The Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, but it did not come without some tensions rising before the final whistle.

OKC was beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-86 with just over six minutes to go. The New York Knicks recently showed that that was not an insurmountable lead.

However, the Wolves were frustrated with their performance, and one player went after the NBA MVP.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on the court just 24 hours after receiving the prestigious honor, the first of his career, and he reminded people why he deserved it with 38 points.

However, Jaden McDaniels shoved him from behind, resulting in a flagrant 1 foul.

Several players had to be separated from one another.

McDaniels wanted a foul called on Gilgeous-Alexander for grabbing McDaniels' arm, to which McDaniels then retaliated. After the game, McDaniels said he then wanted to foul the MVP "for real."

NBA REFEREE SCOTT FOSTER BLOODIED AFTER TAKING HIT TO FACE DURING PLAYOFF GAME

"I wasn't even mad. I just had fouls to use," McDaniels explained, via CBS Sports.

The Thunder won the game, 118-103, and are now two wins away from making their first NBA Finals since 2012.

Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.

Minnesota closed to within 10 in the final period, but Oklahoma City kept the Timberwolves at bay late.

Anthony Edwards scored 32 points, but it took him 26 shots to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.

Now, Minnesota gets to go home, where they are 4-1 in the playoffs. Game 3 is Saturday in Minneapolis.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Thursday night did not go well for the Chicago Sky, and it certainly was not a pleasant night for Angel Reese.

The Sky went up against the reigning WNBA champions in the New York Liberty and fell, 99-74. However, it was a moment that occurred early in the game with Reese that was a preview, and somewhat of a microcosm, of the night.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Less than three minutes into the game, Reese recorded five offensive rebounds in a 19-second span thanks to her own misses.

Reese missed four shots from right underneath the basket, two of which were blocked. Reese finally kicked out a pass to Kia Nurse, but she missed the three-pointer, and it was a rebound Reese was unable to get.

The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many making fun of Reese - one even said she was "not beating the allegations."

The former LSU star averaged a double-double last season and set the WNBA record for the most rebounds in a single season (an injury cut her season short, and she was surpassed by A'ja Wilson). However, she has often been criticized in that the rebound stats are inflated due to missing layups and grabbing her own rebound.

CAITLIN CLARK GETS CHIPPY WITH OPPONENT, DELIVERS A DAMNING MESSAGE: 'NOT SCARED'

Reese wound up missing all eight of her shot attempts on the evening, scoring just two points and grabbing 12 rebounds - eight of them were offensive, and five of them had come in that sequence alone.

It was the first time since 2021 that she failed to make at least one basket, ending a streak of 136 games, college and professional.

Earlier in the season, Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to record both 450 points and rebounds.

Meanwhile, New York set a WNBA record with 19 three-pointers in their victory (the Las Vegas Aces once had 22 in a playoff game). Eight of nine Liberty players who attempted a 3-pointer made at least one from deep. Natasha Cloud and Kennedy Burke each hit four of them.

New York shot 55% overall and made 16 of 17 free throws, a stark comparison to Reese's night.

The Liberty play in Indiana against Caitlin Clark on Saturday, and Chicago visits Los Angeles on Sunday.

An NBA referee got one of the more brutal blows during a playoff game on Thursday night.

During Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, longtime official Scott Foster was bloodied after taking a hit to the face.

Foster was putting up a jump ball between Lu Dort and Julius Randle in the first quarter, and as Dort was coming back down, he rocked Foster right in the face.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Foster immediately ran toward the scorer's table, holding his hand beneath his nose to stop blood from getting on the court.

He was attended to by trainers and given towels before plugging his nose to stop the bleeding.

Foster has been an NBA official since the 1994-95 season. He has often been dubbed as "the extender," because it has become rather notorious that teams that are trailing in a playoff season often win games he is officiating.

CAITLIN CLARK GETS CHIPPY WITH OPPONENT, DELIVERS A DAMNING MESSAGE: 'NOT SCARED'

He has also become rather synonymous with Chris Paul, who went 3-17 in playoff games officiated by Foster. Paul was sitting courtside when the injury occurred. 

The Thunder took a 2-0 series lead with the help of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who, 24 hours after being named the NBA's MVP, dropped 38 points. OKC won, 118-103.

"I feel like all my emotions were so high, but I was a little bit tired out there, especially at the start," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I was a little too juiced up. Special moment. I’m happy we won, so I can really enjoy the last couple days and soak it up. That really helps."

Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.

Minnesota closed to within 10 in the final period, but Oklahoma City kept the Timberwolves at bay late.

Anthony Edwards scored 32 points, but it took him 26 shots to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.

