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ESPN and the NBA made news on Thursday with the official confirmation of an upcoming HORSE competition featuring betting favorite Trae Young, Chris Paul, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings and others. Just hours later, though, the partnership continued with the quarterfinals of the NBA 2K “players-only” tournament, with four match-ups aired in back-to-back fashion.

In the first match-up of the night, Devin Booker, playing as the Dallas Mavericks, took on Rui Hachimura, playing as the L.A. Clippers, in a battle between the No. 5 seed (Booker) and the No. 13 seed (Hachimura). In the early going, there were upset winds blowing, with Hachimura leading and Booker seemingly bothered by the use of the “All-Star” game difficulty after Hachimura hit a three with Lou Williams.

It was all Booker from there, though, with the Phoenix Suns guard taking a 13-point lead by the end of the third quarter, largely behind the play of Luka Doncic.

Ultimately, Booker was never really challenged in the fourth quarter on the way to a 71-55 victory and the first berth in the semifinals.

For the honor to face off against Booker in the semifinals, No. 8 seed Montrezl Harrell, playing as the Portland Trail Blazers, faced No. 16 seed Derrick Jones Jr., playing as the Dallas Mavericks. Harrell took an early lead and kept it through the end of the first quarter, but Jones Jr. knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cut the margin.

Harrell maintained a six-point lead at the halftime break and took further control in the third quarter, eventually building a double-digit lead.

Jones Jr. did make quite a push in the latter stages of the fourth quarter, slashing the deficit to as few as three points in the final minute. Still, Harrell emerged victorious by a 71-66 final score to set up a matchup against Booker in the “final four” of the event.

In the second-to-last battle of the night, the No. 2 seed took on the No. 10 seed with Young facing Deandre Ayton. Young chose to play with the Lakers, setting up a battle of Los Angeles as Ayton selected the Clippers.

Ayton got off to a lights-out start, seizing the lead in the early going behind strong offense. In fact, Ayton led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter.

Young did push back a bit in the second quarter, keeping the deficit manageable, but Ayton still took the lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Ayton stretched the advantage to double-figures again, but the lead didn’t last. Young made a furious push at the end of the quarter, taking the lead in the final seconds.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, to the point where it was (far) more competitive than the previous two games. Ayton claimed the edge in the final minutes, though, and he picked up a seven-point win to advance to the semifinals.

In the nightcap, No. 6 seed Andre Drummond, playing with the Milwaukee Bucks, took on No. 14 seed Patrick Beverley, playing with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Beverley provided a bit of entertainment early when he revealed that he is “working out like a madman” during the shelter-in-place period.

When it came to the game itself, Drummond garnered an 11-point lead after the first quarter and he was in a fantastic position.

Beverley did come a live a bit in the second quarter, climbing back within a six-point halftime margin, and he had fun doing it.

The always entertaining guard wasn’t done there, taking the lead in the third quarter on the back of effective defense (and some trash talk).

Drummond converted a three-pointer as the buzzer went off to end the third, giving Drummond’s Bucks the lead as the closing period arrived.

Despite that counterpunch from Drummond, it was all Beverley in the fourth and, in on-brand fashion, he wasn’t quiet about it.

Eventually, Beverley held on to advance as the lowest seed to land in the final four.

The semifinals will take place on Saturday, with Harrell facing Booker and Ayton squaring off against Beverley. ESPN is set to broadcast the proceedings once again, with the finals also scheduled for Saturday.

And it’s oh-so accurate.

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“Absolutely not.” —Me just trying to enjoy a non-horror film for once.

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Sometimes you get more than what you paid for.

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It’s magic!

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Historically speaking, tequila hasn’t really gotten the respect it deserves as a sipping spirit. Perhaps because of too many faded memories of brutal, cheap tequila shots taken with a wedge of lime. Or maybe because there are so many great mixed tequila drinks — from margaritas to palomas — that it’s easy to forget all the great sipping tequilas out there. That changes now.

If you’ve never enjoyed a glass of tequila neat or on the rocks, you’re missing out on a complex, vegetal, flavorful experience. Just ask Kevin Moran, general manager at Seagar’s Prime in South Walton, Florida, who reps hard for Don Julio 1942.

“1942 is 100% Agave and from Jalisco,” he says. “This añejo tequila is aged a minimum of two and a half years in oak, giving it a distinctive sweet vanilla character. No need for lime and salt thank you, this is a ‘sipping’ bottle.”

If you don’t have any qualified sippers on hand, it’s time to order a few bottles for Easter weekend delivery. If you’re stumped on what to get, don’t worry — some of our favorite bartenders have your back.

Clase Azul Reposado

Joseph Palminteri, director of food and beverages at Via Sophia in Washington DC

My go-to tequila in Clase Azul Reposado. It’s an ultra-premium reposado tequila made with Tequilana Weber Blue Agave that is slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens for a minimum of 72 hours. Once the agave reaches a deep, rich flavor, it is fermented with proprietary yeast prior to distillation. Once the tequila is distilled, it is aged for 8 months in hand-selected oak barrels. This process results in a superb, smooth taste that exceeds expectations with each sip.

