What happened in the world of sports this week? This article is your one-stop shop for all the high and low points in the world of sports, so take a look at it to learn more!
What Happened in the World of Sports This Week?
In the world of sports this week, the biggest story was the release of the Mueller report. In it, special counsel Robert Mueller detailed his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The report did not find evidence of criminal collusion, but it did detail numerous contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russia.
Other stories in the world of sports this week include:
- MLB opening day saw several marquee matchups, including the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees and the L.A Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants.
- In the NBA, the Golden State Warriors clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors are now preparing for a first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets.
- In college basketball, Duke defeated North Carolina to win the ACC tournament title. The Blue Devils are now considered a favorite to win the NCAA tournament.
Top Stories
The top stories in the world of sports this week were the retirement of New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, the continued domination of the Miami Heat, and the come-from-behind win by the San Francisco 49ers over the Green Bay Packers.
Mariano Rivera, considered by many to be the greatest relief pitcher of all time, announced his retirement after 19 seasons with the Yankees. His final game will be September 26th against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Miami Heat continue to impress, winning their 23rd consecutive game on Thursday night. They are now just four games away from tying the NBA record for the longest winning streak.
In a thrilling come-from-behind victory, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-28 on Sunday night. The 49ers were down 28-14 at halftime but rallied to score 20 points in the second half to take home the win.
NFL
The National Football League saw a few key games this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens in a close game, while the New England Patriots crushed the Miami Dolphins. In other action, the Green Bay Packers won a thriller against the Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks continued their winning ways with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
MLB
This past week in MLB, the Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central division title for the first time since 2008. The Cubs have been on an incredible run this season and their fans are ecstatic about finally being able to celebrate a division title again.
Elsewhere in the league, the New York Yankees continue to steamroll their competition en route to what looks like another deep postseason run. The Yankees are currently the best team in baseball and appear to be poised for a World Series appearance.
The Boston Red Sox are also having a great season and currently sit atop the AL East standings. The Red Sox have been one of the most consistent teams in baseball all season long and looks like they could be a force to be reckoned with come October.
It was a great week for baseball fans all around as some of the sport’s most iconic teams continued to play at a high level.
NBA
The National Basketball Association had a busy week, with several teams making trades and signing free agents. The biggest trade of the week was between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, who agreed to swap All-Star Anthony Davis for a package of players and draft picks. The Lakers also signed free agent center DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year deal.
Other teams made moves as well. The Milwaukee Bucks traded for forward Nikola Mirotic, while the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Boston Celtics made a minor trade, sending guard Jabari Bird to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for cash considerations.
The NBA also announced that next season’s All-Star Game will be held in Chicago. This will be the first time this city has hosted the game since 1988.
NHL
This week in the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Finals. In other news, the Washington Capitals signed defenseman John Carlson to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension.
College Basketball
The biggest story in college basketball this week was the ongoing investigation into corruption and bribery in the sport. Several high-profile coaches have been implicated in the scandal, and it has cast a shadow over the entire sport.
Elsewhere, there were some great games and upsets. Duke lost to Boston College, while Kentucky fell to UCLA. Gonzaga continued their unbeaten run with a win over Saint Mary’s.
In the NCAA tournament, Louisville and Michigan State both advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over Oklahoma and Kansas respectively.
Update on Athletes’ Lives
The lives of athletes are always changing and evolving. Here is a look at what some of them have been up to this week:
- Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, welcomed their fourth daughter into the world on Thursday. They named her Capri Kobe Bryant.
- WNBA player Maya Moore announced her retirement from basketball at the age of 30. She wants to focus on social justice causes.
- NFL player Colin Kaepernick held a workout for NFL teams on Saturday to return to the league. This is out of the NFL since 2016.