Now, Minnesota gets to go home, where it is 4-1 in the playoffs. Game 3 is Saturday in Minneapolis.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pete Rose is finally eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but he may not be as much of a lock as people think he is.

Rose's on-field resume speaks for itself - he is MLB's all-time hit king, won three World Series and was a 17-time All-Star with a career .303 batting average.

However, his gambling spurned his baseball life.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

In 1989, amid accusations Rose had bet on the game while he was playing and managing, he was handed down a lifetime ban from the game. Two years later, the Hall of Fame said that anyone on baseball's ineligible list would not be eligible to be voted on.

However, MLB announced earlier this month that ineligibility ends after death, thus making Rose a candidate for Cooperstown. In all likelihood, Rose will get in, but some will always feel a type of way - including current All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson.

"He's obviously one of the game's greatest hitters. I don't know. I get it, but at the same time, he's one of the game's greatest players of all time. Leader in hits. Glad to see it, but also get both sides of it," the Baltimore Orioles star said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, but Henderson eventually begrudged. 

FORMER MLB PLAYER SUING EX-DIVISION RIVAL OVER CAREER-ENDING INJURY: 'OBVIOUS AND AVOIDABLE RISK'

"I would let him in. I mean, he's just too great of a player to not be in it," he obliged.

Henderson spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of VKTRY, as he has been wearing their insoles since spring training. He said he saw their ads on Instagram, wore them, and never looked back.

"I was kind of intrigued by the idea behind it and the science behind it. So it was really cool when I had the opportunity to join the team," he said. "I kind of tested them out in spring training this year. For me, stability is a big thing, especially in the infield, in the box. That was the biggest thing I had to check off the list, and they passed the test."

Henderson is batting .301 with an .883 OPS in his last 23 games, so it is easy to see why he is a fan VKTRY insoles. However, he is going to have to wear them for a long time if he has any hopes of catching up to Rose.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Professional boxer Georgia O'Connor, 25, has died after a bout with cancer, the professional boxer's promoter, Boxxer, said. 

The promoter described the late young fighter as "a true warrior inside and outside the ring."

"Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time," a statement from Boxxer obtained by The Guardian read.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

In a January Instagram post, O'Connor revealed that she had learned of her cancer diagnosis. She said she suffered through debilitating pain for weeks leading up to the diagnosis.

FORMER TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL STAR BRIAN WILLIAMS DIES AFTER COMPETING IN HALF-MARATHON: 'PUREST IN HEART'

"For 17 weeks since the start of October, I’ve been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong," O'Connor captioned a photo of her in a hospital bed. 

"I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks. I have colitis and PSC, two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it. I KNOW how high my risk is and they do too. They always did."

O'Connor added that doctors refused to take her concerns "seriously."

"But not one doctor f---ing listened to me. Not one doctor took me seriously. Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony," the Instagram post continued. "Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen. One even told me that it’s ‘all in my head.’ And now? Now the cancer has spread."

In February, O'Connor spoke out about another devastating personal circumstance.

"The last few months have been a rollercoaster," O’Connor wrote. "I’ve been pregnant with a beautiful baby, suffered a miscarriage, then got diagnosed with ‘incurable’ cancer. But I still feel on top of the world!"

More recently, O'Connor celebrated a milestone. She announced that she had "married that love of" her life on May 9. 

O'Connor was able to maintain her undefeated boxing record despite her battle with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. She went pro in 2021. She earned medals at the 2017 and 2018 Youth World Championships during her amateur career.

O'Connor was born in Durham, England.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Tensions were high in the early going between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream Thursday night.

The two teams were 48 hours removed from a battle that came down to the final seconds, which the Dream won, 91-90. So, maybe there was some carryover.

With less than 30 seconds to go in the first quarter, Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard exchanged some words and had to be separated. Howard was playing full-court defense on Clark, who was dribbling up the court. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Refs whistled the play, and the two bumped into one another. Both appeared to extend an arm, and Clark began to walk away from the situation before Howard took a step forward. But one of Howard's teammates quickly stepped in and led Howard away.

"I'm not scared of you," Clark appeared to say, and she was backed by her teammates.

Despite the tense moment Thursday, they shared a funny one earlier this month in the preseason, when Howard jokingly picked at Clark's ear after their exhibition, prompting a laugh from Clark.

'AROUND THE HORN' PANELIST QUESTIONS IF ESPN CANCELED SHOW DUE TO POTENTIAL 'WOKE' LABEL

It was a slow night overall for Clark, who had just six points heading into the fourth quarter. She had 27 points two nights earlier against Atlanta. 

Indiana trailed, 75-71, with just over two minutes to go, but it ended the game on a 10-1 run. Clark added five points in the fourth quarter to finish with 11.

