good start. I’ve just got to keep it going.”The Northern Irishman had been irked at the pace of play by the group ahead, consisting of Scott Stallings, Davis Riley and Victor Perez. “The guys in front of us were playing so slow,” McIlroy said. “They were like a hole or hole and a half behind the group in front of them. So yeah, that was a little frustrating.” Locker room interactions between the parties may have been worth seeing.Every McIlroy press conference is now laced with questions about his role as a staunch defender of the PGA Tour in the face of LIV Golf and its breakaway threat. There are already signs McIlroy is a little uncomfortable with being put on a pedestal. “It’s been eight years since I won a major and I just want to get my hands on one again,” he said in response to whether being the moral compass of his professional domain has intensified his desire to win.There was no heckling for Phil Mickelson, pictured on the 3rd hole, as he started his round but the applause was subdued. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA“I’m just being me. I’m living my life. I’m doing what I think is right and trying to play the best golf that I possibly can. I wasn’t asked to be put here. I wasn’t trying to be in this position. I’m just being me.”David Lingmerth, Joel Dahmen, MJ Daffue and Callum Tarren joined McIlroy on three under par. Tarren, who started this week as the world No 445, arrived in Massachusetts from Toronto on Saturday without his clubs. “There were five other players on my flight,” Tarren said. “They all got golf clubs. It is the second US Open I’ve played in and second time with no golf clubs.“This time I got them a little bit faster than last. I didn’t actually get them until Wednesday in Pebble Beach a few years ago, so that was a nightmare. Luckily there was somebody in Canada who went to the airport and gave the airport staff a little kick, and they arrived on Sunday at 2pm. It wasn’t bad.”Jon Rahm, the defending champion, opened strongly with a 69. Adam Scott matched that score while Aaron Wise, who was cracked on the head by a stray drive during last month’s US PGA Championship, may find himself with fonder memories of this major after posting a 68. Jordan Spieth, who struggled with a stomach bug on Wednesday, could fare no better than 72.Phil Mickelson, who has been at the forefront of all things LIV, received no heckling on the opening tee. The applause, though, was subdued and short-lived; Mickelson took 78 first round shots.

Golf

Welcome to our coverage of Game 6. The Warriors have been here before, of course. Stephen Curry will win his fourth title with Golden State if they win tonight, and the two-time MVP says he will draw on that experience when they take the court in Boston.“You just understand what the nerves are like,” Curry told reporters earlier this week. “At the end of the day, once you get out there, you just have to be in the moment. You got to be present as much as possible, not worry about the consequences of a win or a loss. The only opportunity you have is that 48 minutes.”Not that he’s free of nerves exactly:“The more you can trick your mind into being in the moment and staying there, that’s the best advice I can give anybody in that situation,” he said. “Because it’s going to be the hardest game you probably ever played in your career because of what the stakes are.”Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Tom Dart’s look at Andrew Wiggins’s standout performance in Monday night’s Game 5.

Basketball

Amber Heard's defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp may be over, but the actress is continuing her feud with him in the court of public opinion, unveiling a trove of documents. Just before her hotly anticipated interview with Savannah Guthrie is set to air on NBC's Dateline, the network revealed she presented the network with notes from her therapist that represent "years of real-time explanations of what was going on" dating back to 2011 that she claims corroborates her abuse allegations against Depp. WATCH: AMBER HEARD IS SCARED TO SPEAK. THAT’S WHAT A ‘DEFAMATION LAWSUIT IS MEANT TO DO’ “There’s a binder worth of years of notes dating back to 2011 from the very beginning of my relationship that were taken by my doctor, who I was reporting the abuse to,” she explained in a preview clip. Guthrie, whose husband had served as a consultant for Depp's legal team, gave a description of NBC's review of the documents and highlighted an instance in 2012 in which Depp allegedly "hit her, threw her against a wall and threatened to kill her,” and a few months later he "ripped her nightgown, threw her on the bed." The notes contained the version of events Heard told her therapist. Depp's legal team decried the freshly reported notes as "reimagining, and re-litigating" matters a jury had already considered in a response statement to NBC. “It’s unfortunate that while Johnny is looking to move forward with his life, the defendant and her team are back to repeating, reimagining and re-litigating matters that have already been decided by the Court and a verdict that was unanimously and unequivocally decided by a jury in Johnny’s favour,” his team wrote. Amber Heard (left) and Johnny Depp (right) are seen at a court in Fairfax County, Virginia. (AP Photos) Earlier this month, a jury in Virginia concluded Heard defamed Depp with an article she wrote in the Washington Post contending that she was a sexual assault survivor. Although she did not mention him outright by name, Depp argued that he suffered massive financial damages from lost Hollywood gigs due to the perception that he abused her, including losing out on movies such as those in the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts franchises. The jury directed Heard to pay him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard also procured $2 million in compensatory damages after the jury found Depp liable for one count of defamation in her countersuit. Heard had been found liable on three counts of his defamation claims. The judge had determined her therapist notes were hearsay and kept them away from the jury during the trial, Guthrie explained. Throughout the trial, the pair hurled a number of jaw-dropping accusations against one another, including accusations from Depp that Heard pooped on their bed and claims that Heard hit Depp, which was backed by audio recordings. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Heard's explosive interview with Guthrie is set to air Friday on Dateline. Despite the tension with her ex-husband, Heard maintains that she still loves him and does not blame the jury for its decision. “I loved him with all my heart,” Heard declared. "I tried the best I could to make a deeply broken relationship work and I couldn’t. I have no bad feelings or ill will toward him at all.

Celebrity

Edit StoryNew! Follow this author to improve your content experience. Jun 16, 2022,03:42am EDT|Updated Jun 16, 2022, 04:27am EDTTopline Beyoncé’s new album RENAISSANCE is set for release on July 29, music streaming services including Spotify and Tidal announced early on Thursday, marking her first studio album release in six years that follows multiple teases on social media over the past few days. Beyonce makes History with the Best E&B Performance winning 28 Grammys, more that any female or male ... [+] performer, accepts the award for Best R&B Performance at the 63rd Grammy Award outside Staples Center. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Key Facts The full name of the album appears to be RENAISSANCE – act i, a possible indication the new project may be released in multiple parts. The official announcement was shared by the social media handles of all major music streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and YouTube Music—indicating that unlike her last album ‘Lemonade’ this will release on all platforms. The new album will be Beyoncé's seventh solo album. Thursday’s announcement comes after several days of teases on social media which included the removal of Beyoncé’s display pictures from her Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages. Big Number $450 million. That’s Beyoncé’s total net worth as of June 14 according to Forbes, which puts her 61st on the list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. Key Background Beyoncé’s last studio album Lemonade, released in 2016, was both a massive critical and commercial success. The album received nine Grammy nominations and ended up winning two awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video for the song “Formation.” Last year, Beyoncé became the most decorated female artist in Grammy history after receiving a record 28th award and tied with Quincy Jones. Further Reading Beyoncé Turns 40—Time To Revisit Her Obsession With The Number 4 (Forbes) Follow me on Twitter. Send me a secure tip. Editorial StandardsPrintReprints & Permissions

Music

The greatest shooter of all-time, Steph Curry, is one of the biggest concerns for the Boston Celtics defense during the NBA Finals. He went off for 43 points just a few nights ago. Coupled with horrible ball-handling and messy turnovers, the Celtics find themselves in a hole heading into game 6 on June 16, trailing the Warriors 3-2.If a new study is to be believed, the Celtics will face a slightly bigger struggle on Thursday, at home in Boston: The scientists call it "desynchronosis." You know it as jet lag.Sleep scientists have assessed 10 seasons and over 11,400 NBA games since 2011 and found jet lag is associated with impaired performance for NBA athletes. Interestingly, the jet lag seems to adversely affect teams travelling eastward, back home, rather than westward -- like the Boston Celtics have to do ahead of game 6. The research is published in open access journal Frontiers in Physiology on June 16."Travelling eastward could be of particular concern to teams located on the east coast who have to travel back to play home games and do not have adequate recovery times," noted Elise Facer-Childs, a sleep scientist at Monash University in Australia, in a press release. The researchers went into some stats, too. Notably, the team looked at points differential and rebounding because it's described as an "effort or hustle play" and also the effective field goal percentage (eFG%), a metric that accounts for 3-point shots being worth more than 2-point shots in overall shot percentage. The points differential for teams travelling eastward, back home, was down (-1.29) and they also had a worse rebound differential (-1.29) and worse eFG% (-1.2).All in all, not great news if you're travelling from, say, San Francisco to Boston.There is reason for some skepticism, however. First, the reduced chance of winning is only 6% and does not reach statistical significance in the research paper. There might be a trend toward eastward travelling teams losing, but it could also just be chance. That percentage would also be the equivalent of 2.47 fewer home wins, according to the paper.And then, the press release sent out by Monash on June 16 suggests the Celtics might be unfairly impacted by NBA Finals scheduling, and that the old NBA Finals schedule of 2-3-2, where the first two and last two games are played at the home of the highest seed, might be better for minimizing jet lag than the current 2-2-1-1-1 format.However, there is one pretty significant caveat: The study did not include playoff games. It might not be all that scientific but, having watched a lot of basketball in my life, I can tell you the level of play during the playoffs and the Finals is much higher than during regular season games. It requires a ton more effort. You might even imagine that looking at Finals data, there could be a more significant trend in things like rebound differential. But we can't know that and the amount of NBA Finals games is a far smaller sample size, making it harder to draw conclusions.If you're looking for empirical data about where to put your money tonight then I'm sorry, folks, but I can't help you.

Basketball

SMU announced the creation of a new all-encompassing “Student-Athlete Success Department” on Thursday due to a “generous” donation from Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne, an SMU alumna.The donation amount was not disclosed, but the Youngkins have donated at least $1 million before to the school. Grant Youngkin, their son, played one season of basketball at SMU and graduated in 2021.“College athletics have always been important to Glenn and me and we are particularly proud to be championing activities that aim to bolster student-athletes’ success in all aspects of their lives after college,” Suzanne said in a written statement from the school.SMU’s new Success Department will be the home of initiatives like its “Life After Ball” program. Life After Ball was developed in 2018 and expanded to all sports in 2022. IT’s designed to help athletes find jobs after graduation.Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) education and the athletic department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programming will also fall under the department’s umbrella. It will be led by SMU Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Success Lisa Rawlins.Related:Post-spring position outlook: SMU could have a youth movement on special teamsFind more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Joseph Hoyt, Staff Writer. Joseph covers SMU, college sports and the Texas Rangers for The Dallas Morning News. Previously he covered high school sports for The News. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Joseph interned at The News before working for The Ames Tribune and KOIN-TV in Portland. He returned to The News in Nov. 2018.joseph.hoyt@dallasnews.com /JosephHoytDMN @joejhoyt

Other Sports

Celtics center Robert Williams III is playing in the NBA Finals with an ongoing knee issue, acknowledging after Game 3 that he is “taking a risk” in doing so.Williams, 24, had surgery March 30 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Nets in April. He’s been listed as questionable since, missing games in each of the next two playoff series.In a recent feature on Williams, Yahoo Sports reported that the Celtics’ medical staff has “ensured him that he is not at further risk of worsening the repaired knee. It’s all a matter of pain tolerance.”Williams acknowledged he’s playing through abnormal circumstances.“I was really having my knee drained a lot last series,” Williams said. “I stopped draining it because there was no point, in my opinion. My knee kept filling back up with fluid. So, I’ve kind of learned how to manage it to be able to play.”Get Court SenseBounce around the NBA with our Celtics-centric look at the latest happenings on and off the court.But despite the assurances of the Celtics, one of the team’s former players weighed in to offer a reminder that the medical staff’s assessment might not always be correct.Isaiah Thomas, who was an MVP candidate with the Celtics in the 2016-17 season, tweeted on Thursday morning that he had “heard that before.”Thomas’s circumstances remain notable because he — like Williams — played through an injury in the playoffs that season.Averaging 23.3 points in the postseason (including a 53-point game against the Wizards in the Eastern Conference semifinals), Thomas suffered through an ongoing hip injury until he was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs in Boston’s defeat to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.Thomas, who was traded to the Cavaliers the following offseason as part of the Kyrie Irving deal, has struggled to fully recover in the ensuing years. He has not appeared in more than 40 games in a season since the 2017 playoffs. What the long-term implications are for Williams remain to be seen. But unlike Thomas — who was seeking a large contract extension during the 2017 season — Williams is currently in the first year of a four-year deal worth $48 million.

Basketball

Rob Kardashian NO SETTLEMENT OF REVENGE PORN CASE ... Blac Chyna Trial Looms 6/16/2022 5:28 PM PT Rob Kardashian just struck out in his bid to end another legal war with his ex, Blac Chyna ... and now it looks like her revenge porn case is going to trial. According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge just denied Rob's attempt to enforce a settlement he says he struck with Blac Chyna that would have made the case go away before trial. TMZ broke the story ... Rob filed legal docs earlier this month claiming he struck a deal with Blac Chyna to drop her revenge porn lawsuit and claimed she was trying to back out on the alleged deal. Rob said Chyna had agreed to drop the suit if Rob helped get her dropped from a separate lawsuit ... with Rob saying he agreed to hold up his end of the alleged bargain, and she should be held to her end. RK asked the judge to enforce the alleged deal with Chyna ... but the judge just said no. As a result, it looks like Rob and Chyna are heading for another legal showdown as the case was set to go to trial this month. BACKGRID Remember ... the Kardashians soundly defeated Blac Cyna in their recent legal battle over the former couple's canceled reality show. Now, the stage is set for a second fight. Stay tuned ...

Celebrity

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Tom Hanks quickly jumped into action and yelled at a group of fans to "back the f–k off" from wife Rita Wilson after she was nearly knocked over while leaving dinner at Nobu Wednesday night in New York City.Hanks appeared stunned. "Knocking over my wife?" he asked as he stood looking visibly annoyed.Hanks, 65, followed Wilson out of the trendy sushi spot with a few security guards leading the way to their vehicle, and a group quickly surrounded the couple, at some point causing Rita to nearly lose her footing.The "Forrest Gump" star immediately made space for his wife by holding out his arms so that the autograph seekers would take a few steps back.TOM HANKS STARS AS GEPPETTO IN TEASER TRAILER FOR DISNEY'S LIVE-ACTION ‘PINOCCHIO’One bystander attempted to help Hanks keep his cool while Wilson made her way to the vehicle. "These people are relentless. Sorry about that, Tom," the bystander said. Tom Hanks defended wife Rita Wilson after fans came too close for comfort while they were leaving dinner Wednesday. (Splash News) Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were swarmed by a group of people as they left Nobu Wednesday night. (Splash News)Tom and Rita have been married 34 years and first met while working together on the 1981 sitcom "Bosom Buddies."They have two sons together, Chet and Truman. Hanks has two children from his first marriage, son Colin and daughter Elizabeth.Social media users praised Hanks for his actions. "COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED," one Twitter user wrote in part. Hanks' devoted fan base came to his defense after a video began circulating online about the actor having "shaking hands" at a panel last week for the upcoming "Elvis" biopic.Hanks, 65, stars as Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager, in the Baz Luhrmann-directed movie, which was filmed nearly 40 miles south of Brisbane in the city of Gold Coast.Hanks discussed his joy in filming the movie in Queensland, but comments were centered around his difficulty holding the microphone as he passed the device between his hands.But Hanks' supporters were quick to quell online speculation about his health and took to Twitter in support of the entertainer."He still one of the best actors left," one Twitter user wrote. "His health is his business." Hanks could barely believe the sight, asking, "Knocking over my wife?" as he stood looking visibly annoyed. (Splash News) Security guards helped Tom Hanks find his way to his vehicle after an encounter with fans. (Splash News) The 65-year-old actor put his hands in the air to make space between the crowd and wife Rita Wilson. (MEGA)Another user expressed similar sentiments."It is extremely unkind to speculate on Tom's health," the individual wrote. "Tom has a Loving Wife & Family thus they will make him rest if it's due to tiredness or any other issues."TOM HANKS, WIFE RITA WILSON ISOLATED AT HOSPITAL ‘IN STABLE CONDITION’ AFTER CORONAVIRUS DIAGNOSIS, OFFICIALS SAY One social media user simply commented that the situation was "sad," while another boasted that Hanks had given fans "great movies in the past."Hanks has not disclosed any medical conditions.Upon landing in Australia in March 2020 to film the biopic, Hanks and Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19, which halted filming. Hanks said he and Wilson felt tired with colds, aches and slight fevers. "To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive," he said, adding they'll be "isolated for as long as public health and safety requires."The global pandemic followed, and production was stalled for months resuming in September. Filming finally wrapped in March 2021. Hanks has not been without additional health battles, though, and went public with his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2013 during an interview on "The David Letterman Show.""I went to the doctor, and he said, ‘You know those high blood sugar numbers you’ve been dealing with since you were 36?,’" Hanks said, "’Well, you graduated! You’ve got Type 2 diabetes, young man.’"CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERHe later called himself a "total idiot" for not properly following through on his doctor's medical advice to combat the issue and take care of his health. "I’m part of the lazy American generation that has blindly kept dancing through the party and now finds ourselves with a malady," he told Radio Times. "I was heavy. You’ve seen me in movies, you know what I looked like. I was a total idiot. I thought I could avoid it by removing the buns from my cheeseburgers." Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2020. The couple attended the Academy Awards in January 2020. (Jeff Kravitz)Hanks recently admitted he wouldn't have taken the Oscar-winning role of Andrew Beckett in "Philadelphia" had it been offered today. He portrayed the gay lawyer battling AIDS and workplace discrimination in the 1993 film with Denzel Washington."Could a straight man do what I did in ‘Philadelphia’ now? No, and rightly so," Hanks told The New York Times Magazine. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"The whole point of ‘Philadelphia’ was, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man. We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy. "It’s not a crime, it’s not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity. Do I sound like I’m preaching? I don’t mean to." Tracy Wright is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital.

Celebrity

Russell Wilson Hits Dingers At Coors Field ... Peyton Tries His Best 6/16/2022 5:31 PM PT Russell Wilson showed off his two-sport-athlete skills as he took batting practice at Coors Field on Thursday ... ripping homers in an impressive video!! Meanwhile, Peyton Manning made contact with the ball!! Of course, Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 4th round of the 2010 MLB Draft ... playing two seasons in the minors before deciding to return to college football and play for Wisconsin. Moon Balls. To Coca Cola and back. #Enjoy pic.twitter.com/ApTxZxQ7Pj— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 16, 2022 @DangeRussWilson Manning, on the other hand, decided to focus solely on football after college ... and it was definitely for the best -- 'cause he didn't look quite as natural as Russ (still love ya, Peyt!) The duo even took some grounders ... working on their double plays before the Rockies faced off against the Cleveland Guardians. Taking some grounders now pic.twitter.com/yRABoX066A— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) June 16, 2022 @d_allentuck The two joked about their different experiences on the mound ... with Russell saying he was 6 years old the last time Peyton took a swing in the box. And we'll admit ... it looked like it!! But it's all good -- both guys went on to win Super Bowls ... so it's safe to say they made the right choice.

Baseball

Sports Updated on: June 16, 2022 / 6:35 PM / CBS/AP Cities across North America have been vying to host the World Cup after FIFA announced Canada, Mexico and the U.S. would co-host the 2026 games. On Thursday, the international soccer organization named the 16 cities chosen. MUHARRAQ, BAHRAIN - JUNE 04: The World Cup Trophy is brought to Arad Castle within the 2022 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by former Brazilian football player Juliano Belletti in Muharraq, Bahrain on June 04, 2022. Ayman Yaqoob/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Eleven U.S. cities received the honor: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, and Orlando were left out. In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver will host games. Mexico's Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey were also chosen.The U.S. selections included none of the nine stadiums used at the 1994 World Cup. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and Orlando's Camping World Stadium were the only ones remaining in contention, and they were among the sites dropped in the final round. New stadiums were selected in five areas used in 1994. AT&T Stadium in Texas replaced Dallas' Cotton Bowl; SoFi Stadium in Inglewood took over for Pasadena's Rose Bowl; and Levi's Stadium instead of Stanford Stadium.Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, replaced torn-down stadiums that were adjacent, Giants Stadium and Foxboro Stadium.Orlando's Camping World was dropped among existing 1994 venues. The Detroit area, where the old Pontiac Silverdome hosted games, was cut in 2018 and Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium was dropped after FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, dropped out. Washington's RFK Stadium was used in 1994.Chicago, which hosted the 1994 opener at Solider Field, refused to bid, citing FIFA's economic demands. Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, which hosted the 1970 and '86 finals and will become the first stadium in three World Cups, was selected along with Guadalajara's Estadio Akron and Monterrey's Estadio BBVA.Toronto's BMO Field and Vancouver, British Columbia's B.C. Place were picked while Edmonton, Alberta's Commonwealth Stadium was dropped.The bid plan envisioned 60 games in the U.S., including all from the quarterfinals on, and 10 each in Mexico and Canada.Specific sites for each round will be announced later.In contrast to the 1992 site announcement during a news conference, the 2026 announcement was made during a televised show from Fox's studio in Manhattan.This story has been updated with FIFA's latest announcement on the World Cup host cities. In: World Cup Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. Please enter email address to continue Please enter valid email address to continue

Soccer

Celebrity | 6/16/2022 3:02 PM PT The "La La Land" actor will star alongside Margot Robbie who has been cast as Barbie Eva Mendes has eyes for only one doll -- Ryan Gosling. The 48-year-old actress took to Instagram to gush over Gosling's first look as Ken in Greta Gerwig's live-action "Barbie" Movie. She captioned the photo of her husband in Ken's classic platinum blond look, "So. F. Funny. So. F. Good. So F excited for you to see this … #thatsmyken." Gosling can be seen in full character with washboard abs, an open denim vest and a white pair of boxer briefs with the words "KEN" stitched into its waistband peeking out from above his jeans. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. The "La La Land" actor will star alongside Margot Robbie, who has been cast as Barbie. The actor apparently passed on the role previously, per Deadline, but thanks to an opening in his schedule and the persistence of Warner Bros., he was able to join the project. Gerwig is directing the film, which she also co-wrote with partner Noah Baumbach. Amy Schumer was previously attached to one version of the film over at Sony, before she left and Anne Hathaway circled the project. In late 2018, Robbie entered the conversation once it moved over to WB, and signed on to both star in and produce the film under her LuckyChap Entertainment production company. Getty 12 Celebs Who Don't Have Help Raising Their Kids View Story "Playing with Barbie promotes confidence, curiosity and communication throughout a child's journey to self-discovery," Robbie said when the film was announced in January 2019. "Over the brand's almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president. I'm so honored to take on this role and produce a film that I believe will have a tremendously positive impact on children and audiences worldwide." She also spoke about the project while promoting "The Suicide Squad" last year. “Right, it comes with a lot of baggage!" Robbie told Vogue of taking on the titular role. "And a lot of nostalgic connections. But with that come a lot of exciting ways to attack it." "People generally hear 'Barbie' and think, 'I know what that movie is going to be,' and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they're like, 'Oh, well, maybe I don't," she added. "Barbie" hits theaters July 21, 2023.

Celebrity

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Justin Bieber is postponing another scheduled performance due to his Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis.On Thursday, a statement released by Bieber’s tour promoter, which is represented by AEG, announced the musician will not be performing at a show next Friday due his health."In light of Justin’s ongoing recovery, the remaining U.S. Justice Tour shows scheduled for June and early July, including at Summerfest at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in Milwaukee on Friday, June 24, 2022, will be postponed," the statement said. Justin Bieber has postponed his Summerfest performance due to his Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis. (Johnny Nune)"Justin continues to receive the best medical care possible, is upbeat about his recovery and is looking forward to getting back out on the road and performing for his fans overseas later this summer." JUSTIN BIEBER REVEALS FACIAL PARALYSIS, SAYS HE'S BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROMEIn an Instagram video last week, Bieber shared with his fans that the right side of his face has been paralyzed due to the virus. "For those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I'm just physically, obviously, not capable of doing them," he said. "This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn't the case, but obviously my body is telling me that I've got to slow down. Bieber has had to cancel multiple shows due to the illness. (Kevin Mazur)"I hope you guys understand," Bieber added. "I'll just be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100% so that I can do what I was born to do."His wife, Hailey Bieber, showed her husband support online after he shared the video with his 242 million Instagram followers.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe model shared her husband’s original post and expressed her love for him.Bieber recently canceled multiple shows in Toronto. The musician was scheduled to perform June 7 and 8 at Scotiabank Arena. Justin Bieber's wife, Hailey Bieber, showed support on social media following his diagnosis. (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)"Can’t believe I’m saying this. I’ve done everything to get better but my sickness is getting worse," he wrote on Instagram ahead of the concerts. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shows (doctors orders). To all my people I love you so much and I’m gonna rest and get better!"Fox News' Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report. Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital.

Music

Chad Finn and Nicole Yang will be offering their insights and analysis throughout the game. Follow along below.Click here to refresh | Sign up for Court Sense, our Celtics newsletter | Read more Celtics storiesThe vibe inside TD Garden right now — 8:57 p.m.We are 10 minutes from tip. The lower bowl is pretty much full (Nicole mentioned she saw two kids get kicked out for trying to sneak in with fake press passes). “Let’s go, Celtics!” chants are already breaking out. The team got a big cheer when they appeared on the screen in the tunnel.Who is the special guest Wyc mentioned? — 8:50 p.m.Earlier this week, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck told Adam Himmelsbach there would be a special guest in attendance tonight – “a former Celtic champion” — sitting with him and Robert Kraft.Get Court SenseBounce around the NBA with our Celtics-centric look at the latest happenings on and off the court.Your guesses?A star-studded celebrity list tonight! — 8:35 p.m.In attendance for Celtics-Warriors Game 6: Robert Kraft, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Damien Harris, Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy, Connor Clifton, Nick Foligno, Gucci Mane, G-Eazy, Dave Matthews Band, Rory McIlroy, Albert Pujols, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Glen Davis. – YangCeltics don’t need motivation, but they do need the Js to lead — 8:25 p.m.Gary Washburn | On BasketballWhile coach Ime Udoka is convinced some tactical and perhaps lineup adjustments could force a Game 7, the Celtics have to overcome their first consecutive losses as a fully healthy team since January. The Warriors have the Celtics shaken, and their defense has forced Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown into pedestrian scorers and playmakers.Read more here.Rob Williams is available — 8:10 p.m.Ime Udoka said Robert Williams will be available for Game 6.Celtics center Robert Williams III is playing in the NBA Finals with an ongoing knee issue, acknowledging after Game 3 that he is “taking a risk” in doing so.Williams, 24, had surgery March 30 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Nets in April. He’s been listed as questionable since, missing games in each of the next two playoff series.In a recent feature on Williams, Yahoo Sports reported that the Celtics’ medical staff has “ensured him that he is not at further risk of worsening the repaired knee. It’s all a matter of pain tolerance.”Williams acknowledged he’s playing through abnormal circumstances.“I was really having my knee drained a lot last series,” Williams said. “I stopped draining it because there was no point, in my opinion. My knee kept filling back up with fluid. So, I’ve kind of learned how to manage it to be able to play.”But despite the assurances of the Celtics, one of the team’s former players weighed in to offer a reminder that the medical staff’s assessment might not always be correct.Isaiah Thomas, who was an MVP candidate with the Celtics in the 2016-17 season, tweeted on Thursday morning that he had “heard that before.” Read more here from Hayden Bird.Adam Silver will miss Game 6 — 8:00 p.m.The NBA announced that commissioner Adam Silver is still in COVID-19 protocols, and will miss tonight’s game.If the Warriors win, it will fall to deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to hand out the Larry O’Brien trophy.Warriors are 0-3 in closeout opportunities on the road in these playoffs — 7:55 p.m.The Warriors have failed to capitalize on their first closeout opportunity in each round of this postseason so far, but they’re hoping Thursday night will be different.With a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals, Golden State can clinch the championship with a win over the Celtics in Game 6 at TD Garden. Players and coaches have long said that closeout games are the toughest to win, so the Warriors are well aware of the challenge.“It’s extremely hard,” center Kevon Looney said Wednesday. “Especially on the road. I don’t think we have had a closeout on the road this playoffs yet, so it’s going to be tough. But we feel like we have the formula, we have the talent to do it.” Read more by Nicole Yang here.Nine reasons the Celtics can still win an NBA title — 7:45 p.m.It seems like ages ago that the Celtics stole Game 1 of these NBA Finals in San Francisco and looked like favorites to win the championship. They have dropped three of four games to the Warriors since then, are currently riding their first two-game losing streak of these playoffs, and return home for Game 6 on Thursday once again facing elimination.The outlook certainly is not rosy, but the series is not over, either.“Not that it’s going to be easy or it’s going to be given to us, but you should be extremely confident as long as you’ve got a chance,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “We got a chance tomorrow.”Here are nine reasons why the Celtics could still dig out of a gloomy predicament and find a way to win the NBA title — Adam HimmelsbachYou can feel the energy inside TD Garden — 7:30 p.m.Hello, and welcome to Game 6! We may be an hour-and-a-half to tip, but North Station and the Garden are popping off with excitement.In case you missed it, we teamed up with our friends at the San Francisco Chronicle to host a Twitter Space to preview the game. You should listen!Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her on Twitter @nicolecyang. Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeChadFinn. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac. Scott Thurston can be reached at scott.thurston@globe.com.

Basketball

WNBA Star Sue Bird I'm Retiring ... 'This Will Be My Final Year' 6/16/2022 9:52 AM PT Sue Bird -- a 4-time WNBA champion and star guard for the Seattle Storm -- says she's retiring ... announcing Thursday she's hanging up her sneakers for good at the end of this season. "I’ve decided this will be my final year," said Bird, who shared a photo of her hoopin' as a youngster. "I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first." I’ve decided this will be my final year. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first ☺️ #TheFinalYear @seattlestorm pic.twitter.com/Uo2YqCCKUD— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) June 16, 2022 @S10Bird The 41-year-old, who was a 2-time NCAA champion at UConn, was picked #1 overall back in 2002 ... and has played every year since for the Storm. In her 19 years in Seattle, she piled up 12 All-Star selections ... and became the WNBA's all-time assists leader as well as the league's all-time leader in starts. Her retirement will mark truly the end of one of the greatest basketball careers ever -- as Bird is one of only six players ever to win an NCAA championship, a WNBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal. WNBA season is slated to end in September ... congrats on an amazing run, Sue!

