Sports

May 22, 2025

Published 3 months ago

TL;DR

Tottenham win Europa League; SGA named NBA MVP; NFL keeps "tush push" and expands onside kicks.


Highlights

  • Tottenham beat Manchester United MANU 1-0 to win the Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought and securing a Champions League spot 1.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP, averaging 32.7 PPG; Thunder advance to West Finals and SGA is now eligible for up to a $380M extension 217.
  • Indiana Pacers erased a 17-point deficit to defeat the Knicks in OT, taking a 1-0 lead in the East Finals; Aaron Nesmith hit five late threes at Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. 4.
  • Dallas Stars scored five straight goals (three on power play) to beat the Oilers 6-3 in Game 1 of the NHL West Final 7.
  • NFL owners voted to keep the "tush push" legal 3 and approved onside kicks from the 34-yard line at any point if trailing 11EA .
  • Titans signed No. 1 pick QB Cam Ward to a four-year, $48.75M fully guaranteed deal; he’ll compete for the starting job 9.
  • Real Madrid’s Endrick (hamstring) will miss the Club World Cup and Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers 13.
  • Giants’ Justin Verlander placed on 15-day IL (pectoral); Andrew Knizner signed for depth 10.
  • Team Penske fired three IndyCar execs after an Indy 500 cheating scandal; Newgarden and Power moved to back of grid Penske Automotive Group, Inc. 6.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo may seek a trade; Spurs, Rockets, Nets, and others are potential destinations 20.
  • College Football Playoff executives expected to approve straight-seeding for 2025, ranking teams by seed, not conference 14EA .
  • Jasson Dominguez hit the Yankees’ first walk-off HR since 2022, ending MLB’s longest such drought 16.

Commentary

Tottenham’s Europa League win over Manchester United not only delivers their first trophy since 2008 but also guarantees Champions League football next season, which will impact transfer activity and early futures markets 1. For fantasy and betting, Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal and the club’s defensive approach could influence player valuations and tactical expectations heading into next year 1.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP season and the Thunder’s playoff run have driven his betting odds sharply in his favor for both Conference and Finals MVP 2. His eligibility for a record extension signals roster stability for Oklahoma City, easing concerns about potential disruptions 17. The Pacers’ comeback win over the Knicks, highlighted by Aaron Nesmith’s clutch shooting at Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. , signals volatility in the East Finals—expect shifting series odds and player prop opportunities 4.

In the NFL, owners’ decisions to keep the “tush push” 3 and expand onside kick options 11EA will affect late-game strategies and live betting. The Titans’ signing of Cam Ward as their top pick sets up a quarterback competition with Will Levis, relevant for preseason depth charts and fantasy projections 9. MLB saw the Giants lose Justin Verlander to injury, impacting their rotation and prompting roster moves, while Jasson Dominguez’s walk-off for the Yankees boosts his stock in both fantasy and betting markets 1016.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid’s attack is further depleted with Endrick sidelined for two months, affecting both club and Brazil’s national team outlooks 13. In motorsports, Team Penske’s executive firings after an Indy 500 cheating scandal could affect team performance and betting confidence Penske Automotive Group, Inc. 6. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential trade request is a key NBA storyline, with any move likely to cause major shifts in futures and fantasy values 20. The College Football Playoff’s expected move to straight-seeding will further concentrate playoff spots among top-ranked teams, impacting long-term betting strategies 14EA .

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