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TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Los Angeles Lakers head to Golden 1 Center to face the Sacramento Kings in a Western Conference matchup. Both teams are hovering near the bottom of their conference. The Lakers are 14-12, which puts them in tenth place. The Kings are 13-14 and in 12th place.
The Lakers have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
When is Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings?Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento KingsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Lakers vs. Kings basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Lakers vs. Kings from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 19 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 19 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Wandering off course.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
STRAY.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 19Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The New York Knicks head to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks are one of the better teams in the NBA so far, holding steady at third in the Eastern Conference. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are 14-11, which puts them at eighth place in the Western Conference.
The Knicks have won three of their last five games, but it's been up and down. The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games, including back-to-back wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota is also 8-4 at home, where they'll host the Knicks who are 8-6 on the road.
When is New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves?New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Target Center in Minnesota.
This game will air on TNT.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Knicks vs. Timberwolves basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Knicks vs. Timberwolves from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Different ways to describe throwing a ball
Green: What to do when you have the football
Blue: Women in the Olympic pool
Purple: Brands baseball players might use
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Shoot
Green: Football offensive strategies
Blue: Gold medal-winning female swimmers
Purple: Baseball equipment makers
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #87 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayShoot - FIRE, FLING, HEAVE, LAUNCH
Football offensive strategies - OPTION, PISTOL, SPREAD, WEST COAST
Gold medal-winning female swimmers - FRANKLIN, KING, LEDECKY, MANUEL
Baseball equipment makers - DEMARINI, EASTON, LOUISVILLE SLUGGER, RAWLINGS
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
TL;DR: Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Indiana Pacers head to Footprint Center to escape the northern cold and face the Phoenix Suns. The Pacers are not off to the best start this season with a 12-15 record, which lands them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Suns are faring slightly better with a 14-11 record in the Western Conference, which lands them in sixth place.
The Pacers have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Pelicans and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Suns have lost three of their last five games, but are also coming off back-to-back wins over the Portland Trailblazers and the Utah Jazz. The Suns are 9-4 at home, while the Pacers are 4-11 on the road.
When is Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns?Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix SunsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Pacers vs. Suns basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Pacers vs. Suns from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Los Angeles Clippers head to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference matchup. The Clippers are struggling to stay relevant in the Western Conference with a 15-12 record, which lands them in ninth place. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are working their way to the top of the Western Conference, with a 17-9 record, which lands them in fourth place.
The Clippers have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Utah Jazz. The Mavericks have won four of their last five games, including their most recent win over the Golden State Warriors. Dallas is also 8-3 at home, while the Clippers are 5-6 on the road.
When is Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks?Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
How to watchLos Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas MavericksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Clippers vs. Mavericks basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Clippers vs. Mavericks from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Golden State Warriors head to FedExForum to face the Memphis Grizzlies in a Western Conference matchup. The Warriors are a mid-conference team this season with a 14-11 record that lands them in seventh place. The Grizzlies are a top competitor with an 18-9 record in second place behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Golden State has lost three of its last five games, including back-to-back losses to the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. The Grizzlies have won four of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis, however, is 12-3 at home, whereas the Warriors are 7-6 on the road.
When is Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies?Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at FedExForum in Memphis.
How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis GrizzliesYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Grizzlies basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Warriors vs. Grizzlies from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
2024 has been a long year filled with viral moments aplenty. In the clip above from The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon breaks out his guitar to round them up.
The song is only two-and-a-half minutes long, but he still manages to squeeze in everything from "very mindful, very demure" to Jacob Elordi's beard.
SAVE $45: As of Dec. 19, Amazon's Echo Show 5 is on sale for $44.99. That's 50% off its list price of $89.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at AmazonIt's not too late to pick up some gifts for the holidays. Amazon is offering an excellent variety of last-minute deals right now, including on its own tech. The Echo Show 5 has a fantastic discount at the moment and will even ship to you before Christmas. What could be better?
Amazon's Echo Show 5 is on sale for $44.99 right now, 50% off its list price of $89.99. And as mentioned before, Amazon notes above the 'Add to Cart' button that this little smart display will arrive at your doorstep before Christmas so there's no need to worry about any delays.
SEE ALSO: The Apple iPad (10th Gen) is at its lowest-ever price — better than Black Friday and Cyber MondayThe Echo Show 5 is smaller in size than the Echo Show 8, making it a great fit for a desk or bedroom, and it can serve as a hub to control compatible smart devices. In our comparison of Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8, writer SaVanna Shoemaker said "If video calls and Zoom meetings aren’t your concern, then the Echo Show 5 is still a great choice — like the 2nd gen Echo Show 8, the new Echo Show 5 boasts many of the same expanded Alexa functions, like home monitoring and motion detection routines."
Amazon also notes on the deal page that this is a limited-time deal. So, act fast to take advantage of 50% off the Echo Show 5 before the discount disappears.