Basketball

“Lightyear” tells the story of the space ranger (voice of Chris Evans) who would someday inspire an action figure, and his interstellar heroics with a robotic cat by his side.Disney/Pixar What we need to keep in mind is that the Buzz Lightyear we’ve come to know and love in all the “Toy Story” movies isn’t the “real” Buzz; it’s an action figure toy based on a popular movie character. Thus, we can’t call “Lightyear” a prequel, as it’s more of a — well, the title card of the movie explains it:“In 1995, a boy named Andy got a toy from his favorite movie. This is that movie.”Ah! Got it. This is the story of the “real” Buzz Lightyear! What we’re watching is the movie Andy watched, and then Andy got a Buzz Lightyear action figure, and the rest is animated movie history. Hold on, though: That would mean “Lightyear” would have been released BEFORE the events of “Toy Story,” so it IS kind of a prequel, and also, why is the animation in this movie so stunning and vibrant and mind-blowing? Shouldn’t it look more 1990s?Oh, stop it, me. This is a high-concept and yes, meta, film that springs from a clever premise and delivers wholesome, energetic, positive-messaging entertainment — even if there are some plot developments straight out of “Interstellar” meets “Back to the Future” that will sail above the heads of the little ones. When we’re able to set aside some of the nagging questions, e.g., why was it necessary to replace Tim Allen with Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz (it wasn’t), we can settle in and enjoy “Lightyear” as a relatively minor Pixar effort that nevertheless succeeds as escapist summer entertainment for the family. (Just think: Kids who saw the original “Toy Story” in 1995 are old enough to have preschoolers — or teenagers — of their own!)Directed with zippy flash by Angus MacLane (“Finding Dory”) from a screenplay by MacLane and Jason Headley (“Onward”), “Lightyear” opens with the impossibly square-jawed and supremely self-confident Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear making a rare mistake that results in Buzz, his commanding officer and best friend Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and their entire crew marooned on a desolate and dangerous planet. If Buzz can figure out a way to reach hyper-speed, he’ll be able to bring everyone home, but he falls short in test flight after test flight after test flight. Each of these attempts soaks up only a few minutes of Buzz’s time — but when he returns to base, another four years has passed on the planet’s surface. This leads to a touching, “Up”-inspired sequence in which we see Alisha’s life pass before Buzz’s eyes, from Alisha’s romance and marriage to a female crew member, having a son and eventually a granddaughter before she passes away of old age. Damn you, Pixar, you’ve delivered another multi-tissue moment. Buzz’s best friend Alisha (voice of Uso Aduba) is stranded with him on a dangerous planet.Disney/Pixar Buzz has lost the only true friend he’s ever had, but at least Alisha gave him the next best thing to a human sidekick in a robotic cat named Sox (voiced by Peter Sohn), who can perform all sorts of computerized wizardry but is mainly onboard to melt our hearts with his big eyes and cute comments and undying loyalty to Buzz. (It would make sense for a movie cat to be named Sox in 1995, given that the Clintons had a cat named Socks in the White House at the time.) In classic loner anti-hero fashion, Buzz keeps telling us (he narrates his own adventures) that he doesn’t need anybody’s help and he can manage just fine on his own, which of course sets the table for Important Life Lessons about how we all need help and it’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to ask for it. Yay, Pixar messaging! Circumstances — loud, colorful, action-packed circumstances — lead to Buzz reluctantly teaming up with a rag-tag bunch of wannabe Space Rangers, including the hapless and bumbling Mo Morrison (Taika Waititi); the crusty old explosives and weapons expert (and ex-con) Darby Steel (Dale Soules), and Alisha’s granddaughter, Izzy (Keke Palmer),who has spent her whole life dreaming of becoming a legendary Ranger like her grandmother and Buzz, but there’s one small issue: She’s terrified of space. (Cue the messaging about overcoming your fears!) Even though I still say Tim Allen should be voicing Buzz, kudos to Chris Evans for playing off his own superhero image with some hilariously deadpan and occasionally empathetic voice work; Evans and Keke Palmer as Izzy do a wonderful job of creating a true mentor/protégé chemistry.As Buzz and his new team do battle with the evil Emperor Zurg (James Brolin) and his robot army (it doesn’t really matter how we got there), “Lightyear” gets into some heavy metaphysical developments that will have your head spinning, but mostly it’s about the whiz-bang action and some nicely timed comedic quips and Buzz finally learning no man is an island, even when his adventures take him to, you know, infinity and beyond. Go Buzz! Your next adventure is just around the corner, and it all starts at Andy’s birthday party.

Movies

In 2015, the Cubs revealed they would launch their own regional sports network by 2020, the season after their broadcast agreements expired. But it wasn’t until 2018 that the news broke of the network’s name and partner. That’s when it became real to fans. In October 2024, NBC Sports Chicago’s contract with the Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox will expire. Timewise, we’re in the same ballpark as when Marquee Sports Network and Sinclair Broadcast Group began discussing a partnership. So what’s in the offing for NBCSCH and its three teams? The sports-broadcasting landscape is still fluid, and there are a few ways this could go. The teams could renew with NBC Sports Regional Networks. NBCUniversal could get out of the RSN game altogether, which it would be happy to do if it could find a buyer. Or the Hawks, Bulls and Sox could start their own network, which, according to industry insiders, is being discussed. It makes sense. Bulls and Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf could form a year-round RSN by himself, just like YES in New York does with the Yankees and Nets. And you could argue that it would make sense for the Hawks to join the Cubs and give Marquee a winter tenant, eliminating conflicts with Bulls games. But don’t expect Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz to bail on his family’s longtime partnership with the Reinsdorfs. They’ve been together since the days of SportsVision in the 1980s, and they’re equal owners of the United Center. That bond is strong. Besides, neither would want to help the Cubs, who left Reinsdorf and Wirtz to pursue their own golden goose. NBC’s waning interest in RSNs is apparent by its limited support for affiliates. NBCSCH brought back a weeknight talk show hosted by David Kaplan, and its Bears postgame show has been a success. But outside of that, the channel’s only value is in its game coverage. Marquee has developed original programming — whether you like it or not -— to help fill its schedule. And it has added live events with the Sky and Cubs minor-league games. Imagine the programming possibilities for a Hawks-Bulls-Sox network with support from a broadcast partner. There’s the potential for a return to the heyday of NBCSCH’s predecessor, Comcast SportsNet, which covered all the teams in town on the nightly “SportsNet Central.” Only WGN airs such a show in Chicago. New York’s SNY only has the Mets among the city’s pro teams, and even it has a nightly show. Beyond a linear network, the teams also figure to explore streaming. Currently, their games can be streamed through an authenticated cable or satellite subscription or a live-TV streaming service that carries them. But the goal for some teams is to remove the middleman and create an in-market, direct-to-consumer service. This month, Boston’s NESN became the first RSN in the country to launch such a platform. NESN 360 is a digital subscription service that offers Bruins and Red Sox games without the need for cable, satellite or a streamer. What’s more, MLB is part of the partnership, lending credence to the possibility of a similar development here. The Cubs already have said they want to launch their own service. Bally Sports is expected to launch a DTC service for its 19 RSNs this year, starting this month with five MLB teams (Brewers, Marlins, Rays, Royals and Tigers). And NBC has been exploring the streaming space for its RSNs. Considering the Sox entered the digital realm in 2009 with the launch of media venture Silver Chalice, which shares ownership of the sports network Stadium with Sinclair, it’s surprising that the team hasn’t taken the plunge already. Stadium hasn’t had the success Reinsdorf hoped it would, but he and the team have gained hands-on experience in the space. Now they must put it to use. The sports-media landscape is still evolving. Chicago fans could end up watching games on two team-owned networks and streaming services. With NBCSCH’s contract expiring in two years, we figure to learn more about what’s coming before then.

Other Sports

Children and people react as they attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Selection Watch Party at the Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S., June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comNEW YORK, June 16 (Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he expects soccer to be the biggest sport in North America in time for the 2026 World Cup as the host cities for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico were announced on Thursday.World soccer governing body FIFA announced the 16 cities - 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada - that were successful from the 22 bids put forward in a special event at the Rockefeller Center in New York.However, there was no indication where the opening game or the final would be played.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"By 2026 soccer or football will be the number one sport in this part of the world," Infantino boldly predicted as fans in the newly-appointed host cities celebrated.The United States, which staged the tournament in 1994, will host games in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and New York/New Jersey.Mexico, who hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, will stage matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, while Canada, which is staging the men's event for the first time, will do so in Vancouver and Toronto."It was the most competitive process for a FIFA World Cup, we'll have the world coming here, we'll have an exciting tournament," Infantino said.He added that no decision had been taken on where the final would take place."There are still some discussions to go on and we will certainly choose the best cities there as well for the opening and the final, but every match will be a final in this World Cup," Infantino said.Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, Washington DC/Baltimore and Edmonton were the six cities that missed out.FANS WAVINGCheering fans waving American, Canadian and Mexican flags gathered outside the venue in New York, with U.S. national team member and 23-year-old Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic among those in attendance for the announcement.San Francisco's Levi's Stadium hosted a private watch party and New York City Mayor Eric Adams was expected at a watch party in New Jersey's Liberty State Park.Canadian national team player and Toronto native Jonathan Osorio said that as a child he could not have imagined seeing a World Cup in his home country."It's amazing - it's amazing that the World Cup is finally coming to Canada... it's an amazing feat for the whole country," he said.Celebrities including Michael Buble (representing Vancouver), Magic Johnson (Los Angeles), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), F1 driver Sergio Perez (Guadalajara) and Gloria Estefan (Miami) offered on-screen messages celebrating the inclusion of their hometowns.The 2026 tournament is expected to smash World Cup attendance records, which peaked at 3.6 million when it was held in the United States in 1994.It will also be the first time 48 teams will feature in the tournament, an increase from the 32 that will contest this year's event in Qatar."To be a part of it (the Qatar World Cup) and then to have one in this country is going to be amazing," Pulisic said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Amy Tennery; additional reporting by Philip O'Connor and Rory Carroll; editing by Ed Osmond and Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Soccer

Chad Finn and Nicole Yang will be offering their insights and analysis throughout the game. Follow along below.Click here to refresh | Sign up for Court Sense, our Celtics newsletter | Read more Celtics storiesWe’re shipping up to Boston — 9:06 p.m.McInerney: Dropkick Murphys are playing. Chad Finn and Chris Gasper both think the Celtics will win. It’s time for tip.The vibe inside TD Garden right now — 8:57 p.m.McInerney: We are 10 minutes from tip. The lower bowl is pretty much full (Nicole mentioned she saw two kids get kicked out for trying to sneak in with fake press passes). “Let’s go, Celtics!” chants are already breaking out. The team got a big cheer when they appeared on the screen in the tunnel.Get Court SenseBounce around the NBA with our Celtics-centric look at the latest happenings on and off the court.Who is the special guest Wyc mentioned? — 8:50 p.m.Earlier this week, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck told Adam Himmelsbach there would be a special guest in attendance tonight – “a former Celtic champion” — sitting with him and Robert Kraft.Your guesses?A star-studded celebrity list tonight! — 8:35 p.m.In attendance for Celtics-Warriors Game 6: Robert Kraft, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Damien Harris, Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy, Connor Clifton, Nick Foligno, Gucci Mane, G-Eazy, Dave Matthews Band, Rory McIlroy, Albert Pujols, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Glen Davis. – YangCeltics don’t need motivation, but they do need the Js to lead — 8:25 p.m.Gary Washburn | On BasketballWhile coach Ime Udoka is convinced some tactical and perhaps lineup adjustments could force a Game 7, the Celtics have to overcome their first consecutive losses as a fully healthy team since January. The Warriors have the Celtics shaken, and their defense has forced Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown into pedestrian scorers and playmakers.Read more here.Rob Williams is available — 8:10 p.m.Ime Udoka said Robert Williams will be available for Game 6.Celtics center Robert Williams III is playing in the NBA Finals with an ongoing knee issue, acknowledging after Game 3 that he is “taking a risk” in doing so.Williams, 24, had surgery March 30 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Nets in April. He’s been listed as questionable since, missing games in each of the next two playoff series.In a recent feature on Williams, Yahoo Sports reported that the Celtics’ medical staff has “ensured him that he is not at further risk of worsening the repaired knee. It’s all a matter of pain tolerance.”Williams acknowledged he’s playing through abnormal circumstances.“I was really having my knee drained a lot last series,” Williams said. “I stopped draining it because there was no point, in my opinion. My knee kept filling back up with fluid. So, I’ve kind of learned how to manage it to be able to play.”But despite the assurances of the Celtics, one of the team’s former players weighed in to offer a reminder that the medical staff’s assessment might not always be correct.Isaiah Thomas, who was an MVP candidate with the Celtics in the 2016-17 season, tweeted on Thursday morning that he had “heard that before.” Read more here from Hayden Bird.Adam Silver will miss Game 6 — 8:00 p.m.The NBA announced that commissioner Adam Silver is still in COVID-19 protocols, and will miss tonight’s game.If the Warriors win, it will fall to deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to hand out the Larry O’Brien trophy.Warriors are 0-3 in closeout opportunities on the road in these playoffs — 7:55 p.m.The Warriors have failed to capitalize on their first closeout opportunity in each round of this postseason so far, but they’re hoping Thursday night will be different.With a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals, Golden State can clinch the championship with a win over the Celtics in Game 6 at TD Garden. Players and coaches have long said that closeout games are the toughest to win, so the Warriors are well aware of the challenge.“It’s extremely hard,” center Kevon Looney said Wednesday. “Especially on the road. I don’t think we have had a closeout on the road this playoffs yet, so it’s going to be tough. But we feel like we have the formula, we have the talent to do it.” Read more by Nicole Yang here.Nine reasons the Celtics can still win an NBA title — 7:45 p.m.It seems like ages ago that the Celtics stole Game 1 of these NBA Finals in San Francisco and looked like favorites to win the championship. They have dropped three of four games to the Warriors since then, are currently riding their first two-game losing streak of these playoffs, and return home for Game 6 on Thursday once again facing elimination.The outlook certainly is not rosy, but the series is not over, either.“Not that it’s going to be easy or it’s going to be given to us, but you should be extremely confident as long as you’ve got a chance,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “We got a chance tomorrow.”Here are nine reasons why the Celtics could still dig out of a gloomy predicament and find a way to win the NBA title — Adam HimmelsbachYou can feel the energy inside TD Garden — 7:30 p.m.Hello, and welcome to Game 6! We may be an hour-and-a-half to tip, but North Station and the Garden are popping off with excitement.In case you missed it, we teamed up with our friends at the San Francisco Chronicle to host a Twitter Space to preview the game. You should listen!Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her on Twitter @nicolecyang. Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeChadFinn. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac. Scott Thurston can be reached at scott.thurston@globe.com.

Basketball

Media caption, Stereophonics' Kelly Jones rang Sir Tom Jones to see if he fancied doing a showMusic fans have been warned to plan ahead and leave enough travel time, with 60,000 people expected to descend on Cardiff for two nights of concerts.Just weeks after three Ed Sheeran gigs at Cardiff's Principality Stadium caused travel chaos in south Wales, Sir Tom Jones and Stereophonics play the stadium on Friday and Saturday.Rail upgrades and routine roadworks will be suspended to avoid disruption.The Welsh government and travel firms have told people to leave in good time.More than 60,000 fans are set to attend the two Stereophonics concerts at Principality Stadium - where Sir Tom Jones is supporting - which were rescheduled after the initial dates before Christmas were postponed amid growing concerns about the Covid Omicron variant.But the shows now come three weeks after some motorists endured 15-mile tailbacks on the M4 into Wales to watch Ed Sheeran in Cardiff.Public transport operators have warned people services will be "very busy" on both Friday and Saturday with fans going to the two Stereophonics' homecoming shows - with Saturday's event being broadcast live on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer.Music fans advised to travel early People attending the gigs have been advised to leave extra time for the journey to Cardiff with the M4 motorway across south Wales also expected to be congested, especially with Friday afternoon rush hour traffic.Meanwhile, the Welsh language music and culture festival Tafwyl at the weekend in Bute Park will swell numbers expected in the city on Saturday.Roads in Cardiff city centre will be shut for the afternoon before both stadium concerts on "health and safety grounds to ensure people can safely enter and leave the stadium".Rail passengers have also been told that all services around Cardiff will be busy on both days and that trains will be at full available capacity."There's no doubt it will be very busy on Friday and Saturday as it always is when big, sold-out events happen in the Principality Stadium," said Transport for Wales (TfW) boss Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde."Every single carriage will be in operation, we've altered our maintenance schedule and have capacity for 20,000 people to get to various locations - 6,000 to the Valleys, 6,000 to Bristol and 5,000 to west Wales."Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain advertsWhile TfW acknowledged it faced "challenges" on Friday and Saturday, location data from concert ticket sales suggest that about "70% of concert-goers and coming from the "Cardiff, Valleys and Swansea area.""We have plenty of capacity to move people based on estimates provided by the stadium," Colin Lea of TfW told BBC Radio Wales. Railway upgrade work and unnecessary roadworks on the network in south Wales have been suspended for event weekends at the Principality Stadium but travellers have been urged to plan ahead."We plan and work to minimise travel disruption on the trunk road network," said the Welsh government."As with all large events, we would advise people to plan ahead before starting to travel and to allow plenty of time for their journey." All bus services into the city centre - including Cardiff Bus, Stagecoach and NAT services - will be affected and diverted.Forecasters predict it will be the hottest day of the year so far in Cardiff on Friday - with temperatures reaching 26C (79F) - but the Principality Stadium roof will be shut.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stereophonics' Cwmaman Feel The Noize gig at Cardiff Castle in 1998 was their first major outdoor headline showThe Welsh band, whose hits include Maybe Tomorrow, The Bartender And The Thief and their 2005 No 1 Dakota, played the Cardiff city centre venue in 2001 and 2003 but this year they are doing two 60,000-capacity shows after an extra date was added due to demand.'Something to look forward to'"A few of the boys I went to school with said "it'll sell out within half an hour" but I said it'd take weeks because it's a hard venue to sell out," said Kelly."Then at half past nine on the day the first date went on sale, I had a phone call to say we've sold out. So the demand was so big, the advice was we could definitely do good numbers on both nights."It's been an idea to play the Millennium Stadium for a couple of years so do it with such amazing special guests and after a global pandemic it couldn't have come at a better time for people to have something to look forward to."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stereophonics' most recent outdoor gig in Cardiff was at Cardiff City Stadium in 2018Ashton Adams has seen the 'Phonics 12 times and after watching Wales qualify for football's World Cup, he is going with a bunch of friends."I think this may be the best two weeks to be Welsh in history," said Ashton, who grew up near where the Stereophonics are from in Cwmaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf."What's brilliant is the absolute timing of this gig, we've got the traditional Welsh music festival in the castle, whilst Welsh legends play the stadium, on the back of the Welsh football, it's just the best time and it's incredible."It's been long awaited and we've all been through a hard time with Covid so it'll be great to have live music back. It makes you feel like the world's getting back to normal."What time does the concert start?Feeder, whose hits include Buck Rogers, Just A Day and Just the Way I'm Feeling, will also be on Friday's bill while Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys will also support on Saturday - with Sir Tom Jones starting his set at 18:15 BST while the Stereophonics will be on at 20:00.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, This weekend's concerts are Sir Tom Jones' first at the Principality StadiumGates to the Principality Stadium will open at 15:00 and the first act is Welsh group Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard who will start the show on both days at at 15:40.Take That are currently the only group to have played three headline shows in different years at the Principality Stadium but Stereophonics, whose 12th studio album earlier this year was their eighth number one record, will emulate that this weekend.Related TopicsCoronavirus lockdown measuresCoronavirus vaccinesLive musicCardiff CouncilCardiffTransport for WalesTom JonesOmicron variantCoronavirus pandemicMusic

Music

Celebrity | 6/16/2022 3:42 PM PT Daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shows off her dancing prowess Shiloh Jolie-Pitt knows how to move! The daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie strutted her stuff in a new YouTube video from the famed Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, California. Shiloh was seen expertly dancing to Doja Cat's new single "Vegas" from the "Elvis" soundtrack and showed off her choreography from a class taught by Hamilton Evans. The 16-year-old takes center stage wearing a The Beatles t-shirt and Vans sneakers alongside two other dancers around the 2:40 mark. Last week in an interview with Us Weekly, a source told the publication that her parents were "very proud" of her dancing endeavors. "They'd have no issue if she wants to turn pro, but they're not pushing it on her by any means," they continued. "Shiloh loves dancing, she's seriously talented and has been going to these classes for a few years now." Shiloh has been making headlines for her viral dancing TikTok videos that have showcased her hip-hop dance routines to trending songs like "About Damn Time" by Lizzo and "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran.

Celebrity

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham has no remorse about slapping San Francisco Giants player Joc Pederson over their fantasy football dispute.Pham told USA Today Thursday that Pederson "deserved to be slapped." and he had "no regrets" at all over the incident. He said Major League Baseball threatened him with an 8- to 10-game suspension unless he accepted a three-game punishment. Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham swings and misses during a game against the Cardinals June 10, 2022, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The veteran outfielder added he had people thanking him for slapping Pederson.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"There were about 100 people that thanked me after I slapped him," he said. "Players, coaches, trainers, reporters. What does that say? I was like, 'Damn, I didn't know Joc was this disliked.’"Things escalated even further earlier in the week.Giants players were seen wearing T-shirts with the phrase, "stashing players on their IR isn’t cheating." That appeared to be one of the issues between Pham and Pederson. Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham during a game between the Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals June 11, 2022, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANGELS' MIKE TROUT SAYS FANTASY FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY STEMMED FROM 'CONFUSION' OVER ESPN'S GAMEPham responded on Twitter: "They really played themselves (because) now all I have to do is release the IR rules in the league and the text how I told Joc I was gonna pimp slap him for cheating."The slap occurred last month, and Pederson revealed it was over fantasy football. Joc Pederson of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park June 11, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)"He kinda came up and said, 'You remember from last year?’ And I was like, ‘fantasy football?’ and he was like, ‘Yeah.’"We were in a fantasy league together. I put somebody — a player — on the injured reserve when they were listed as out and added another player. And then there was a text message in the group saying that I was cheating because I was stashing players on the bench."Pham said the slap was about more than just the fantasy games. He said Pederson texted him some "disrespectful s---" and he called him out on it.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIt resulted in Pham’s brief suspension.Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

Baseball

Britney Spears See ya, Instagram ... Account Disappears Again 6/16/2022 10:24 AM PT UPDATE 12:44 PM PT -- A source at Instagram tells us they didn't remove Britney's account ... it was all her doing. Oops, she did it again ... Britney Spears' Instagram account has disappeared for a 2nd time. Fans of the newlywed aren't going to find any dancing or twirling videos when heading to her page ... instead, they'll be met with the classic "Sorry, this page isn't available" message. The singer's been really active on the platform lately -- expressing her opinions about her family, her recent marriage, and the conservatorship -- but that's all coming to a screeching halt. It's still unclear if she pulled the plug, or if the platform shut her page down. As you'll recall, the same thing happened back in March, again, without warning ... in the heat of her brutally honest posts about her time in the conservatorship. While fans speculated Instagram was the one that pulled her from the platform, our IG sources said it was all Britney's decision. She eventually returned to the app, getting back into her old habits of posting pics, eyes locked on the camera -- she never explained her reason for departing last time, but still got tons of fans welcoming her back. Who knows how long we'll be missing Britney's posts -- only time will tell if this leave is permanent.

Celebrity

CNN — Tom Hanks, who won an Oscar for his role as a gay man with AIDS in the film “Philadelphia,” said that if the film were made today, a straight actor wouldn’t be cast in that role, and “rightly so.” The “Elvis” actor reflected on the role in an interview this week with the New York Times’ David Marchese. The journalist asked Hanks about two of his most famous films – 1993’s “Philadelphia” and 1994’s “Forrest Gump,” in which he plays a character with undefined intellectual disabilities. Hanks called both films “timely movies, at the time, that you might not be able to make now.” After Marchese argued that neither film would be made today with Hanks in the same roles, Hanks agreed that a straight actor shouldn’t be cast in the “Philadelphia” role he played nearly 30 years ago. “One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man,” Hanks said. “We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy.” At the time of “Philadelphia’s” release, it was the first major Hollywood film to depict the AIDS crisis. The year after it premiered, AIDS would become the leading cause of death for Americans ages 25 to 44, according to the American Psychological Association. Today, more than 1.2 million Americans live with HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS if left untreated. “It’s not a crime, it’s not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity,” he said. Hanks also went on to defend “Forrest Gump,” a film he said was written off as a “sappy nostalgia fest” after it won the Oscar for best picture, mentioning the “moment of undeniable heartbreaking humanity” when the character of Lieutenant Dan, a Vietnam War amputee, walks on prosthetic legs. “I might get weepy thinking about it now,” Hanks said.

Movies

The 75-meter-tall (246-foot) ground structure transmits energy wirelessly across approximately 55 meters (180 feet)Image: Xidian UniversityResearchers at China’s Xidian University are claiming to have completed testing and inspection of a ground array that could pave the way to space-based solar power—a concept long heralded as a potential solution to our energy woes. 01:57Rainn Wilson’s First Fandoms: Star Trek And D&DYesterday 4:32PMResearchers at Xidian University ran a successful test of the “world’s first full-link and full-system solar power plant” on June 5, according to a translated statement published today by the university. The plant is a 246-foot-tall (75-meter) steel structure located on Xidian University’s southern campus, and it’s equipped with with five different subsystems meant to foster the eventual development of space-based solar power arrays.In theory, satellites could continuously collect photons from the Sun, convert them to electricity using photovoltaic cells, and wirelessly beam that electricity as microwaves back to receivers on the surface—like the one at Xidian University. While the idea sounds like a far-fetched engineering problem for our descendants, it was actually proposed as far back as the 1960s by scientist Peter Glaser. Space-based solar power could sidestep some of the fundamental issues with solar power collection here on Earth; there’s no need to wait for daylight or clear weather to harvest the incoming energy. But like most space-based solutions to real-world problems, the main issues would be the cost of launching these satellites and building the space-based solar collectors, in addition to some dicey technological and safety hurdles. The newly built ground station is a part of the team’s space-based solar power proposal called OMEGA, which stands for Orb-Shape Membrane Energy Gathering Array. Once built and parked in geostationary orbit, OMEGA will collect energy from the Sun, convert it to electrical energy, and transmit it to Earth as microwaves via antenna. OMEGA was first proposed in 2014 by Duan Baoyan from the Xidian University School of Electromechanical Engineering and his colleagues. Two years earlier, NASA announced the similar SPS-ALPHA (Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large Phased Array) concept, which would feature a single space-based satellite comprised of several smaller elements that could transmit power back to Earth. Baoyan is one of the lead researchers on China’s ground array research, which will be used to test possible OMEGA subsystems, including the conversion of sunlight into energy and the wireless transmission of it. One of the most notable outcomes of OMEGA so far is that the researchers were successful in transmitting energy wirelessly as microwaves over a distance of approximately 180 feet (55 meters). This ability, to transmit wireless energy to a receiving station, represents a critically important element of a future space-based solar power infrastructure. The successful test earlier this month puts the researchers three years ahead of the project’s schedule, according to the press release. That said, Baoyan further acknowledged that widespread transmission of space-based solar power could still be generations away. The idea of space-based solar power is promising, and it could help to wean us off our global reliance on fossil fuels. Building such a complex system presents a massive challenge, but has the potential to revolutionize the way we collect energy. And while the research from Xidian University offers an impressive proof-of-concept, it’s only one step toward a more sustainable future. More: NASA moves ahead with wild solar sail concept.

