How losing his brother taught Aaron Gordon ‘what life is really about’ After an unspeakable loss, the Denver Nuggets forward has immersed himself in passions: “You can’t really know life without death."

From @theathletic.com: Two years after losing his older brother, Drew, in a car accident, Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon is playing with a new purpose. Now wearing No. 32 to honor Drew’s legacy, Gordon is finding strength in grief.

BREAKING: Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, the franchise announced.

The Bulls are coming off a 31-51 season in Donovan’s sixth year in Chicago.

LIV from Mexico City, a golf league thrust into tumult (Gift Article) LIV's returns will no longer be measured in decades but in quarters.

Rather than close up shop or embrace a Plan B, LIV seems determined to accelerate through the bend.

@brodymiller.bsky.social on what's happening behind the scenes ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

LIV from Mexico City, a golf league thrust into tumult LIV's returns will no longer be measured in decades but in quarters.

Went to Mexico City to separate fact from fiction with what's happening at LIV Golf. The answer: It's complicated. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

NEWS: The Athletic welcomes Annie Costabile as a senior national women’s basketball writer.

Follow @anniecostabile.bsky.social for elite coverage as she tells the stories shaping the game.

In a world where the concept of a Next Tiger was borderline absurd, someone still had to be next.

Someone in sports always has to be next.

And Sunday evening, following his back-to-back Masters win, it was never clearer that Rory McIlroy has been a worthy successor.

Enough player movement has taken place during the WNBA's free agency to warrant a reexamination of Monday night's draft, especially at the top.

Last year belonged to the world. This year belongs to Rory and the McIlroys

Rory McIlroy’s first Masters win was so big, and so cathartic, and so history-bending, that it had to be a shared experience.

This one? It was in the family.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

No VIPs at Amen Corner shows how the Masters flattens America’s celebrity caste system Dwyane Wade, Niall Horan and others tell us how they enjoy the Masters, where the no phone policy means no selfie requests.

Without the ability to take a photo or FaceTime a friend, the exchanges are instantly more intimate in nature.

@gabbyherzig.bsky.social on an experience that everyone can appreciate ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Inside Jon Gruden’s disastrous second run with the Raiders Mark Davis thought it was a return to The Raider Way; in time, he would learn Gruden wasn't the football savant he played on TV.

Mark Davis thought the hire would revive the franchise and he was willing to hand Gruden a 10-year, $100 million contract to prove it.

“It was all just so desperate.”

An inside look from @zakkeefer.bsky.social on Gruden’s disastrous second run with the Raiders:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Just four days ago, UCLA was crowned champion in the NCAA Tournament.

And in four days, the 2026 WNBA Draft will occur.

Our final first-round mock:

Stride for stride with Michigan's Dusty May on a late-night walk of champions

I asked Dusty May if I could walk back to the team hotel every time he left the stadium this week. Come along for the ride, including one final celebratory walk last night. Free link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

The college basketball transfer portal opens Tuesday, and the comings and goings in April will have a major impact on what the preseason Top 25 looks like for 2026-27.

But what’s the fun in waiting?

Bulls fire Artūras Karnišovas, Marc Eversley in front-office shakeup The Bulls had made the playoffs just once since the two men took over the front office in 2020.

NEWS: With less than a week remaining in the 2025-26 season, the Chicago Bulls have fired Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley, their two leading basketball decision-makers in the front office.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

What Ken Griffey Jr. found in the lens at the Masters “There’s that old saying, be comfortable being uncomfortable. That was that whole week at Augusta."

A story on chasing your interest, changing perspectives, and The Kid at 56

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Five key reasons why the Cubs’ $141 million extension with Nico Hoerner makes sense Hoerner is a top defender and base runner, despite only being a slightly above-average hitter during his time with the Cubs.

Five reasons why the Cubs’ $141 million extension for Nico Hoerner makes sense. www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Is Arizona-Michigan on Saturday the real national championship game?

19 of the 24 writers and editors we surveyed this week picked Arizona or Michigan to win it all.

Here are our picks for the men’s Final Four:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

UConn coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina counterpart Dawn Staley engaged in a heated argument in the women’s Final Four on Friday.

The confrontation wasn’t about a handshake, @jerrybrewer.bsky.social writes. It was about a shift in control.

The picks are in and the first rosters in Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo history are being formed 👀

Here’s who each team selected in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft.

In just a week, the ABS system has already changed baseball in surprising ways Players, managers and coaches are drilling down on the best tactics to use with the new ABS system, with surprising early returns.

The ABS challenge system has been a learning process that’s felt almost experimental.

But when all’s said and done, there’s less to complain about.

Full story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

WNBA expansion draft big board: Who will Toronto and Portland select? (Gift Article) Arike Ogunbowale and Azurá Stevens could be drafted by the Fire or Tempo.

Welcome to WNBA Expansion Draft day 📝

Each of the 13 existing teams can protect five players — these can be players who are under contract or free agents.

Here’s who the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo might select (Free to read):
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Why do UConn women’s and men’s 2026 Final Four teams stand out financially? They invest UConn women's and men's programs are considered powerhouses. Do they receive similar funding?

From @theathletic.com: Last year, UConn spent more than $34 million on its men’s and women’s basketball teams. So, where exactly did that money go? We examined UConn’s fiscal year documents, plus the contracts for coaches Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley.

After Hideki Matsuyama’s win at Augusta National five years ago this week, CBS cameraman Erik Leidal saw something out of the corner of his eye.

“And that,” Leidal says, “is when Shota Hayafuji appeared.”

For the third straight postseason, Jon Scheyer’s Duke team is done in stunning fashion.

Another collapse. Another double-digit lead gone. Another ending that adds to a growing pattern.

At some point, it’s no longer a one-off. It’s the narrative.

Seriously, the best basketball coach in the country may be in Iowa City

North Carolina's wish list includes some of the best coaches in the country.

And sources familiar with the program’s thinking indicate two coaches as the Tar Heel's present priorities:

◽️ Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
◽️ Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

NEWS: North Carolina has officially split with coach Hubert Davis, the school announced on Tuesday night, officially opening one of the sport’s premier jobs.

The move comes days after UNC’s stunning NCAA Tournament collapse against VCU.

Braden Smith, college basketball’s soon-to-be assist king, relives his best dishes (Gift Article) Smith is poised to break Bobby Hurley's career assist record Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Step into the film room with Purdue’s Braden Smith, who will become the NCAA’s all-time assist king today. Had a blast taking this trip back through Smith’s career with him (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

In its matchup with No. 1 Duke, No. 16 Siena ultimately ran out of gas.

The Saints didn't make a substitution until there were 10.8 seconds left in the game.

TURNT SIENA