FeaturedThe Friday 5

The Friday 5: April 21st

By April 21, 2023 No Comments

NFL Betting Suspensions

The NFL announced Friday morning that four players on the Detroit Lions – WR Jameson Williams, WR Stanley Berryhill, WR Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore – and one player on the Washington Commanders – DE Shaka Toney – have been suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Williams, who was a 2022 first-round pick, and Berryhill are each being suspended six games. They did not bet on NFL games, but they placed mobile bets while at the Lions’ Allen Park facility. Cephus, Moore and Toney all bet on NFL games and were suspended indefinitely. They can apply for reinstatement after a year.

Detroit announced that Cephus and Moore have been released.

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo

While the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat are tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven series, Milwaukee is hoping to have star Giannis Antetokounmpo back on the court, like, ASAP. The two-time MVP was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Heat, but Milwaukee was able to come back with a Game 2 win.

Antetokounmpo has a lower back contusion, which the Bucks are monitoring as they prepare for Saturday’s Game 3 in Miami. He did not practice with the team on Friday. 

Tip-off is at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT on ESPN.

 

Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers are in trouble, and not only because they’re down to 2-1 to the Phoenix Suns. They’re in trouble, because they’re down 2-1 to the Phoenix Suns and may be without Kawhi Leonard for Saturday’s Game 4. Leonard was out for Game 3’s 129-124 loss and is day-to-day with a sprained right knee.

Leonard aggravated the injury at the end of Game 1 and it only got worse after he played in Game 2. The Clippers have also been without Paul George, who is suffering from a sprained right knee as well.

Game 4 tips off from Los Angeles at 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT on TNT.

 

Drew Smyly

Chicago Cubs LHP Drew Smyly had a perfect game through seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, before David Peralta broke it up with a very, very infield single that Smyly and catcher Yan Gomes both went for when they collided awkwardly. Everyone was ok, but that broke up the perfect game and no-hitter all at once.

Smyly left the game with two outs in the top of 8th inning with 10 strikeouts and a 13-0 lead. Perfect game or not, it was an incredible performance that even this Dodgers Fangirl could appreciate. 

 

Victor Wembanyama

The projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft officially declared for the Draft, as Victor Wembanyama told ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Friday that the paperwork has been submitted. 

Wembanyama is 19 years old and stands at 7’3”. He is known for his size, speed and ball-handling ability. While playing in France, he is averaging 21.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.3 assists per game.

Now the question is, where will he play? The NBA Draft lottery is May 16. Whoever gets the No. 1 pick gets Wembanyama, most likely. Stay tuned.

Tracy Sandler

Tracy Sandler

I created Fangirl Sports Network as a place for female sports fans to follow their favorite teams with content and coverage that speaks directly to females. It started with one and then eight and now 32 NFL Fangirls and 15 NBA Fangirls.