WNBA’s Clark Crash, NASCAR’s Legal Mess, and Ohtani’s Tempting Comeback

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Today’s WOW moments from sports world!

⚾️ TWO-WAY OHTANI IS BACK?
🏀 MAGIC APPLIES PRESSURE ON LUKA
📉 CLARK ABSENCE CRASHES RATINGS
💰️ NASCAR LAWSUITS

⚾️ Dobbins’ Family Fib & Ohtani’s Tempting Return Tease

Hunter Dobbins stirred up a storm in Boston this week. The Red Sox pitcher boldly claimed he’d rather retire than ever sign with the Yankees. In an interview, Dobbins said his dad was drafted by the Yankees twice before getting traded to Arizona.

Problem is — that wasn’t true. A New York Post report dug into the records and found no trace of his dad ever being with the Yankees. When called out, Dobbins shrugged it off, saying he didn’t fact-check his own father’s story. Awkward.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani might be inching closer to a return as a two-way star. He threw 44 pitches in a live BP session this week, and rumors started swirling about a possible start before the All-Star break.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted it’s “tempting” to get him back on the mound. But for now, they’re holding off and keeping it cautious. No rush — but the buzz is definitely building.

🏆️ Haliburton Claps Back, Luka’s Lakers Pressure, and Boogie’s Bizarre Blowup

In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton responded to critics by notching almost a triple-double. Along with his performances on defense and those of his teammates, they frustrated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder to win comfortably.

Now, many are questioning if the West champions have the endurance and overall effort to counter the Pacers. Caitlin Clark continued to prove her ‘lucky charm’ mantle as the Pacers won their 8^th straight game with her sitting courtside, while also enacting Reggie Miller’s famous ‘choke’.

After the game, Haliburton called out the ‘talking heads’ who criticized his game 2 performance. Stephen A. Smith ended up using that to taunt the Pacers guard, suggesting he should ask accomplished players what it is like to go after him.

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Smith, along with others, took shots at the New York Knicks for failing to land head coaching interviews. Their requests for interviews and subsequent denials made them the laughing stock of the NBA.

Another player who has courted controversy happens to be DeMarcus Cousins. The former NBA star had drinks thrown at him during a game in the Puerto Rico league, and has now been suspended for the rest of the season.

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson appeared on ESPN and made it clear that Lakers fans expect Luka Doncic to bring them titles. The Slovenian has been working on his conditioning and looks fit. Johnson claimed the team needs to bring in reinforcements around Doncic and LeBron James to win.

James was labelled as ‘Moses’ by French Open champion Coco Gauff, who revealed how top athletes representing each sport would part aside to allow the NBA great to walk. The 40-year-old also clarified on his podcast how the bubble championship was the ‘purest form of hoops’.

🏀 Caitlin’s Absence Hurts WNBA, Sky Veteran Wins Hearts, and Pressure Builds on Angel Reese

Caitlin Clark appearing at the NBA Finals might have helped the Indiana Pacers. But her Fever as well as the WNBA, are struggling to draw fans. As per reports, the league has lost 50% of its viewers ever since the superstar guard has been sidelined.

Her rival Angel Reese managed to rack up another record by being the fastest player to 30 double-doubles. However, after the game, reporters preferred to concentrate on her BET Awards win and her recent ‘twerking’ videos.

Her veteran teammate, Ariel Atkins, jumped in and clarified that the media should focus on Reese’s performances on the court and not bother about her off-court life. This soon caught the attention of rapper Cardi B, who had an emotional reaction watching the vet support her younger teammate.

Even Giannis Antetokounmpo showered praise on Atkins for leading the team and shielding younger players just like how veterans are expected to. Now, Reese and her team hope this support of each other can help them start to win games.

Sky’s GM definitely wants the LSU star to take a leading role on the team. They want her to do more and lead as true superstars do. They will need it, considering Paige Bueckers’ hitting form means the Sky might not get away with winning against poor teams anymore.

🏁 Denny’s Baby Break, RAM’s Return & NASCAR’s Legal Chaos

Big news in NASCAR this week — both on and off the track. Denny Hamlin became a dad for the third time as his fiancée, Jordan Fish, gave birth to a baby boy. The arrival meant Hamlin had to skip the Mexico City race, something he’d made clear he would do. He thanked Joe Gibbs Racing and fans for their support and promised to be back at Pocono once his family is settled.

Meanwhile, the long-rumored return of RAM to NASCAR is officially happening. The brand, which last competed in 2012, will be back in the Truck Series in 2026. Dale Earnhardt Jr. discussed it on his podcast, hinting that while RAM's ultimate goal is a Cup Series return, their Xfinity Series plans remain uncertain. Junior thinks they might hold off until the second-tier series figures out its identity.

Elsewhere, NASCAR’s ongoing legal drama took another turn. The appeal court sided with NASCAR against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in their revenue-sharing lawsuit. The verdict overturned the previous injunction that allowed teams to race without signing the new deal. If the teams lose their next appeal, NASCAR could strip their charters — a huge financial blow.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t mince words about what this means for Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s team. On his podcast, he explained that each charter is worth $10-15 million in prize and TV money. Losing that, plus risking sponsor exits if the battle drags on, could hit teams hard. The future of these alliances now hangs in the balance.

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