Emerging Technologies

BROOKLINE — Phil Mickelson was always going to be the litmus test of the US Open, always going to be the best indicator of whether his leading role in defections to the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour would draw a line of demarcation among fans and golfers, or even among golfers and golfers.Even after the grilling Mickelson endured Monday in a media session, the enduring and oft-repeated question since has been how the fans would treat him when he stepped up to his first round tee time Thursday at The Country Club. They’ve always loved him before — but would they still love him now, after his blatant money grab, after his obvious moral relativism, after his reemergence in London last week to compete in the first LIV event?From the first shouts of ‘We love you Phil’ to the many, many variations on that theme that followed, it was clear from the outset there would be no great confrontation or evidence of some great golf schism. For the occasional jeer of “sell-out” or sneer of “you’re the worst,” Mickelson was far more likely to be serenaded by Happy Birthday wishes to mark his 52nd birthday.The crowd was not his problem.The golf was.Mickelson played awful, turning in one of the worst scores of the day, an 8-over-par 78 that left him looking down at only seven golfers, in a six-way tie for 144th. His putter was completely unreliable, his body language was decidedly unhappy, and his day read like a bingo card of bad golf. Bogeys, bunkers, and bad lies, drop zones, provisionals, and treks into the woods.And of course, the four-putt, the low point of a day filled with golfing low points.Swinging from the tee box on the par 3 sixth hole, there was a moment when it seemed the Phil Mickelson of old was making an appearance. With the majestic Country Club course setting the scene, with comfortable temperatures and soft winds swirling at his back, Mickelson sent a golf ball soaring toward the green with the touch and panache that had catapulted him to the most rarefied air in his sport, eliciting cheers from the galleries not out of sympathy or support for an embattled man, but for the simple appreciation of a beautiful golf shot.When the ball came to rest about 11 feet from the pin, all but begging to be turned into a birdie, Mickelson flashed a few signature thumbs-up to the crowds as he strode up the fairway.But four putts later the evidence was in: This wasn’t going to the Mickelson of old; just an old Phil Mickelson.The graying stubble still lining his cheeks and chin only add to the evolving image of a man whose life has changed so dramatically and so drastically in a little more than a year. The Cinderella who magically won the PGA title at age 50 — the oldest to win a major crown — is back to riding a pumpkin now, one as plain, drab, and sponsorless as you can imagine. The Mickelson who emerged on the course Thursday looked nothing like the walking billboard of his past, wearing plain gray pants and a black golf shirt with nothing but a silhouette of his own logo on the chest, his golf bag also embroidered with that same image while absent of any corporate logos.Like a muted palette for a muted career, Mickelson took his practice drives on the range and rolled his practice putts on the green, no longer the poster boy for KMPG or Callaway, the poster boy for something else entirely now. He’s taken more hits than any of his LIV co-conspirators, and deservedly so for the flippant and disrespectful words he shared with reporter Alan Shipnuck on his way out, when he admitted how awful it was to work with the same Saudis who commit human rights violations and who murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi but doing it anyway so he could finally stick it to the greedy PGA Tour. Oh, and pay off some pretty massive personal gambling debts along the way, too.But if he passed some sort of fan-reaction litmus test on Thursday, those fellow LIVers like Dustin Johnson, who played in the group just ahead of him, or Louis Oosthuizen, who played in his own threesome (along with Irishman and PGA loyalist Shane Lowry) didn’t even face one. Fans were completely indifferent to their defections.“People were great; loved it,’’ Mickelson said to three reporters, including Sports Illustrated, in the parking lot before leaving the course. “People here in Boston always have created a great environment for sporting events. And they’ve been amazing for our golf tournaments. And today was no different. It was cool.’’The crowd wasn’t the problem. The golf was, no matter how much Mickelson tried to hide it.“I really enjoyed the test,’’ he said. “I think it’s a spectacular golf course, set up terrific. And I really struggled with the putter the first few holes just like I did last week. I’ll get in the groove. But it’s hard. I’ll get in the groove. I love this setup and I’m looking forward to having another chance at the golf course. I’m playing better than I’m scoring. And I enjoy another opportunity to take on this course.’’Part of the appeal of the LIV Tour, Mickelson has said, is golfer-friendly tweaks to the competitive format, among them a three-day tournament with no one getting cut. Wonder how he feels about two-day tournaments, because it looks as if that’s all he’s getting here at the Open.Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at tara.sullivan@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @Globe_Tara.

Golf

Few films are proving to be as hotly anticipated as Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie, with many expecting the indie auteur to provide a radical, revisionist take on the origin story behind the beloved Mattel toy. And following the first look at Margot Robbie in the titular role last month—driving a hot pink, open-top Corvette and styled in all the gloriously kitschy fashion you might expect—today, we got our first glimpse at her co-star, Ryan Gosling, as Ken.Margot Robbie as Barbie. Photo: Jaap Buitendijk / Courtesy of Warner Bros. PicturesIf the internet’s response is anything to go by, Gosling’s look has more than fulfilled the brief (no pun intended). With his platinum blonde hair, oiled-up washboard abs, and liberal amounts of fake tan, the results of Gosling’s striking transformation could have come straight out of a ’90s Toys “R” Us catalog. His outfit, meanwhile, is a pitch-perfect nod to Y2K boyband style, featuring a stonewashed denim jacket with cut-off sleeves, matching jeans, and a pair of classic white boxers with Ken stitched across the waistband.While it certainly marks a bold aesthetic pivot from Gerwig’s previous films, online sleuths are convinced the bold looks worn by Gosling and Robbie in these first-look images hint at the more subversive take Gerwig and partner Noah Baumbach (who co-wrote the screenplay) are planning for the film, which also stars the likes of Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, and America Ferrera. (Barbie is slated for release next summer.) “People generally hear ‘Barbie’ and think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ ” Robbie told British Vogue in a cover interview last year. “And then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t…’ ” If the latest photo of Gosling is anything to go by, we should continue to expect the unexpected.

Movies

Nintendo is bringing another classic N64 game to the Switch next week.The original Pokemon Snap is coming to the Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack service on June 24. Like other N64 games, it'll be accessible through the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online app, a free download for Expansion Pack subscribers. Originally released in 1999, Pokemon Snap is one of the Pokemon series' first spin-off games. Rather than capturing Pokemon, players are instead tasked with photographing the monsters in their natural habitat. At the end of an outing, your photos are evaluated by Professor Oak.Pokemon Snap marks the sixteenth N64 game to arrive on the Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack service to date. An individual membership costs $50 per year, while a family plan costs $80. The latter covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts across multiple systems.In addition to N64 games, the Switch Online plus Expansion Pack plan offers a library of classic Sega Genesis titles, as well as access to select Switch DLC, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home Paradise expansion and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass.Pokemon Snap isn't the only game coming to Switch on June 24. That same date, Nintendo is releasing Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. A free demo of the title is available to download from the Nintendo eShop, and any progress you make will carry over to the full game if you purchase it.

Video Games

The Abba digital avatars, or Abbatars, as they’ve been nicknamed, on stage in the Abba Arena are designed to transport the audience back to the group’s 1970s heyday. Hannah Moore speaks to producers of the show, Ludvig Andersson and Svana Gisla, about what it takes to make a virtual show, and persuading Benny and Björn to shave off their beards. The production cost £140m, but Gisla says the show was never about making the money back. “We will never recoup – don’t tell the investors,” she jokes. “It was always to create something that’s never been done before.” The Guardian’s head rock and pop critic, Alexis Petridis, and the Guardian’s deputy music editor, Laura Snapes, were at the opening night. Petridis tells Moore about the history of the band and Snapes expresses concern that we might see more music acts going on tour in digital form – even after they have died. Clips from Abba Voyage, Abba, Björn Again, BBC, Universal Pictures, Live at Coachella 2012 Photograph: Johan Persson/Abba Voyage/PA Support The Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. And we want to keep our journalism open and accessible to all. But we increasingly need our readers to fund our work. Support The Guardian

Music

David Lingmerth592.That’s the world ranking of the 5-foot-7-inch, 34-year-old Swede, who has one PGA Tour victory on his rèsumè — seven years ago at the Memorial, when he beat Justin Rose in a playoff.He’s had no other top-10 finishes but maybe his perch is not so flukish.This is his fourth US Open and he has not finished worse than tied for 21st, back in 2017. He finished 12th in 2016, and tied for 17th in 2013.He’s been absent from the majors since 2018, partly because of a fractured left knee, sustained in a pick-up hockey game.After Lingmerth won the Memorial in 2015, he provided his father back in Sweden a thrill by having Jack Nicklaus FaceTime him.If the name of his uncle, Goran Lingmerth, rings a bell, your NFL fan credentials are top-shelf. That Lingmerth — 5-8 — played one game, as a kicker, for the Cleveland Browns in 1987.Lingmerth, an alternate for the US Open, did not find out he would be playing here this week until Saturday afternoon, when Martin Kaymer’s withdrawal opened up a spot for him.“What can I say?” said Lingmerth at the end of his day. “I don’t know. Got off to one of those starts, I guess, where I was just trying to take care of the golf ball.”Callum TarrenHaving missed the cut in last week’s RBC Canadian Open and with a 71.6 scoring average this season on the PGA Tour, there was no reason to expect to see Tarren, who is ranked 445th in the world, on the leaderboard.“I’m kind of pinching myself, because I didn’t realize I was on the top of the leaderboard until I pulled that final put on the ninth hole,” said Tarren. “Just excited with my start, and let’s see what the next few days holds.”Tarren began on the 10th hole — with a bogey. Then, eight pars in a row before he birdied No. 1. A bogey on No. 2 left him even, before a couple of birdies and an eagle on No. 8 made his day.This is the second US Open for Tarren, and he’s 2 for 2 with having transportation and/or golf club issues on the way to the tournament. In 2019, he had to practice with borrowed clubs and also incurred a $450 taxi ride from San Francisco to Pebble Beach because of travel snafus. And when his plane from Toronto landed at Logan Saturday, his clubs weren’t on it. They made it here Sunday.That Tarren made it on the leaderboard was not exactly planned, either.“I honestly don’t know, that’s a good question,” said Tarren when asked if he expected to do so well. “I would have said, ‘I’ll take it,’ but, like I said, I think you’ve stumped me. I honestly can’t answer that.”Joel DahmenDahmen’s 130th worldwide ranking is McIlroy-like compared with Lingmerth and Tarren, so maybe you have heard his name before. He usually wears a bucket hat.Locals may recall that after missing the cut at the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston, Dahmen sent out a call on Twitter to get in some more golf. He found it at Thorny Lea in Brockton.This is his third US Open (2019, 2020) and it could be the first in which Dahmen, a testicular cancer survivor, makes the cut. He’s won one tournament — Corales Puntacana Championship last year — and the 34-year-old Washington native is taking his showing Thursday in stride.“Do I believe in myself? Yeah,” said Dahmen. “If you look at my game and what I am, for me to make it on Tour for six years and play this well, that’s probably overachieving some would say. I wasn’t All-American. I wasn’t the best." I love being nervous. I love my hands shaking. That’s why we play the game. I’ve done pretty well under pressure. The closer I get to it, I don’t tend to just completely collapse.“How often are you going to be tied for the lead of the US Open? This is incredible, right?”Right.MJ DaffueThat last name is pronounced “Duffy,” and the 33-year-old South African who grew up speaking Afrikaans and attended Lamar University is a Korn Ferry Tour newcomer who’s been playing well this season, with three top-three finishes on the Korn Ferry.A round of golf as a 12-year-old with South African golf legend Retief Goosen (two-time US Open winner) was instrumental in Daffue’s decision to become a golfer.He’s more than happy to be here.“I’ve never been to Boston,” said Daffue. “I know they’re crazy fans over here, but I’m loving it. Apparently some guy over there, I made him $600 making a putt. He was loving it.”Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeSilvermanBB.

Golf

Once upon a time, two countries – let’s call them Australia and New Zealand – packed a basket of goodies and set out through the forest on a netball journey, looking for a meadow filled with gold medals and piles of sponsorship money – the like only ever seen by men’s sports. For a long time, this journey was pleasant and collaborative. When they hit a snag, they worked it out and merrily continued. But one day they reached a fork in the road. New Zealand was keen to take the smooth, flat path, while Australia thought the dark and dangerous route would be quicker and ultimately more rewarding.And so, in 2016 Netball Australia announced it would be splitting apart the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship and going it alone with a brand new Australian domestic competition. This announcement – which seemed like a watershed moment at the time – now appears to mark the point where things started to go very wrong for Netball Australia’s finances.As reported by News Corp this week, Netball Australia now finds itself in deep financial trouble, with losses and debts of up to $11m – of which the $300,000 in cash and $350,000 in contra the organisation secured by selling the hosting rights to the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball grand final will barely touch. This fork-in-the-road moment is worth examining more closely, as it is indicative of many of the issues that continue to plague the sport. The decision itself is one that made sense on the surface. Statistics bear out the suggestion that New Zealand teams were not strong enough to sustain the competition as it was. In 2016, Australian and New Zealand teams played 24 matches against each other. Of those encounters, Australia won 17 matches with an average winning margin of 18.29 goals. New Zealand teams won six with an average winning margin of 8.33 goals and there was one draw. While on the international stage, little could separate the two countries, at a domestic level there was a serious discrepancy in depth that needed to be addressed. Understandably, New Zealand were resistant to reducing the number of teams in the competition, as a significant portion of the funding came from their broadcast deal with Sky Sport who were not open to more games featuring two Australian teams, which their local subscribers would have limited interest in.As is often the case, there were plenty of merits to Netball Australia’s decision. It is the timing and execution that were questionable. By splitting away from New Zealand so quickly and without a definite broadcast deal and proven marketing plan in place, the new competition wasn’t given the time and preparation it deserved.The decision to leave was made and announced before Australia negotiated its own new broadcast deal with Channel Nine – spruiked at the time as ground-breaking and momentous. In fact, the deal removed the financial certainty provided by Sky and was instead based on sponsorship and advertising.On the court, the Suncorp Super Netball competition is the best in the world. The game has evolved incredibly since the split from New Zealand and it is doubtful such an evolution would have been possible had Australia continued with the status quo. However, off the court, not enough has changed to keep pace with that evolution.Marketing efforts remain laser focused on young girls; an audience that has been targeted since netball’s first forays into elite domestic competition. As recently as November 2021 Netball Australia embarked on a partnership with My Little Pony – a franchise whose audience is primarily two to five-year-olds – younger than even netball’s tiniest participants.There seems to have been an assumption that simply a higher quality competition would be enough to bring in more fans, more sponsors and more broadcast dollars. When this did not prove to be the case, rather than examine the strategy and evolve the marketing of the sport, another quick fix was sought in the form of the two-point super shot. While the rule change itself was questionable, more concerning is that it appears to have been considered enough to simply create an audience for itself – without the marketing or game day experience behind it to bring in and connect that audience to the sport.As Australia continues to follow the twists and turns of the treacherous path it has found itself on – the basket of goodies now empty and wolves starting to close in – it will take some serious navigating and a long, hard slog if they hope to ever reach that golden meadow.

Other Sports

Murda Beatz Yep, Anitta's My GF!!! Doing Music Too With Pharrell, Quavo, J Balvin 6/16/2022 11:12 AM PT Murda Beatz and reggaeton megastar Anitta are officially a pair, TMZ Hip Hop can confirm. We're told the hip hop super-producer and Latina trap star have been dating for a few months, hung out together during Coachella and Murda recently made the trip to her home country of Brazil to meet her family ... where he made a good impression. They went IG official this past Sunday ... which was Brazilian Valentine's Day and have been packing on the PDA ever since. It's not all pleasure, though ... they're also making music together. On Thursday, MB announced his star-studded "NO MÁS" single featuring Pharrell, Quavo, J Balvin and Anitta -- dropping July 8. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Murda, having built his platinum empire making beats for Drake, Migos, Cardi B, Travis Scott and many more ... now has a girlfriend with whom he can drop hits. Sounds like a musical match if you ask us!

Music

U.S. June 16, 2022 / 7:25 PM / CBS News Justin Bieber diagnosed with rare disorder Justin Bieber says half his face is paralyzed due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome 01:10 Pop star Justin Bieber has been forced to cancel more concert dates as he contends with a rare neurological disorder which has left his face partially paralyzed. Concert giant AEG announced Thursday that all of Bieber's shows in June and early July, part of his Justice World Tour, have been indefinitely postponed. They included stops in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Glendale and Los Angeles. Canadian singer Justin Bieber arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images "Justin continues to receive the best medical care possible, is upbeat about his recovery, and is looking forward to getting back out on the road and performing for his fans overseas later this summer," a statement from AEG read, in part. It's unclear if the European leg of his tour, slated to begin in early August, will go forward. Last week, the 28-year-old announced that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a disorder which left one side of his face paralyzed. Prior to the announcement, Bieber postponed several concerts because of an unidentified illness. Bieber described some of the symptoms in a video posted to Instagram: "As you can see, this eye is not blinking, I can't smile on this side of my face, this nostril will not move," he said, gesturing to the features that barely moved as he tried to blink and smile.Ramsay Hunt can occur in anyone who has had chickenpox, and is triggered by a shingles outbreak, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause both a rash around one ear and paralysis on one side of the face. Other symptoms can include hearing loss and vertigo.The Justice World Tour was first scheduled to take place in 2020 as the "Changes World Tour," to celebrate Bieber's fifth studio album release, but that tour was one of the first to be postponed in the U.S. due to the coronavirus. In 2021, the tour was rebranded as the Justin Bieber World Tour, but was postponed again over variant concerns. Restarted as the Justice World Tour, concert dates were again postponed when Bieber tested positive for COVID-19 in February of 2022. In: Justin Bieber Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. Please enter email address to continue Please enter valid email address to continue

Music

By Simon ArmstrongBBC NewsImage source, Phil DelvesFootball shirt-collecting is surging in popularity and as a consequence prices are spiralling. Why do these tops inspire such interest - and could pressure to impress on social media be leading some fans into financial trouble?"People put such a value on these bits of polyester," says collector Iain Bentley. "Not just in terms of money, but sentiment. There's a romanticism."You could say this used to be a niche hobby, but I think it's found its moment in the spotlight."With an interest born out of spending time at home during the pandemic lockdowns, the 34-year-old is one of a seemingly ever-growing number of people whose love for football extends beyond the action on the pitch.Competing with his wife for wardrobe space in their Teesside home, the Middlesbrough fan has about 50 shirts with the majority belonging to the team he has supported since watching them in the FA Cup final at Wembley a quarter of a century ago.Image source, KappaImage caption, Although not one of Italy's biggest clubs, Venezia's elegant kits have raised its profile significantlyWhile he enjoys wearing many of his tops, Iain's rarer 1980s finds are too precious to risk damaging."I've run out of room, but I don't want to box my collection up as I like to look at them and put them on - although not the old classics. I've two young children and the thought of having yogurt splashed on them horrifies me!"Fellow collector Phil Delves recalls the thrill of his first forays on to eBay, fresh out of university and with money to spend from his new job."I could pay 10 or 20 quid and get some really nice shirts from my childhood. I used to tell people it was like I was travelling the world as I'd pick up a shirt from a team in Bucharest or Buenos Aires. It quickly became a passion."Just over five years later, the Liverpool supporter has a collection "hovering around 160 shirts" covering a mix of teams and eras.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Incorporating their flag colours, West Germany's Euro 88 and Italia 90 shirt is considered to be one of the greatestAs with Iain's tops, many of Phil's are sharing a wardrobe with his wife's outfits, this time in Huddersfield.Phil believes that something that was once viewed as a pastime for "geeks" is now beginning to be seen very differently."I think there's still a bit of a stigma. Some people look at shirts and think they're a bit childish, but I'd say that's an archaic view and I think the tide is turning. That's quite cool to see."Shirts appeal so much because they are an obvious symbol of a team or a player, but there's a bigger picture and almost any one will have stories attached to it beyond the obvious. They're so much more than a simple piece of clothing."Sometimes it's memories that are very personal, but even social and world history can be reflected, and patterns and designs echo the time they were made, so you'll see elements of the wider culture."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, PSG sold 150,000 Lionel Messi shirts on the club website the day his signing was announced last AugustWhile many collections are based around a favourite team, others focus on particular decades or even specific manufacturers like Adidas or Nike.From the cheaper end of the market at just a few pounds, rare replicas from the 1970s, 80s and 90s can fetch several hundred pounds, with retailers such as Classic Football Shirts selling more than 300,000 jerseys annually.While only the very wealthiest of enthusiasts would ever be able to afford the record-breaking £7.1m Diego Maradona "Hand of God" shirt that was recently auctioned by Sotheby's, deep pockets are nonetheless needed to outbid committed collectors in the "match-worn" section of the market, who regularly pay four and five-figure sums to secure items once donned by their heroes.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" shirt was worn by the superstar when he scored two of the most famous goals in historyThe growth of social media has enabled fans across the globe to connect for discussions about new releases, and to buy, sell and swap tops via Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.The "community", as Phil calls it, has even adopted its own terms and shorthand, with sought-after items often described as "grails" and YouTubers posting "unboxing" videos as they unveil their latest acquisitions.With his More Than a Shirt magazine, as well as blogs and podcasts, the 28-year-old is among those creating content around the "endless well of stories" he says football tops have.Iain has done likewise as founder of Kit Magazine, a print title dedicated to shirts. It has expanded online via regular podcasts "as a way to create a space where people can talk about their collections and the lengths they've gone to building them".Image source, Phil DelvesImage caption, Writer and podcaster Phil Delves has a collection of some 160 shirtsOnce viewed as an easy way to make money from impressionable young supporters, these shirts' shift to being items treasured by adults means they even feature in a football-focused exhibition currently running at London's Design Museum.Lead curator Eleanor Watson explains how what started out as a way to distinguish between two teams has developed into "currency", communicating what type of fan someone is and their knowledge of the game."A football shirt carries a cultural legacy, knowledge and optimism in its very fibres. This evolution from equipment to elevated fashion item is physically manifested in the explosion of the replica shirt market."A love for a specific shirt is an acknowledgement of what has gone before - a crucial element in a culture where knowing your onions places you in high regard."A 1988 Netherlands shirt will reveal your adoration for Rinus Michels' Euros-winning side featuring Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman and Marco van Basten, whose audacious volley from the silliest of angles won the final."A 2002 Cameroon vest banned by Fifa because it lacked sleeves, but which was worn with a shirt underneath as an act of protest, might show your general love of a rebel or simply the striker Samuel Eto'o."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Aficionados view the hard-to-find 1988 Netherlands shirt as the "holy grail", with mint replicas selling for almost £1,000Shirt-collecting is an increasingly expensive hobby, though. Prices for vintage tops have risen significantly while clubs routinely launch new kits every year, with many even releasing third and fourth strips or "special editions" to maximise revenue.Counterfeit items being sold on the likes of eBay and Depop are also a pitfall to be wary of for the shirt-collector."It is an expensive hobby," Iain admits. "You might have been paying about £30 or £40 for an old Premier League shirt, but now you can be looking at upwards of 70 or 80."Phil agrees: "I look back at what I paid when I started collecting in 2016 and 2017 and it's a huge jump. It's more than doubled for a lot of them."He added: "There can also be a fear of missing out. It's not exclusive to shirts, but when it comes to social media there's a desire for popularity and likes. When people see one that's popular, sometimes they'll pick it up even if it means overspending just to feel like they're involved."It is an issue. There've been people in the community who've said, quite bravely, it's become an addiction so it's certainly something to be aware of. Hopefully that conversation doesn't stop and we can all help by encouraging a more healthy approach to collecting."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Nigeria's 2018 World Cup shirt was a major hit, with millions of replicas snapped upDespite these issues, Phil sees no end to the popularity of the pastime."You don't need to have a certain number [to class it as a collection] and you shouldn't be going out spending a lot of money if you don't have it."You can enjoy shirts as a hobby even with just a few. "And because it's accessible, so many people are getting involved. Ultimately, there's no sign of it slowing down any time soon."Related Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Other Sports

Another dominant year for the athletic department at The University of Texas has led to Longhorns to a second-straight LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Thursday. UT joins Stanford as the nation’s only programs to win it in back-to-back years. Texas snapped Stanford’s 25-year hold on the award last season.Since 1993-94, the Directors’ Cup has tracked the nation’s most successful intercollegiate athletics programs for their on-field performances throughout the year. Schools may count points in up to 19 sport programs, four of which must be men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and baseball, allowing programs with additional sports to count only the best team performances.Last year, Texas claimed the Directors’ Cup for the first time in program history. Texas has recorded four NCAA Championships during the 2021-22 academic year (Men’s Indoor Track and Field, Women’s Tennis, Rowing and Men’s Golf), tying the school record for most team titles in a single season. UT also set a single-season school record with six NCAA runner-up team finishes (Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men’s Swimming and Diving, Softball, Men’s Outdoor Track and Field and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field). +++Find more Longhorns coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Swimming

By Esme StallardBBC NewsImage source, Getty ImagesThere are nearly half a million electric cars in the UK, and rising fuel prices have prompted more people to consider making the switch. The government is banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, a decade earlier than originally planned. What does it cost to charge an EV?Filling the tank of a 47-litre family hatchback with petrol now costs about £85, or £88 for diesel. Despite recent energy price increases, charging at home to deliver the equivalent mileage typically costs less than half of that - about £41. But drivers typically do a mix of 70% charging at home and 30% at public chargers, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Public charging costs vary but this hybrid approach could cost about £48, still significantly cheaper than conventional fuel. How much do electric cars cost to buy?The price difference between electric cars and traditional vehicles is narrowing, and is expected to largely disappear.But for now, a typical new electric car remains more expensive than an equivalent petrol or diesel model - ranging from £23,000 to £43,000. However, cheaper second-hand EVs are increasingly available.The BBC found a number of used five-seater electric hatchbacks for between £8,000 and £21,000.Leasing offers another option. According to Leasing.com, the demand for EVs in 2021 was greater than for diesel or petrol cars.It says the current average monthly payment for a five-seater hatchback is less than for the diesel equivalent:EV £455.93 diesel £480.22petrol £308.48What about other costs?Depending on the model and age of your EV, you may be entitled to a reduction in vehicle tax or be exempt. Some councils waive residents' parking fees for EVs. Electric cars also don't have to pay the London congestion charge. Electric cars typically require less ongoing maintenance than petrol or diesel cars, but EVs do need to have annual MOTs after three years.How long does it take to charge EVs?This depends on the model and the speed of the charger. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rapid chargers allow drivers to "refuel" in less than an hourIt can take between six and 12 hours using a slow home charger, or 20 to 40 minutes with a rapid public charger. These let you charge quickly, or in the middle of a longer journey.Where can I charge my electric vehicle?There are currently 30,373 public chargers in the UK, but they operate at different speeds, and are distributed unevenly across the country.London has more than twice as many as any other region - with one charger for every 824 people, whereas Wales has one charger per 2,696 people. The UK has more rapid chargers than any European country, according to electric charging company Virta. But according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, public chargers aren't always sufficiently reliable or accessible. The government's recent Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy says operators will address these issues. As part of its EV strategy, the government plans to increase the number of chargers ten-fold by 2030. However, only 800 new chargers are currently being installed every month. This would need to increase to 2,500 to meet the target.How many miles can you get from a full charge?On average, the five best-selling EVs in the UK can travel more than 200 miles on a full charge. This is the same as travelling from Bristol to Leeds, or London to Swansea.However, batteries deteriorate with use, which reduces their performance - typically by about 9% over the battery's lifetime. Providers such as Nissan and Tesla guarantee their batteries for up to eight years or 100,000 miles. What are the different charging plugs?Unlike the standard fuel nozzles used to deliver petrol and diesel, there are five different plug types for electric vehicles. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A type 2 plugThe type 2 plug is the most common in the UK, and can be connected to slow or rapid chargers. Drivers also need a dedicated home charging unit, costing between £550 and £1,100. A normal three-pin plug socket will work in an emergency but will be much less efficient. Are EVs better for the environment?Because of the different minerals required, manufacturing an EV creates more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than a diesel or petrol vehicle. Given this, the BBC calculates that an EV's environmental impact will be lower than that of a petrol car within 18 months of ownership, or two years for a diesel car.The carbon emissions generated by running the car depend on how the charging electricity is produced. As the UK produces more of its electricity from renewable energy, EVs will produce even fewer carbon emissions per mile.This is crucial as the UK is trying to reduce its emissions to net zero by 2050: cars and vans are currently responsible for 15%.Another key issue is the materials required for EV batteries, and how these are disposed of when dead.At the moment, it's estimated that only 5% of batteries are recycled, but major manufacturers have committed to improve this.