Clark's teammate, Natasha Howard, led the way with 26 points, while Rhyne Howard dropped 24.

The scuffle between Clark and Howard came five days after Clark and Angel Reese had to be separated. Clark was called for a flagrant foul on Reese, who then had words for Clark. 

The incident prompted an investigation into alleged hateful comments toward Reese by fans at the game. Reese reposted a TikTok that said she is "unsafe" playing in Indiana.

The Fever are back in action Saturday against the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. ET.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has sparked more discussions across the sports world and beyond.

Tempers flared between Reese and Clark after the Fever guard committed a flagrant foul on the Sky forward.

It was one of the bigger moments of Indiana's 93-58 blowout win Saturday. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Both players downplayed the incident. Clark told ESPN's Holly Rowe after the third quarter there was "nothing malicious" behind the foul.

After the game, Reese described the foul as a "basketball play." 

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES BOLD STATEMENT AFTER PACERS' INCREDIBLE COMEBACK WIN OVER KNICKS

"Refs got it right. Move on," Reese told reporters.

Three-time national championship-winning coach Dawn Staley weighed in on the rivalry between the two WNBA stars.

"I think it's great for our game," Staley said. "It's a sport. Treat us like a sport. … It happens in every sport — soccer, basketball, football ... so let it be."

Staley added that she believed the game officials made the right call. 

"I’m going to take the lead of Angel and Caitlin, and that lead is they said it was a foul. The officials got it right, and we’re moving on." Staley said.

"I think it pulls people in." 

"I do think there are new fans that haven't watched our game. I just hope that they'll open their eyes to the rest of the talent that is there. The product is incredible, and it's in high demand. We played Caitlin in the national championship last year. … Twenty million (viewers), whatever it topped off at."

Staley also expressed her excitement for future Clark-Reese matchups. 

"I’m looking forward to the next time they play, too," Staley said. "I’m going to be glued in just like everybody else. I'm a fan."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

An ex-Major League Baseball player is blaming a former opponent for his career-ending injury.

Darin Ruf played first base for the Milwaukee Brewers June 2, 2023, in a game against the NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds. Little did he know it would be the final game of his career.

In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a pop-up in foul territory when his knee crashed into the end of the field tarp roller. Ruf badly cut his knee and limped off the field with the help of a trainer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ruf's complaint says the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning or cap. The TV broadcast of the game said there was a "significant hunk of metal … that doesn't give very much."

Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again.

His initial injury, aside from the laceration, was ruled a non-displaced fracture of his patella. But, according to Ruf's complaint, he suffered "permanent and substantial deformities to his knee." 

"This didn't need to happen," Ruf said in a statement. "I wish it didn't happen. Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field."

MAN CHARGED WITH GIVING BOOZE TO UNDERAGE PIRATES FAN WHO FELL ONTO FIELD: REPORTS

"This was an obvious and avoidable risk," Tad Thomas, Ruf's attorney, said in a release announcing the lawsuit. "There are basic safety protocols every MLB team should follow. Leaving an unpadded metal roller on the edge of the field is inexcusable."

The Reds did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The situation is similar to Dustin Fowler's. In his major league debut in 2017, he injured a knee in Chicago after running into an electrical box while chasing down a pop fly. Fowler, who would have led off the next inning for his first plate appearance in the majors, sued the White Sox for negligence. 

The Yankees traded him roughly a month after the injury for Sonny Gray, and Fowler's first MLB hit came against Gray the next year.

Ruf, 38, played in the majors from 2012 to 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies (2012-16), San Francisco Giants (2020-22, 2023), New York Mets (2022) and Brewers (2023). He batted .239 with a .329 on-base percentage, 67 homers and 205 RBI in 582 career games.

At the time of the injury, Ruf was playing in his 11th game with the Brewers after playing in nine games in his second stint with the Giants. He had been designated for assignment by San Francisco before joining Milwaukee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The College Football Playoff is reportedly undergoing a slight makeover.

The playoff made a major change from four to 12 teams last season, which brought with it some flaws.

Last season, the four highest-ranked conference champions had automatic byes and received the top four seeds. This year, the playoff bracket will be filled with straight seeding, with five spots still reserved for conference champions, according to ESPN.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"After evaluating the first year of the 12-team playoff, the CFP management committee felt it was in the best interest of the game to make this adjustment," CFP Executive Director Rich Clark said in a statement. "This change will continue to allow guaranteed access to the playoff by rewarding teams for winning their conference championship, but it will also allow us to construct a postseason bracket that recognizes the best performance on the field during the entire regular season."

