Hoo, boy, sports fans. I don’t know about you, but I’m sports exhausted. This week was a doozy! We had playoff basketball, regular baseball, the NFL draft, and the lead-up to the NFL draft (which is, in and of itself, a sport). And now, over the next few days, we have more playoff basketball, NFL draft, playoff hockey, baseball [*takes deep breath*] but at least we have the weekend to do it!
Speaking of the NFL draft, we had a huge party here at SB Nation during the first round. There was football insight, jokes (we played a game called, “is this establishment in Tampa Bay a strip club or an art gallery based on name alone?”), and all your favorite SB Nation personalities. You can check out the madness here, because, unfortunately for all of us, nothing on the internet ever goes away.
And now, your weekend guide to #sports.
WHAT TO WATCH
PLAYOFF BASKETBALL
There will be playoffs! There are no games Saturday, but there are definitely two games Sunday afternoon. We just don't know what they’ll be until we know the results of the Game 6s (Celtics-Bulls, Clippers-Jazz, Wizards-Hawks) on Friday night. We’ll either be watching Game 1s or Game 7s, so teams will be going on first dates or breaking up. Both can be disastrous.
Sunday’s possibilities (all times ET):
If the Clippers win Friday: Jazz vs. Clippers, Game 7, at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
If the Jazz win Friday: Jazz vs. Warriors, Game 1, at 3:30 p.m., channel TBD
If the Celtics and Wizards win Friday: Wizards vs. Celtics, Game 1, (probably at 1 p.m.), channel TBD
If the Celtics win and Wizards lose Friday, Hawks vs. Wizards, Game 7 (probably at 1 p.m.), channel TBD
If the Celtics lose and Wizards win Friday, Bulls vs. Celtics, Game 7 (probably at 1 p.m.), channel TBD
WE GOT PLAYOFF HOCKEY FOR YA!
Capitals vs. Penguins, Game 2, Saturday, 8 p.m. on NBC
Rangers vs. Senators, Game 2, Saturday, 3 p.m. on NBC
Blues vs. Predators, Game 3, Sunday, 3 p.m. on NBC
Ducks vs. Oilers, Game 3, Sunday, 7 p.m. on NBCSN
NFL!
It’s too bad there’s no NFL stuff to talk abou— SIKE! THE NFL DRAFT IS HAPPENING! We made it through the first round on Thursday, and had that big ol’ party here at SB Nation. You should stay tuned to our NFL desk for updated coverage about which guys your teams are scooping up in the later rounds of the draft.
SOCCER!
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal — Sunday, 11:30 a.m., NBCSN
“Arsenal has been better than their North London rivals for most of history,” says SB Nation soccer editor Kevin McCauley. “So much so that Arsenal fans have a name for the day their finish ahead of Tottenham in the standings is confirmed. But Tottenham has been the better team this season, and they can ensure that "St. Totteringham's Day" won't take place this year if they win. If that happens, it'll be the first time Spurs have pulled it off since 1995.”
GOLF! The Zurich Classic, to be exact
Friday, Golf Channel, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Golf Channel, then 3-6 p.m. on CBS
This event is pretty cool, because it’s the first two-man event on the PGA Tour since the early 1980s. There’s a strong field in New Orleans this year. Rickie Fowler and Jason Day are a team, and Jordan Spieth is playing with a friend from Texas, Ryan Palmer. They play alternate shot on Thursday and Saturday, and best ball on Friday and Sunday.
WEIRD STUFF
European Badminton Individuals Championships 2017, Saturday, 6 a.m., ESPN 3
Badminton is the best sport.
WHAT TO READ
ON SB NATION
Steven “The God” Godfrey on why we’ll never know who hacked Laremy Tunsil.
Zito on the end of Russell Westbrook’s incredible season.
Me on what sports are (don’t ask).
Mike Prada on Draymond Green’s brilliant defense.
Paul Flannery on how the Bulls-Celtics series makes no sense.
Grant Brisbee on how the Marlins finally have a chance to be a normal team, and on throwing at Manny Machado’s dang head.
Geoff Schwartz on how to pick an offensive lineman in the NFL draft.
Dan Kadar graded every draft pick.
OFF SB NATION
Clay Skipper put together an oral history of Mr. Irrelevants, the last guys picked at the draft, for GQ.
Wright Thompson on how Pat Riley can’t quit the NBA.
Robert Mays on T.J. Watt, J.J.’s younger brother, for The Ringer.
Megan Birch-McMichael on Ashley Eisenmenger, a legally blind triathlete.
Dion Waiters on Dion Waiters.
Dan Wetzel on why Mitchell Trubitsky would welcome the worst job in the NFL (quarterback for the Browns, sorry Cleveland).
WHAT TO DO
Depends on what you’re into. Go to the movies, movies are fun! Maybe read a book. You could see friends. Hang out with your family. Shoot some hoops in the driveway.
The weekend is your oyster, sports fans.