Automotive and Transportation

Cool and beautiful and funny indeed.Screenshot: A24/YouTubeThe Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is jam-packed with weird, wonderful, random moments that reward both the first-time and repeat viewer. Just one that stands out: the sight of Harry Shum dressed as a chef wearing a real raccoon on his head, in an alternate-timeline riff on Pixar’s Ratatouille. 01:57Rainn Wilson’s First Fandoms: Star Trek And D&DYesterday 4:32PMDon’t worry—though it was indeed a real raccoon, the animal was a taxidermy find repurposed with some animatronic bits. How did the filmmakers decide on this approach for “Raccacoonie” as opposed to CGI work? The Ringer featured some behind the scenes tidbits from makeup and effects supervisor Jason Hamer, who was the Moreau-esque mastermind behind the 15-pound robot raccoon used for the movie. “You’ve got to think about the challenges of, you’ve got an actor and we’ve got to mount it to his head. Are we going to do puppet arms? Are we going to make it animatronic?” he said. Further complicating the task, the directors challenged him to find a way on a budget. “The guys were like, ‘Think cheap. We don’t want it to look good. It should look goofy, like a bad taxidermy.’ That was one of the challenges. And I’m going, ‘No. Cool and beautiful and funny!’”So naturally, they rigged a taxidermy raccoon with some major animatronic upgrades to mount on a backpack for Shum, who plays the Alfredo to the raccoon’s Remy. To his credit, the actor was game for the wild places the Daniels were keen on going. “The initial response was like, ‘What the fuck?’” said Shum. “And, ‘Yes, please.’” Read the full story on Raccacoonie at the Ringer here. Everything Everywhere All At Once is now out on digital and set for home release on June 21.Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Movies

Andrew Dominik’s “Blonde” has already been attached to a few bombshells — and that’s not even counting its subject, Marilyn Monroe. Ana de Armas is set to play the “Some Like It Hot” star in the adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 book. The film stirred controversy surrounding de Armas’ casting as the iconic actress, as well as the material of Oates’ fictionalized telling of Monroe’s journey through a series of abusive relationships. De Armas was announced to play Norma Jeane (Monroe’s real first name purposefully misspelled by Oates with an extra “e” at the end of Jean) in 2019, with the film originally set for a 2021 release. The Netflix film has since been pushed to September 23, 2022 release. Director Dominik selected de Armas after almost a decade of trying to cast the lead role. Jessica Chastain and Naomi Watts had reportedly been attached to the film, which was in development since 2010. De Armas snagged the role in 2019. Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, and Julianne Nicholson also co-star as real-life figures in Monroe’s life. “Blonde” has made waves with rumors of NC-17 rated sex scenes and the physical transformation of “No Time to Die” Bond girl de Armas into silver screen legend Monroe. The NC-17 rumors are true, as Netflix has confirmed the film’s rating due to “for some sexual content.” Keep reading to see everything we know so far about “Blonde.” The Film Is Based on Joyce Carol Oates’ Novel “The Seven Year Itch”©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Joyce Carol Oates’ “Blonde” is a fictionalized narrative of Monroe’s life, starting with her relationship with her father and ending in her alleged assassination. Per Vogue, Oates first conceived of the novel after seeing a photograph of a 15-year-old Norma Jean Baker winning a beauty contest in California in 1941. As in Oates’ 700-page book, the players in Monroe’s life are all identified only by nicknames. Dominik’s film adaptation is similarly steering clear of actual names, with Bobby Cannavale playing “The Ex-Athlete” Joe DiMaggio, Adrien Brody is “The Playwright” Arthur Miller, and Caspar Phillipson stars as “The President” John F. Kennedy. Brad Pitt Reunites with Andrew Dominik to Produce Andrew Dominik©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection After collaborating on “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” and “Killing Them Softly,” Brad Pitt teams up once more with director Dominik for “Blonde,” albeit their time behind the camera. Pitt’s Plan B production company officially is producing the movie. Ana de Armas Is a “Groundbreaking” Marilyn Monroe Ana de ArmasDennis Van Tine/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Director Dominik knew that Cuban actress de Armas was “the one” to play Monroe after just a single audition. De Armas gushed to Vanity Fair that the opportunity to take on the legendary star is a career-making task. “I knew I could do it. Playing Marilyn was groundbreaking, a Cuban playing Marilyn Monroe,” de Armas said in 2020. “I wanted it so badly. You see that famous photo of her and she is smiling in the moment, but that’s just a slice of what she was really going through at the time.” De Armas’ “Knives Out” co-star Jamie Lee Curtis, whose father Tony Curtis starred opposite Monroe in “Some Like It Hot,” praised de Armas’ portrayal, saying, “I dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe it. Ana was completely gone. She was Marilyn.” The Transformation into Marilyn Was “Exhausting” Ana de ArmasSipa USA via AP De Armas revealed to Byrdie that she wore a bald cap to conceal her natural brunette shade while starring as the titular blonde bombshell. “[Marilyn] went through different shades of blonde from golden to really platinum, so for these wigs that are beautifully made, you can’t have anything dark underneath, so we had to make a bald cap every single day from my forehead to [around] my whole head,” de Armas said. The hairstyle was only part of the three-and-a-half hours of makeup every day. The “Disturbing” Film Gets Joyce Carol Oates’ Stamp of Approval Ana de ArmasRebecca Cabage/Invision/AP Author Oates shared her reaction to the film after watching a rough cut in August 2020. “It is startling, brilliant, very disturbing and perhaps most surprisingly an utterly ‘feminist’ interpretation,” Oates tweeted. “Not sure that any male director has ever achieved anything [like] this.” By September 2021, Oates tweeted that the presumably final film is “an exquisite portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Ana de Armas & director Andrew Dominic; one without the other could perhaps not have worked this magic. The tone of the film is hard to classify, not surreal but not totally realistic, not ‘horror’ but suffused with the dread of horror.” Andrew Dominik Shut Down Rumors of Graphic Sex Scenes, but Confirmed NC-17 Content “The Asphalt Jungle”Courtesy Everett Collection While Dominik has described “Blonde” as an “emotional nightmare fairy-tale type movie,” he did clarify that some rumors around assault scenes are inaccurate. The writer-director previously said the NC-17 rating rumor was “horseshit,” but during an interview with Screen Daily in February 2022, Dominik confirmed the mature content. “It’s an NC-17 movie about Marilyn Monroe, it’s kind of what you want, right? I want to go and see the NC-17 version of the Marilyn Monroe story,” Dominik said. However, the “Mindhunter” director clarified that the rumor of a scene featuring menstrual cunnilingus is just “hilarious.” Meanwhile, a rape scene involving a studio executive, played by David Warshofsky, is confirmed, and comes from Oates’ book. “It’s a demanding movie,” Dominik said. “If the audience doesn’t like it, that’s the fucking audience’s problem. It’s not running for public office.” The Release of “Blonde” Depends on Netflix “How to Marry a Millionaire”©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection In 2021, Netflix reportedly declined to screen “Blonde” at the Cannes Film Festival, along with Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” due to the strict theatrical release laws in France. “[Netflix] said, ‘We’ll put the movie in theaters for eight months before we bring it out on the platform,’” Dominik told Screen Daily. The streaming platform has to adhere to a 15-month window between a film’s release on its French arm of Netflix and a theatrical release. Cannes also requires all films screening in Competition to commit to a full theatrical release in France. Per Dominik, Cannes festival director Thierry Frémaux “loves” the Joyce Carol Oates adaptation. Frémaux previously told Deadline that “Blonde” could have been part of 2021 Cannes. “It’s beautiful, I saw it, and I invited those films Out of Competition,” Frémaux said in June 2021. “Netflix doesn’t want to come to Cannes, but I invited them anyway and alas…It’s important, it’s not us refusing Netflix movies, it’s Netflix who doesn’t want or can’t…They want to come in Competition but films that are part of the Competition must be released [theatrically] in France.” This year, “Blonde” also will not premiere at 2022 Cannes. Additionally, Dominik noted that streaming giant Netflix “insisted” on hiring “Tenet” editor Jennifer Lame “to curb the excesses of the movie,” which has delayed its release. Regardless, Dominik noted that he has “nothing but gratitude for Netflix” overall. “Blonde” Teaser Goes Viral The first look at Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe sent the Internet into a tizzy when the teaser trailer dropped on June 16. “Blonde” will officially debut September 23 on Netflix. The first footage shows Monroe (de Armas) being attacked by paparazzi and quickly turning from crying to laughing before going onstage. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.

Movies

Back to Scott in a moment, but first, a history lesson about this prodigious hole. As an ode to Boston’s part in the Revolutionary War, when the 14th was built in the 1920s officials saw all the bunkers in the hill and the name was a no-brainer.That it’s also no pushover in this 122nd US Open is a celebration to be rejoiced. Should you be nonchalant about these gallant pros hitting driver, 7-iron into par-5s week after week, raise your hand. Should you miss the days when players actually gave thought to their layup shot, shake your tambourines.Then after you put your hand down and silence your tambourines, run to highlights of Round 1 and study the wonder of this 14th hole. Lovely stuff.Yes, it ranked as second-easiest in Round 1, a field average of 4.833, but before you go any further, guess which hole was easiest? Par-5s being ranked 17th and 18th is as sure a bet as NBA centers ranking statistically taller than jockeys.Forget stats — please! — and study the dynamics in play at Bunker Hill. (Hey, they don’t use the original name much anymore, but for today’s purposes, we will.) Should you desire to put a face to the first US Open round in 34 years at The Country Club, it is humbly suggested here that we point to the 14th.Why? “Because lots can go wrong there,” said Scott, which is a blanket that can be tossed over all 18 holes at The Country Club. But at no other hole is the premium on the tee shot as important as it is at 14.Shane Lowry was among the golfers left befuddled by the 14th hole Thursday at The Country Club.Patrick Smith/Getty“People asked me which holes I was most interested to watch?” said Gil Hanse, who oversaw the many tweaks and updates that have taken place to The Country Club’s composite course since 2010. “I would say 14 and 17.”The concerted effort “to put a premium on the tee shot,” said Hanse, was hugely successful at the 14th because it carried so much weight. Players salivate over the longer holes, and if making bogey at a par-5 is unanimously their No. 1 hate, the No. 2 hate is making par at a par-5.When Scott drove it in the left rough, forget going for the green in two, “I just had to get it out of there,” he said. Wedge was the safest option, but it would have left him well over 200 yards into the green. So, he got “aggressive” and hit 9-iron.“I was able to get it out of there about 130 yards,” smiled Scott, and, yes, he was quite proud of the shot, even though 9-iron quite often can be his 150-yard shot.The danger of that second shot out of rough is twofold. You cannot possibly get enough club on it to get it up to a flat plateau and a short wedge. And you need to get it back in play without running it too far where your third shot will be straight uphill and blind.A serious challenge and one brought on by missing the fairway, but in that, Scott was not alone. Only 55 percent of the field hit the fairway at 14, and 22 percent of the field missed the green in regulation, an alarming figure at a par-5.Ah, but this is not typical par. This is a brilliantly designed hole and perhaps the crowning piece to the project Hanse and Jim Wagner and their Caveman crew developed when it was determined more than 10 years ago that The Country Club needed a little more muscle to get a US Open.“We debated which would make a better par-5, No. 10 or No. 14,” said Hanse.With less room to move the 10th tee, the decision was made to keep that a par-4 that could play as long as 500 yards (in Round 1, the field average was 4.391 and it played third-toughest). A new tee for the 14th was found, it was stretched to over 600 yards, provided with vintage Hanse aesthetics to keep you uncomfortable, and while it passed the test at the 2013 US Amateur, this US Open was a different animal.Gary Woodland plays a shot from a bunker on the 14th hole during round one Thursday at The Country Club.Patrick Smith/GettyAnd on Thursday, it was a beautiful, beastly animal, one that got the better of a long list of players.Don’t get hung up on the lack of double bogeys or worse. Don’t overrate the 39 birdies that were made or the two eagles, one of which was a 40-yard hole-out from a bunker by amateur Billy Mouw of Pepperdine, the other a 53-foot putt by Taylor Montgomery.Focus on this: The 13 players who finished at 2 under or better combined to play the 14th in just 3 under.That’s not very impressive. Which speaks volumes for The Country Club’s brilliance and why the 14th might be the face of this championship.Somewhere, me thinks Milton native Bill Flynn, who created the blueprint for the 14th, and Francis Ouimet, against whom Flynn played schoolboy matches, are smiling warmly.

Golf

Chad Finn and Nicole Yang will be offering their insights and analysis throughout the game. Follow along below.Play-by-play | Box scoreClick here to refresh | Sign up for Court Sense, our Celtics newsletter | Read more Celtics storiesScoring update: 9:37, fourth quarter — 11:03 p.m.Warriors 80, Celtics 68Yang: These initial fourth-quarter minutes are going to be huge with Steph Curry on the bench. If the Celtics want to pull off this comeback, they’ll have to cut into the deficit here.Finn: Agreed, Nicole. I was watching Ime talk to Horford when he subbed White in for him. Pretty sure he said something along the lines of “Enjoy your 5 seconds of rest, old man. You’ve got all summer to rest if we lose.”Get Court SenseBounce around the NBA with our Celtics-centric look at the latest happenings on and off the court.How will the Celtics approach the fourth? — 10:58 p.m.Yang: The Celtics actually won the third quarter, 27-22. They’re only down 10 headed into the fourth. The home crowd is certainly behind them, pulling for a comeback.Payton Pritchard did not see the floor in third quarter, and Derrick White only played 5 seconds. I doubt either player will check back in for the rest of the game.Finn: I’ll give the Celtics credit. I thought it was over when Curry buried a long 3 with a little over 6 minutes left to put the Warriors up 72-50. (I may have even written “That’s it” in my notes.) But the Celtics closed the quarter from that point on a 16-4 run, fueled by their defense and Al Horford (11 points in the quarter, one block, one flex).Celtics trail by 10 entering fourth quarter — 10:55 p.m.McInerney: What a flurry of activity here at the end. A big And-1 by Horford. Another huge block by him on the other end.Finn: Jordan Poole misses a buzzer-beater at the end of the third. That has to be a good sign considering he’s thrown in a couple of them in this series.Yang: The Warriors are having a bit of foul trouble, as both Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney have four fouls.Steph Curry typically takes his rest to start the fourth quarter, so this upcoming stretch is crucial for the Celtics. Finn: Al Horford does not want this basketball season to end.Scoring update: 2:06, third quarter — 10:49 p.m.Warriors 74, Celtics 62McInerney: Boston is down 12, the closest deficit since they were down by 13 with 8:01 to play in this quarter. The Warriors call a time out after Jaylen Brown sinks his third 3. It’s a 12-2 run.Robert Parish gets a big cheer when he’s shown on the jumbotron.Yang: The Celtics have cut Golden State’s lead to 12 with 2:06 remaining in the third, and the Garden is getting loud. The Warriors had a few chances to put Boston away but couldn’t capitalize.Why is Rob Williams still playing? — 10:43 p.m.Gasper: I’m not sure that Ime is ever going to take Rob Williams out of this game. If the Celtics don’t pull closer by the end of this quarter, the front office might have to step in here for Rob’s future. He’s already at 24 minutes, 17 seconds of playing time. He’s been super impactful.Scoring update: 6:12, third quarter — 10:36 p.m.Warriors 72, Celtics 50Yang: With 6:12 remaining in the third quarter, the Warriors are up 72-50 and Ime Udoka has just two timeouts left for the rest of the game.Finn: The Celtics’ oldest player is the only one who has shown up on the offensive end in the third quarter. Al Horford has three 3-pointers and nine of the Celtics’ 11 points. Jaylen Brown has the other 2, and they’ve been outscored 18-11 this period.Al Horford hits three 3s in the third ... but the Celtics are still down 22 — 10:32 p.m.The big man, playing in his first NBA Finals, has hit three 3s in the third. The Celtics, however, are down 22 after Steph Curry hit his 15th 3 of the night.Some stats:Curry: 21 points, 8-12 FG, 5-6 3ptPoole: 11 points, 4-6 FG, 3-5 3ptTatum: 11 points, 5-11 FG, 1-4 3ptBrown: 16 points, 6-13 FG, 2-6 3ptHorford: 13 points, 4-5 FG, 3-4 3pt“DE-FENSE!” Crowd picks up after Al hits a big three — 10:28 p.m.Horford made it 57-44 Warriors with a three, but Curry responded and now it’s 60-44 with 8:50 to play in the third quarter.What needs to change in the second half — 10:25 p.m.Finn: This is nothing a 15-0 run to start the third quarter can’t fix. (By the Celtics ... to be clear.)Yang: If you’re looking for hope: The only team to come back and win after trailing by at least 15 points in an NBA Finals game is ... the 2008 Celtics in Game 4 against the Lakers.Finn’s the good and the bad — 10:24 p.m.The good: The Celtics started the game on a 14-2 run in the first 155 seconds.The bad: Everything else. The Warriors outscored the Celtics 52-25 over the rest of the half, with a 21-0 run included in that stretch. The bench has been abysmal.Let’s look on the bright side — 10:23 p.m.Yang: The bright side of the first half: It could be worse? The Celtics are down 15 when the deficit really could be 25.Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart each have three fouls, so they had to rest more than usual in the first half, but Ime Udoka is going to have to roll with his starters for as long as possible in the second. There is a noticeable different when they are off the floor.The largest Celtics’ halftime deficits in NBA Finals history — 10:20 p.m.OK, so this isn’t the worst it has ever been, just the fourth-worst! (H/T Alex Speier) Largest Celtics' halftime deficits in NBA Finals history Date Opponent Halftime score Deficit Final 4/22/1964 San Francisco Warriors 67-43 -24 L 91-115 4/21/1965 Los Angeles Lakers 68-48 -20 L 105-126 6/15/2010 Los Angeles Lakers 51-31 -20 L 67-89 6/4/1987 Los Angeles Lakers 75-56 -19 L 122-141 5/30/1985 Los Angeles Lakers 64-46 -18 L 102-109 6/12/2008 Los Angeles Lakers 58-40 -18 W 97-91 4/9/1958 St. Louis Hawks 58-53 -15 L 100-102 6/2/1987 Los Angeles Lakers 69-54 -15 L 113-126 6/16/2022 Golden State Warriors 54-39 -15 ?? SOURCE: Basketball Reference Stat check: These numbers are tough — 10:12 p.m.😬 13 turnovers 😬 3-for-14 from three 😬 The bench is 1-for-9 from the fieldStat check: Pure decline from 3 throughout this series — 10:10 p.m.From Alex Speier:The Celtics’ 3-point shooting percentage has been on a straight-up decline as this series has continued on.Game 1 (win): 51.2%Game 2 (loss): 40.5%Game 3 (win): 37.1%Game 4 (loss): 39.5%Game 5 (loss): 34.4%Game 6 (through the first half): 21.4%At the half: Warriors 54, Celtics 39 — 10:08 p.m.The Celtics are down 15 with another half to play.Surprisingly, that’s not their biggest deficit of the night — that came with 2:09 to play, when they were down 21.They’re booing at TD Garden — 10:02 p.m.The Celtics call a timeout down 51-33 with 2:39 to play in the half, and fans begin to boo.Some key stats that might have prompted those boos ...The Celtics have just two points from the bench — the Warriors have 15.Jaylen and Jayson have combined for 21 of the Celtics’ 33 points.They’ve turned the ball over 12 times; the Warriors have capitalized to the tune of eight points.Yang: The key stat to watch is turnovers. The Celtics are 0-7 this postseason when they commit 16 or more turnovers. They’re up to 12 with 2:07 remaining in the second quarter.Finn: Payton Pritchard is minus-20 in 7 minutes 57 second of playing time. That’s pretty good compared to Derrick White (minus-24) and Grant Williams (a staggering minus-23 in a little over 5 minutes).Tough break for Grant Williams — 9:59 p.m.McInerney: Interesting stat to note from Alex Speier — Grant Williams has a -19 in just under 4 minutes? Brutal.Yang: This TD Garden crowd is definitely getting restless. They’re groaning at every error by the Celtics. And now Jayson Tatum just picked up his third personal foul with 4:22 remaining in the second.Scoring update: 6:28, second quarter — 9:55 p.m.Warriors 39, Celtics 31Finn: It’s bizarre that the Celtics’ perimeter players haven’t figured out that Rob Williams can’t soar to catch lobs like he does when healthy.McInerney: The Rob Williams lob does finally work to put the Celtics within eight — but it required a near-empty key.Yang: Warriors center Kevon Looney just picked up his third personal foul with 6:54 remaining in the second quarter. I know Celtics fans like to complain about the officiating, but the referees have been quite whistle-happy with the Warriors.Smart gets called for another foul, and loses his cool — 9:50 p.m.McInerney: Things are unraveling a bit.Marcus Smart got called for his third foul — it was questionable, admittedly — on Jordan Poole. He lost his cool and got right in Poole’s face. It almost looked like he was ready to take a swing. Udoka immediately called Smart over to the bench.It’s 37-27 Warriors.Yang: Coming out of Ime Udoka’s second timeout, the Celtics have shown some life. They’re moving the ball and, at the very least, are not folding.Udoka calls two timeouts in the first two minutes of the second 😬 — 9:46 p.m.It’s Warriors 37, Celtics 22 with 10:13 to play in the second quarter.Finn: Suddenly, the pockets of Warriors fans in the building are a lot more noticeable. Celtics have done a great job of taking their own fans out of it.Yang: Now, the Warriors are up 10 after Derrick White smoked a bunny. The Celtics sure would like to see White return to anything remotely close to his Game 1 form.So, Ime Udoka called a timeout and then had to call another less than a minute later. That captures how things are going for the Celtics right now.Finn: Bob Ryan said before the game to watch out for Jordan Poole. He has 11 points and is plus-23. Should have watched out for him.Yang: The Warriors went on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter. With Steph Curry on the bench.McInerney: Plus, this stat that Gasper just found ...Gabby Giffords honored for work against gun violence — 9:43 p.m.Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona politician who was shot during an appearance in 2011, was honored as the Celtics’ “Heroes Among Us” honoree tonight.She also threw out the first pitch of the Red Sox’ 4-3 loss to the Athletics today at Fenway.What the Celtics need to do in the second quarter — 9:40 p.m.Finn: The Celtics also MUST get something out of their secondary players. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Grant Williams combined for 2 points an a little over 16 minutes of total playing time in the first quarter.Yang: That trio combined for 4 points in Game 5.A tepid reaction for Charlie McAvoy on the jumbotron — 9:37 p.m.What, no love for the Bruins tonight? End of first quarter: Warriors 27, Celtics 22 — 9:35 p.m.Jayson and Jaylen both have 7 points; each have sunk one three.Yang: The TD Garden crowd has been baiting Draymond Green into taking a three — and he finally made one. I doubt that will change how the Celtics defend Green, but the Warriors are 19-1 this season (regular season and playoffs) when Green makes a three.Himmelsbach: Just a disaster of a finish to that first quarter for the Celtics. Draymond hits his first 3 of series, Steph hits an impossible one, and Jordan Poole takes one with 18 seconds left on the shot clock and banks it in.Finn: The Warriors outscored the Celtics 25-8 over the final 9:25 of the first quarter. (Celtics actually led 14-2 at 2:35.) Tatum and Brown are a combined 6 for 11 from the field, but there has been way too much iso-ball since the hot start.As the first quarter winds down, two trends — 9:30 p.m.Finn: Since going up 12-2 just 2 minutes 35 seconds into the game, the Celtics have been outscored 16-10.Yang: Good start from Jayson Tatum, who is 3 of 5 for 7 points. The Celtics are going to need a strong performance from him. The Warriors seem to be settling in after Boston’s 14-2 run to open the game.Scoring update: 3:15, first quarter — 9:25 p.m.Celtics 20, Warriors 14A couple of near-misses — a JT three that, if it went in, would have brought this place to the ground; a lob to Rob Williams that had him ticked off when it fell out.Finn: Celtics are making shots, but Tatum and Brown have been falling into my-turn, your-turn offense for a couple of minutes now.Klay already in foul trouble — 9:19 p.m.Yang: Klay Thompson picked up his second personal foul with 8:57 remaining in the first quarter. Not ideal for the Warriors. Thompson’s defense on Jaylen Brown has stepped up in recent games.Himmelsbach: Celtics are really guarding right now. Absolutely flying around.Scoring update: 9:19, first quarter — 9:16 p.m.Yang: Well, the Celtics have gotten off to a dream 12-2 start. No turnovers, great ball movement, and made 3-pointers. This place is loud.The Warriors call a timeout after Jaylen and Jayson hit threes.McInerney: Nice cheers for Ray Allen when he’s shown on the jumbotron.Chad Finn’s demands — 9:11 p.m.Finn: I do not have questions or thoughts for Game 6. I have demands.Celtics, you need a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio: In the Game 5 loss in San Francisco, the Celtics had 18 assists and 18 turnovers. That’s abysmal, especially for a team that KNOWS it’s so much better when the ball moves consistently.Jaylen Brown, do not force it: If Brown’s scoring isn’t there, he needs to find other ways to contribute. That isn’t always how it plays out with him. He took eight shots in Game 5 before Tatum took one. That’s just irresponsible.Let the crowd carry you: The Garden crowds have been phenomenal in the postseason. This one should be the crescendo to it all given that win or lose it’s the last game at the Garden this season. Use their energy, and we’ll see you in San Francisco Sunday.We’re shipping up to Boston — 9:06 p.m.McInerney: Dropkick Murphys are playing. Chad Finn and Chris Gasper both think the Celtics will win. It’s time for tip.Himmelsbach: Ime Udoka just had a pretty extended and appeared to be animated conversation/pump up with Payton Pritchard before tip.Washburn: Robert Williams circles the TD Garden floor prior to tip-off, looks up at all the fans and smiles brightly.The vibe inside TD Garden right now — 8:57 p.m.McInerney: We are 10 minutes from tip. The lower bowl is pretty much full (Nicole mentioned she saw two kids get kicked out for trying to sneak in with fake press passes). “Let’s go, Celtics!” chants are already breaking out. The team got a big cheer when they appeared on the screen in the tunnel.Who is the special guest Wyc mentioned? — 8:50 p.m.Earlier this week, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck told Adam Himmelsbach there would be a special guest in attendance tonight – “a former Celtic champion” — sitting with him and Robert Kraft.Your guesses?A star-studded celebrity list tonight! — 8:35 p.m.In attendance for Celtics-Warriors Game 6: Robert Kraft, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Damien Harris, Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy, Connor Clifton, Nick Foligno, Gucci Mane, G-Eazy, Dave Matthews Band, Rory McIlroy, Albert Pujols, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Glen Davis. – YangCeltics don’t need motivation, but they do need the Js to lead — 8:25 p.m.Gary Washburn | On BasketballWhile coach Ime Udoka is convinced some tactical and perhaps lineup adjustments could force a Game 7, the Celtics have to overcome their first consecutive losses as a fully healthy team since January. The Warriors have the Celtics shaken, and their defense has forced Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown into pedestrian scorers and playmakers.Read more here.Rob Williams is available — 8:10 p.m.Ime Udoka said Robert Williams will be available for Game 6.Celtics center Robert Williams III is playing in the NBA Finals with an ongoing knee issue, acknowledging after Game 3 that he is “taking a risk” in doing so.Williams, 24, had surgery March 30 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Nets in April. He’s been listed as questionable since, missing games in each of the next two playoff series.In a recent feature on Williams, Yahoo Sports reported that the Celtics’ medical staff has “ensured him that he is not at further risk of worsening the repaired knee. It’s all a matter of pain tolerance.”Williams acknowledged he’s playing through abnormal circumstances.“I was really having my knee drained a lot last series,” Williams said. “I stopped draining it because there was no point, in my opinion. My knee kept filling back up with fluid. So, I’ve kind of learned how to manage it to be able to play.”But despite the assurances of the Celtics, one of the team’s former players weighed in to offer a reminder that the medical staff’s assessment might not always be correct.Isaiah Thomas, who was an MVP candidate with the Celtics in the 2016-17 season, tweeted on Thursday morning that he had “heard that before.” Read more here from Hayden Bird.Adam Silver will miss Game 6 — 8:00 p.m.The NBA announced that commissioner Adam Silver is still in COVID-19 protocols, and will miss tonight’s game.If the Warriors win, it will fall to deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to hand out the Larry O’Brien trophy.Warriors are 0-3 in closeout opportunities on the road in these playoffs — 7:55 p.m.The Warriors have failed to capitalize on their first closeout opportunity in each round of this postseason so far, but they’re hoping Thursday night will be different.With a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals, Golden State can clinch the championship with a win over the Celtics in Game 6 at TD Garden. Players and coaches have long said that closeout games are the toughest to win, so the Warriors are well aware of the challenge.“It’s extremely hard,” center Kevon Looney said Wednesday. “Especially on the road. I don’t think we have had a closeout on the road this playoffs yet, so it’s going to be tough. But we feel like we have the formula, we have the talent to do it.” Read more by Nicole Yang here.Nine reasons the Celtics can still win an NBA title — 7:45 p.m.It seems like ages ago that the Celtics stole Game 1 of these NBA Finals in San Francisco and looked like favorites to win the championship. They have dropped three of four games to the Warriors since then, are currently riding their first two-game losing streak of these playoffs, and return home for Game 6 on Thursday once again facing elimination.The outlook certainly is not rosy, but the series is not over, either.“Not that it’s going to be easy or it’s going to be given to us, but you should be extremely confident as long as you’ve got a chance,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “We got a chance tomorrow.”Here are nine reasons why the Celtics could still dig out of a gloomy predicament and find a way to win the NBA title — Adam HimmelsbachYou can feel the energy inside TD Garden — 7:30 p.m.Hello, and welcome to Game 6! We may be an hour-and-a-half to tip, but North Station and the Garden are popping off with excitement.In case you missed it, we teamed up with our friends at the San Francisco Chronicle to host a Twitter Space to preview the game. You should listen!Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her on Twitter @nicolecyang. Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeChadFinn. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac. Scott Thurston can be reached at scott.thurston@globe.com.

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Anything new is exciting for Overwatch League pros, Dallas Fuel assistant coach Kim “Rascal” Dong-jun said the team was deprived of new content for over two years after Activision Blizzard redirected resources to Overwatch 2, which now has an early access release date of Oct. 4.That news came Sunday, and more information flooded the ecosystem Thursday in a trailer for the new tank hero, Junker Queen, plus a revamped ranked system and game director Aaron Keller’s promise of “putting out more content than we ever have before,” which was reported by The Washington Post.Oh, and there will be a free-to-play model. This should help Overwatch 2 contend with other triple-AAA studios that release live-service content like Warzone, Apex Legends and Fortnite -- all free to play.That didn’t come to Kim without concerns.“I’ve played all of those games. The only concern I have is that if the game becomes free, that means that anyone can participate,” Kim said via interpreter. “That can also increase the chance for cheaters and hackers to get access to their game as well. I think that’s the only problem that may arrive in the future.“Otherwise, it’s pretty good.”Cheaters will exist in any video game. A free-to-play model, which has tons of pros like building an extensive player base and more eyes on the Overwatch League, also opens the door for hacking. Overwatch 2 will need a stable, consistent anti-cheat software. Warzone had a serious cheating problem that allowed players to create unlimited accounts and hack on all of them.This would be important especially for the competitive integrity of the competitive mode Overwatch 2 will have. The mode was missing from the Overwatch 2 beta, which made it hard for the Dallas Fuel and every other Overwatch League team to practice for competition.“There’s really no way to practice currently besides scrims. Given that Overwatch 1 comp games are very different in the sense of the current patch and flow of the game itself,” Fuel DPS star Kim “Sp9rk1e” Yeong-han said via interpreter. “We’ve been trying our best to create our own Discord server to create that kind of ranked environment in the current beta that we play. But if the future beta has a comp mode, I think that would be very beneficial for us.”Overwatch 2′s upcoming plans appear as multiple steps in the right direction. Now, Activision Blizzard is tasked with sticking the landing.Related:‘Overwatch 2′ release could make for wild Overwatch League championshipFind more Fuel coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Find more esports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Sean Collins, Staff Writer. Sean started at The Dallas Morning News in 2020 and covers North Texas esports, focusing on the Dallas Fuel and Dallas Empire. He covered high school and Kansas State athletics at The Manhattan Mercury. Sean graduated from the University of Kansas in 2018, where he worked for the University Daily Kansan as a sports editor covering Kansas hoops.sean.collins@dallasnews.com seanzcollins

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The San Francisco-based club has now hoisted basketball's ultimate trophy seven times.Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks to drive against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first quarter of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals, in Boston, on June 16, 2022.Michael Dwyer / APJune 17, 2022, 3:28 AM UTCThe Golden State Warriors captured their fourth NBA title in eight seasons Thursday night, defeating Boston on the Celtics' famed parquet floor.The best-of-seven NBA Final series ended in six games, with the Warriors winning the final three after falling behind, 2-1. The San Francisco-based club has now won seven NBA championships in franchise history, with the Larry O'Brien Trophy most recently making its way to Northern California in 2015, 2017 and 2018 in this recent run.The Warriors won the first of these four titles seven years ago Thursday, on June 16, 2015, as fresh-faced stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, along with first-year coach Steve Kerr, broke a 40-year title drought for Golden State.Veteran backup Andre Iguodala was with the club for the three previous titles, before spending two years with the Miami Heat and then returning to Golden State this season.The franchise began as the Philadelphia Warriors, which won the first title in the Basketball Association of America — a forerunner to the NBA — in 1947 before capturing the crown again in 1956.After the club moved to California — but long before the "Splash Brothers," Curry and Thompson, arrived on the scene — Golden State's only other title came in 1975.Before Thursday night, the Warriors were tied with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls as the team with the third most titles in NBA history. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers (formerly from Minneapolis) each have 17 titles.This latest Golden State title comes after a string of disappointing, injury-marred seasons for the proud franchise. Curry missed virtually all of the 2019-20 campaign with a broken hand, while Thompson was sidelined for the entirety of 2019-20 and 2020-21 with career-threatening knee and Achilles injuries.Golden State's latest crown is also the franchise's first since moving across the Bay Bridge from Oakland's Oracle Arena to the gleaming new Chase Center, 16 miles away in San Francisco.This is a developing story, please refresh here for updates.David K. Li is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Basketball

BOSTON – After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Warriors’ championship window appeared to be shutting. But Stephen Curry and his teammates proved Thursday night they had no plans to let it close. The Warriors further cemented the team’s dynasty and built upon Curry’s legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time greatest players as Golden State reclaimed its spot atop of the league, beating the Boston Celtics 103-90 to win their fourth title in eight years. The Warriors have struggled with close-out games this postseason. Not in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The regular cast showed up to impress at TD Garden as if no time had passed. Stephen Curry scored 34 points, Klay Thompson added 12 and Draymond Green played one of the best playoff games of his career as the Warriors cruised to a victory to notch the franchise’s fifth championship since moving to the Bay Area in 1962 and seventh overall. After the Celtics jumped to an early 12-point lead, the Warriors sucked the life out of TD Garden, scoring 21 unanswered points – with five 3-pointers – to take a 37-22 lead with 10:13 left in the second quarter. By the half, the Warriors were up by 54-39 and didn’t look back. Curry drained a 3-pointer about midway through the third quarter and pointed at his ring finger, foreshadowing the latest piece of jewelry he’d be adding to his collection. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, showed signs of life in the second half, cut the Warriors’ lead down to eight with under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter. But Golden State held on. Much of the conversation entering the series was how the Warriors would be able to score against the league-best defense. But it was Golden State’s defense that shined, holding the Celtics to fewer than 100 points four times in the Finals. With the dynastic core aging and a new young group emerging, the Warriors will do their best to maintain the dominance that has defined this team over the last eight years. But those conversations can wait until after a well-deserved celebration. For now, the team – now winners of seven titles, surpassing the Bulls for the third most in the NBA – will savor this euphoric moment in which persistence and excellence led them back to the mountain top.

