Daily Sports Brief - June 17, 2025

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DAILY SPORTS BRIEF – June 17, 2025

Intro:

Happy Tuesday! The NBA Finals are heating up, MLB pitchers are sweating, and the NFL offseason is still somehow making headlines. Let’s get you caught up before your coffee gets cold.

Top Sports Stories:

Thunder take control: Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, led by Jalen Williams’ 40-point explosion. Thunder now lead the series 3-2.

MLB’s Monday Madness: The Angels edge the Yankees 1-0, the Dodgers outslug the Padres 6-3, and the Rays trounce the Orioles 7-1. Pitchers everywhere are reconsidering their life choices.

NFL Offseason: Steelers sign S DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $12.5 million extension. Travis Kelce drops 25 pounds, and Christian McCaffrey is optimistic about the 49ers’ health. Yes, it’s still June.

Score Recaps:

NBA:

Oklahoma City Thunder 120 – Indiana Pacers 109 (Jalen Williams: 40 pts; Thunder lead Finals 3-2)

MLB:

Padres 3 – Dodgers 6

Astros 1 – Athletics 3

Red Sox 2 – Mariners 0

Orioles 1 – Rays 7

Angels 1 – Yankees 0

Rockies 6 – Nationals 4

Phillies 5 – Marlins 2

NHL:

No games played.

MLS:

No games played.

NFL (Offseason News):

Steelers sign S DeShon Elliott to two-year, $12.5 million extension.

Travis Kelce drops 25 pounds after offseason criticism.

Christian McCaffrey optimistic about 49ers’ health.

Player of the Day:

Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder – Dropped 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to put OKC one win away from a title.

Today's Biggest Games:

MLB: Cubs vs. Cardinals, 6:45 PM CT, ESPN

MLB: Braves vs. Mets, 6:10 PM CT, MLB Network

MLB: Twins vs. Tigers, 7:10 PM CT, Bally Sports

Born on This Day:

Venus Williams – Tennis, 7-time Grand Slam singles champion

Eddy Merckx – Cycling, 5-time Tour de France winner

Dan Jansen – Speed Skating, Olympic gold medalist

Died on This Day:

Ron Clarke – Track & Field, Australian distance runner and world record holder

Harry Nelson Pillsbury – Chess, American chess champion

Where Were You When...

On this day in 1880, John M. Ward pitched the second perfect game in MLB history. (And you thought your Monday was impressive.)

Wrap Up:

That’s a Wrap! You made it to the end — more informed than most fantasy league commissioners. Share this with your friends or that coworker who still thinks Ken Griffey Jr. is active. See you tomorrow for more sports mayhem.

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