Glossary

A team's best starting pitcher, the one who usually pitches the most important games.

“Gerrit Cole is the Yankees' ace, so the team struggles when he can't pitch.”

A serious knee injury where the anterior cruciate ligament (a key ligament in your knee) gets ripped or stretched.

“Many athletes who tear their ACL take months of physical therapy to come back, and some never play the same way again.”

When a player on the injured list is cleared to play again and officially returns to the roster.

“Once a pitcher's arm feels strong, the team will activate him so he can pitch in games.”

A list of the 15 best players in the entire league, picked by experts and fans voting together.

“Making All-NBA means you're officially one of the elite players in basketball.”

A player who is voted as one of the absolute best at their position that season.

“Will Anderson was an All-Pro defensive end, meaning experts thought he was the best at his job.”

A pass that directly leads to a teammate scoring a basket.

“LeBron had 13 assists, meaning he set up 13 of his teammates' scores.”

A form where voters write down their choices for who should win each award.

“When Tim Bontemps fills out his ballot, he's officially submitting his votes for MVP and other awards.”

You have to win 4 games before the other team does to move on to the next round.

“In a best-of-7, if you win games 1, 2, and 4, you advance even if the other team wins game 3.”

A matchup where the first team to win 4 games moves forward; you can win in 4, 5, 6, or 7 games.

“In a best-of-seven series, if you're down 3-1, your opponent only needs one more win to eliminate you.”

The trust and connection between teammates that helps them work together better.

“When Perez and Quatraro made up, it helped the team's chemistry.”

The pitcher who comes in during the final inning to protect a lead and finish the game.

“The closer is usually a team's best pitcher and only pitches when they're winning by a few runs.”

The person who leads a team, decides who plays, and plans the strategy for how to win games.

“Steve Kerr is the Warriors' coach and decides what plays they run.”

One half of the NBA — there's an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference.

“The Lakers are in the Western Conference and the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference.”

A player selected in rounds 2 or 3 of the NFL draft, usually really good college players.

“Zachariah Branch was expected to be a Day 2 pick, which means an NFL team would choose him fairly early.”

The team that won the championship last year.

“The Nuggets are the defending champs because they won the NBA championship last season.”

A player on defense whose job is to rush toward the quarterback and stop running plays.

“Will Anderson plays defensive end, so he tries to tackle the other team's quarterback.”

A player on defense whose job is to rush forward and tackle the opponent's quarterback or running back.

“Defensive linemen are usually big and strong because they need to push through offensive players.”

A player on defense who lines up in the middle and tries to stop the other team's running plays and sack the quarterback.

“Dexter Lawrence is a defensive tackle, so he plays in the middle of the defensive line.”

When teams pick new young players from college or junior leagues to join their team.

“The team used their draft pick to select a promising rookie goalie.”

The order a team gets to choose new players from college — a valuable asset teams can trade away.

“The Bengals gave up draft picks to trade for Lawrence.”

How high or low scouts think a player will be picked in the draft; it goes up or down based on performance and behavior.

“Branch's draft stock dropped after his arrest because teams got worried about picking him.”

One half of the NBA; the Cavs and Knicks play in this conference.

“The Eastern Conference has 15 teams, and the Cavs are one of the best ones.”

Among the very best at something.

“LeBron James plays at an elite level because he's one of the best players in the league.”

A cheaper contract that rookie players sign for their first three years in the league while teams figure out if they're actually good.

“Celebrini signed an entry-level contract when he joined the Sharks, so he's paid less than veteran players.”

A special low-paying contract that new players sign when they join a professional league, designed to give teams a chance to develop young talent cheaply.

“Most first-round draft picks sign entry-level contracts that pay way less than what they'll make once they become stars.”

A time when something is no longer good or useful; in coaching, when it's time to move on.

“Kerr said coaching jobs have an expiration date, meaning even good coaches don't stay forever.”

A new contract that keeps a player on the same team for more years, usually with higher pay.

“If Celebrini signs an extension, he might stay with the Sharks for five more years instead of just one.”

When a player and team agree to add more years and money to the player's contract that already existed.

“Lawrence signed a one-year extension, which added $28 million to his deal with the Bengals.”

Picked or expected to win or succeed.

“The home team is usually favored to win because they don't have to travel.”

The teams that experts think have the best chance to win.

“The Celtics and Thunder are the favorites to make the Finals this year.”

The teams that experts think are most likely to win.

“The Thunder and Celtics are the favorites to win the championship this year.”

The last series of the playoffs where the two best teams play for the championship.

“The NBA Finals happen in June when one team wins the whole thing.”

The first set of matchups in the playoffs where 16 teams compete in eight series.

“If the Lakers win their first-round series, they move on to the second round.”

The opening set of playoff games where 16 teams play, and the winners move forward.

“The Lakers are playing the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.”

When a player breaks a rule by hitting, pushing, or blocking another player unfairly.

“The defender fouled Murray, so he got to shoot two free throws.”

The best performance ever by any player in a single team's history for that specific stat.

“Celebrini broke the Sharks' franchise record for points, meaning no Shark has ever scored more in one season.”

An unguarded shot from the free throw line that a player gets when the other team fouls them.

“After the defender fouled him, Murray got to shoot a free throw with no one blocking him.”

An unguarded shot from the free throw line (15 feet away) that a player gets after being fouled.

“The referee called a foul, so the player got to shoot two free throws with nobody defending.”

The first game in a series of games between two teams; usually the winner needs to win 4 games first.

“The Lakers won Game 1, so now they lead the series 1-0.”

The person who makes big decisions about which players the team signs, trades for, or drafts.

“The GM decided to trade their star player for three younger players.”

When a player refuses to show up to team activities until they get what they want, usually more money or a better contract.

“Brissett's holdout means he's not attending practice right now because he wants a new deal.”

An official list where teams put players who are hurt and can't play for a set number of days (usually 10 or 15).

“When a soccer player breaks their ankle, they go on the injured list until they're healthy enough to play again.”

A roster spot for players who are hurt and can't play — they come back when they heal.

“If a player breaks their wrist, they go on the 10-day injured list while it mends.”

Being the player your team counts on most to help win games.

“Jaylen Brown is leading the Celtics by playing great defense and scoring big points.”

When a team loses multiple games in a row without winning.

“The Mets are on a 10-game losing streak, meaning they lost 10 games straight.”

A criminal charge that is serious but not as serious as a felony; examples include minor theft or disorderly conduct.

“Branch was arrested on misdemeanor charges, which are less serious than felony charges but still a big problem for his career.”

The feeling of confidence and energy a team gets after winning; it can help them win the next game.

“The Knicks have momentum after winning Game 1, so they feel like they can beat anyone.”

Most Valuable Player — the award given to the player who had the biggest positive impact on their team's success during the season.

“Last year's MVP was the player everyone agreed made the biggest difference in helping their team win games.”

The last series of the NBA season where the two best teams play each other to decide the champion.

“The Celtics are trying to make the NBA Finals so they can win the whole championship.”

The side muscles on your torso that help you bend and twist.

“When you do a side crunch at the gym, you're working your obliques.”

When teams get together during the break between seasons to train, practice, and plan for the upcoming year.

“During the offseason program, players work on getting stronger and learning new plays.”

When a player's contract ends and other teams are allowed to try to sign them with their own offers.

“If Celebrini waits until the open market, any NHL team could make him an offer, not just the Sharks.”

A set of games between two teams where the first team to win a certain number of games moves on (usually best-of-seven, so first to 4 wins).

“The Knicks and Hawks are playing a playoff series, and the Knicks won Game 1.”

A best-of-seven matchup where the first team to win 4 games advances to the next round.