Basketball

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Warriors are now NBA champions after defeating the Celtics103-90 in Game 6 of the Finals in Boston.It's the franchise's seventh NBA title.This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. See our previous report below.The Golden State Warriors look to clinch the series over the Boston Celtics in game six of the NBA Finals. The Warriors defeated the Celtics 104-94 in the last meeting at Chase Center.Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 26 points, and Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 27 points.The Celtics are 28-13 on their home court. Boston ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 10.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Robert Williams III averaging 3.9.The Warriors are 22-19 in road games. Golden State is the Western Conference leader with 35.7 defensive rebounds per game led by Draymond Green averaging 6.3.TOP PERFORMERSTatum is averaging 26.9 points, eight rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 22.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists over the past 10 games for Boston.Stephen Curry is shooting 38.0% from beyond the arc with 4.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Warriors, while averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Wiggins is shooting 46.0% and averaging 18.5 points over the past 10 games for Golden State.LAST 10 GAMESCeltics: 5-5, averaging 101.6 points, 45.3 rebounds, 23.5 assists, 5.4 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.4 points per game.Warriors: 7-3, averaging 110.2 points, 44.0 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.8 points.INJURIESCeltics: None listed.Warriors: James Wiseman: out for season (knee). Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Published June 16, 2022 11:29pm EDT Stephen Curry and Draymond Green lifted the Warriors to their fourth title since 2015, closing out Boston in six games NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90 to win the NBA championship on Thursday night.The Warriors picked up their fourth NBA title since 2015 and seventh in franchise history. It’s Golden State’s first championship since 2018.Golden State used an incredible game from Stephen Curry and got a dynamic performance from Draymond Green to close out the Celtics in Game 6.This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

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BOSTON — The trophy case is now complete. Stephen Curry’s legacy as the greatest shooter of all-time and one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA was never in question. He’s a two-time NBA MVP and the only unanimous winner of the award. He’s won NBA All-Star Game MVP, the league’s Player of the Week award 18 times, and Player of the Month nine times. He’s been All-NBA eight times. The man revolutionized the sport for the better. And he had all of the awards commensurate with such a status. Well, almost. There was one NBA award that was missing. He has it now. Curry was named the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after leading the Warriors to their fourth title in eight years Thursday night in Boston. It’s fitting that the award named for Russell, the greatest Bay Area-raised player ever (McClymonds High, University of San Francisco) and who won 11 titles in Boston, was given to Curry, the man now synonymous with basketball in our region after delivering not just respectability to a once doormat franchise, but four titles as well. History will shine upon Curry’s 2022 Finals as perhaps the finest moment of his incredible career. He averaged 31 points, five assists, and shot 31-of-71 (43 percent) from beyond the arc. He was sharp defensively, too, averaging six rebounds and two steals a game. But while it is technically only one recognition for one incredible Finals, the award felt larger than that — like a lifetime achievement award for a player who has left an indelible mark on the sport and led one of the greatest dynasties in not just in the history of the NBA, but American professional sports. While there were championship-level contributions from his teammates, the NBA Finals MVP award could only go to one man — oftentimes the smallest man on the court. Curry became the first non-wing to win the award in 15 years and only the fourth point guard to win it since 1990, when Isiah Thomas won for the Detroit Pistons. Chauncey Billups won in 2004 and Tony Parker in 2007. Even as Curry revolutionized the game with his long-distance shooting, the do-it-all wings were the stars of the Finals. Their length and ability to score at all three levels proved in the wide-open modern game that tightens up with the title on the line. Curry adding a lethal mid-range game — he shot 59 percent from inside the 3-point arc and outside the key in the first five games of the series — to his already elite inside-out scoring ability made him downright unguardable in the postseason and Finals, even for the NBA’s best defense this season. Curry, of course, didn’t need the Finals MVP to validate his career, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a sweet success for the Warriors’ guard. “It would mean everything because that means you’re winning the series,” Curry told ESPN last week. “No matter who wins it, there’s so much joy in that moment, you want to be able to experience it. And I think the context of every series changes in terms of what it’s gonna take to actually win, and I think for us to win this championship, get three more wins, and hold that Larry O’Brien trophy, I’m going to have to keep playing the way I am.” At age 34, what’s left for Curry to do now that he’s picked up this piece of long-sought-after hardware? More titles, of course, on the court. What makes you think he or the Warriors are going to start declining anytime soon? More business success off the court, too. And perhaps Curry will chase a trophy that the NBA can’t provide: Curry has gold medals for representing the United States in the 2010 World Championships and 2014 World Cup, but he has never played in the Olympics. I hear Paris is lovely in the summer. What better use could there be of a few weeks in August 2024?

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Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) rebounds the ball against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of game six in the 2022 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY SportsRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJune 16 (Reuters) - The Golden State Warriors beat the Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the NBA Finals in Boston on Thursday to win the championship series 4-2.The victory marks the fourth time the Warriors have hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in the past eight years.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comEditing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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BOSTON (AP) — The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions once again, topping the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday night for their fourth title in the last eight seasons.Stephen Curry scored 34 points for the Warriors, who claimed the franchise’s seventh championship overall. And this one completed a journey like none other, after a run of five consecutive finals, then a plummet to the bottom of the NBA, and now a return to greatness just two seasons after having the league’s worst record.For Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, it’s a fourth championship. The first three rings came in 2015, 2017 and 2018, when Golden State was dynastic and made five consecutive trips to the finals.Injuries, including ones that sidelined Thompson for 2 1/2 years, and roster changes changed everything. But this season, with Thompson returning around the midway point, the Warriors were finally back.Back on top, too. Champions, again, denying the storied Celtics what would have been their record 18th championship, one that would have allowed Boston to break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.This tale for the Warriors ended much differently than what was their most recent finals appearance against Toronto in 2019, one that saw Kevin Durant tear his Achilles tendon in Game 5 and then Thompson tear his ACL in what became the Raptors’ title-clincher in Game 6.The aftermath of that loss was exacerbated by Durant’s decision to leave that summer in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets and Thompson’s own Achilles injury while rehabilitating his knee injury.It thrust a Golden State team into a rebuild that became a reload. The Warriors used their two-year hiatus from the NBA’s biggest stages to retool their roster – adding a past No. 1 draft pick in Andrew Wiggins, who excelled in his first finals, along with another rising star in Jordan Poole.It all clicked. For Golden State coach Steve Kerr, it’s a ninth championship overall after winning five as a player. He’s the sixth coach to capture four titles, joining Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, John Kundla, Gregg Popovich and Pat Riley.Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 34 points. Al Horford added 19. Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points, but shot just 6 of 18 from the field. Boston also committed 22 turnovers, dropping to 1-8 this postseason when committing 16 or more.It was just the fifth defeat in 22 title-series appearances for Boston, which turned its season around to have a chance at this crown. Boston was 25-25 after 50 games, then went on an absolute tear to get to the finals and nearly claim what would have been just the franchise’s second championship since 1986.It was the third consecutive season where things were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and while things were closer to normal, pictures and video of the championship celebration will serve as a forever reminder that the virus was still an issue.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could not be at the game because he remained in the league’s health and safety protocols related to the virus. The redesigned Larry O’Brien Trophy – the golden souvenir given to the NBA champions – was presented to the Warriors by deputy commissioner Mark Tatum instead. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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The Celtics’ magical 2022 playoff run crash-landed on Causeway Street Thursday as the still-worthy Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship with a 103-90 Game 6 victory at the TD Garden.Years from now perhaps we’ll look back and see this as a building block for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Co. but right now it feels like one of the worst blown opportunites in 21st century Boston sports.The Celtics seemingly had control of the series. They won two of the first three, and at times looked dominant. They were the younger, stronger, better team (we foolishly thought) and New England sports fans looked forward to seeing franchise flag no. 18 raised to the Garden rafters.The Warriors had other ideas. Time-tested champs Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and (coach) Steve Kerr showed the immature, soft Celtics how it’s done. They beat the Celtics three straight times, twice at the Garden, each time exposing Boston’s turnover-prone offense and weak bench.Get Court SenseBounce around the NBA with our Celtics-centric look at the latest happenings on and off the court.This was supposed to be Tatum’s introduction to NBA America as a legitimate superstar. Instead, it was a nightmare for Boston’s soft-spoken All Star. The record will show that 24 year-old Tatum totally turtled in his first shot at a championship. He was a turnover machine who scored a bunch of hollow points, but did little in the critical moments of every loss.Tatum’s simply not ready. These Celtics were not ready. They are well positioned for the future, but they will not go into the summer with fond memories of their first opportunity in the NBA Finals.Historically, Celtic teams are at their best in the Finals. With help from Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Sam Jones, John Havlicek and Larry Bird, Boston basketball teams won 17 championship in 21 trips to the Finals.But this one was a disaster. No Celtic team had ever lost a Finals after taking a 2-1 Series lead. No Boston team had ever lost three straight games in the finals.These guys did both. After not losing two straight games since March 28-30, they lost three straight in the Finals.Games 4 and 5 were disappointing. The Celts collapsed down the stretch in both.Game 6 was worse as the Green were outscored by an embarrassing 21-0 in a horrible stretch of the first half.The Celtics were crisp and dominant in the early minutes, racing to a 14-2 lead and forcing a timeout by Kerr. The quick start emboldened a Garden crowd which was decidedly nervous at the opening tap.Celtic sins of Games 4 and 5 no doubt were still on everybody’s mind and those fears proved legit. The Warriors roared back from the early 10-point deficit, outscoring the Celtics, 25-8, for the rest of the quarter, closing with an 11-0 run to take a 27-22 lead after one. It was very quiet in the Garden after Green, Curry, and Jordan Poole finished the quarter with back-to-back-to-back threes. It was an impressive display by the visitors.That was only the beginning of the Golden State tsunami. At the start of the second, Poole drained another three and Andrew Wiggins scored in transition to make it 16 straight points and a 32-22 Golden State lead. Ime Udoka called time just 50 seconds into the quarter. Ouch.After the pause, Poole hit another three and Wiggins scored in transition to make it a 21-0 run and a 37-33 lead. Udoka called another time out. In that moment, former Celtic champion Kendrick Perkins tweeted, “Celtics are COOKED.’’The 21-0 stretch was the longest scoring run in an NBA Finals in 50 years.Have any of us ever seen a coach call two timeouts in less than two minutes at the start of a second quarter of an NBA Finals game?The Warriors’ first-half lead peaked at 21, capping a stretch in which the Warriors outscored the Celtics, 51-19. Boston committed 12 turnovers in the first two quarters and were booed off the floor before intermission.Estimable Al Horford started making threes, in the third, but Tatum was still in his funk and Curry again showed us that he is the greatest shooter in the history of this game. Curry’s third three of the third made it 72-50.Led by Brown, the Celtics put a charge into the crowd with a nice run late in the third and cut the margin to 76-66 at the end of three. Tatum did not score a point in the quarter.Boston managed to cut it to 8 in the fourth, but Curry was simply too much and the Celtics, particularly Tatum, kept turning over the ball . Boston finished with a whopping 22 turnovers, an inadvertent homage to Mike’s Pastry.The Warriors were clearly motivated to win it in Boston. Hub fans had a lot of fun delivering X-rated chants in the direction of Draymond in the Game 3 win and Messrs. Klay Thompson and Kerr were openly mocked when they accused Celtic fans of showing no class.Instead of talking, the Warriors responded like true champions, cutting out the hearts of the Celtics and their fans in the next three games. Golden States’ Game 6 win represented only the second time a visiting team won an NBA Championship on the Garden’s parquet floor.The 1985 Lakers were the first to do it. They had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, two of the best players who ever lived.Now the Warriors have done it. They played like the old Celtics used to play — when Russell and Friends won a championship in the Los Angeles Forum in 1969; and when Dave Cowens and Havlicek won Finals Game 7 in Milwaukee in 1974.These Warriors, like those Celtics, played like true champions. And they showed us that the 2022 Celtics are not yet ready.Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at daniel.shaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @dan_shaughnessy.

Basketball

The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions for the fourth time in eight seasons after they beat the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA finals on Thursday night.After going down early, the Warriors tore into their opponents, who were plagued by turnovers, and opened up a 15-point lead by halftime. The Celtics briefly threatened a comeback in the fourth quarter but the Warriors held on to win 103-90 and take the best-of-seven series 4-2.“Beginning of the season no one thought we would be here … it’s very surreal,” said a tearful Stephen Curry, who was named the finals MVP, at the end of the game. The Warriors had finished with the worst record in the NBA just two seasons ago.“It’s crazy, I’m on Cloud 109 right now,” said Curry’s teammate Klay Thompson, who had missed most of the last two-and-a-half years through injury before returning to help his team to victory. “This is crazy”.The Warriors now have seven NBA titles, one more than the Chicago Bulls. Only the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers (17 each) have more.Hunter Felt’s full game report will follow shortly.

Basketball

The World Cup is coming back to North Texas.The Dallas-Fort Worth area was named one of 16 host sites for the 2026 quadrennial men’s tournament, with matches slated for the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington.“This is such a big moment for our city,” said FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt, who was also the Dallas 2026 host city bid chairman. “This has been an amazing bid process. The economic impact of what we’re bringing to Dallas-Fort Worth is in the billions.”When singer and actress Becky G announced on the FS1 broadcast that D-FW had been picked, a large roar went up from the crowd gathered for a watch party at the AT&T Discovery District. Local superstars Dak Prescott of the Cowboys and Luka Doncic of the Mavericks were part of a video welcoming the world to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.“The World Cup is one of the greatest events in sports. The world stops when the World Cup is playing,” FC Dallas coach Nico Estévez said. “We saw the impact that it had in 1994, after the creation of MLS. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be after the 2026 World Cup. All the generations, all these kids that love the sport are going to have the World Cup here.”D-FW must still play the waiting game, though: North Texas won’t know how many matches, or which marquee tilts will be here (like the semifinals or final) until a later date. The United States is joined by Canada and Mexico in hosting the tournament.The U.S. hosted the international event in 1994, and six matches were played at the Cotton Bowl. Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986. The U.S. hosted the women’s tournament in 1999 and 2003.“We would love to have the U.S. for at least one game. That is a big prize,” Hunt said. “We would love to have Mexico here, too. That fan base is so strong and so passionate. I don’t know if we would get both.”Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked how bringing the World Cup to the Cowboys’ home stadium compares to winning the Super Bowl.“I think it’s a broader interest,” Jones said. “The longer I’m in sports, the more I realize just how meaningful soccer is to the world. To be able to participate in such an event, one that takes years of planning, and the passions and the careers that are involved, to be able to have these games is really awesome and inspiring.”Houston’s NRG Stadium was also selected to host matches, as were nine other U.S. metro areas: Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey/New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey will host matches in Mexico. Canada’s two host cities are Vancouver and Toronto.What’s next?“We celebrate,” Hunt said.He then added: “After World Cup 2022 is over, they are going to make the decision on where [each of] the matches is going to be played. They will make an announcement I hope in the first half of next year and [will announce] the decision for where the finals are going to be played. And obviously that is the ultimate goal, to play the finals of the 2026 World Cup at AT&T Stadium.“Other big goals are to have as many national teams as possible to come use Dallas as their home base. We also want the International Broadcast Center to be awarded to Fair Park. Lastly is the referee headquarters, which we are also chasing.”Hunt said he is confident D-FW will host at least six matches, but it could be more. When asked which cities could be Dallas’ toughest competition to landing the championship match, he said Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York and Atlanta.“We want to do everything in our power to have the championship game,” Jones said. “It is an opportunity to literally have the world gather in appreciation of what we know, and that’s what a great place Dallas is. When we built that stadium, we basically built it to have great, great events. It wasn’t just for American football.“There is a lot of value for us to do this in a spectacular way and do things that they’ll write a book about.”What gives D-FW an advantage as it chases that ultimate prize?“Dallas is ready to be on the world stage,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. “We are, without a doubt, the best market in the entire United States to host a major sporting event. We’re a top-10 city in the country. We’re at the heart of the fourth-largest and the fastest growing metro area in the country, and we’ve already proven that we can host All-Star Games, major NCAA Tournaments, Super Bowl-related events, Super Bowls. Dallas is a welcoming city. It’s an international city, where we regard our diversity as a strength.”Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney reflected on the importance of having a truly regional bid in which multiple cities played huge roles. “All the cities came together, all offered something different,” he said.But 2026 might just be the beginning.“With the World Cup coming in 2026, we are entering the most exciting time in the soccer history of this country,” Hunt said. “We want to bring a women’s World Cup to the United States and to Dallas in either 2027 or 2031.”The 1994 World Cup provided an economic boom to the country and region, and also helped kick-start more mainstream interest in professional soccer stateside. The MLS launched two years later, and the Dallas Burn was one of the founding clubs.Now known as FC Dallas and headquartered at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, the MLS squad and surrounding area is also poised to benefit from World Cup matches in the region. Matches won’t be played in Frisco or the Cotton Bowl, but both are integral parts of the region’s bid this time around.“I’m not sure America was really ready for soccer in 1994,” Hunt said. “It was such a new thing and a novel thing. But this is becoming a soccer mature country, a soccer mature market. I think this is an incredible moment to bring the World Cup to the United States.”How big has soccer become in the United States? On Tuesday, Apple and Major League Soccer announced a 10-year partnership on a streaming service that will allow fans to watch every game without local blackouts or restrictions. The service will be available exclusively through the Apple TV app beginning next year.“I think we will see the growth of soccer in a way that has never been experienced before,” Hunt said. “This TV contract is going to bring MLS to the rest of the world — 108 countries will get MLS soccer going forward. You’re going to see continued expansion of Major League Soccer, and you’re going to see continued expansion in the NWSL [National Women’s Soccer League].”Hunt, who has attended every World Cup since 1986 and was a ball boy for a game at the 1994 World Cup, said changes will have to be made at AT&T Stadium.“There will be major renovations that occur to get the field in,” he said. “I don’t think they will have to do anything so substantial to the stadium itself, but we’re going to have to lift the field up off the floor to get it high enough so you can have a field be long enough and wide enough to meet the standards that FIFA requires.”So what big event is left to host that North Texas hasn’t previously landed?“There is only one other major sporting event out there that we haven’t hosted yet that we would have an opportunity to host — the Olympics,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “That would be many, many years down the line.”World Cup host cities at a glanceWho’s in? Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, (Inglewood, Calif.), Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New Jersey/New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and VancouverWho’s out? Cincinnati, Denver, Edmonton, Nashville, Orlando, Washington, D.C.Regions: West (Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver), Central (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Monterrey, Mexico City) and East (Boston, Miami, New Jersey/New York, Philadelphia, Toronto)What’s next? At a date to be determined, FIFA officials will decide which of the 16 cities will host group play and which will host elimination round matches.1/13Dan Hunt chats with Jerry Jones following a press conference after Dallas was announced as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a watch party on Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Dallas.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Related:‘Got the job done’: D-FW teams, others react to reveal of 2026 FIFA World Cup host citiesRelated:For Dallas, landing World Cup games could be like hosting ‘six Super Bowls’To view subscription options for The News and SportsDay, click here.

Soccer

BOSTON -- The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions once again, topping the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday night for their fourth title in the last eight seasons.Stephen Curry scored 34 points for the Warriors, who claimed the franchise's seventh championship overall. And this one completed a journey like none other, after a run of five consecutive finals, then a plummet to the bottom of the NBA, and now a return to greatness just two seasons after having the league's worst record.For Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, it's a fourth championship. The first three rings came in 2015, 2017 and 2018, when Golden State was dynastic and made five consecutive trips to the finals.Injuries, including ones that sidelined Thompson for 2 1/2 years, and roster changes changed everything. But this season, with Thompson returning around the midway point, the Warriors were finally back.Back on top, too. Champions, again, denying the storied Celtics what would have been their record 18th championship, one that would have allowed Boston to break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.This tale for the Warriors ended much differently than what was their most recent finals appearance against Toronto in 2019, one that saw Kevin Durant tear his Achilles tendon in Game 5 and then Thompson tear his ACL in what became the Raptors' title-clincher in Game 6.The aftermath of that loss was exacerbated by Durant's decision to leave that summer in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets and Thompson's own Achilles injury while rehabilitating his knee injury.It thrust a Golden State team into a rebuild that became a reload. The Warriors used their two-year hiatus from the NBA's biggest stages to retool their roster - adding a past No. 1 draft pick in Andrew Wiggins, who excelled in his first finals, along with another rising star in Jordan Poole.It all clicked. For Golden State coach Steve Kerr, it's a ninth championship overall after winning five as a player. He's the sixth coach to capture four titles, joining Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, John Kundla, Gregg Popovich and Pat Riley.Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 34 points. Al Horford added 19. Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points, but shot just 6 of 18 from the field. Boston also committed 22 turnovers, dropping to 1-8 this postseason when committing 16 or more.It was just the fifth defeat in 22 title-series appearances for Boston, which turned its season around to have a chance at this crown. Boston was 25-25 after 50 games, then went on an absolute tear to get to the finals and nearly claim what would have been just the franchise's second championship since 1986.It was the third consecutive season where things were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and while things were closer to normal, pictures and video of the championship celebration will serve as a forever reminder that the virus was still an issue.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could not be at the game because he remained in the league's health and safety protocols related to the virus. The redesigned Larry O'Brien Trophy - the golden souvenir given to the NBA champions - was presented to the Warriors by deputy commissioner Mark Tatum instead. Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Basketball

Steph Curry was overcome with emotion after securing another championship ring Thursday night in Boston. Curry celebrated after several big shots in the second half of the Warriors’ 103-90 Game 6 win over the Celtics to secure their fourth league title in eight years. But when it became clear in the game’s final minutes that the Warriors would again be champions, Curry let the moment wash over him. Asked postgame by ESPN’s Lisa Salters about the tears, Curry looked first to the team around him: “I’m so proud of our group. I thank God every day that I get to play this game at the highest level with some amazing people. You know this is what it’s all about, playing for a championship and what we’ve been through over the last three years. Beginning of the season, nobody thought we’d be here except everybody on this court right now. It’s amazing. Very surreal, though, very surreal.” An emotional moment for Steph Curry as he is an NBA champion once again 👏 pic.twitter.com/fznajLIG6m — Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) June 17, 2022 He and the Warriors fell to the worst record in the league following their last Finals appearance, a June 2019 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Curry injured his hand early in the 2019-20 season and missed almost the entire campaign. Last season was a step in the right direction as Curry led the league in points per game, but Golden State still fell short of the playoffs, losing in the play-in round. But this season was a whole different animal: Golden State established itself as a contender early on, even without Curry’s running mate in Klay Thompson, who was returning from two major injuries. The Warriors struggled without Draymond Green in the new year and without Curry for a period of time, but they had the core intact for the whole playoff run, and that made the difference. That road back was clearly meaningful to Curry. “We were just so far away from it,” he told Salters when asked why this championship mattered so much to him. “We were here for five straight years and got three of them, and you hit rock bottom with injuries and the long road of work ahead and just trying to fill in the right pieces and right guys. You can never take this for granted because you never know when you’ll be back here. To get back here and get it done means the world.” Steph Curry high fived all his teammates before grabbing the Finals MVP trophy pic.twitter.com/ztHeSzi391 — Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) June 17, 2022

Basketball

BOSTON — Golden State general manager Bob Myers was walking down the aisle of the team’s plane on the Warriors’ flight to Boston on Wednesday when he stopped in his tracks. He had to say something, because the three stars of his team — Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green; the trio that built the Warriors’ new San Francisco arena and filled it with banners — were sitting together for the six-hour flight to another NBA Finals game. The trio has played together for a decade. In a league run by stars where loyalty is the exception, not the rule, the longevity for the Warriors’ greats is, indeed, stunning. What Golden State’s stars have is even more special that that. “Y’all don’t understand, it’s ten years. Like this, does not happen,’” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “Guys still sitting together at the same table… He’s like, ‘guys [are not even on the same team for ten years, let alone still sitting there at the same table and enjoying each other’s conversation and presence.'” The Warriors will have an even happier flight home to San Francisco, on Friday. Golden State beat the Celtics in six games to claim the NBA title – their fourth in eight years. And they did it because they had something that cannot be bought or taught: Chemistry. Yes, the prerequisite for winning games, much less titles, is talent, and the Warriors had that in spades the first time they did it in 2015 and this time around, too. But chemistry is the magic elixir for winning in this league. The differentiator. And not only do the Warriors’ top players know how to play together, they know how to stay together. That’s allowed them to navigate both the highs and lows of the last decade. Those highs have been incredible. And in the tightest moments of the biggest games, we’ve seen that chemistry and experience shine through. Trust, belief and understanding all coming together to create something special. But the lows cannot be overlooked, either. The Warriors were flash champions at first. No one foresaw their rise to the NBA’s elite before the 2014-15 season, their first under head coach Steve Kerr. And who could have foreseen the Dubs, after back-to-back seasons missing the postseason – with Thompson coming off a nearly 1,000-day layoff because of injury, with Green having even more milage on the odometer and with Curry in his age 34 campaign – doing what they just did? The epicenter of belief came from that trio. And – like in any great partnership – they couldn’t quite explain why they felt that way, either. They just knew it to be true. “This journey wouldn’t be the same without those two guys,” Green said. “I couldn’t imagine sharing this journey with anyone else. You know, we built this thing from the ground up, and when you build something from the ground up, that’s your baby, and I think for us, we all appreciate each other and we understand what each of us bring to the table. It stretches far past what we have accomplished on the basketball court. You’re talking bonds, those bonds will last forever. We are linked and connected together forever.” This trio is no doubt a strange brew. Thompson is the most laid back in the universe. Green is perhaps the most boisterous. “I owe Draymond some money in dominoes, so I don’t want to see him too many times,” Thompson said. “That’s funny. That happened like two days ago. I was half asleep. Draymond and Bob were chatting their hearts away for six hours on a plane ride. I was just trying to get some sleep. Good times.” And then there’s Curry, a fascinating mix of both. No one has more fun playing basketball than Curry. No one works harder off the court. Yet there’s always equilibrium. The combination has created greatness, and all three know when they are needed to either step up or step back. It allows role players to actually be role players. It affords young players time to learn, even though the stakes are high. It allows veterans to be pointed with their lessons and enjoy the ride, too. It has obviously made Kerr’s coaching life pretty easy, relatively speaking. But remove even one of them – as we saw with Thompson for two seasons or Curry after he broke his hand early in the 2019-20 season – and the operation falls apart. It’s been back together since January though, albeit only for 11 minutes before the playoffs started. They came back together on the fly, in the postseason. And by the end of these Finals, they looked like the 2015 edition of the Dubs all over again. “All the personalities are so different,” Curry said of the trip. “Everybody comes from different backgrounds. But we’ve all jelled around a collective unit of how we do things, whether it’s in the locker room, on the plane, the hotels, like whatever it is. We know how to have fun and jell and keep things light, but also understand what we’re trying to do and why it all matters in terms of winning games.” This trio is bonded by three things: enviable intelligence, experience in the big moments and the chips on their shoulders. Thompson and Curry were both lottery picks in the NBA Draft, but neither was considered a surefire star in the league. Green was selected in the second round and remembers the names of everyone taken before him. Even with all their incredible success — more than any one player or team could possibly need — it’s those early slights that still stick, that still motivate. Curry was too small to put a team on his back and win NBA Finals MVP. Green was too old, too much of an offensive liability to affect winning. Thompson was never going to make an impact again after tearing his ACL and Achilles tendon. And yet there they were, raising another trophy. At some point, this incredible run will end. But what’s to say that they won’t do it again next year, or the year after that? Something this special, this unique, this victorious. It’d be ridiculous to put an expiration date on it.