If the new format were put in last year, Oregon, Georgia, Texas and Penn State would all have had bye weeks. Instead, Texas and Penn State both had to play in the first round and won convincingly. The Longhorns beat No. 12 Clemson (15th in the country), 38-24, and then defeated No. 4-seeded Arizona State, which had a bye as the Big 12 winner but was ranked 11th in the country, in double-overtime.

AUBURN'S BRUCE PEARL MOURNS LOSS OF 2 ISRAELI EMBASSY STAFFERS FOLLOWING KILLINGS AFTER JEWISH MUSEUM EVENT

ASU would have played Ohio State in a matchup of the No. 11 and No. 6 seeds, while Boise State would have gone against Indiana in a battle between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds if straight seeding was used last season.

Instead, Boise State, the Mountain West winner, had a bye in the quarterfinals as the No. 3 seed but was routed in the Fiesta Bowl by Penn State, a No. 6 seed, despite being ranked third in the country. The Nittany Lions defeated No. 11 SMU, 38-10, in the first round.

All four conference champions lost in the quarterfinals.

No. 8 Ohio State wrecked every team in its path en route to a national title despite playing in the first round. However, the Buckeyes didn't do themselves many favors with their seeding. They lost at home to Michigan to end the regular season. But they were ranked No. 6 by the committee despite their No. 8 seed.

This rule change now makes Notre Dame, an independent team that does not have a conference affiliation, eligible for a bye week.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks struggled in the team’s 5-1 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday at Fenway Park. 

Hendriks, 36, gave up three earned runs on three hits, and was charged with the loss. 

The reliever took to social media on Thursday morning and posted that fans were sending him and his wife death threats. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"Threats against my life and my wife’s life are horrible and cruel. You need help," Hendriks wrote on his Instagram story. 

"Leaving comments telling me to commit suicide and how you wish I died from cancer is disgusting and vile."

"Maybe you should take a step back and reevaluate your life’s purpose before hiding behind a screen attacking players and their families."

WALKER BUEHLER OF RED SOX APPEARS TO TAKE SHOT AT METS' FRANCISCO LINDOR AFTER EJECTION

Hendriks announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in January 2023. The three-time All-Star returned to the mound less than five months later and pitched for the Chicago White Sox.

However, after just five appearances since returning to the field after his bout with cancer, Hendriks needed Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract in 2024 in his recovery, but Hendriks did not pitch last season as he rehabbed. 

"Whether you (send death threats) from your ‘fake accounts’ or are you dumb enough to do it from your real account. I think I speak for all players who have to deal with this in their career when I say," Hendriks wrote.

"Enough is enough."

Hendriks has struggled this season with the Red Sox, as he has a 5.56 ERA in 11 games. 

In his 14-year career, Hendriks has a 33-35 record with a 3.85 ERA with 738 strikeouts in 661.1 career innings pitched. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher recently spoke against transgender athletes in sports and reiterated his stance Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Urlacher appeared on the "Global View" podcast and wondered why it is even a debate. On Wednesday's edition of "America Reports," he said it is "common sense."

"Athletically, it's just not fair. You know, men are meant to play with men," Urlacher said. "That's why there's the NBA and the WNBA or LPGA and PGA Tour. They're different. I just don't understand how people think it's OK for a male to participate in a woman's sport. 

"There are just so many biological differences. You have the guy that was swimming with the women there from Penn a couple years ago with Riley Gaines and some of her teammates, and you saw how he was with the men compared to with the women. It's just not fair. It's pretty obvious to most people."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Urlacher also questioned why other girls and women are not speaking out but pointed out that doing so has hurt them.

"You see these girls stand up, and it's really hurting themselves when they stand up because they're not competing because they don't want to compete against a man. So, they're stepping down from their competitions," he added.

"And it's kind of funny coming from people who push women's rights, and they want to fight for women's rights, but they don't wanna fight for women's rights in sports. They want men to come in there and dominate the sports against the women. It's just, it's not fair. It's common sense. I think we've seen President Trump talk about it since he's been elected. It's pretty much common sense just to not have men in women's sports.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OWNER JIM IRSAY DEAD AT 65

"It's just not fair. You know, I saw a track athlete in South Carolina a couple of years ago doing the same thing, just winning every event. There's biological differences. Men should not be competing against women. It's not fair. It's dangerous. You saw the volleyball player, the man spiking the ball, hitting the woman in the face. 

"It's … not fair and it can be really dangerous. It's funny what Aaron [Rodgers] said. You don't see women try competing against men in our sports. You don't see them trying to play football. You don't see them try and do things that they wouldn't be as good at or could get hurt at."