“The Nuggets and Timberwolves are playing a playoff series that could go up to 7 games.”

A tournament after the regular season where the best teams play each other to decide the champion.

“The Lakers made the playoffs by finishing with a good record during the regular season.”

A tournament after the regular season where the best teams play each other, and winners keep going until one team is champion.

“The NBA playoffs start in April and end in June when someone wins the championship.”

The player who handles the ball the most and runs the offense for their team.

“Jalen Brunson is the Knicks' point guard, so he controls how they play.”

The playoff games that happen after the regular season ends, where the best teams compete for the championship.

“If the Mets keep losing, they might not make the postseason this year.”

The playoffs — the tournament that happens after the regular season ends to decide the champion.

“The postseason is when only 16 teams play, and they battle it out until one team wins the championship.”

A stretch or small tear in the quadriceps muscle, which is the big muscle on the front of your thigh.

“A sprinter might get a quad strain from pushing off too hard during a race.”

When a team decides to get younger and start over instead of trying to win right away.

“After trading away their stars, the team is in rebuild mode and probably won't win for a few years.”

The 82 games every NBA team plays before the playoffs begin.

“During the regular season, teams play almost every other night from October through April.”

A practice game where an injured player pitches or plays against a minor league team to prove they're healthy enough to return.

“Gerrit Cole threw a rehab outing on Friday to test his arm before coming back.”

A pitcher who comes into the game late to finish it, usually when the starter is tired or it's a close game.

“In the bottom of the 9th with a one-run lead, the manager brings in their best reliever to close out the win.”

A team your team has a long history of intense competition and dislike with.

“The Flyers and Penguins are rivals, so their playoff matchups are especially heated.”

A team or player that your team really wants to beat because of a long history of competition.

“The Flyers and Penguins are rivals, so they always play harder against each other.”

A player in their first professional season.

“Porter Martone is a rookie because this is his first year playing in the NHL.”

A player in their first year of professional sports.

“Porter Martone is a rookie, so this is his first season playing in the NHL.”

An award given to the best first-year player in the league.

“A player in their first NBA season can win Rookie of the Year if they play better than other first-year players.”

When teams pick college players in the early part of the professional draft; second round means these players were considered pretty good prospects.

“Both Orhorhoro and Smith were second-round picks, so they were supposed to be solid players.”

Playing without some of your best or regular players because they're injured or unavailable.

“The Lakers were shorthanded because Luka Doncic couldn't play.”

When a player can't play because of injury or another reason.

“Doncic was sidelined with a knee injury, so he missed the game.”

The best player who starts on the bench instead of playing from the beginning of the game.

“Tyler Herro won Sixth Man of the Year because he came off the bench and scored more points than any other bench player.”

The best player who comes off the bench and doesn't start games, but still helps their team win a lot.

“A Sixth Man of the Year candidate is someone who plays 20-30 minutes per game off the bench and is really impactful.”

The tournament where the 16 best hockey teams compete to win the sport's biggest championship.

“The Stanley Cup playoffs start in April every year and the winner gets to celebrate with the famous Cup.”

A serious health emergency where blood flow to the brain is blocked, which can affect a person's body and abilities.

“Gregg Popovich is recovering from a stroke but still came to encourage his team.”

Being one of the teams that could realistically win the championship.

“The Lakers are in title contention this year because they have great players and a good record.”

When two teams swap players with each other—one team gives up a player, the other gives up a different player.

“The Falcons traded their defensive lineman to the Jaguars in exchange for a different defensive lineman.”

When a player gets 10 or more of something in three different stats (like points, assists, and rebounds).

“LeBron had 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds—almost a triple-double.”

When the team expected to lose actually wins against a team people thought was better.

“The Nuggets pulling off an upset means nobody thought they'd beat the Timberwolves.”

The other half of the NBA; the Lakers and Nuggets play in this conference.

“The Lakers and Nuggets are in the Western Conference and are rivals in the playoffs.”