Basketball

In exchange for the end of the Mavs’ hard-partying bench, a first-round pick and the world’s favorite mascot, Nico Harrison got a big man who can score and rebound, even if he’s a little short on defense.But what makes this trade a no-brainer is the real swap: Christian Wood for Dwight Powell.Now that’s a steal.Wood, who averaged 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds last season for the Rockets, replaces Powell, who put up 8.7 and 4.9, in the starting lineup.Or, more to the point, Wood replaces a center who averaged 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in the scant minutes he played during the Mavs’ shocking run to the Western Conference Finals.Powell’s occasionally empty stat line isn’t the only reason Golden State moved on to face the Celtics, but it didn’t help.Look, no one in my business likes picking on Powell. Great human and even better teammate. But it’s safe to say he didn’t really fit the scheme of Jason Kidd’s dazzling renovation.Harrison and Kidd are all in on Luka Doncic and five-out basketball, and it doesn’t exactly suit Powell’s skill set. He’s not a threat from three. The full extent of his offense is pretty much reaching for a lob from Luka.In order to maximize the potential of their new offensive approach, all five players need to be a threat from distance. Wood shot 39% on nearly five threes a game last year and he’s 38% for his career. He’ll give Luka one more option and relieve a little of the load on the Mavs’ beleaguered bench.What he won’t do: Fix the Mavs’ interior defense. He’s not going to belly up to the likes of Rudy Gobert or DeAndre Ayton and force them out of their comfort zone. The Rockets gave up more points than any team in the league, and Wood didn’t do much to stem the flood. He’s not a great help defender, either.Maybe Sean Sweeney, the Mavs’ defensive coordinator, can tap something in the 26-year-old Wood that no one else has in his previous six NBA stops. Sweeney’s done bigger miracles already. Of course, that’s assuming he’s still here. He’s currently on the lecture circuit, giving general managers with head coaching vacancies an earful on how he persuaded the Mavs to play defense. He’d leave a big hole if he’s gone.Even if he stays and Wood doesn’t take to his teaching as well as the rest of the Mavs have, let’s face it:He wouldn’t have been available at the price Nico paid if he were a great two-way player.The Mavs proved this season that they didn’t need three superstars after all. They might not even need two. Luka and a cast of role players beat two playoff teams with superior talent before falling to the Warriors in five games. Maybe it was a fluke, as the TNT crew tells us. Maybe they won’t advance to the Finals next year even after adding Wood and whatever they get with their $10.9 million trade exception and mid-level exception. Teams don’t always build on their success from one year to the next, as the 2020-2021 Hawks will tell you.The Mavs need to improve their roster, but they have limited recourses available to them. They don’t have room for an impact free agent. What little cap room they have will probably be spent on Jalen Brunson. Not only did Brunson have a breakout season, he wants to return, and he’s proven to be fine with playing second fiddle to Luka. Not many players of his talent level are quite as willing to subjugate their egos.Besides, the Mavs proved to me, at least, that they’ve got something going here. The five-out is viable for a contender as long as you have enough shooters and play great defense. Might as well let this approach run its course, anyway.The addition of Wood, along with the return of Tim Hardaway Jr., will get them closer to the ideal they’re chasing while Powell becomes a valuable rotation piece.Other than the loss of Boban Marjanovic, world’s nicest guy, and the fact that the Mavs still have to get Wood to agree to an extension, what’s not to like?Another whiff in the draft, that’s what. But that’s a column for next week.More on the Christian Wood tradeHow Boban Marjanovic could return to Mavs this season — even after Christian Wood tradeMavs ditch draft with Christian Wood trade, fill major need before offseason even startsGrading the Dallas Mavericks’ trade for Christian Wood: DMN experts unanimously approve5 things to know about new Mavs forward Christian Wood, including his success in HoustonFind more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Basketball

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Phil Mickelson didn’t have a great first round at the U.S. Open on Thursday as it appeared he put himself far away from the potential cut line in round two.Mickelson was met with cheers and jeers as he walked The Country Club course in Brookline, Massachusetts. At one point, fans were screaming bets at Mickelson before he took his swing. One NBA bettor yelled, "Hey Phil! Al Horford, over 9.5 rebounds."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMWhile he walked the fairways, more fans yelled, "My fiancée loves you!" Another said, "You’re beautiful Phil." Phil Mickelson of the United States gives a thumbs up as he walks off the 18th green during round one of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)2022 US OPEN: A LOOK AT THE THIRD GOLF MAJOR OF THE SEASONMickelson was playing in his first event against other PGA Tour pros since February. He played in LIV Golf’s first event last weekend, an appearance that ruffled feathers of other pro golfers. His comments earlier in the year appeared to brush off Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations, which caused a ton of backlash in which he would later apologize for. Phil Mickelson reacts to the crowd on the eighth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)"Lefty" reportedly received a $200 million deal to play for the Saudi-backed league. In Brookline, a fan yelled, "Greed is good, Phil!"Mickelson didn’t speak with the media afterward.He shot 8-over-78 and finished the round tied for 144th in the 156-player field.He finished the round with five bogeys, two double bogeys and one birdie on 11. He will need a miracle to make the cut and stay through the weekend. Phil Mickelson walks on the fourth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe U.S. Open is the lone major Mickelson has never won.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

Golf

BOSTON — Golden State general manager Bob Myers was walking down the aisle of the team’s plane on the Warriors’ flight to Boston on Wednesday when he stopped in his tracks. He had to say something, because the three stars of his team — Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green; the trio that built the Warriors’ new San Francisco arena and filled it with banners — were sitting together for the six-hour flight to another NBA Finals game. The trio has played together for a decade. In a league run by stars where loyalty is the exception, not the rule, the longevity for the Warriors’ greats is, indeed, stunning. But what Golden State’s stars have is even more special that that. “Y’all don’t understand, it’s ten years. Like this, does not happen,’” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “Guys still sitting together at the same table… He’s like, ‘guys [are not even on the same team for ten years, let alone still sitting there at the same table and enjoying each other’s conversation and presence.'” The Warriors will have an even happier flight home to San Francisco, on Friday. Golden State beat the Celtics in six games to claim the NBA title – their fourth in eight years. And they did it because they had something that cannot be bought or taught: Chemistry. Yes, the prerequisite for winning games, much less titles, is talent, and the Warriors had that in spades the first time they did it in 2015 and this time around, too. But chemistry is the magic elixir for winning in this league. The differentiator. And not only do the Warriors’ top players know how to play together, they know how to stay together. That’s allowed them to navigate both the highs and lows of the last decade. Those highs have been incredible. And in the tightest moments of the biggest games, we’ve seen that chemistry and experience shine through ??” trust, belief, and understanding all coming together to create something special. But the lows cannot be overlooked, either. The Warriors were flash champions at first. No one foresaw their rise to the NBA’s elite before the 2014-15 season, their first under head coach Steve Kerr. And who could have foreseen the Dubs, after back-to-back seasons missing the postseason – with Thompson coming off a nearly 1,000-day layoff because of injury, with Green having even more mileage on the odometer and with Curry in his age 34 campaign – doing what they just did? The epicenter of belief came from that trio. And – like in any great partnership – they couldn’t quite explain why they felt that way, either. They just knew it to be true. “This journey wouldn’t be the same without those two guys,” Green said. “I couldn’t imagine sharing this journey with anyone else. You know, we built this thing from the ground up, and when you build something from the ground up, that’s your baby, and I think for us, we all appreciate each other and we understand what each of us bring to the table. It stretches far past what we have accomplished on the basketball court. You’re talking bonds, those bonds will last forever. We are linked and connected together forever.” This trio is no doubt a strange brew. Thompson is the most laid back in the universe. Green is perhaps the most boisterous. “I owe Draymond some money in dominoes, so I don’t want to see him too many times,” Thompson said. “That’s funny. That happened like two days ago. I was half asleep. Draymond and Bob were chatting their hearts away for six hours on a plane ride. I was just trying to get some sleep. Good times.” And then there’s Curry, a fascinating mix of both. No one has more fun playing basketball than Curry. No one works harder off the court. Yet there’s always equilibrium. The combination has created greatness, and all three know when they are needed to either step up or step back. It allows role players to actually be role players. It affords young players time to learn, even though the stakes are high. It allows veterans to be pointed with their lessons and enjoy the ride, too. It has obviously made Kerr’s coaching life pretty easy, relatively speaking. But remove even one of them – as we saw with Thompson for two seasons or Curry after he broke his hand early in the 2019-20 season – and the operation falls apart. It’s been back together since January though, albeit only for 11 minutes before the playoffs started. They came back together on the fly, in the postseason. And by the end of these Finals, they looked like the 2015 edition of the Dubs all over again. “All the personalities are so different,” Curry said of the trip. “Everybody comes from different backgrounds. But we’ve all jelled around a collective unit of how we do things, whether it’s in the locker room, on the plane, the hotels, like whatever it is. We know how to have fun and jell and keep things light, but also understand what we’re trying to do and why it all matters in terms of winning games.” This trio is bonded by three things: enviable intelligence, experience in the big moments, and the chips on their shoulders. Thompson and Curry were both lottery picks in the NBA Draft, but neither was considered a surefire star in the league. Green was selected in the second round and remembers the names of everyone taken before him. Even with all their incredible success — more than any one player or team could possibly need — it’s those early slights that still stick, that still motivate. Curry was too small to put a team on his back and win NBA Finals MVP. Green was too old, too much of an offensive liability to affect winning. Thompson was never going to make an impact again after tearing his ACL and Achilles tendon. And yet there they were, raising another trophy. At some point, this incredible run will end. But what’s to say that they won’t do it again next year, or the year after that? Something this special, this unique, this victorious. It’d be ridiculous to put an expiration date on it.

Basketball

BOSTON — The trophy case is now complete. Stephen Curry’s legacy as the greatest shooter of all-time and one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA was never in question. He’s a two-time NBA MVP and the only unanimous winner of the award. He’s won NBA All-Star Game MVP, the league’s Player of the Week award 18 times, and Player of the Month nine times. He’s been All-NBA eight times. The man revolutionized the sport for the better. And he had all of the awards commensurate with such a status. Well, almost. There was one NBA award that was missing. He has it now. Curry was named the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after leading the Warriors to their fourth title in eight years Thursday night in Boston. The vote was, again, unanimous. It’s fitting that the award named for Russell, the greatest Bay Area-raised player ever (McClymonds High, University of San Francisco) and who won 11 titles in Boston, was given to Curry, the man now synonymous with basketball in our region after delivering not just respectability to a once doormat franchise, but four titles as well. History will shine upon Curry’s 2022 Finals as perhaps the finest moment of his incredible career. He averaged 31 points, five assists, and shot 31-of-71 (43 percent) from beyond the arc. He was sharp defensively, too, averaging six rebounds and two steals a game. But while it is technically only one recognition for one incredible Finals, the award felt larger than that — like a lifetime achievement award for a player who has left an indelible mark on the sport and led one of the greatest dynasties in not just in the history of the NBA, but American professional sports. While there were championship-level contributions from his teammates, the NBA Finals MVP award could only go to one man — oftentimes the smallest man on the court. Curry became the first non-wing to win the award in 15 years and only the fourth point guard to win it since 1990, when Isiah Thomas won for the Detroit Pistons. Chauncey Billups won in 2004 and Tony Parker in 2007. Even as Curry revolutionized the game with his long-distance shooting, the do-it-all wings were the stars of the Finals. Their length and ability to score at all three levels proved in the wide-open modern game that tightens up with the title on the line. Curry adding a lethal mid-range game — he shot 59 percent from inside the 3-point arc and outside the key in the first five games of the series — to his already elite inside-out scoring ability made him downright unguardable in the postseason and Finals, even for the NBA’s best defense this season. Curry, of course, didn’t need the Finals MVP to validate his career, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a sweet success for the Warriors’ guard. “It would mean everything because that means you’re winning the series,” Curry told ESPN last week. “No matter who wins it, there’s so much joy in that moment, you want to be able to experience it. And I think the context of every series changes in terms of what it’s gonna take to actually win, and I think for us to win this championship, get three more wins, and hold that Larry O’Brien trophy, I’m going to have to keep playing the way I am.” At age 34, what’s left for Curry to do now that he’s picked up this piece of long-sought-after hardware? More titles, of course, on the court. What makes you think he or the Warriors are going to start declining anytime soon? More business success off the court, too. And perhaps Curry will chase a trophy that the NBA can’t provide: Curry has gold medals for representing the United States in the 2010 World Championships and 2014 World Cup, but he has never played in the Olympics. I hear Paris is lovely in the summer. What better use could there be of a few weeks in August 2024?

Basketball

Always in control on the court, Sue Bird lasted about 10 minutes until the emotion of the moment and the finality of the decision got the best of her.After 21 professional seasons, one of the greatest basketball careers ever is nearing its end.“I feel like I’ve played as long as I can at a really high level both physically and mentally, and it’s just gotten harder,” Bird said, fighting through tears.The Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist announced Thursday the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA.The announcement by Bird, 41, ended any speculation about her future; she had acknowledged in February when she re-signed with Seattle that this would likely be her final season. She strongly considered retirement after last season before choosing to return for a 19th season as a player.Bird’s announcement came a day before Seattle’s game at Connecticut, the state where she was a collegiate star and national player of the year. The Storm will close out their road trip on Sunday in New York, about 30 miles from where Bird grew up in Syosset, New York.It's Seattle's only scheduled trip to New York this season, which helped prompt her announcement.“Knowing it was going to be my last game in New York is really what started the thought process around announcing that this would be my last year,” Bird said. “So that’s kind of the how, and the when. That was the motivating factor on the timing. And I feel like for every athlete, sometimes it really just comes down to you know when you know. There isn’t necessarily a recipe for it. You just know when you know.”Bird is a four-time WNBA champion, 12-time All-Star and the oldest player in the league. She has spent her entire WNBA career with Seattle since becoming the No. 1 draft pick in 2002 following her storied college career at UConn. This season is her 21st associated with the franchise although just her 19th playing after missing two seasons because of injuries.Her resume is the envy of anyone in professional sports, let alone basketball. National championships at UConn in 2000 and 2002. WNBA titles with Seattle in 2004, 2008, 2018 and 2020, the last coming inside the WNBA “bubble” in Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic.Bird hoisted five additional titles playing overseas in the EuroLeague. Last year, she added a fifth Olympic gold in Tokyo to go along with the ones the United States earned in 2004 in Athens, 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.Bird was the AP national player of the year her final season at UConn. She is a five-time all-WNBA first-team selection, the league's all-time leader in assists and the only player to appear in more than 500 games in league history.She has been honored on every list imaginable as one of best and most influential players in the history of the league. And she's the standard by which other point guards are judged.Bird told her current teammates about her decision during a team dinner on Wednesday night and Seattle's coaching staff Thursday morning. Bird also had a long list of former teammates, coaches, executives and friends she wanted to tell personally rather than hearing it through various channels. Among the most emotional was her talk with Karen Bryant, the general manager of the Storm when Bird was drafted in 2002.Deep down, they all knew that the hints Bird gave over the past several months were leading to this announcement.“Not a lot of people do something for their entire lives the way that athletes do. Don’t get me wrong, I know people are fulfilled in other ways. It’s not about a comparison. It’s just sports is different, I think,” Bird said. “I’ve been doing this since I was 5 or 6 years old. It’s really all I know. So of course, I’m sad. It’s a little bit of like a mourning knowing I’m going to miss it. But I mean, I’ve got no regrets. I feel wonderful about my career, the people I’ve met, the things we’ve all accomplished.”Bird said she's not really prepared for the farewell tour that's likely to follow her every time she visits a WNBA road city for the last time.“I feel like I don’t personally need that," Bird said. "But I also understand that there are fan bases that that might want to, you know, take that moment. ... But yeah, I'm not prepared for it.”Bird turns 42 in October and was on the cusp of stepping away a year ago, and when the Storm were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in the playoffs, fans chanted “One more year! One more year!” as she did an on-court televised interview.Those cheers were egged on by Phoenix’s longtime star Diana Taurasi, Bird’s former college teammate at UConn and part of all five of those Olympic gold-medal runs.In the end, the fans — and Taurasi — got what they wanted. Bird came back, for exactly one more year.“Sue Bird is Storm basketball,” her WNBA team tweeted moments after Bird made her decision known. “Every moment, every memory has one constant. No. 10. It’s time for the final chapter.”———More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

Basketball

Sporting a shorter haircut and his trademark good humor and enthusiasm, Bruce Cassidy on Thursday held his first Las Vegas press conference after being named the new coach of the Golden Knights two days earlier.Cassidy, 57, was abruptly let go as the Bruins bench boss on June 6, and noted to the Vegas media contingent that he takes on the new challenge with a sense of having something to prove.“I do — I got let go,” said Cassidy, who directed the Bruins to the playoffs for six straight seasons. “This is not some sort of revenge tour or something like that. I want to prove to myself, more importantly, that I am capable of doing the job and winning … winning in a postseason.”Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon and Bruce Cassidy meet the media iThursday.Ethan Miller/GettySent packing on Causeway Street because Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely felt it was time for a “new voice” and a change in the messaging to players, Cassidy once again characterized the parting as disappointing.Get Sports HeadlinesThe Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.“There’s a lot of emotions that go into it,” he said. “You sort of lick your wounds, then consult your children, and then the phone started ringing for me. I was very flattered that people valued how I did my job.“I just felt this was going to be a great fit for me. I knew, hockey-wise, it was going to be a no-brainer for me.”Cassidy, who had a year remaining on his Bruins deal, declined to reveal the length or monetary terms of his new deal, but made it clear he was happy.“Like any coach, I was looking to get some security [in term length],” he said. “But I will tell you I am exceptionally pleased with my contract — no issue there.”Cassidy and Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon, brother of former Bruins defenseman Brad McCrimmon, said they will turn their attention to building out the rest of the coaching staff. Neither one offered names of prospective hires.Cassidy inherits a club that suffered a number of significant injuries over the course of the season, in part explaining why the Knights missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The DNQ led to the dismissal of veteran coach Pete DeBoer.Bruce Cassidy was fired by the Bruins on June 6.Ethan Miller/GettyIt’s a talented lineup, one that should be quick to succeed, said Cassidy, who cited Alec Martinez and Alex Pietrangelo as key Stanley Cup-winning contributors on the backline. Martinez won in his time in Los Angeles, and Pietrangelo as a member of the Blues team that edged the Bruins in Game 7 of the Final in 2019.“What I see in Vegas is a lot of guys that can finish,” Cassidy said. “Guys who have been through playoff series who know what it takes to get there. I’ve seen Alex and Petro win a Stanley Cup. I saw Petro a little too closely, to be quite honest with you.”The Vegas job was the first filled among a number of high-profile spots that have opened up around the NHL since the end of the regular season.Last Thursday, Cassidy told the Boston media that he was eager to get right back to work.“I was going to try to pursue opportunities right away,” he said, adding with a wry smile, “as I told some people, I just got tired of being out of work.”Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com.

Hockey

NEW YORK — Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and Kansas City, Missouri, were the newcomers among the 11 U.S. sites picked to host games at the 2026 World Cup, while Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida, were left out.Arlington, Texas; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Inglewood and Santa Clara, California, were the holdovers.FIFA announced its selections Thursday for the first World Cup with three co-hosts, also picking three Mexican cities and two in Canada.The U.S. selections included none of the nine stadiums used at the 1994 World Cup. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and Orlando’s Camping World Stadium were the only ones remaining in contention, and they were among the sites dropped in the final round.New stadiums were selected in five areas used in 1994. AT&T Stadium in Texas replaced Dallas’ Cotton Bowl; SoFi Stadium in Inglewood took over for Pasadena’s Rose Bowl; and Levi’s Stadium instead of Stanford Stadium.Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Masschusetts, replaced torn-down stadiums that were adjacent, Giants Stadium and Foxboro Stadium.Orlando’s Camping World was dropped among existing 1994 venues. The Detroit area, where the old Pontiac Silverdome hosted games, was cut in 2018 and Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium was dropped after FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, dropped out. Washington’s RFK Stadium was used in 1994.Chicago, which hosted the 1994 opener at Solider Field, refused to bid, citing FIFA’s economic demands.Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, which hosted the 1970 and ’86 finals and will become the first stadium in three World Cups, was selected along with Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron and Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA.Toronto’s BMO Field and Vancouver, British Columbia’s B.C. Place were picked while Edmonton, Alberta’s Commonwealth Stadium was dropped.The bid plan envisioned 60 games in the U.S., including all from the quarterfinals on, and 10 each in Mexico and Canada.Specific sites for each round will be announced later.In contrast to the 1992 site announcement during a news conference, the 2026 announcement was made during a televised show from Fox’s studio in Manhattan.

Soccer

Young Thug Ex-Mgr. Says YSL's Never Been a Gang ... I Can Speak To That!!! 6/16/2022 1:49 PM PT TMZ.com Manny Halley, Young Thug's former manager, has no bad blood with his ex-client -- he wants to see him free again, and firmly believes the system is using "our culture" against hip hop superstars. We chopped it up with Manny Thursday at LAX, where he told us about his time at YSL ... stressing there was never any notion about the company being a gang. He says it feels like law enforcement's using "made-up charges" to take down a successful revenue stream for Black artists. Manny and YSL unceremoniously parted ways back in 2018 after he was awarded a 7-figure settlement from Thug's former business managers ... but he says it's still all love and wants to see Thug and Gunna free as the air outside. Some of what he told us echoes attorney Drew Findling's sentiments about Georgia prosecutors and the RICO charges. 6/12/22 TMZ.com The YSL guys have been getting loads of support from the likes of Chris Brown, Lil Baby, and DJ Khaled. Thug even recorded a message played last week at Summer Jam to thank fans for their support. As we've reported, Thug, Gunna and co. aren't slated to go to trial until early 2023. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Meanwhile, Manny -- a big-time player in the music and film industries -- is fresh off graduation from Harvard Business School ... and he told us about his plans to expand into distribution and production opportunities in the near future.

Music

Former The Voice contestant "Kata Hay" Huddleston was reportedly arrested Tuesday amid allegations of sexual contact with a minor. Huddleston is under suspicion of kissing a 16-year-old boy and forcing him to touch her inappropriately, according to a report. The country singer was staying with his family for a short time and had even made sexual comments about the boy in front of his parents. The boy's mother confronted Huddleston about the sexual contact between the singer and the boy, and Huddleston admitted that a sexual incident had indeed happened. This conversation was recorded by the mother and turned over to the police. MARVEL ACTRESS AND HUSBAND CONVICTED ON CHILD SEX CHARGES: REPORT "As you know, a charge is not a conviction," Huddleston told TMZ following her arrest. Huddleston made the top 20 in the singing competition. Immediately following her televised audition for the show, Huddleston hugged and kissed all three of the celebrity judges that picked her for the show. She would go on to kiss Christina Aguilera on the mouth after admitting she had a "girl crush" on her. The country singer has 265 monthly listeners on Spotify and over 16,700 subscribers on YouTube. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The arrest also constitutes a probation violation because of a recent DUI charge against Huddleston.

Celebrity

Amber Heard's defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp may be over, but the actress is continuing her feud with him in the court of public opinion, unveiling a trove of documents. Just before her hotly anticipated interview with Savannah Guthrie is set to air on NBC's Dateline, the network revealed she presented the network with notes from her therapist that represent "years of real-time explanations of what was going on" dating back to 2011 that she claims corroborate her abuse allegations against Depp. WATCH: AMBER HEARD IS SCARED TO SPEAK. THAT’S WHAT A ‘DEFAMATION LAWSUIT IS MEANT TO DO’ “There’s a binder worth of years of notes dating back to 2011 from the very beginning of my relationship that were taken by my doctor, who I was reporting the abuse to,” she explained in a preview clip. Guthrie, whose husband had served as a consultant for Depp's legal team, gave a description of NBC's review of the documents and highlighted an instance in 2012 in which Depp allegedly "hit her, threw her against a wall, and threatened to kill her” and, a few months later, "ripped her nightgown, threw her on the bed." The notes contained the version of events Heard told her therapist. Depp's legal team decried the freshly reported notes as "reimagining and relitigating" matters a jury had already considered in a response statement to NBC. “It’s unfortunate that while Johnny is looking to move forward with his life, the defendant and her team are back to repeating, reimagining and re-litigating matters that have already been decided by the Court and a verdict that was unanimously and unequivocally decided by a jury in Johnny’s favour,” his team wrote. Amber Heard (left) and Johnny Depp (right) are seen at a court in Fairfax County, Virginia. (AP Photos) Earlier this month, a jury in Virginia concluded Heard defamed Depp with an article she wrote in the Washington Post contending that she was a sexual assault survivor. Although she did not mention him outright by name, Depp argued that he suffered massive financial damages from lost Hollywood gigs due to the perception that he abused her, including losing out on movies such as those in the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts franchises. The jury directed Heard to pay him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard will also collect $2 million in compensatory damages after the jury found Depp liable for one count of defamation in her countersuit. Heard had been found liable in three counts of his defamation claims. The judge had determined that her therapist notes were hearsay and kept them away from the jury during the trial, Guthrie explained. Throughout the trial, the pair hurled a number of dramatic accusations against one another, including accusations from Depp that Heard pooped on their bed and claims that Heard hit Depp, which was backed by audio recordings. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Heard's interview with Guthrie is set to air Friday. Despite the tension with her ex-husband, Heard maintains that she loved him and does not blame the jury for its decision. “I loved him with all my heart,” Heard declared. "I tried the best I could to make a deeply broken relationship work, and I couldn’t. I have no bad feelings or ill will toward him at all."

Celebrity

| June 16, 2022 06:55 PM | Updated Jun 16, 2022, 08:06 PM FIFA unveiled Thursday the cities that will get the opportunity to co-host the 2026 World Cup, but the U.S. capital was notably absent. Sixteen cities were selected, 11 of which are located in the United States, which will host soccer's biggest tournament for the first time since 1994, alongside Canada and Mexico. Washington, D.C., had vied with Baltimore for a slot but did not make the cut. “D.C. is the No. 1 ranked television market for English Premier League soccer,” Washington bid co-chairman Max Brown said, according to a Washington Post writer. “So I don’t know what the hell FIFA was looking at when they made that decision.” UKRAINE ONE WIN AWAY FROM WORLD CUP AFTER DEFEATING SCOTLAND Audible gasps of frustration could be heard at a watch party in Washington in response to FIFA turning down the nation's capital. Absolute shock in the room as DC is passed over as a host city. A World Cup without matches in the national capital seems unthinkable, but here we are. pic.twitter.com/rvvwy3ByJM— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) June 16, 2022 The district started its bid to host the tournament alone but eventually opted to merge with Baltimore in April to bolster its odds. The city's loss marks the third time a World Cup-hosting country's capital city failed to secure such a bid, a Washington Post sports reporter explained. The Washington Examiner reached out to the mayor's office for comment. The 11 U.S. hosts selected include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Winning U.S. stadiums include Mercedes Benz Stadium, Gillette Stadium, AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, Levi’s Stadium, and Lumen Field. In Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey will also host, while Toronto and Vancouver in Canada were also selected. Those stadiums include Akron Stadium, Estadio Azteca, Estadio BBVA, BMO Field, and BC Place. Your #FIFAWorldCup 2026 Host Cities:🇺🇸Atlanta🇺🇸Boston🇺🇸Dallas🇲🇽Guadalajara🇺🇸Houston🇺🇸Kansas City🇺🇸Los Angeles🇲🇽Mexico City🇺🇸Miami🇲🇽Monterrey🇺🇸New York / New Jersey🇺🇸Philadelphia🇺🇸San Francisco Bay Area🇺🇸Seattle🇨🇦Toronto🇨🇦Vancouver— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2022 CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER North America had won the bid to host the 2026 World Cup in 2018, prompting a flurry of 16 U.S. cities to compete for the coveted role. The other four U.S. cities rejected were Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, and Orlando. "The host cities will be absolutely key to ensuring the successful delivery of the competition. We look forward to working with them to deliver what will undoubtedly be the largest FIFA World Cup in history," Colin Smith, FIFA's chief tournaments and events officer, said in a statement last month. A total of 48 teams are expected to compete in the feted event, up from the current 32, and the tournament will feature 80 matches, 60 of which will take place in the U.S.

Soccer

Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJune 16 (Reuters) - Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player by a unanimous vote following the team's championship clinching 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game Six on Thursday.The Finals MVP award was one of the few major awards that had eluded the eight-time All-Star, who has won two league MVPs and four championships."It means we won, it means we took advantage of the opportunity to get back here," Curry said, when asked how significant the award was to him."I hear all the conversations, I hear all the chatter, we hear all the chatter but at the end of the day it’s about what we do on the floor. Ain’t got to talk about it, just got to go do it. And that’s what this is about."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comEditing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Basketball

Does the phrase ever get tired to read, or to say? The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions. Clearly, it doesn’t for the core trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who have now led Golden State to four titles in eight years. They capped off the title run with a 103-90 win in Game 6 over the Celtics, clinching the crown on the parquet floor in Boston on Thursday night. Curry had his coronation on Thursday night, scoring 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting — and 6-for-11 from 3-point range, one game after he didn’t make a 3-pointer for the first time in his postseason career. He also added seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block, too. He received the Finals MVP trophy, to the surprise of no one. The Warriors also got vital contributions from Andrew Wiggins (18 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks), Jordan Poole (15 points on 12 shots in 18 minutes) and Gary Payton II (six points, three steals, three rebounds and a team-high plus-18) on Thursday night, and those three — and others — were rewarded with their first NBA title. There’s more to come ahead, and the title chase for a fifth — “One for the thumb” like the 49ers were going for back in 1990, anyone? — will surely start up soon. But for now, it’s party time. Here’s what the Warriors were saying after clinching the title: STEVE KERR First, I want to say congrats to the Celtics on a great series. They were incredible. Their defensive athleticism, length, toughness, was really tough to overcome, and they had us on the ropes in this series, and a tremendous season. You know, since I’ve been here, we’ve lost in the Finals twice, and it’s devastating, you know, to get this far and to come up short, and I’ve got a lot of friends across that hall, you know, between Ime and Will Hardy, Damon Stoudamire, Aaron Miles, a bunch of really good friends and guys I’ve coached in FIBA, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, great, great, group of guys. So I genuinely feel for them because I know what it’s like to lose at this point, but they had an amazing run and it was a great, great series. On what separates this championship from others: Well, they are all unique, they are all special. I think this one may have been the most unlikely just from the standpoint of where we’ve been the last couple years. A lot of unknowns, the injury to Klay, Draymond at the end of the year, Steph at the end of the year. A lot of young guys, a new core, or a new group around our core, I should say. But it’s really special to see guys like Wiggs and Loon and Gary Payton, just how far they have come, the impact they made, Jordan Poole, the same thing. I know I’m going to forget people but it takes a full team effort to do this, and we just had a great group who do get it done. On Curry’s greatness: He does, because what he does at his size is so different from the traditional greats in this league. I’ve said it so many times, Steph reminds me so much of Tim Duncan. Totally different players. But from a humanity standpoint, talent standpoint, humility, confidence, this wonderful combination that just makes everybody want to win for him. And I’m obviously thrilled for everyone in that room, and a lot of people had a big hand in this, but I think the thing with Steph is, you know, without him, none of this happens. That’s not taking anything away from Joe and Peter’s ownership, because they have built an incredible organization. Bob Myers, hell of a GM. Our players, we have had so many great players, but Steph ultimately is why this run has happened. Much like Timmy in San Antonio. So I’m happy for everybody, but I’m thrilled for Steph. To me this is his crowning achievement in what’s already been an incredible career. On if Finals MVP was last thing for Curry to accomplish: No, he’s missing an Olympic Gold Medal [laughter], and I think he really has to focus on being on the 2024 Olympic Team. That’s the last thing for his career. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Honestly, the whole Finals MVP thing, it’s like, I mean, are we really — I guess his career has been so impeccable, and that’s the only thing we can actually find. So it’s great to check that box for him. But it’s been really hard for me to think that that’s actually been held against him. Anyway, here he comes. Talk to him. STEPHEN CURRY On what it means to be Finals MVP: Forget that question. Why you start with that question? We’ve got four championships. God is great, the ability to be on this stage and play with amazing teammates against a great Boston Celtics team that gave us everything to try to get to the finish line. This one hits different for sure, just knowing what the last three years have meant, what it’s been like from injuries to changing of the guard in the rosters, Wiggs coming through, our young guys carrying the belief that we could get back to this stage and win, even if it didn’t make sense to anybody when we said it, all that stuff matters. And now we got four championships. Me, Dray, Klay, and Andre, we finally got that bad boy. It’s special. It’s special. Just all the work that went into it, the faith and belief and everybody in that locker room that’s getting to spray champagne around the locker room, everybody mattered in that process. So I’m just proud of everybody. On what he was thinking in final moments of the game: These last two months of the playoffs, these last three years, this last 48 hours, every bit of it has been an emotional roller coaster on and off the floor; and you’re carrying all of that on a daily basis to try to realize a dream and a goal like we did tonight. And you get goosebumps just thinking about, you know, all those snapshots and episodes that we went through to get back here, individually, collectively. And that’s why I said I think this championship hits different. That’s why I have so many emotions, and still will, just because of what it took to get back here. And the fact that when we started this season, the conversations about who we were as a team and what we were capable of, clearly remember some experts and talking heads putting up the big zero of how many championships we would have going forward because of everything that we went through. So we hear all that, and you carry it all and you try to maintain your purpose, not let it distract you, but you carry that weight and to get here, it all comes out. It’s special. On what happened when he hugged his dad: I blacked out for a second. On the emotions of winning and tearing up: It was definitely overwhelming. It was surreal because you know how much you went through to get back to this stage, and nobody, unless you’ve been on that floor, you just grind day-in and day-out. Talking about just me personally, my workouts from the off-season last year when we lost in the play-in tournament, it’s been a year and six days that I started the process of getting ready for this season. It all paid off. Didn’t know how it was going to happen. Didn’t know what the environment was going to be like. You imagine what the emotions are going to be like, but it hits different. You know, out there on the floor, I didn’t even know he was down there, to be honest with you. I saw him and I lost it, and I knew the clock was kind of running out. I just wanted to take in the moment because it was that special.

Basketball

The Warriors further cemented the team’s dynasty and built upon Curry’s legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time greatest players as Golden State reclaimed its spot atop of the league, beating the Boston Celtics 103-90 to win their fourth title in eight years. Moments after hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Curry added the one piece of hardware that eluded him to his collection. The Warriors’ superstar was named the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP. With the dynastic core aging and a new young group emerging, the Warriors will do their best to maintain the dominance that has defined this team over the last eight years. But those conversations can wait until after a well-deserved celebration. For now, the team – now winners of seven titles, surpassing the Bulls as the third most in the NBA – will savor this euphoric moment where persistence and excellence led them back to the mountain top. Bay Area News Group’s Madeline Kenney contributed to this report. Click here if you’re unable to view the photos on your mobile device. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) and Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney (5) celebrate winning the NBA Championship at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) celebrate their 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 to win the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) congratulates Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) with seconds left during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: The Golden State Warriors celebrate their 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 to win the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) kisses his wife Ayesha Curry after winning the NBA Championship at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with teammate Klay Thompson (11) after winning the NBA Championship at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 to win the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) leaves the court with the MVP trophy after their 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 to win the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Dell Curry hugs his son Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) after winning Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: The Golden State Warriors celebrate winning the NBA Championship at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) sheds tears after winning Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) fouls Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) guards against Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart (36) reaches for a rebound in front of Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0) during the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) fights for the ball against Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0) battles Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) for a loose ball during the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) dribbles against Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (7) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a lay up past Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (7) during the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) and Golden State Warriors’ Otto Porter Jr. (32) defend against Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) is called for a defensive foul against Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) during the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) defends against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) heads to the basket against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) dunks the ball against the Boston Celtics in the second quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Basketball

We are taught at school that hydrogen burns to produce water. This is part of its image as clean fuel. But new analysis is providing warnings for the engineers who will create and operate our future energy systems.In 2021, the UK government launched its hydrogen strategy, providing a roadmap to kickstart a hydrogen economy by 2030 that visualises a future where hydrogen could be powering the boilers that heat our homes, fuelling our transport and providing heat for chemical and steel production.The first problem for engineers is that burning hydrogen does not produce water only. It could lead to a continuation of the current nitrogen dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels such as diesel and fossil gas.The second problem comes from hydrogen leakage. Two government reports show hydrogen is a climate-heating gas, with a 100-year global warming potential that is about 11 times greater than carbon dioxide.Unlike carbon dioxide, hydrogen does not have a direct effect on climate. Instead, it affects other pollutants.Increased hydrogen in our air means that methane, the second-most important global warming gas, would stay in our air for longer and have more impact.More hydrogen would also change the amount of ozone in our atmosphere. This is the third-most important climate-warming gas. Close to the ground, ozone harms our health and attacks plants, reducing crop yields.Increased hydrogen would also change the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere and affect our stratosphere, adding to the climate impact.Hydrogen leakages are likely to come from production and from the start up and shut down of turbines and our home boilers. It may also leak from pipe networks where hydrogen will be mixed with fossil methane as a step towards hydrogen-powered villages and then towns.Prof Dick Derwent, the co-author of Air Quality and Climate Change: the Basics, who was not part of the government reports, said: “Hydrogen offers a possible role in a low-carbon economy where a natural gas distribution network is already available.“Our work has shown official UK data underestimates methane emissions from the gas distribution network. They are getting worse not better with time.“Neither government nor the gas industry in the UK have any idea what the natural gas leakage rate is, so why do we expect hydrogen leakage to be any different? It could well be that hydrogen distributed to the domestic sector could be problematic.”It is clear from the government reports that burning hydrogen instead of fossil fuels will be climate-beneficial but, regardless of how hydrogen is made, maximising the climate benefits will require minimising hydrogen leakage.

Chemistry and Material Sciences

HARLEM, New York (WABC) -- A big and classical orchestra piece written by a Black composer, will be performed for the first time Friday night in Harlem, after the piece was pulled from the radio mid-broadcast decades ago because of the color of the composer's skin.Rehearsal for Friday's performance of "The Ordering of Moses" at Riverside Church in Harlem was running a little late Thursday night ... 85 years late.The sweeping and dramatic classical music piece was first performed in 1937 in what was supposed to be the historic first national radio broadcast ever of a new classical work by an African American composer, R. Nathaniel Dett.But as the broadcast, on the old NBC radio network began, it seemed that much of America would not abide such an achievement from a Black man.ALSO READ | Subway surfers caught on video walking atop Brooklyn J train"About 3/4 of the way through it was just abruptly cut and there's no record of the reason why," said Liz Plater of the Harlem Chamber Players.The theory, though, is that as the soaring and poignant story played on the radio, the network was getting angry phone calls because the composer was African American. So, the broadcast was stopped.The oratorio, bold and moving, tells the story of the emancipation of African Americans through an old testament lens, all told by the grandson of escaped American slaves."I believe Nathaniel Dett and my ancestors that have come before me have set a precedence and have also passed the baton, so I'm fulfilling my calling and my duty to take the baton and to complete what they started and to pass it to the next generation," conductor Damian Sneed said."I personally as a Black man, feel and identify with the children Israel as they grow across the sea and escape bondage into the land of the promised land," tenor Chauncey Packer said.It's a grand and sweeping story about the reclaiming of history and finishing what Nathaniel Dett started long ago.All that is one reason why the performance is so vital today. The other reason is -- it's so good."They will absolutely hear some of the most phenomenal singers and musicians on this side of the Milky Way galaxy," Sneed said.Friday's performance is part of Harlem's Juneteenth celebration.----------* Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTubeSubmit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Music

People attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Selection Watch Party at the Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S., June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Eduardo MunozRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comNEW YORK, June 16 (Reuters) - From Vancouver to Mexico City to Miami, the 2026 World Cup is poised to take over North America, with one notable exception: The United States' capital city.The joint bid of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, was one of six that didn't make the cut on Thursday, when FIFA announced the 16 cities to host matches in the global sport spectacle four years from now.FIFA officials were contrite in passing over the bid, after President Gianni Infantino declared this had been the most competitive process for cities to host World Cup matches.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"It’s been an incredibly competitive process. All the cities have been amazing. This was a very, very difficult choice," FIFA's Chief Competitions & Events Officer Colin Smith told reporters on Thursday."You can’t imagine a World Cup coming to the U.S. and the capital city not taking a major a role as well."Washington, D.C., was one of nine venues for the 1994 World Cup, the last time the U.S. hosted the global mega-event.Located in the country's cluster of high-traffic, mid-Atlantic cities, Washington boasts both a men's and a women's professional soccer team and appeared to have a solid shot at picking up one of the coveted hosting gigs.While the snub was devastating to region's diehard fans, organizers were gracious."While we are disappointed that D.C. and Baltimore were not selected as host cities, we congratulate the cities that were awarded games," the Mark Ein and Max Brown, co-chairs of the DC2026 Advisory Board said in a written statement."We look forward to continuing our partnership with FIFA and exploring other opportunities to be part of this historic event."Infantino promised a "fan fest" on the National Mall, as Smith assured even those cities passed over to host wouldn't be left out of the party."We've been engaging with all the cities that weren't chosen to host matches," he said. "There's still lots of other areas of cooperation and working together and celebration."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast.Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Soccer

Few players in WNBA history have experienced Kahleah Copper’s success. If women’s basketball had a triple crown, her last year easily would qualify.Between the start of last season and her return to the Sky on May 22, Copper became a first-time WNBA All-Star, a WNBA Finals MVP, and a Spanish league and EuroLeague MVP. She also led Perfumerías Avenida to its eighth Spanish league title, her second championship in eight months. It’s no wonder Chicago Sky teammate Candace Parker refers to Copper as the “worldwide MVP.”“I don’t think there’s another WNBA player that had the resume she had over this past year,” said Ticha Penicheiro, Copper’s agent. “At the beginning of her career especially, she was always a team player. Sometimes you put your personal goals on the back burner, but now, I’m sure she’s checked off a lot of things on her list.”Copper has welcomed the fame that has come with winning a championship with the Sky. People come up to her at airports, and she was honored at City Hall in her hometown of Philadelphia in the offseason. She is soft-spoken, a direct contradiction to her tenacious nature on the court, but her calm demeanor lends itself to someone who can handle the newfound public attention.“It’s something I’m embracing,” Copper said. “It’s cool. It’s what comes with winning.”Kahleah Copper heads out to receiver her championship ring commemorating the Chicago Sky's 2021 WNBA title on May 24, 2022, at Wintrust Arena. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)Along with fame came more money.Copper doesn’t know how many deals she landed since helping the Sky win the WNBA title last season, but her marketing team made sure to strike while the iron was hot. She has been featured in commercials for Mountain Dew and Dick’s Sporting Goods, among others.She also signed a contract with Popeyes, which generated a lot of discussion on social media. Before reaching the deal, Copper’s team reached out to Kentucky Fried Chicken to see if it would be interested in partnering with her. Copper’s nickname is “KFC” — for Kahleah Freaking Copper — making the sides ideal partners. However, as Copper put it, KFC was “slacking,” so Popeyes and the Sky star eventually agreed to a deal.“Hopefully KFC will come back around because that is pretty fitting,” Penicheiro said.Outside of drawing more revenue from endorsements, Copper went into the offseason as a restricted free agent knowing she could demand a maximum contract. Most teams had cap space, and the Sky had only four players signed through the 2023 season.Sky coach/general manager James Wade made it clear as free agency began that re-signing Copper was a priority. He felt confident in the relationship he had with Copper and the culture the franchise had built.Standing underneath a newly unveiled WNBA championship banner, Chicago Sky players and coaches show off their 2021 championship rings on May 24, 2022, at Wintrust Arena. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)“When (the media) talks about free agency, they don’t think about player’s lives and relationships,” Wade said. “You have to change teammates and relationships you are invested in. (The Sky organization) is practically a family and we won a championship. (Copper has) accomplished a lot of things here and she saw her development and how she continues to build and build. I think that would be hard to leave.”The Sky ended up applying the core-designation tag on Copper, meaning she couldn’t sign with another WNBA team and could return to the Sky on a one-year, $228,094 deal. Instead, the sides agreed to a two-year, $405,000 contract through 2023.“I thought, ‘Why not?’, ” Copper said when asked about taking a multiyear deal over the core designation offer. “This is my second home. I love it here. They believed in me and wanted to take care of me.”Copper has changed the complexion of the offense since returning from overseas — she missed the Sky’s first four games of the season. They were in the bottom half of the league in fast-break points before her arrival. Copper leads the league in the category while the Sky rank No. 4 over the last six games. Teams are still trying to figure out how to stop her in transition but have come up empty.Copper is averaging 12.4 points on 41.7% shooting and 5.4 rebounds in nine games for the Sky (9-4), who play host to the Atlanta Dream in a Commissioner’s Cup game Friday at Wintrust Arena.She maintains a day-to-day mentality — not letting the long term mar what is expected of her. She is focused on a championship and nothing else.“I’m just trying to get better,” Copper said. “My mindset is the same: Never get too high or too low or complacent. Just continue to get better and try to reach new heights. We’re trying to repeat.”James Kay is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Basketball

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was on fire in the third quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.Curry nailed two straight threes against the Celtics and immediately pointed to his finger signaling he was ready to get his fourth piece of jewelry.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)He hit one three coming off a screen from Draymond Green then pulled up in front of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams and nailed a long-distance three-pointer right in front of their faces. Curry then turned to the solemn crowd at TD Garden, motioned toward his ring finger and muttered, "Give me that f---ing ring." He stared down Celtics fans before walking back toward his bench to regroup during the timeout. Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)WARRIORS' KLAY THOMPSON REACTS TO YOUTUBE IMPERSONATOR GETTING BANNED FROM ARENAGolden State had a 22-point lead with a little over 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter.The Warriors were thriving for most of the game.After a hot Celtics start, the Warriors went on a 25-8 run to end the first quarter. Golden State continued with 21 straight points early in the second and began to pull away. Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Warriors ended the first half on a 52-25 run and were leading at halftime 54-39 and it appeared the team was on their way to another NBA championship. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

Basketball

Toy StoryBuzz Lightyear and Woody Photograph: Walt Disney/Pixar/AllstarFor all their later successes, there’s still nothing in the Pixar catalogue that matches the dopamine hit of their very first feature. The first fully computer-animated film, its candy-coloured visuals simultaneously represented a new dawn and a vision of the future, in animation itself and in film-making more widely. Gone were the days of pen and ink, or the sense of something actually happening in front of the camera; the era of software-generated fantasy cinema was upon us.Toy Story also arrived at the dawn of the kidult era, and played a large part in defining its style: a mournful nostalgia for a boomer childhood wrapped up in frenetic, kid-friendly camerawork. As Pixar’s films may have got more conceptually and thematically elaborate – your Inside Outs, your Wall-Es, your Souls – they have certainly probed depths that no mainstream American animated film did before. But it’s the cheerful human-scale drama of Toy Story that stays with me, and one I’d happily watch again and again. Andrew PulverToy Story 2Woody and Jessie Photograph: Walt Disney/Pixar/Sportsphoto/AllstarThough it was universally hailed upon its 1999 release, Toy Story 2 seems to have gotten lost in both the volume of great Pixar movies and the consistency of the Toy Story series. The original gets credit for firsties, while the end of Toy Story 3 inspired a flood of millennial weeping. But for sheer feel-great entertainment, I’ve always preferred the second entry.Its rescue-mission plot, with Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) leading a group of fellow toys on a mission to help Woody (Tom Hanks), who contemplates a possible life after Andy, is endlessly inventive, maximizing the comic thrill out of simple ideas like “the toys visit a toy store” and “the toys drive a car”. On top of its enviable joke hit rate and set pieces, Jessie the Cowgirl’s lament (accompanied by the heartbreaking song When She Loved Me) covers some Toy Story 3 emotional ground with Up-like concision. In some later Pixar movies, the machinery behind the laughter and tears gets noisier and more obvious. Toy Story 2 gives the company’s engineering a flawless, fittingly plastic gleam. Jesse HassengerFinding NemoMarlin and Dory Photograph: ReutersBefore he started toying with Kubrick references and alienated Antonioni-esque perspectives in Wall-E, director Andrew Stanton got me in my feelings with a shot in Finding Nemo that flexes his old-school sense of framing. The shot arrives at the midway point during the joyous, comical and thrilling adventure, about a daddy clown fish (Albert Brooks) on a desperate intercontinental search for his stolen child. The eponymous clownfish sees his reflection across the Sydney skyline in the same way that a young Vito Corleone saw himself alongside the Statue of Liberty in The Godfather Part II. And then a gently moving pan reveals the layers of glass between freedom and Nemo’s captivity in a dentist’s fish tank.I’m not saying Finding Nemo is The Godfather Part II of animation. But I’m not not saying it.The 2003 movie felt like Pixar’s coming-of-age, the point when the young studio behind Toy Story and A Bug’s Life took their computer animation to new depths while hewing closer to classic Disney storytelling. Finding Nemo has the talking wildlife, the death of a parent trope and sincere emotional weight buoyed with fun, laughter and wonder. Meanwhile, it challenged Pixar animators to be meticulous with the ways light moves, reflects and gets lost in water, which made way for a visual grace that was breathtakingly new. Radheyan SimonpillaiThe IncrediblesMr Incredible and Frozone Photograph: Moviestore collection Ltd/Alamy Stock PhotoPixar’s sixth feature was also their first about human beings, though the Parrs are anything but ordinary. All of the studio’s output up to that point had engaged with mature emotional experiences – friendships being tested, separation of parent from child – but writer-director Brad Bird ventured into unprecedentedly existential territory via the Parr family, keeping their crises light with mid-century whiz-bang superheroics.A brute-force dad, a flexible mom stretched thin, a shy daughter who can disappear into thin air, and an inexhaustible ball of energy for a son face down the drudgeries of middle age and the tribulations of puberty, any navel-gazing leavened by a tightly paced battle between complicated goods and evils. (Not to mention a genuine, sympathetic villain, a fan-favorite vocal performance from Samuel L Jackson, and Michael Giacchino’s most hummable scoring work to date.) The rare original capes-and-tights picture to capture the exuberance of the comic book medium, it’s nonetheless shot through with grownup anxieties scarier than any villain. Charles BramescoRatatouilleRatatouille’s Remy Photograph: Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation StudiosA niggling complaint with Pixar’s output, and one that seems to be getting progressively more pronounced with time, is an inability to find a story that’s quite as ingenious as the original concept, the out-of-nowhere brilliance of the set-up too often let down by pedestrian plotting, an elevator pitch quickly toppling down the stairs.But never has idea been complemented by ideation quite so perfectly as in 2007’s Ratatouille, the very best kind of Pixar film that leaves you slack-jawed at just how brilliantly it all hangs together. A rat who dreams of culinary greatness helping a gangly kitchen assistant to wow the snobbish foodie elite of Paris, it’s an underdog story told with genuine love; for food, friendship and the inescapable pull of creativity. It felt like the studio at their purest and least calculated – the heartstring-pulling gentle, the slapstick restrained, the sequel opportunities scarce – and the film, as a whole, seemed less invested in luring the youngest of viewers (at a packed Hammersmith cinema on opening weekend, I vividly remember a screaming set of kids bored to tears by the “here’s what a sous chef does” of it all). It tracks that it was then one of their lowest performers at the box office and perhaps led to more safe, cut-and-paste franchise offerings in years to come, but there’s still nothing quite as satisfying as watching a rat pull a man’s hair to make the perfect meal, a three-course feast that leaves no room for seconds. Benjamin LeeWall-EWall-E Photograph: Moviestore/Rex/ShutterstockAfter an almost unrivaled run of commercial and critical smashes, Pixar took the biggest swing of its creative heyday: a dystopian comedy about a sentient trash compactor cleaning up the ruined remains of an abandoned Earth.The opening half hour remains a nearly wordless masterclass in pure visual storytelling, but the film is no less bold after it blasts off into the cosmos, shifting into a madcap cruise-ship romp with shades of the great Jacques Tati and a vision of materialistic creature comfort as satirical as it is ironic coming from Disney. Bridging these tonally distinct passages is Wall-E himself, a lovably Chaplin-esque creation who doubles as a mechanical archeologist of lost humanity, cobbling together a soul from the discarded proof of our own. Today, the film looks like a sad premonition of our junkyard future and screen-addicted present – and a relic of a past when Pixar was still pushing the artistic limits of all-ages entertainment. AA DowdUpElli and Carl Photograph: AF archive/AlamyPixar has long been on the cutting edge of where computer animation can go, but the heartbreaking montage near the beginning of Up is just as audacious in staking out new emotional terrain, too. Accompanied only by Michael Giacchino’s bittersweet score, this wordless prologue recaps the marriage between Carl (Ed Asner) and his late wife Ellie, two happy adventurers whose partnership is nonetheless defined by disappointment – first with inability to have children, then a trip to South America that never happens. The montage helps establish Carl as a lovable curmudgeon and set up his whimsical plan to reach South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house.Up is full of delightfully silly touches, like a giant flightless bird named Kevin and a golden retriever with a collar that translates his thoughts into English but that montage, combined with Carl’s grudging friendship with a misfit boy scout, gives a special meaning to this incredible dream and the lifelong struggle to realize it. Family films are loaded with wish-fulfillment fantasies. Up is the rare one to consider the broad spectrum of feeling that can be invested in them. Scott TobiasToy Story 3Still from Toy Story 3 Photograph: Walt Disney/Pixar/AllstarThe Toy Story films always understood how objects can be the most accessible portals to childlike emotion, and the third film, released in June 2010, is arguably Pixar’s sharpest nostalgia missile. Andy, now 17 and bound for college, begins the film dismissive of his toys, which are accidentally set out for garbage. He ends it, in a scene that never fails to make me cry, by introducing them to a new home. The child, as Andy once was, greets them with the same unadulterated enthusiasm Andy once had. Woody’s bittersweet “so long, partner,” as Andy drives away is emotional kryptonite, instant Pixar canon.I thought of that scene two Christmases ago, when my dad gave me a duplicate of the plush cat I’d cherished since age two. He had bought it as a back-up, in case I lost original Kitty and was inconsolable. You could not tell that the two Kittys were related, let alone once the same – one had been loved into a limp, matted heap, the other sat untouched in a drawer for 26 years. I cried for days afterward, in part because it was a sweet gesture, but mostly because I couldn’t stop thinking about them like Toy Story characters: two sentient beings who each endured the passage of time, who were in service for love, who had a lot to catch up on. Thanks to Toy Story 3, how else could I view them? Adrian HortonSoulJoe Gardner Photograph: APIt is fitting that a movie about the experience of joy is itself a visually astonishing experience. Pondering exactly which moments make us thankful for the decades we get to spend here on Earth, Soul follows the existential adventure of jazz pianist Joe Gardner, who dies in the movie’s first few minutes and spends the rest of the film trying to get back into his own body.Along the way, Joe spends a good deal of time journeying through the afterlife, and Pixar’s striking depiction of the Great Beyond, as well as the Great Before (where souls hang out before they acquire bodies), lingers long after the final credits have run. That, plus one unforgettably depicted moment when Joe realizes just what earthly joy is for him, make Soul more than just a visually dazzling film – it’s a movie that unites form with function, the two connecting as intricately and seamlessly as do Joe’s fingers with his piano when he’s lost in the euphoria of a jazz solo. Veronica EspositoTurning RedMeilin Lee from Turning Red Photograph: © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights ReservedTurning Red is a refreshing counterpoint to the studio-defining Toy Story and its cinematic universe. While Toy Story’s adventures take place in a nondescript, spotless, always-sunny, somewhat timeless suburb, Chinese-Canadian director Domee Shi sets her film on the gritty streets (well, to the extent that a Pixar film can be gritty – ie, there’s light graffiti and litter) of her Toronto hometown – and specifically in an Asian Canadian enclave within the metropolis, during the year 2002.Gen Z pop acts Billie Eilish and Finneas remarkably channel the sound of millennial boy bands with their earworms for Turning Red’s fictional group 4*Town, whose members are objects of white-hot lust for protagonist Meilin Lee and her buddies – they’re quite a departure from Randy Newman’s cheerfully platonic Toy Story ditty You’ve Got a Friend in Me. In short, Turning Red is a Pixar movie for the rest of us. Lisa Wong Macabasco

Movies

Warning: This article contains some description of graphic injuries and abuse.A "damning" report detailing mistreatment of gymnasts in Britain shows that "child abuse" of athletes was taking place, says a former gymnast.The Whyte Review said issues of physical and emotional abuse within gymnastics in Britain were "systemic".It heard from athletes who were made to train on broken bones, punished for needing the toilet, sat on by coaches, and subjected to excessive weight management.During the period of the review (2008-2020), more than 75% of British Gymnastics' members were children under the age of 12."This isn't tough coaching and slight mistreatment, this is child abuse of athletes at a very young age," Nicole Pavier told BBC Sport."That has a monumental impact on the rest of our lives from a physical and mental perspective."The 306-page Whyte Review, led by Anne Whyte QC, and co-commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England at a cost of £3m, received more than 400 submissions of evidence.Of those, more than 40% described physically abusive behaviour by coaches, more than 50% reported an element of emotional abuse, some 30 submissions included allegations of sexual abuse and more than 25% included reference to excessive weight management.Pavier was one of the first gymnasts to speak to BBC Sport in 2020 about her experiences in the sport, and said in the two years since it had "put a lot of stress" onto the athletes who went public with their allegations.'I was terrified to put on weight' - the 'culture of fear' in British gymnastics"I think it is a good starting point and stepping stone into changing the culture of abuse that is in gymnastics at the minute," she said. "And Anne Whyte's damning report into the sport will hopefully make [British Gymnastics] step up and create some positive changes."This is showing that it's not just a few bad apples, which we had been led to believe, and actually by using our voices we now know that there is a culture of abuse and these are children being abused in clubs and there are a large amount of them."'Institutional betrayal of gymnasts'London 2012 Olympic gymnast Jennifer McIlveen (nee Pinches) said the Whyte Review laid bare the extent of the "institutional betrayal of gymnasts" in Britain.McIlveen is part of the Gymnasts For Change campaign group and said the report was "upsetting and shocking to read" but is "not news" to the group."It's definitely very validating to see on paper what we've been saying all along and for gymnasts to see experiences that mirror their own - knowing that they're not alone has been a really important part of the change movement," she told BBC Sport.She added she was "encouraged" by the review's recommendations and by the words of British Gymnastics new chief executive Sarah Powell, calling it a "watershed moment".However, Gymnasts For Change said the report's recommendations - which focus on safeguarding and welfare, complaints handling, standards and educations, and governance and oversight - "fall far short of what is needed".In a statement, it said: "Every day without holistic and wholesale change, another gymnast is put at risk and these recommendations fall far short of the change needed. "We are calling for maximum limits on child athlete training hours and new government legislation on child abuse."In 2020, Olympians Becky and Ellie Downie said they had previously been afraid to speak out about their experiences of mistreatment, saying abusive behaviour in gymnastics training became "ingrained" and "completely normalised".Abusive behaviour in British gymnastics became 'completely normalised'Writing on Twitter on Thursday, Becky Downie said the Review's release marked "an important day" for the future of the sport."A lot still needs to be worked on but I can confidently say some very big changes have already been implemented," she said.If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.