Illinois, where Urlacher spent his NFL career, has become a hotbed of controversy over the issue of trans athlete inclusion in recent days after a biological male competed in a seventh-grade track meet against biological females at the Naper Prairie Conference Meet.

Several other states have defied President Donald Trump's executive order on the issue, resulting in Maine temporarily losing federal funding.

Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

As California's transgender athlete conflict escalates, one high school athlete has resorted to changing clothes in her car to avoid uncomfortable situations. 

During a Lucia Mar Unified School District (LMUSD) school board meeting this week, junior Audrey Vanherweg revealed her decision. 

"I strongly disagree with what is going on in the girls' locker room and on the girls track team, so much so that I change in my car for track practice because I feel way more comfortable in my car than I do in my own school's locker room," Vanherweg said. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Vanherweg isn't the first LMUSD girl to express anxiety over the track and field locker room this season. 

During a meeting in April, fellow junior track athlete Celeste Diest recounted her experience having to change in front of a biological male trans athlete before practice while that athlete allegedly watched her undress. 

"I went into the women's locker room to change for track practice where I saw, at the end of my row, a biological male watching not only myself, but the other young women undress. This experience was beyond traumatizing," Diest said, beginning to cry. 

CALIFORNIA DEM COMPARES ‘SAVE GIRLS SPORTS’ LAW TO NAZI GERMANY, AS TWO TRANS ATHLETE BAN BILLS FAIL TO PASS

"Adults like yourself make me and my peers feel like our own comfort was invalid, even though our privacy was and still is completely violated."

Both meetings included several parents speaking in opposition to trans athletes in attendance, while other community members spoke in support of trans inclusion. Both meetings also included just as many speakers advocating for transgender athletes. 

At this week's meeting, a trans track and field athlete described the decision to join the girls' team while wearing a transgender pride flag. 

"When I joined track last year, I was terrified," the athlete said. "I was alone, and I feared for my life. When I started going to track practice, I was too afraid to make friends. I thought they would reject and mock me for being transgender. At my first meet, I sat alone, on the wet, muddy ground.

"I fear that somebody would accuse me of a heinous crime, so I walked on razor-thin ice. I never spent longer than three minutes in the locker room. I never made eye contact with people," the athlete said. "And yet, people still accuse me, someone who deals with sexual harassment on a daily basis, of being a predator. So, I'm here to say that I am not the villain, I am the victim."  

Women's rights activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, a leader in the national movement to protect women's and girls' sports, previously told Fox News Digital she believes trans athletes involved in the current culture war are victims. 

"I view them as victims, too. I really do. They have fallen victim to the movement. They have unfortunately fallen for the lie that they weren't created uniquely and intentionally in God's perfect image. And that is a horrible message to send to anyone," Gaines said. 

"I believe they're victims, too, which is the sad reality of the gender ideology movement." 

California has allowed transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports since 2014. California's high school sports league, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), was one of the first in the country to openly defy President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order after it was signed on Feb. 5. 

The CIF is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for potential Title IX violations over the issue. 

California's state legislature failed to pass two GOP-backed bills to reverse the current policies that allow males in girls' sports after every Democrat voted against them on April 1. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Friday will mark the final episode of a longtime ESPN staple, as "Around the Horn" will be off the airwaves for good after roughly two decades of action.

Jay Mariotti, who was a regular on the show until his domestic violence arrest in 2010, said in a recent interview that the show is being canceled because it went "woke."

But another panelist, Sarah Spain, questioned whether the network canceled the show, because they would be "scared" of being labeled as such.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"It confounds me that they are canceling it. The format allows for a continuous stream of new people, to highlight reporters on your network. I’m admittedly biased, but this is progressive voices and people of color you’re taking off TV. I don’t know for sure that’s their intention, but are you so scared of getting called ‘woke’?" she said in an interview with The Washington Post.

Tony Reali, the longtime host of the show, said he did not "believe" that was the reason.

"I don’t believe what that is. I honestly think we did 50,000 topics over 23 years. You’re going to tell me 10 or 15 drew an eyebrow up? I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, we were doing some complex topics from time to time.’ I don’t mute people in Face Time, so maybe there’s two or three there that didn’t have the back-and-forth that you’d want. Maybe there’s one or two I’d take back if you ask me; those aren’t my regrets. Not at all," he said on "The Dan Patrick Show" recently.

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER'S MOTHER LEAVES EMOTIONAL VOICEMAIL AFTER HER SON WINS MVP

In one of its final episodes earlier this month, Kate Fagan, who had made scarce appearances since leaving the network in 2018, was determined as the "winner" of the show against Jemele Hill, who had not been on the show since that same year after being fired for negative posts about President Donald Trump.

In her victory monologue, Fagan made a plea that "trans kids deserve to play sports."

"Think about what you remember from your time playing sports. Ninety-nine percent of it is finding that jersey for the first time, your favorite number, community, joy, those high-fives," Fagan said. "It's that moment when you have a great play with a teammate. It's the feeling of belonging. And it does not know gender. Trans kids deserve the same as everyone else does. Sports is joy. Sports is humanity. And the more people who have that, the better."

Mariotti name-dropped Hill in that aforementioned interview, adding the show "lost some audience." In another post on his own Substack, headlined "Around the Horn ended a long time ago - when I left the show," Mariotti reiterated that some of the panelists went "woke" while others were "on dope."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA's MVP Wednesday night, and someone who's been there through it all could not have been happier.

Shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander won the award, the first of his career, AT&T released a video highlighted by a voicemail left for the MVP by his mother, Charmaine.

"Finally! You got it!" she began.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"You deserve it. Like I said, be you, stay focused and everything else will work out. You're definitely on your way to being one of the best to ever play the game. And now? Another thing checked off your list. This is why your whole life has been consistent. Be careful and continue to dominate and be the best leader on and off the court. The world finally gets to see you the way I've always seen you.

"You know how much I love you. I'm so, so, so proud of you. Well-deserved. Bye, love you."

The Canadian star and league's leading scorer posted career highs with 32.7 points and 6.4 assists per game, carrying the Oklahoma City Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the West with an NBA-best 68-14 record.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the MVP runner-up last year to Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder defeated Jokić's Nuggets in seven games in the second round this season.

KNICKS CHOKE AWAY DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD LATE AFTER PACERS PULL OFF REGGIE MILLER-ESQUE HEROICS

Gilgeous-Alexander was the 11th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 2018 but was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He only spent one year there, though, and was part of a package that sent Paul George to Los Angeles.

Since the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a diamond in the rough, and he will soon be named first-team All-NBA a third straight year. He's also led the NBA in free throws made per game the last two seasons.

Oklahoma City kicked off the Western Conference finals with a 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who fell in the same round to the Dallas Mavericks last year. OKC trailed by four points at the half but outscored Minnesota 70-40 in the second half.

This is the furthest OKC has gotten in the playoffs since 2016, when the Thunder blew a 3-1 lead to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the conference finals. The Warriors then did the same to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Oklahoma City, formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics, is still looking for its first NBA title since moving (Seattle won the NBA title in 1979). The Thunder last made the NBA Finals in 2012, when they lost to James and the Miami Heat.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The NBA’s greatest-player-of-all-time debate has raged on as LeBron James has continued to excel in the twilight of his NBA career. 

Some fans say the NBA’s best-ever is Michael Jordan, the fierce competitor who won six titles in eight seasons. Other fans say it is James, a four-time champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer. 

Jordan’s longtime agent, David Falk, added fuel to the fire that is the "G.O.A.T" debate. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Falk listed Jordan as his best-ever but, shockingly, did not have James as his second-best ever, and took a swipe at the current Los Angeles Lakers star. 

The agent said his next-best player after Jordan is either Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe Bryant. 

"I really like LeBron," Falk said, via Sports Business Journal. "But I think if Jordan had cherry-picked what teams he wanted to be on and two other superstars, he would’ve won 15 championships."

Falk said James would "probably" land in his top 10 best players ever. 

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES BOLD STATEMENT AFTER PACERS' INCREDIBLE COMEBACK WIN OVER KNICKS

Jordan’s former agent referenced James’ tenure with the Miami Heat with his "cherry-picked" comment. 

James, after being unable to capture a title in his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, departed in free agency for the Miami Heat. 

James, alongside star center Chris Bosh, signed with the Heat in free agency to join Dwayne Wade, and created the "Big 3." A lot of fans credit the Heat for being the first to create a "superteam."

In his four seasons with the Heat, James won two championships.

Jordan, on the other hand, stuck with the Chicago Bulls until after his second retirement, when he joined the Washington Wizards. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

WWE star Zoey Stark broke her silence on Wednesday after a devastating injury left her unable to compete in a Money in the Bank qualifying match on "Monday Night Raw."

Stark suffered a knee injury as she was going for a drop kick on Kairi Sane. She misfired and came up lame as she writhed in pain on the mat. A trainer nearby needed to come into the ring to help Stark out and to the backstage area.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

She thanked her fans and colleagues for their support and well wishes.

"Wow the love and support means more to me than you'll ever know!" Stark wrote in a post on X. "What hurts more than my knee is knowing I wont be able to perform for all of you for a while. I LOVE what I do and I'm blessed to do this. As the saying goes, the comeback is greater than the setback. Love you guys."

