The Lead: Starting Five

Plus: The valley sun sets on the Sarver era in Phoenix. And Argentina’s World Cup parade gets a little out of hand. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Donovan Mitchell gets a bit of revenge against his old running mates from Salt Lake. And the Chicago Cubs are bringing in the big names – but will it get them back in the playoff hunt? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Two NFC contenders see their playoff prospects head in opposite directions. And the Lakers find themselves in a familiar position — with a key piece out of action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Warriors hit another bump in the road of their rocky title defense. And Mr. Irrelevant secures the Niners an NFC West Crown.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Les Bleus quiet the Atlas Lions and take one step closer to history. And could Alex Ovechkin really break The Great One’s career goals record?  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Eastern Conference contender that every team should fear (Hint: It’s not Boston). And the football world says good to be one its true iconoclasts.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: An old Metropolitan hockey rivalry gets reignited in the Big Apple. And controversy swirls around Gregg Berhalter’s handling of a bright young American star. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The NBA’s newest rivalry gets a little bit spicier. And Steve Cohen’s off-season spending spree continues. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Baker Mayfield has his made for TV moment in LA. And the Rangers new ace offers a dubious explanation about why he chose Texas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Two future faces of the NBA square off in Memphis. And a two-way NHL star looks to keep an epic streak going in Toronto.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Baker Mayfield finds his new home in an unexpected place. And can a former NL MVP find his game again after leaving one of the best teams in baseball?  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: A former-number one overall pick gets his walking papers. And two NL East teams make some splashy offseason acquisitions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Two top NFL contenders get worrying injury news at the most important position. And two young superstars guide their countries into the round of eight in Qatar. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Bills reassert their dominance over an AFC East foe. And the world’s most dominant swimmer has a new challenger coming for her crown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Lionel Messi and Argentina make their fans sweat before pulling away from Poland and into the knockout rounds. And the Kraken have emerged from the depths of the NHL’s standings. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: A new member joins the top four of the College Football Playoff ahead of Championship Weekend. And Tiger says his days of prowling around pro golf courses might be coming to an end. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The off-field storylines surrounding Iran’s massive World Cup match with the USA. And Matt Rhule explains why he didn’t want to take a $34 million paid vacation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: An unexpected hero keeps Germany World Cup dreams afloat. And after 30 near misses, a decorated skier finally ends up on top See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Ben Simmons makes his highly anticipated return to Philadelphia. And Katie Ledecky sets another record in a career littered with them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Are Zach Wilson’s days as the Jets QB1 coming to an end? And how the Devils have gone from walkovers to the hottest team in hockey.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Vikings officially go on fraud watch after a drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys. And the top two teams in women’s college hoops put on a show in Palo Alto — and send an important message along the way.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: Aaron Judge does something no Yankee outfielder has since Mickey Mantle donned the pinstripes. And an NHL team leans into the power of the moms to turn around a slow start to the season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: CP3 says she'll be running it back for at least one more year – but will it be in Chicago? And one of the World Cup's most notable pieces of memorabilia fetches a huge price at auction. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Pelicans crank up the defense in the absence of their biggest star. And the USC Trojans land college hoops most prized recruit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Plus: The Miami Marlins make history with a landmark front office hire. And Coach Cal lands the crown jewel of his next great recruiting class. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .