This is the Sportacados Discussion Thread, for talking about all things sports! Feel free to live-chat games, talk about the latest news and rumours, discuss sports history, and anything else that relates to watching other grown adults throw or hit a ball. Hateration is allowed, but try to keep it within the realm of light banter.

News and Results

• The Golden State Valkyries are your new WNBA champions after winning a hard-fought Game 7 against the Atlanta Dream. In just their second year of existence, this makes the Valks the fastest expansion team to win a title in WNBA history, and faster than any expansion team in the traditional “big four” leagues. Gabby Williams won Finals MVP, finally lifting a trophy after several turns as a bridesmaid both in the WNBA and with France internationally.
• Canelo Alvarez made his comeback to boxing after a year’s absence with a victory over Christian Mbili, capturing the WBA super middleweight title. Canelo showed his class against an aggressive champion, winning a wide decision. The most interesting aspect of the fight was that it was held in Riyadh during a period where Saudi Arabia was actively being bombed by Iran and Houthi groups. The Saudis don’t seem to be stopping their plans for hosting major sporting events despite the war, with WWE, boxing and UFC events still scheduled for the upcoming months.
• South Africa won their test cricket series against Australia 2-1, with Marco Jansen named the player of the series. This was the first time Australia had visited South Africa since their 2018 series, where Australia was found to be tampering with balls during the matches, making it a grudge match. The series win also puts South Africa firmly on track for the 2027 World Test Championship final, currently sitting second in the table.
• For the fourth straight week, a top 2 college football team suffered a loss to an unranked side, as Ohio State fell to USC. Without quarterback Julian Sayin, Ryan Day’s offense was unable to take advantage of Lincoln Riley’s famously vulnerable defense, leaving the Buckeyes’ future this season in question. It was otherwise a fairly chalk week, with Utah, BYU, Miami and Notre Dame all winning to set up their big top ten matches next Saturday.
• European soccer featured a number of major rivalry games this weekend. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund played to a 2-2 draw, keeping both teams unbeaten in the Bundesliga, while AC Milan defeated their stadium-sharing rivals Inter 3-1. In a major English match, Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 to reach the top of the table. It was the first time in the Premier League era that Liverpool didn’t register a shot on target at Anfield.
• Speaking of historic offense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team since 1976 to win a game without completing a pass, defeating the Atlanta Falcons. It just goes to show: you always establish the run.

Cricket

• Men’s ODI: New Zealand vs. India (Tue 9:00 PM, Willow)
• Women’s Big Bash League: Hurricanes vs. Renegades (Wed4:10 AM, Willow 2)

NBA

• OKC Thunder @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Mon 7:00 PM, Peacock/TSN5)
• Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors (Mon 10:00 PM, Peacock/Sportsnet)
• Regional TV schedule

NCAA

• Women’s Basketball: #20 Maryland vs. #1 South Carolina (Mon 12:00 PM, ESPN)
• Men’s Basketball: #14 Miami vs. #1 Florida (Mon 6:00 PM, ESPN)
• Football: Buffalo @ Miami (OH) (Tue 8:00 PM, ESPN)

NHL

• Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks (Mon 9:30 PM, ESPN Unlimited/Sportsnet+)
• Edmonton Oilers @ New Jersey Devils (Tue 7:30 PM, Hulu/Sportsnet)
• Regional TV schedule

Soccer

• Premier League: Newcastle United vs. Everton (Mon 3:00 PM, USA/Fubo)
• UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid vs. Bayern Munich (Tue 3:00 PM, Paramount+/DAZN)
• Full listings

Tennis

• ATP Paris Masters (Tennis Channel/TSN)
• WTA Chennai Open (Tennis Channel/DAZN)
• WTA Hong Kong Open (Tennis Channel/DAZN)

Other

• NFL: Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (Mon 8:15 PM, ABC/TSN)
• Grand Slam of Curling Masters (Tue, Sportsnet)