Sane and Rhea Ripley were the ones left in the match as the triple threat became a one-on-one fight. Ripley ended up getting the pin and win over Sane to move into the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, which will take place next month in California.

Sane and Ripley both shared their thoughts on Stark’s injury.

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST TALKS DECISION TO MAKE LEAP TO WWE: 'MY CALLING FROM GOD'

"Professional wrestling can be very real and dangerous… Tonight continued to prove that anything can happen," Ripley wrote. "Wishing @ZoeyStarkWWE a speedy recovery!"

Sane added, "I truly hope we get to face each other again when you’re ready. Wishing you a smooth recovery."

Stark debuted on the "Raw" roster in 2023 after having success in NXT for a few years before getting the call-up. 

She immediately made an impact when she partnered with WWE legend Trish Stratus during her feud with Becky Lynch. Once the rivalry was over, she found herself in a new faction with Shayna Baszler and Sonya Deville for a few months, but Baszler and Deville eventually departed the company.

Stark was ranked as the No. 86 top female wrestler in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s 2021 list. She won a tag team championship with Iyo Sky in NXT.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sunday is a huge day for any fan of motorsports.

Formula 1 will run the Monaco Grand Prix with the Indianapolis 500 taking place in the afternoon and the Coca-Cola 600 at night to put a cap on the day.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ryan Blaney will be behind the wheel of the No. 12 Team Penske car for the Coca-Cola 600 with the BodyArmor Chill drinks emblazoned on the hood of his vehicle. Blaney’s fellow NASCAR Cup Series colleague Kyle Larson will be attempting to do "The Double."

"The Double" is one of the toughest feats any racecar driver could attempt to do during their career. It involves racing the Indy 500 and then flying on a plane to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. Larson became one of five drivers to attempt "The Double" last year but failed to make it to the NASCAR race.

Blaney told Fox News Digital it was "neat" to watch Larson attempt it last year.

"It’s the biggest day in racing," Blaney said. "You got Monaco early, then you got Indy, and then we end it with the 600. I get up and watch Monaco in the morning, I cheer on the Penske guys for the 500 and then I get ready to go race. I think it’s a great feat. It was neat to watch him do it last year. Last year didn’t really go his way with rain and stuff like that, it was kind of a crapshoot. Hopefully, it goes a little smoother for him this year just being able to do it all."

CONOR DALY LOOKS TO ETCH HIS NAME IN MORE THAN JUST INDY 500 HISTORY

An attempt at "The Double" appeared to pique Blaney’s interest given that Team Penske has drivers competing at the Indy 500.

"But yeah, it’s something I’ve always considered," Blaney said. "You never know, maybe down the road if I get a chance. I’m with a great team that has a chance to do it, but we’ll see. You never know, we’ll figure it out."

Larson, John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch have all attempted the feat. Stewart was the only driver out of the group to complete both races on the same day.

No driver has won either race while making the attempt.

Larson is hoping that changes come Sunday.

The Indy 500 will be broadcast May 25 on FOX with coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET. It will also be available to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

As star quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains an unsigned free agent this offseason, the 41-year-old veteran says that his personal life has been impacted by tragedy to those close to him. 

During an interview with Joe Rogan on Wednesday, Rodgers said that there are many people close to him who are currently dealing with cancer. 

"I've been in the weeds with these people who are close to me that have cancer," Rodgers told Rogan. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The quarterback previously hinted at issues in his personal life during an interview on the "Pat McAfee Show" back in April, as a reason why he had not signed with a team. 

"I have a couple people in my inner, inner circle who are battling some difficult stuff," Rodgers said. "So, I have a lot of things that are taking my attention and have since the beginning of January away from football. That's where I have been focusing most of my attention on."

STEELERS' COURTSHIP OF AARON RODGERS IS MORE 'COMPLEX' THAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, PART-OWNER SAYS

Multiple reports have linked Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently have a quarterback opening after losing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields this offseason and choosing not to pick a top quarterback prospect in this year's NFL Draft. 

Rodgers recently visited the Steelers' facilities, and multiple outlets reported he met with the team's coaching staff. However, Rodgers has still yet to decide if he will continue his NFL career in 2025 or step away from the game all together, as he has not ruled out retirement. 

Journalist Ian O'Conner, who recently wrote the Rodgers biography "Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers," said the quarterback is likely to end up in Pittsburgh. 

"I just think verbally, behind the scenes, not that he guaranteed it, but he’s told [the Steelers], ‘Listen, I’m gonna play for you. I just don’t want to go there and then miss part of mandatory minicamp because of my personal issues. I’m pretty sure they’re gonna be solved by the end of May, at least in my satisfaction where I can give you my all.’ So that’s where I think he is," O’Connor said during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

O'Conner went on to describe the Steelers as the "perfect place" for Rodgers to bring his storied career to a close.