Tequila Fortaleza

Nate Simmons, bartender at Garden & Grain in Pensacola, Florida

Tequila Fortaleza from Tequila, Mexico. This brand is everything that is right about craft spirits. Family brand, years of experience, the best ingredients, and prepared the right way. The blanco, reposado, anejo, and the still strength are all great to enjoy neat.

Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo

Mazzarie Parker, bar manager of Maypop Restaurant in New Orleans

Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo was the first high-end tequila that truly changed the way I thought of tequila. You can taste the notes of peaches and apricots balanced with warm baking spices; a level of elegance and complexity that made me appreciate tequila in a whole new light. I’ve always been someone who will shoot tequila (with salt, lime, and dread), but this tequila is truly a treat.

Don Suenos Anejo

Bryan Long, assistant director of food & beverage at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida

The best tequila is Don Suenos Anejo. This anejo has a smooth finish with hints of citrus and vanilla, with grassy undertones and a final touch of pepper. The small family farm out of Jalisco has been producing agave for 43 years.

Don Julio Anejo

Miki Nikolic, beverage director at The Double Dealer in New Orleans

I love honey and vanilla. That’s why I have to say Don Julio Anejo. It has a rich taste that I haven’t been able to find in another tequila.

Espolon Anejo

Cody Dillon, general manager at Florblanca in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

The best sipping tequila is Espolon. The anejo and super anejo offer a consumer-friendly price point and drinkability. I enjoy drinking the anejo on the rocks with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Herradura Reposado

Courtney Everett, bartender at O-Ku Sushi in Atlanta

I like Casamigos Blanco and Herradura Reposado. They’re both delicious and great to sip over ice. They’re both good quality, but for the price point, I usually stick to Herradura.

123 Anejo

Josh Saphier, bartender at Eighteen36 in Houston

When enjoying tequila neat I typically go with an anjeo. I enjoy the 123 Tequila Anejo. Certified organic and bottled at the estate. This tequila is rich in flavor, super smooth, no burn at all and as you let it open up, more and more flavors present themselves.

Roca Patron Silver

Josh Streetman, bartender at Motor Supply Co. in Columbia, South Carolina

Tequila for me is best enjoyed either in an unaged silver or blanco style or extra anejo at three years or older. For the former go for a single estate Patron or Roca Silver. Also, Arte Nom which is the highest elevation production available, if you can find it. On the latter side, I like Avion Reserva 44 and Tears of Llorona.

Don Julio 1942

Natalie Migliarini, the mixologist behind Beautiful Booze on Instagram

Don Julio 1942 tequila. This is my go-to celebration tequila but who needs a celebration these days to drink some liquid gold. I enjoy the roasted agave notes as well as the hints of vanilla.

Qui Extra Anejo

Piero Procida, bartender at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles

Qui Extra Anejo tequila, by far. There are many great tequilas out there, but an inexpensive price point and very high-quality product puts this tequila as one of my favorites and the best in my opinion. The quality is superb and on par with many high-level tequilas. It is smooth enough to drink by itself as a sipping tequila and being an extra anejo you certainly do not want to alter the flavor with anything else but to simply enjoy by itself.

Philadelphia-born model and rapper Chynna tragically passed away Wednesday night at the age of 25, an unexpected end to a career with so much more to accomplish. A member of A$AP Mob, Chynna was loved and adored throughout the music industry, and many sent condolences and love to her family and friends. The day after her passing, NBC News reported that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health revealed the cause of death to be an accidental drug overdose.

News of her passing was reported by The Wrap Wednesday night after they received a statement from her family through her management team, which read in part: “Chynna was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.”

Chynna had previously admitted to struggles with opiate addiction, specifically in a 2018 interview with Pitchfork that took place during a period of sobriety. “It got to the point where I had to do something just to be able to get onstage and do my job. I didn’t like that. That was taking it too far, because it stops being fun and starts being because you have to, and that’s when you need to chill.”

Chynna signed to Ford Models at the age of 14, and she launched her musical career in 2013 with her single “Selfie.” She joined the A$AP Mob prior to the release of “Selfie.” Her most recent project, In Case I Die First, was released in December 2019.

Since his passing in December, fans of Juice WRLD have been able to hear new music from the rapper thanks to collaborations he recorded prior to passing. First a 14-minute freestyle aired on Charlie Sloth’s Fire In The Booth show, followed by posthumously released appearances on “Godzilla” with Eminem, “PTSD” with G Herbo, and “Suicidal (Remix)” with YNW Melly. As per fellow Chicago rapper Lil Bibby, it looks like a posthumous Juice WRLD album is on the horizon.

Lil Baby released a video of him and Juice WRLD to Instagram, reminiscing about his time with Juice in the video’s caption. “Miss my lil bro walking round wit skateboards and sh*t, playing wit Yugio cards and watching Naruto,” he said. Returning to the video to add a later comment, Lil Bibby revealed that Juice WRLD’s posthumous album was on the way saying, “Album coming soon.”

Aside from being a rapper, Lil Bibby is also an executive at Grade A Productions, the same label Juice was signed to, so his announcement of a posthumous album can be taken with a bit more than a grain of salt. It was also reported back in January that Juice WRLD has over 2,000 unreleased songs.