Other Sports

BOSTON — Cigar smoke seeped out of the visiting locker room along with the stench of champagne. A loud chant came with it. “F— you, Draymond! F— you, Draymond!” This time, the chant wasn’t a taunt from Boston Celtics fans. It came from Draymond Green’s teammates in celebration of the Warriors’ fourth NBA title in six tries. And Green’s leading role as their defensive guru that culminated with a masterful Game 6 performance in their 103-90 win on Friday at TD Garden. Offense beautifies this historic team as much as it has sustained it. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson’s 3-point shooting revolutionized the game — a strategy that drew plenty of suspicion during their first run eight years ago that’s now become normalized. But none of this success exists without a top defense and the dirty work Green has always carried with pride. It’s a job that earns him plenty of scrutiny when he slips up. And a few bad games in these Finals had him drowning; was his podcast distracting him from the task at hand? Green was benched for during the offensive possessions in the Warriors’ Game 4 win. Outside the locker room, people wondered if Green still had it. Green summarized his Finals performance briefly: “Game 1, I did not have a bad Game 1, and I had an incredible Game 2. And Game 3 was kind of like, terrible, awful. And Game 4 was not my best effort but not totally special. And Game 5, Game 5, I was pretty solid. Came out with great energy. Game 6, I dominated.” The Celtics were supposed to be the juggernaut defense — they came into the Finals with the league’s best defensive rating, expected to stoke fear in the Warriors’ hearts. But Golden State flipped the script. In all four of their wins they held Boston to under 100 points and made budding superstar Jayson Tatum look pedestrian. Green spoke all series about the Warriors’ point-of-attack defense, using their help defense to force the Celtics’ star wings, Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to play in traffic. The strategy bit them in the behind in Game 1, when the Celtics kicked the ball out of traffic to the open 3-point shooter — and those shooters hit a slew of 3-pointers to win in a shocker. Green played “like sh–,” in his words, in a poor defensive Game 3 loss. But they keyed in for Game 4 and never let up, winning those three straight, in part, by forcing a turnover-happy Boston offense into an average 16 turnovers per game. They turned the ball over a series-high 22 times on Thursday with Green at his very best, making every rotation and disrupting Boston’s desperate drives to the paint. He wasn’t alone, either. Gary Payton II was a menace at the point-of-attack after his return in Game 2 from a broken left elbow. Andrew Wiggins, a first-time NBA champion, hounded Tatum as his primary defender. Tatum averaged 21.5 points per game and scored just 13 points in a pivotal Game 6. “That man made my life so easy,” Klay Thompson said. “I used to have to do his job and I’m looking at him like that is exhausting, Bro, you’ve got to get buckets and guard the best player? That’s crazy.” Perhaps the Warriors’ defense was underrated heading into this. The Celtics had all the credibility, riding the momentum of a league-best 106.9 defensive rating that only grew stronger as the playoffs approached. They swept Kevin Durant’s Nets, toppled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s defending champion Bucks and outlasted Jimmy Butler’s relentless Miami Heat. And the Warriors had a knock on their reputation from the regular season. It was no coincidence that their March skid and a poor defensive performance coincided with Green’s back injury. “You know, we have always spoke about our defense, and, I mean, it’s been a constant for us,” Green said. “But when you have such a sexy offense, and guys shooting the ball like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, when you have that, it’s always going to be sexier, and people are always going to appreciate that more. And if you look at their offense. Like we beat this team because of our defense.”

Basketball

BOSTON – Klay Thompson was one of the last Warriors players standing on the stage at TD Garden after the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy presentation celebration. The Warriors were champions, again. And Thompson didn’t want to take one second of it for granted. “I was feeling absolutely incredible,” a champagne-soaked Thompson said of that moment of pure bliss after the Warriors beat the Celtics 103-90 to win another NBA title. “I was feeling just so high on life that I did not want to leave the stage, and I just know how hard this is, and to be here for a fourth time, like so grateful for my teammates.” Thompson had a feeling from the beginning of this season that this could happen. Back in November, still months away from his long-anticipated return, Thompson confidently proclaimed this season was “championship or bust” for the Warriors, who sprinted to an 18-2 start despite being undermanned. “People called me crazy,” Thompson recalled. “I knew we had a chance to do something special, and here we are. It’s so incredible. Wow.” The prophecy has been fulfilled and the taste of sweet victory — mixed with champagne and beer, of course — made the last three years of pain and suffering that Thompson endured worth it. “I’m just at a loss for words at times. Because I knew this was possible but to be here in real time, man, I don’t want to leave,” he said. “I want to enjoy every second of this. I know how fleeting it can be.” Thompson’s resiliency to overcome not one but two career-altering injuries has been inspiring to his teammates. “I’m excited for him, man. Seen all the work he put in, and all the dedication and all the hard work he had, dealing with all the injuries and all the ups and downs he had… he came back better than ever, on a mission,” a buzzing Kevon Looney said after the victory. “He helped us win a lot of games and helped us win this championship.” It’s been 1,099 days since Thompson crumpled to the court of Oracle Arena in excruciating pain during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. He memorably tried to stay in the game, shooting a pair of free throws before exiting for a final time. He knew he would be back eventually but he didn’t know when and at what level he would play. Thompson seemed to be nearing his return when his right Achilles tendon betrayed him before the 2020-21 season. “The second time it happened it was like, ‘What the heck is going on, man?'” he said. “Just to stay with it, just calf raise after calf raise, after underwater treadmill, so many days, not even touching a ball.” But Thompson powered through the strenuous and slow rehabilitation process for this. Now, he’s joining his teammates Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala to be among only 40 all-time NBA players who have won four titles. “The anguish that Klay has felt over the last three years… people can guess as to what it is like, but we saw it up close. And between a second year-long injury and losing what he loves to do most in life — playing the game — it’s been a rough go for him,” coach Steve Kerr said. “So his return was special for us on and off the floor because of what he’s meant to the organization, what he’s done for this team, and then of course his play. I mean, his two-way ability is up at the top of the league. So we’re thrilled for Klay.” Added Looney, “Credit to him. He’s a hard worker. He’s the ultimate professional, and he’s somebody you can always rely on. So I’m just proud to be his teammate and be able to be with him this long.”

Basketball

Drake Surprise!!! Drops New Album 'Honestly, Nevermind' 6/16/2022 3:18 PM PT UPDATE 9:05 PM PT -- Without further adieu, Drake has dropped off his 7th album "HONESTLY, NEVERMIND" — a 14-track affair with only one guest appearance: 21 Savage. Waiting for your permission to load Spotify album. Drake's got the music world buzzing again -- this time announcing a surprise album is on the way -- and it drops in just a few hours!!! Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Drake took to Instagram Thursday, banning comments from his latest post -- which serves as an announcement for his new album titled. "HONESTLY, NEVERMIND." Not only that, Drizzy says his 7th album drops at midnight ... an hour after his new SiriusXM show "Table For One" hits the airwaves. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. We've heard the album is mostly on the melodic side -- not much of a departure from his last album "Certified Lover Boy" -- which is still doing very well on the Billboard Charts at No. 13 nearly 9 months after its release. We'll have more for you here when the full thing drops ... stay tuned!!!

Music

Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) holds up the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSummaryCurry named Finals MVPWarriors missed playoffs the last two seasonsYoung Celtics just getting started, says coachJune 16 (Reuters) - The Golden State Warriors cemented their place as one of the NBA's great dynasties with Thursday's 103-90 Game Six win over the Boston Celtics sealing their fourth Championship in eight seasons.The 4-2 Finals series win brought the Warriors a seventh championship, breaking a tie with the Chicago Bulls for sole possession of third place in the all-time winners list behind the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, who both have 17 titles.The Warriors are also the first team to win four championships in an eight-year span since the Bulls won six from 1991 to 1998.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comStephen Curry led the way for visiting Warriors with 34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds to claim his fourth title and first Finals MVP award."I'm so proud of our group," an emotional Curry said after the win, adding, "... at the beginning of the season nobody thought we would be here except everybody on this court."The triumph is a remarkable turnaround for the Warriors, who missed the playoffs in the past two seasons amid a torrent of injuries before defeating the Nuggets, Grizzlies, Mavericks and Celtics this year to claim the Larry O'Brien trophy."We were so far away from it," Curry said."We hit rock bottom with injuries and the long road of work ahead and trying to fill in the right pieces and the right guys. You can’t ever take this for granted because you never know when you’re going to get back here."With their backs to the wall, Boston raced out to a 12-2 lead with a three-pointer by Jayson Tatum whipping the green-and-white clad fans at TD Garden into a frenzy.But the more experienced Warriors squad kept chipping away and a three-pointer from Curry gave the visitors a 24-22 lead late in the first quarter.A Boston turnover led to an Andrew Wiggins jam that capped a 21-0 run in the second quarter for the Warriors and the lead ballooned to 18 points when Draymond Green found Klay Thompson under the basket for an easy layup.Leading 54-39 at halftime, the Warriors did not look back.Curry knocked down a three-pointer from well beyond the arc to give the Warriors their largest lead of the night at 72-50 with six minutes to go in the third, pointing at his finger to show where his fourth championship ring should go.DEFENSE THE DIFFERENCEThe young Celtics team tried to claw their way back but their cause was not helped by 23 turnovers that led to 20 Warriors points, while they also lost the rebounding battle.Celtics rookie head coach Ime Udoka was confident big things lay ahead for his team."The future is bright and we're just getting started," he said.While Boston's defense was talked up coming into the series it was Golden State's resistance that proved the difference.The Warriors had looked to be in big trouble early on in the Finals as poor shooting saw them trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, but they gave themselves a lifeline by tightening up on the other side of the ball."What got this team over the hump was our defense," head coach Steve Kerr said.It is the seventh title overall for the Warriors franchise, which was founded in Philadelphia in 1946 as one of the original members of the Basketball Association of America.The Warriors also captured the league’s first championship in the ’46-47 season.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comAdditional reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Basketball

Netball Australia says it is not on the brink of financial collapse amid a cash crisis overshadowing the start of the sport’s elite-level finals series, but the organisation could accept gambling advertising money in a bid to generate more revenue. NA has reportedly lost $7.2m in the past two years and have bank loans of around $4m. In the 2021 season, it lost about $4.4m with much of the loss blamed on the cost of hubs during the Covid-19 pandemic.The Super Netball finals series starts on Saturday, with the governing body having sold off the grand final hosting rights to the highest bidder, Perth. That decision was criticised by the Australian Netball Players Association, which said players were “devastated” by the decision and not being consulted.NA chief executive officer Kelly Ryan has defended that decision, made with just two rounds remaining in the minor round season, and said it is part of plans to ensure the sport is sustainable.“We understand the financial position we’re in and we have been very transparent about it,” Ryan said in a statement on Friday. “We are not on the brink of financial ruin. We know what is needed to protect the future of Netball Australia.“This means we must continue to explore financial and commercial opportunities to ensure our organisation is positioned for growth. We will have to make difficult decisions along the way but we know these decisions will help us rebound as quickly as we can.”Ryan said accepting sponsorship from gambling companies was not “out of the realms of possibility”.“The reality is that gambling sponsorships are very significant and very lucrative in sports,” she told the ABC. “Netball has to put itself a little bit more outside its comfort zone in terms of what it does contemplate and consider.“A lot of things have to make sense for a deal of that nature. But there are plenty of other commercial opportunities that sit outside the sport as well that haven’t been materialised yet and that is something we’ve got to take a really good look at.”Ryan, who took over as NA chief executive last year, said netball needed to maximise its full commercial potential.“Unfortunately, female sport doesn’t attract the value in sponsorship dollars that some of our male counterpart sports do,” she said. “So we really need to challenge and change that because it is absolutely worth the investment in every sense.“ ... We just need to be focused that it is a commercial asset, that netball is a commercial business, and we need to start thinking with that mindset so we can change the way it’s been tracking.”Ryan added the sport “has a bright future”.

Other Sports

Fifty-four years ago, NASA launched the Surveyor 2, an uncrewed mission to explore the surface of the moon. Alas, the spacecraft went into a tumble en route, after a failed course-correction burn, and it slammed into the lunar surface at 2.7 kilometers per second. But the rocket booster used during its launch followed a different trajectory into space and has now begun orbiting Earth. That's the conclusion of astronomers who have been studying 2020 SO, an unusual object first spotted this past August.NASA's Surveyor program was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of launching, communicating with, controlling, and landing an uncrewed spacecraft on the moon, thereby paving the way for later crewed missions. Surveyor 1, launched on May 30, 1966, was a resounding success, easily meeting its primary objectives while also returning many images of the lunar surface and critical engineering data. So NASA's hopes were high for building on that success with the second mission. The intent was to land Surveyor 2 on the moon just east of its predecessor to demonstrate the feasibility of an oblique approach and landing.After a series of minor delays, Surveyor 2 launched successfully on September 20, 1966 at 7:31 Eastern time. The launch vehicle was an Atlas-Centaur rocket using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants. Once the Centaur's engines were shut down and the spacecraft had coasted for 66 seconds, Surveyor 2 departed from the spent Centaur. The rocket expelled its residual propellants to set a safe distance between itself and the Surveyor 2, giving it a trajectory that would miss the moon by a good 5,675 kilometers and send the rocket into a solar orbit. That Centaur rocket is what astronomers have confirmed to be 2020 SO.Everything seemed to be going smoothly for Surveyor 2. Its trajectory toward the moon was almost perfectly on target, with just a light burn needed for a course correction 16.5 hours after launch. That's when things went horribly wrong. The craft's Vernier Engine 3 failed to ignite along with the others, sending Surveyor 2 tumbling through space. NASA scientists tried to get the engine started 39 times before accepting defeat. That's when they tried to glean what useful data they could from a series of engineering tests before Surveyor 2 crashed into the lunar surface on September 23, southeast of the crater Copernicus.NASA never officially determined the cause of the engine's failure to ignite, although an issue with the flow of MON-10 oxidizer seems to be the culprit. There were five more Surveyor missions, four of them successful, before NASA switched its focus to crewed exploration of the moon.Meanwhile, the spent Centaur rocket continued on its merry way through space and was pretty much forgotten—at least until August of this year, when astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) in Hawaii spotted a mysterious object in a solar orbit that was due to pass close by Earth. The Pan-STARRS observatory is a key instrument in detecting fast-moving objects like new asteroids. But this new object, dubbed 2020 SO, was moving too slowly to be an asteroid, and it also had a rather strange orbit.Paul Chodas, who manages JPL's Center for Near Earth Object Studies, was among the many scientists eager to learn more about 2020 SO. He ran computer simulations of its nearly circular path, noting that its orbit was barely tilted relative to Earth. Intrigued, Chodas ran the simulation in reverse and found that the object passed close enough to Earth in September 1966 to have originated from there. In other words, 2020 SO could be the spent Centaur rocket that launched the doomed Surveyor 2, particularly given its slightly anomalous orbit. That is evidence that the object is being pushed around by the photons emitted by the sun, so 2020 SO would have to be relatively large and have low mass, just like an empty rocket booster. (Rocky asteroids, in comparison, are relatively small and massive.)

Space Exploration

Ex-NHL Star Sean Avery Convicted Of Attempted Criminal Mischief ... In Road Rage Case 6/16/2022 3:47 PM PT Ex-NHL star Sean Avery has just been convicted of attempted criminal mischief ... after he was accused of slamming his scooter into a car in a road rage incident back in 2019. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office tells TMZ Sports ... Avery was found guilty of the misdemeanor charge on Thursday, following a short bench trial this week. According to the spokesperson, Avery was sentenced to time served. The judge in the case also issued full orders of protection for the victims. 42-year-old Avery was initially charged back in 2019 ... after a businessman said the former New York Rangers center damaged his car following a dispute over a New York bike lane. The man claimed Avery's outburst left a small hole in his vehicle's door, near where his 4-year-old daughter had been sitting during the incident. Avery -- who, according to the New York Post, turned down several plea deals from prosecutors -- had been facing up to three months behind bars.

Hockey

Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird announced Thursday the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA.The announcement by Bird, 41, ended any speculation about her future; she had acknowledged in February when she re-signed with Seattle that this would likely be her final season. She strongly considered retirement after last season before choosing to return for a 19th season as a player.Bird’s announcement came a day before Seattle’s game at Connecticut. The Storm will close out their road trip on Sunday in New York, about 30 miles from where Bird grew up in Syosset, N.Y.“As the season has gone, like I said, I pretty much knew, and then once I saw the schedule, and then once I started packing for this trip a little bit, I was like, ‘Oh, this is gonna be my last time playing in New York. My last time playing in front of my family and friends.’ And so that’s why the timing of this is what it is,” Bird said in a video posted by the Storm on social media.“I just really felt strongly about announcing my retirement, saying it was my last year so I can share that with my family and my friends, all the people in New York who have watched me growing up so they can come and see me play for the last time in my home state. So I’m excited about that. It’s also bittersweet.”Bird is a four-time WNBA champion, 12-time All-Star, and the oldest player in the league. She has spent her entire WNBA career with Seattle since becoming the No. 1 draft pick in 2002 following her storied college career at UConn. This season is her 21st associated with the franchise although just her 19th playing after missing two seasons because of injuries.Her resume is the envy of anyone in professional sports, let alone basketball. National championships at UConn in 2000 and 2002. WNBA titles with Seattle in 2004, 2008, 2018, and 2020, the last coming inside the WNBA “bubble” in Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic.Sue Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, announced Thursday that the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA. Elaine Thompson/Associated PressBird hoisted five additional titles playing overseas in the EuroLeague. Last year, she added a fifth Olympic gold in Tokyo to go along with the ones the United States earned in 2004 in Athens, 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.Bird was the AP national player of the year her final season at UConn. She is a five-time all-WNBA first-team selection, the league's all-time leader in assists and the only player to appear in more than 500 games in league history.She has been honored on every list imaginable as one of best and most influential players in the history of the league. And she's the standard by which other point guards are judged.Bird turns 42 in October and was on the cusp of stepping away a year ago, and when the Storm were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in the playoffs, fans chanted “One more year! One more year!” as she did an on-court televised interview.Bird is the oldest player in the WNBA.Matt York/Associated PressThose cheers were egged on by Phoenix’s longtime star Diana Taurasi, Bird’s former college teammate at UConn and part of all five of those Olympic gold-medal runs.In the end, the fans — and Taurasi — got what they wanted. Bird came back, for exactly one more year.“Sue Bird is Storm basketball,” her WNBA team tweeted moments after Bird made her decision known. “Every moment, every memory has one constant. No. 10. It’s time for the final chapter.”

Basketball

Sinjin Van Cleef in 'Victorious' 'Memba Him?! 6/17/2022 12:01 AM PT American actor Michael Eric Reid was 17 years old when he was cast as Sinjin Van Cleef -- a stalker-ish Hollywood Arts High School student who had no shame in his game when it came to hitting on the popular girls -- in Nickelodeon's 2010-2013 sitcom "Victorious." Michael was cast alongside Victoria Justice as the charming and optimistic popular girl, Tori Vega, Elizabeth Gillies as the jealous and mean girl, Jade West, Ariana Grande as one of Tori's best friends, Cat Valentine and Avan Jogia as the laid back and cool guy, Beck Oliver. Guess what he looks like at 29 years old!

Celebrity

Brian Cox: Seven Days on Mars9pm, BBC TwoCoxy is back at it, this time fulfilling his childhood dream of visiting Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory – AKA mission control for Mars 2020 (he still has the letter they replied with when he wrote to the lab 40 years ago). The particle physicist spends a week with the team who guide the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter – the first powered aircraft ever to be sent to another planet. Hollie RichardsonIsle of Wight Festival 20227pm, Sky ArtsFestival season kicks off – and if you can’t be there, at least you can pour a large drink and smugly watch with a bathroom nearby. Tonight’s lineup: Lewis Capaldi, Madness, Sigrid and the Vaccines. Coverage continues all weekend. HROur Lives: Supergran and the Garden of Justice7.30pm, BBC OneThe power of allotments … Dena Murphy, right, in Our Lives: Supergran and the Garden of Justice. Photograph: Johnathan Bartley/BBC/Full Fat TVNot quite the crime-fighting caper the title suggests, but a film following a 93-year-old Mancunian who believes in the power of allotments. We follow her wisecracking attempts to help young offenders back on to the straight and narrow, as they help with gardening as part of the community payback scheme. Alexi DugginsThis Is MY House8.30pm, BBC OneA man called Erwin owns this 17th-century Scottish hunting lodge, complete with waterbed. But which of the four competing “Erwins” is the real deal? Celebrity panellists Judi Love, Richard Madeley, Joel Dommett and Sindhu Vee must guess correctly. This week it all hinges on whether chickens really do love blow-drys. Ellen E JonesAvoidance9.30pm, BBC OneEqually infuriating and lovable, Jonathan (Romesh Ranganathan) continues his quest for a conflict-free life, ignoring his job and instead opting for a game of laser tag with schoolchildren. A sweet meditation on playground politics, co-parenting and speed awareness training. Henry WongBump10.40pm, BBC OneThe Australian high school pregnancy comedy returns. Oly and Santi try to split parental duties in between biology lessons and football practice – with Oly giving the best responses to any slut-shaming comments. HRFilm choiceExistential quandaries … Cooper Raiff and Dakota Johnson in Cha Cha Real Smooth. Photograph: APCha Cha Real Smooth (Cooper Raiff, 2022), Apple TV+In his insidiously lovely romantic comedy-drama, writer-director-actor Cooper Raiff explores the existential quandaries of a 22-year-old. His aimless but effortlessly sociable Andrew is stuck in a McJob in his US home town while his girlfriend pursues her dreams in Barcelona. Discovering a talent as a party starter (AKA “jig conductor”), he is hired to supervise his younger brother’s schoolmates’ bar and batmitzvahs. There he falls for the older Domino (Dakota Johnson), despite her being engaged, and befriends her autistic daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt). It’s a warm, friendly embrace of a film, negotiating the central couple’s expectations of life with engaging wit. Simon WardellLast Night in Soho (Edgar Wright, 2021), 10.25pm, Sky Cinema PremiereEdgar Wright picks out the glossy highs and seedy lows of swinging London in his lovingly realised psychological horror, which has already inspired walking tours in Soho. Thomasin McKenzie plays shy present-day fashion student Eloise, who begins to have visions of Sandie (a swish Anya Taylor-Joy), a would-be singer in the 1960s whose dreams of nightclub stardom soon turn sour. As her dreams become ever more disturbing, Eloise’s identity begins to merge with Sandie’s. A nostalgic treat saturated in the sights and sounds of an era that never fails to entice. SWHouse of Gucci (Ridley Scott, 2021), Amazon Prime VideoThe bizarre true story of Patrizia Reggiani – who plotted to kill her cheating husband, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the Italian fashion family – gets the Ridley Scott treatment. Lady Gaga powers through the film as Patrizia, setting plans in motion to put her spouse in control of the company and change its fortunes. It’s an opulent, camp melodrama – like The Godfather with a bigger costume budget – and boasts entertainingly broad performances, not least from a heavily made-up Jared Leto as cousin Paolo and Salma Hayek as Patrizia’s psychic Pina. SW

Movies

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was named the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career after the team closed out the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Thursday night.Curry scored 34 points and had seven rebounds and seven assists in the game. He played in 40 minutes and was 12-for-21 from the floor, including 6-for-11 from three-point range.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)Golden State won the 103-90.The superstar guard has won four championships but the first three it was Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant who picked up NBA Finals MVPs in the previous wins.Curry knew he had a championship in reach in the third quarter. He nailed two straight threes against the Celtics and immediately pointed to his finger signaling he was ready to get his fourth piece of jewelry. Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors raises the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)NBA FINALS 2022: WARRIORS TOP CELTICS IN GAME 6 TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPHe hit one three coming off a screen from Draymond Green then pulled up in front of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams and nailed a long-distance three-pointer right in front of their faces.Curry then turned to the solemn crowd at TD Garden, motioned toward his ring finger and muttered, "Give me that f---ing ring." He stared down Celtics fans before walking back toward his bench to regroup during the timeout.If it wasn’t over at that point, the Warriors outscored the Celtics 27-24 to wrap up the series. Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)An emotional Curry embraced his father in tears after the buzzer sounded."This one hits different," he said after the game.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe finished the playoffs averaging 25.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game in the postseason. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.

Basketball

Roy Jones Jr. Working To Free Brittney Griner I'll Go to Russia, Accompany Her Home 6/17/2022 12:10 AM PT TMZSports.com Roy Jones Jr., a dual United States/Russian citizen, tells TMZ Sports he's working behind the scenes to free Brittney Griner, even saying he's willing to travel to Moscow to escort the WNBA star home. "Would I put my life on the line, take a chance to go to Russia to exchange prisoners? Yes, I would," the Hall of Fame boxer says, before explaining why. "Because if [Brittney] was my daughter, I would want somebody to do the same thing for me." Of course, Griner's been locked up in a Russian jail for around 4 months, and could ultimately face a decade or more in prison ... all because authorities at an airport near Moscow claim the star hooper attempted to bring drugs (hash oil) into the country. Enter the legendary fighter ... who although born in Florida, also became a Russian citizen in 2015, with the help of Vladimir Putin. Roy believes the friends he's made in Russia over the years may be in a position to help Griner. "I had a friend, a couple of my friends that I knew, I called and I asked him 'Is there any way we can try to facilitate?' because I don't do politics. I'm a sports figure and they love me as a sports figure. 'Is there any way we can use my sports influence to possibly can get anything arranged to help get Brittney home?'" And, Roy says there is a path to bringing Brittney home ... via a "prisoner exchange." "My friend called and he called me back and he said, 'yes, they said they'd be willing to do a prisoner exchange.' I said, 'Well it's probably rough because the prisoner exchange is probably a real prisoner.' She's not necessarily a person that's a real prisoner but I'm sure that maybe the U.S. will be understanding of this and get her back home because I'd be terrified if my kid was stuck in a foreign country in jail, you know?" As for the identity of Roy's friend ... he says one of his buddies is very close to Putin. "One of my guys is like -- he's the right-hand man to the office of Mr. Putin, so he's high up on the political scheme. He's a reporter and he usually does most of the reporting for Mr. Putin so he can go make direct contact with whoever necessary to help me." FYI, much of the news media in Russia is state-owned. How she gets home ... Brittney's family doesn't care. They just want their loved one back, ASAP. If Roy can help ... safe to assume his assistance is more than welcome.

Other Sports

Daniel Craig may command eight-figure Hollywood paychecks — including a reported $25 million to reprise the role of James Bond in the upcoming "No Time To Die" and a reported $100 million to appear in the sequels to 2019's "Knives Out" — but the 53-year-old actor isn't planning on sharing much of it with his children.In the most recent issue of Candis Magazine, Craig detailed his philosophy on inheritance, saying he doesn't plan to have much money left to give to his children by the time he dies."Isn't there an old adage that if you die a rich person, you've failed?" Craig said in the interview, according to the Times of London. "I think Andrew Carnegie gave away what in today's money would be about $11 billion, which shows how rich he was because I'll bet he kept some of it, too."Craig says that he finds it "distasteful" to leave heirs massive amounts of money. He has two children, a 29-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old daughter. His wife, actor Rachel Weisz, also has a teenage son."My philosophy is get rid of it or give it away before you go," Craig said.A representative for Craig did not immediately respond to CNBC Make It's request for comment.The Hollywood star is far from the first person to publicly declare that their children would not be receiving a significant portion of their wealth. Investor Warren Buffett — whose fortune sits at more than $100 billion — recently reiterated his long-held belief that his "incomprehensible" net worth would be better spent going toward philanthropic causes than into his kids' investment portfolios."After much observation of super-wealthy families, here's my recommendation: Leave the children enough so that they can do anything, but not enough that they can do nothing," he said in a note to shareholders, adding that his own adult children "pursue philanthropic efforts that involve both money and time."Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletterDon't miss: Kevin O'Leary reacts to a couple fighting over whether to buy a $60,000 Mercedes

Movies

Justin Bieber revealed last week he was suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome meaning he had paralysis affecting half of his faceVideo LoadingVideo UnavailableGMA: Hailey Bieber updates on husband Justin’s facial paralysisJustin Bieber has been forced to postpone the rest of the US leg of his Justice World Tour as he continues to battle Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The pop star, 28, revealed in a shocking video last week the extend of his facial paralysis and released a follow-up statement on Thursday to explain the latest developments. He posted the statement and said it was released "with a heavy heart". It read: "In light of Justin's ongoing recovery, the remaining US Justice Tour shows scheduled for June and early July will be postponed. "Justin continues to receive the best medical care possible, is about about his recovery, and is looking forward to getting back out on the road and performing for his fans overseas later this summer." The statement concluded by saying that further details about any rescheduling will be made public shortly. Justin Bieber is suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome ( Image: AFP via Getty Images) It comes after the What Do You Mean singer opened up about his condition and showed his followers he couldn't move half of his face. Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is due to viral reactivation and is one of 60 causes of facial palsy, or facial paralysis as it is known in the US. He said in his video: "Hey everyone. Justin here. I wanted to update you guys on what's been going on. Obviously, as you can probably see from my face, I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and it is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis. "As you can see, this eye is not blinking," he continued before he winked his other eye. "I can't smile with this side of my face, this nostril will not move, so there is full paralysis in this side of my face." He also addressed those who may be frustrated by his postponed gigs but insisted there was simply nothing he could do as he physically wasn't able to perform. Justin has been forced to postpone more gigs ( Image: AFP/Getty Images) He concluded by saying: "My body is telling me I got to slow down and I hope you guys understand and I'll be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100% so that I can do what I was born to do." Earlier in the week, Justin's wife Hailey Bieber told US news show Good Morning America he was "getting better every single day". Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us atwebcelebs@mirror.co.ukor call us direct 0207 29 33033. Read More Read More

Music