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NFL Draft Surges Past NBA Finals, Shedeur's Relief, and Lewis' Call for Support

👋 Hey FirstFans!

This week, we’ve got the ultimate sports showdown as the NFL Draft steals the spotlight, even outshining the NBA Finals in viewership! But the NBA playoffs are anything but quiet, with intense drama unfolding across the court. From jaw-dropping upsets to fiery showdowns, the stakes have never been higher.

In the NHL, it's all about the heat of the playoffs, while over in F1, Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen are keeping things lively on and off the track. Plus, Lewis Hamilton is sending a message to fans – and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

Let’s get into all the action and drama, shall we?

Today’s WOW moments from sports world!

🏀 NO RESTING FOR LAKERS
🏈 SHEDEUR FINALLY FINDS RELIEF
🏒 1 MIN PLAYOFFS RECAP
🏁 DON’T GIVE UP ON LEWIS

😫 ‘Huffin and Puffin’ From Tired Lakers, Warriors Not Slowing Down, Nuggets Coached By Jokic

The NBA playoffs are running at full steam, but it seems the steam has finally evaporated on the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant sitting out was the last straw as the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder swept them in the first round.

Jimmy Butler also sat out after falling similarly to Morant. But Stephen Curry stepped up to help the Golden State Warriors win Game 3 at home and take the series lead. Now, Butler can return knowing they are a step ahead of the Houston Rockets.

The Los Angeles Clippers were a step ahead after blowing the Denver Nuggets out in Game 3. Charles Barkley believed the series was over, but the 2023 champions were not ready to concede. They fought until the end and won the game after Aaron Gordon threw down Nikola Jokic’s missed shot at the buzzer. The MVP runner was also seen coaching the side in the absence of Mike Malone and making changes while playing the game.

The Detroit Pistons came out with the same fight and went toe to toe with the New York Knicks. But a foul on Tim Hardaway Jr. was not called, and the Pistons lost. The league’s officiating head clarified that it was a foul, but the result cannot be changed.

Another set of plays that LeBron James wished he could change was when he turned the ball over and fouled to award the Minnesota Timberwolves game-winning free throws. Admittedly, the 40-year-old was tired after his podcast partner made a rookie mistake.

First-year head coach JJ Redick played the starters the entire 24 minutes of the second half. This has never happened in the play-by-play era. Nevertheless, it may have played its part as the Lakers are staring at a first-round exit.

🏈 Shedeur's Long Wait Ends, NFL Draft Viewership Crushes NBA Finals

The 2025 NFL Draft continued to dominate national sporting headlines. That was because Shedeur Sanders was still on the board when round four was over. Some draft experts were crying foul over how this situation had developed.

Veteran media heads Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith were not so forthcoming in their choice of words and made it clear that the billionaire owners orchestrating this made the league look bad. Thankfully, did not have to wait much longer after the Cleveland Browns traded up to select him with the 144th pick in the fifth round.

His family breathed a sigh of relief after he finally dodged prank calls to get a real call from a team’s GM. The NFL has begun an investigation on how Shedeur Sanders ended up getting that prank call from on a number only team GMs had access to.

It turns out, Jax Ulbrich, son of former New York Jets interim HC and current Atlanta Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich, leaked his number. It is rumoured that Jax Ulbrich and his friends were responsible for some other prank calls to players.

An average of 13.6 million viewers watched Round 1 of the just-concluded NFL Draft. That number clears the NBA Finals won by the Boston Celtics by nearly a million and a half. That continues to show how the NFL dominates viewership.

⛸️ Wilson Sparks Chaos, Oilers Roar Back, and Playoff Drama Heats Up

The NHL playoffs are heating up with intense rivalries and dramatic comebacks. In Game 3, Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson clashed with Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson in a bench-clearing brawl, leading to fines for both players. Wilson's controversial hit on Alexandre Carrier in Game 4 shifted momentum, as the Capitals scored moments later and secured a 5-2 victory, taking a 3-1 series lead.

The Edmonton Oilers showcased resilience, bouncing back from a 2-0 series deficit against the Los Angeles Kings. In Game 3, Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid led a 7-4 win. Game 4 saw Bouchard tie the game late in the third period, and Leon Draisaitl clinched a 4-3 overtime victory, evening the series at 2-2.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog made a triumphant return, scoring his first goal in nearly three years during Game 4 against the Dallas Stars. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs missed a chance to sweep the Ottawa Senators, falling 4-3 in overtime in Game 4. ​

As the playoffs progress, teams are battling fiercely, with standout performances and pivotal moments shaping each series. Fans can expect more thrilling action as the quest for the Stanley Cup continue.

🏎️ Antonelli Shines in F1 Debut, Verstappen Eyes Massive Move, and Hamilton Fights Back

Kimi Antonelli made an impressive debut in Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2025, replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton. Many expected the rookie to struggle under the pressure, but Antonelli has performed remarkably well, even outpacing Hamilton in the standings. The 18-year-old was recently asked which drivers he’d pick for a party, and surprisingly, he didn’t choose Hamilton. Instead, he picked Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, praising their party-loving personalities.

Antonelli’s choice of Verstappen may seem surprising since the Dutch driver is known to be more reserved. However, Verstappen has often been spotted at clubs and has developed a good rapport with the Italian rookie. Antonelli also highlighted his admiration for Fernando Alonso, particularly after seeing a picture of the Spaniard partying with George Russell. The young driver’s lighthearted comments show his growing confidence in the F1 paddock.

Meanwhile, rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s future continue to intensify. Although Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, Aston Martin is reportedly preparing a massive offer, possibly backed by Saudi Arabian investment. The Saudi Arabian government has poured money into various sports, including F1, and their growing influence within Aston Martin could bolster the team’s bid for Verstappen. This potential deal could make Verstappen one of the highest-paid drivers in the sport.

On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton’s start to the 2025 season with Ferrari has been rocky. Despite a pole-to-win performance in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint, Hamilton has struggled with the car’s setup, finishing no higher than fifth in the opening five races. Some have speculated that Hamilton might retire at the end of the year, but he remains determined. The 40-year-old has promised to keep pushing, telling fans not to give up hope and that he’s committed to improving with Ferrari.

Thank you folks for reading our newsletter! Will see you in the next edition with more exciting highlights from the sports world curated for you! 🙏