Arsenal Are Going to Budapest. The Semis Delivered Everything.
The Gunners punch their ticket to the UCL final, Wemby breaks a playoff record, and Stefon Diggs is a free man.
Welcome to Staten News — where Arsenal just made Champions League history, the NBA semifinals opened with a bang, and a 9-goal thriller is about to get a sequel tonight in Munich.
Because this week didn’t ease anybody in.
⚽ Arsenal Are In the Champions League Final
It’s done. Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates on Tuesday night to advance to the Budapest final on May 30 — their first Champions League final in 20 years.
The first leg in Madrid finished 1-1 on April 29, with Gyökeres and Julián Álvarez trading goals on penalties in a tense night at the Wanda Metropolitano. Arsenal handled the second leg. One goal, clean sheet, job done. Arteta’s side are the only unbeaten team left in this competition — 10 wins, 2 draws across the entire campaign — and they’ve now won seven consecutive Champions League matches against Spanish opposition. That’s a record.
They wait to find out who they face in Budapest. Which brings us to tonight.
⚽ Bayern vs PSG — Tonight, Munich, Everything on the Line
This is the one. Bayern host PSG tonight at the Allianz Arena needing to overturn a 5-4 first leg deficit — the result of one of the most absurd matches in Champions League semi-final history.
The first leg at the Parc des Princes was a nine-goal classic — a new record for a UCL semi-final. Bayern led, got blown out 5-2, then fought back to make it 5-4 with incredible mentality. Harry Kane scored the opener. Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé were electric for PSG. Musiala and Olise gave Bayern life. It ended with both sides genuinely believing they can win.
Bayern at home in the Allianz Arena is a different animal — they’ve lost just one of their last 29 Champions League home matches. But PSG are the reigning champions and Dembélé is the most dangerous player in this competition right now. One goal either way changes everything. This is the game of the week — maybe the month.
🏀 NBA Semifinals: Tuesday Night Delivered
Four Game 1s. Four statements.
Knicks 137, 76ers 98 — New York walked into their own building and embarrassed a team that just beat the Celtics in a Game 7 for the ages. The margin was 39 points. MSG was loud from tip-off and the Sixers never got comfortable. Jalen Brunson was locked in and the Knicks defense made Embiid and Maxey irrelevant for most of the night.
Pistons over Cavaliers, Game 1 — Detroit kept rolling. They out-rebounded Cleveland, held them defensively, and hit threes when it mattered. The Pistons are the most cohesive team left in the East and they’re not showing any signs of slowing down.
Thunder over Lakers, Game 1 — Chet Holmgren took over. All-around performance, the kind that reminds you why OKC built around him. The Thunder haven’t lost a single game in these playoffs — swept Phoenix in the first round, now controlling this one from the jump. Both teams are dealing with hamstring injuries but OKC’s depth makes that manageable. For LA it’s a problem.
Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102 — This was the game of the night. Victor Wembanyama dropped 12 blocks — a single-game playoff record — and still lost. Julian Champagnie missed a three at the buzzer and Minnesota held on by the skin of their teeth. The Rudy Gobert vs. Wemby matchup is already the most interesting chess match of this entire round. Rudy mentored Wemby when he was in high school. Now they’re competing for a Finals berth.
Game 2s for Knicks-Sixers and Spurs-Timberwolves tip tonight after the Bayern-PSG kickoff. Full slate.
🏈 NFL: Stefon Diggs Is a Free Man
A jury found Stefon Diggs not guilty on strangulation and assault charges this week. The verdict clears the path for the veteran wide receiver to return to the NFL as a free agent. Multiple teams have been circling. He’s 32 and has had injury-plagued recent seasons but the talent is undeniable when healthy. Expect the market to move quickly now that the legal cloud is gone.
Separately — the Dexter Lawrence trade to Cincinnati is now fully official and processed. The Bengals gave up the No. 10 pick and signed him to a one-year $28 million extension. NFL executives praised the move all week, with one GM saying Lawrence is more talented than anyone in this year’s draft class. The Giants walk away with two top-10 picks and start their rebuild under John Harbaugh. Clean trade for both sides.
🔮🔭 Final Take
Arsenal are in Budapest. Wemby broke a playoff record in a loss. The NBA semis are already delivering. And tonight a nine-goal thriller gets its sequel in Munich.
The week isn’t over yet and it’s already been one of the better sports weeks of the year.
Stay sharp. The second half is always where it gets decided.
— The Bandicoots 🏀⚽🔥