Sports

A chaser handles a quaffle during practice. In the real-life version of the game, it's a volleyball and is the only ball that results in a score when it goes through the hoops. Each goal is 10 points.

There May Not Be Flying, But Quidditch Still Creates Magic

10:22am June 03, 2017

by Wynne Davis

Quidditch leapt from the screen to real-life muggle fields in 2005. Now, it's grown big enough to have a major league, and the intensity and athleticism involved is anything but fictional.

Sports

Mr. Met Flips Off Fans. But Does He Even Have A Middle Finger?

7:32am June 03, 2017

Mr. Met got into trouble when he gave fans the finger after the Mets lost a game. But what constitutes a middle finger on a four-fingered mascot?

Sports

Basketball And Hockey Playoffs Are In Full Swing

7:32am June 03, 2017

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Howard Bryant of ESPN about this year's NBA Finals, LeBron James's response to racism and the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif.

Sports

Golden State Buries Cleveland In Game 1 Of NBA Finals, 113-91

5:42am June 02, 2017

by Tom Goldman

The chatter ahead of this NBA Final was it would be the most competitive and evenly-matched ever. Last night's Game 1 was anything but.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during last year's NBA finals. The two meet up again this year.

Live Tweets: Cavs-Warriors Are Back For NBA Game One

7:00pm June 01, 2017

by NPR Staff

The wait for the finals is finally over. Follow along with with NPR reporters and fans before and during tonight's game here or on Twitter.

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro comforts Spain's Nicolas Almagro after he collapsed with a left knee injury in his second round match against at the French Open on Wednesday.

A Player Falls Injured At The French Open, And Compassion Takes Over

4:53pm June 01, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Martín del Potro climbed over the net to console his weeping opponent, Nicolás Almagro, after a knee injury ended their second-round match Thursday.

Cavaliers Face Warriors In Unprecedented Third Straight NBA Finals

4:44pm June 01, 2017

by Tom Goldman

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors play Thursday night in Game 1 of an unprecedented third straight NBA Finals. The Warriors will have to try to avenge last year's loss without their ailing coach.

After racist graffiti was sprayed on the gate of his house in Los Angeles, the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James spoke about racism, saying "Hate in America, especially for African-Americans, is living every day."

Hate Is 'Alive Every Single Day,' LeBron James Says After Racist Graffiti Incident

12:06pm June 01, 2017

by Bill Chappell

"No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are," the NBA star says, "you know being black in America is tough."

David West of the Golden State Warriors dunks in the first half of Game Four of the 2017 NBA Western Conference Finals.

Intrigue, Dynasty, Sub-Plots: The Cavs-Warriors Are Back

9:46am June 01, 2017

by Tom Goldman

For NBA fans, grumbly and otherwise, the wait is almost over. The Finals begin tonight.

Sports

When A Catfish Is An 'Instrument Of Crime'

5:03am May 31, 2017

A Nashville Predators fan threw a dead catfish on the ice during a hockey game. He was charged with possessing instruments of crime and disorderly conduct.