TL;DR

Thunder, Oilers tie NBA/NHL Finals; Burns leads U.S. Open; Giants, Dodgers deadlocked in NL West.

Highlights

• Thunder erase 10-point deficit to beat Pacers 111-104, tie NBA Finals 2-2; SGA scores 35, Game 5 returns to OKC1.
• Oilers rally from 3-0 down, win in OT behind Pickard, even Stanley Cup Final 2-2 with Panthers18.
• Sam Burns leads U.S. Open at -5 after 36 holes; only three players under par; DeChambeau, Mickelson miss cut23.
• Giants defeat Dodgers 6–2, both teams now tied atop NL West at 41-29; Yamamoto struggles, Webb strong6.
• Caitlin Clark set to return for Fever vs. unbeaten Liberty; Clark’s jersey is No. 2 basketball seller in 20249.
• FIFA’s 32-team Club World Cup starts in U.S.; $1B prize pool; Messi’s Inter Miami opens vs. Al Ahly5.
• Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer throws 4⅓ innings in Triple-A rehab start, nearing MLB return17.
• Tyreek Hill runs 10.15s 100m in LA, challenges Noah Lyles, highlights NFL speed14.
• Saints sign RB Cam Akers, adding depth behind Alvin Kamara19.
• Aaron Rodgers joins Steelers at 41, mentoring rookie QB Will Howard; Tomlin supports transition8.
• NASCAR Cup Series debuts in Mexico City; Denny Hamlin receives playoff waiver to stay championship eligible1013.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to stay with Bucks; team targets veteran guards, plans to stay under tax apron20.

Commentary

The NBA and NHL Finals are both tied 2-2, with the Thunder and Oilers each mounting significant comebacks to regain momentum and shift home advantage118. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late surge for Oklahoma City and Calvin Pickard’s flawless relief for Edmonton are critical for fantasy lineups and live betting, as both series now hinge on Game 5 results and potential lineup adjustments. Monitor injury news and late-breaking roster changes closely for both Finals.

At Oakmont, the U.S. Open is playing as expected—brutal. Sam Burns leads at -5, but with only three players under par and high-profile exits from Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, volatility remains high for weekend betting and DFS pools23. The compressed leaderboard and firming conditions suggest more shakeups ahead, favoring those who can stay nimble on live odds and Sunday roster pivots.

In MLB, the Giants’ win over the Dodgers tightens the NL West, with both teams now tied and every head-to-head matchup carrying playoff and fantasy weight6. Max Scherzer’s rehab progress is notable for Toronto’s rotation outlook and potential waiver wire moves17. The Saints’ addition of Cam Akers and Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh both have implications for fantasy depth charts and early NFL futures198.

Caitlin Clark’s return is a major storyline for WNBA bettors and DFS players, especially as Indiana faces the unbeaten Liberty9. The FIFA Club World Cup’s U.S. launch brings a new layer of scheduling and rotation risk for fantasy and prop markets, especially with high-profile squads and condensed fixtures5. NASCAR’s Mexico City debut and Denny Hamlin’s playoff waiver keep the championship picture fluid for motorsports bettors1013.