"He knows it was an embarrassment in New York largely, and he’s the face of that embarrassment," O’Connor said. "Whether that’s fair or not, that’s the case. It may be me as an optimist, but I think this is gonna work out. Do I think the Steelers will win the Super Bowl next year? No. But if you told me 11-6 with at least one playoff victory ... I think that’s realistic."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

New York Yankees rookie outfielder Jasson Dominguez hit a walk-off home run to give the team a 4-3 comeback win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. 

With one out and up 2-0 in the count, Dominguez clubbed a hanging slider from Rangers’ reliever Luke Jackson 398 feet into the second deck to give the Yankees the win. 

Dominguez’s home run did more than just win the game -- he also etched his name into the history books. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The 22-year-old is the first player in MLB history to achieve these four feats in a single month: hit three home runs in a game, hit a home run from both sides of the plate in a game, hit a grand slam, and hit a walk-off home run, according to OptaSTATS.

Earlier in the month against the Athletics, Dominguez became the youngest Yankees player to ever hit three home runs in a game. He became just the 16th player ever to have a three-home run game with at least one coming from each side of the plate. 

AARON JUDGE ON 326-FOOT HR, THE SHORTEST OF HIS CAREER: 'IT COUNTS THE SAME'

On the season, Dominguez has a .241 batting average with a .340 on-base percentage with six home runs and 22 RBI. 

The Yankees outfielder has especially turned it up in May, as he has hit .267 with an on-base percentage of .382, with four home runs in the month. 

The American League East-leading Yankees have won three straight games and seven of their last nine games. 

The Yankees (29-19) are going for the three-game sweep of the Rangers (25-25) when they play at 12:35 p.m. ET on Thursday. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Bruce Pearl, the head coach of the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team and chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association, mourned the killings of two Israeli Embassy staffers after a Capital Jewish Museum event on Wednesday night.

Pearl appeared on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich" and said he was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night talking about Jewish Heritage Month before the shooting occurred.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"There’s a tremendous rise in antisemitism. We’re going to overcome it," Pearl said. "This was just a young couple, two diplomats just getting ready to start their life. The young man had a ring and was just getting ready to ask this beautiful girl to marry him and start a family. And that’s all gone right now because of, quite frankly, just the lies. Just the lies and incredibly awful propaganda."

Pearl said he believed that when anti-Israel agitators march in the streets or college campuses and chant "free Palestine," it really meant that they want to free it from Jewish people.

"When they say, ‘free Palestine’ – what they mean is free Palestine of the Jews. Free Palestine of your friend coach, Bruce Pearl. … That’s what this is all about," he said. "If you were to sit there and call for an intifada or if you were going to be calling for the death to the Jews, just replace the Jews with the word ‘Christians’ or ‘Blacks’ or ‘women’ or anybody, where in the world do you get to get out there on a street … I believe in free speech so you know what, you get to do that here in this country. But we got to take them seriously now. We got to take them at their word. Just terrible to see that tragedy in D.C. last night."

CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS DIGITAL'S COVERAGE OF 'ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED'

Pearl lamented the "lies" being told about Israel – whether it was on college campuses or in the media.

However, the college basketball coach did not think the shooting would be a tipping point for those protesting against Israel.

"I don’t know that it can. I don’t know that we’re at a tipping point at this right now. In three days, it’ll be over, and we’ll be on to whatever is next," Pearl said." You go to Washington, D.C., and you got Jewish congressmen and senators that are Democrats that are gonna take a certain position and a certain side of things because politically we’re lining up in such opposition – we’re Americans! And it’s fine that we got different ways of looking at things, but no, I don’t see this thing changing very much."

WITNESS RECOUNTS CHILLING MOMENT DC JEWISH MUSEUM SHOOTER CONFESSED 'I DID THIS FOR GAZA'

Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, both worked at the embassy and were about to be engaged before they were shot and killed at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, according to Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter.

Washington, D.C. police identified the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who was taken into custody after the shooting attack. He was allegedly seen pacing outside the museum before he approached a group of four people, including the two victims, and opened fire. Rodriguez then reportedly went into the museum where he was detained by security. He allegedly shouted "Free, free Palestine!" while in custody.

The NFL’s Washington Commanders were among those who condemned antisemitism.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic murders of two young Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum," the team said. "Antisemitism and hate have no place in our society, and we join the entire DMV in offering our thoughts and prayers to the families of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgri. May their memories be a blessing."

Fox News' Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.