If you're looking for even more gift ideas, it's worth it to have a look at Amazon's top 100 holiday gifts. This collection has a little something for everyone in it, and Amazon will note on each page whether or not it'll arrive ahead of the holidays so you can be prepared.
The stock market may be having a bit of a wobble, but Stephen Colbert is feeling cool as a cucumber.
"Anybody have money in the stock market? Not anymore, because today the Dow plunged more than 1,100 points — and that is a lot of...Dow units," says Colbert in the Late Show clip above. "Despite this turbulent market you don't see me shaking, because I've taken all my money and placed it safely in memecoin. I'm fine. For instance, I put it in the very real cryptocurrency called Fartcoin, which is – and this is true – today surged to a nearly $1 billion market cap.
"But I'm not here to brag about my good fortune, OK, that's the thing about Fartcoin: It's silent but wealthy."
Of course, if you're thinking of following in Colbert's footsteps, it's worth remembering that all memecoins are a massively risky investment that could dump at any time.
Martin Short is co-hosting SNL this week, and in the promo above he asks the castmembers for help wrapping gifts for his celebrity friends.
"Now, this book is for Colin Jost. It's called How to develop a Personality," says Short, holding up the various presents. "Now this baby rattle is for Al Pacino. Not his baby, it's actually for Al. And of course this suntan lotion is for Steve Martin. It's SPF infinity, because let's face it, Steve is whiter than a Coldplay meet-and-greet. His blood type is mayonnaise."
Finally, Short holds up two signed photographs of himself. "And these are for my kids," he says.
SAVE $180: As of Dec. 19, Best Buy has Beats Studio Pro headphones discounted to $169.99. That's $180 off their list price of $349.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Best BuyEven after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Best Buy is still offering up some great deals leading up to the holidays. If you're doing some last-minute shopping, you can save on numerous items there right now, but one of our favorite offers at the moment is on the Beats Studio Pro headphones.
The noise-canceling Beats Studio Pro have had a $180 price drop at Best Buy, from $349.99 to $169.99. That's an excellent deal for high-quality headphones, and made even better by the fact your purchase comes with bonus offers of Apple Fitness+ for three months and up to three months of Apple Music for free.
SEE ALSO: Save $250 on the 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chipThe Beats Studio Pro are worth every penny, with a comfortable fit and active noise canceling to keep you fully immersed in your favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. In our review, writer Alex Perry said "just as the Beats Fit Pro are the easiest earbuds to recommend, it's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro."
There's still time to scoop up these discounted headphones, so don't miss out on $180 off the Beats Studio Pro at Best Buy.
Best Buy's last-minute savings event is full of even more discounts that are worth exploring. From home goods to laptops to gaming consoles, there are plenty of items still on sale that you can stock up on before the holidays kick in.
SAVE $450: As of Dec. 19, the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale for $899.99, $450 off its list price of $1,349.99 as part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC $899.99 at Best BuyThe holidays are right around the corner, and if you're still looking to save on some gift ideas before the big day, Best Buy's here to help. It's Deal of the Day program spotlights an exciting new deal each day, and today's discount on a Microsoft Surface Pro is one that's definitely worth checking out.
For today only, you can save a whopping $450 on the Microsoft Surface Pro, dropping its price from $1,349.99 to $899.99. That's not all, though. This is a bundle that comes with a keyboard as well so you can set it up right away. As a bonus, it also comes with a one month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership and a Trend Micro Internet Security + Antivirus (three-device) six month subscription with auto renewal.
SEE ALSO: Save $250 on the 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chipThe Surface Pro Copilot+ PC features a 13-inch, 2880 x 1920 display with a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM. It's also powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor and offers up to 14 hours of battery life, making it a great fit for both work and play.
Act fast to save big on the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro before the discount disappears.
Best Buy's offering up even more deals right now as well. Its last-minute savings event features great deals on everything from speakers to gaming consoles to home goods so you can stock up on items ahead of the holidays without breaking the bank.
Just on the outskirts of a supermassive black hole roughly 4 million times more massive than the sun, a pair of stars locked in a dance is thriving.
Astronomers discovered the duo orbiting Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way galaxy's central supermassive black hole, using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile. The binary system, the first ever found in the vicinity of an enormous black hole, is dubbed D9.
Black holes are some of the most inscrutable phenomena in space. They don't have surfaces, like a planet or star. Instead, they have a boundary called an "event horizon," or a point of no return. If anything swoops too close, it will eventually fall in, never to escape.
The new discovery, published in Nature Communications, may help astronomers better understand how stars can survive in regions of the cosmos with extreme gravity. The finding also leads scientists to wonder whether such a pair, forming and coexisting near an enormous black hole, could also host exoplanets.
"Black holes are not as destructive as we thought," said Florian Peißker, one of the researchers at the University of Cologne in Germany, in a statement.
SEE ALSO: He found a Milky Way black hole 50 years ago, and finally got to see it A binary star system, dubbed D9, was discovered close to the Milky Way's supermassive black hole. Credit: ESO / F. Peißker et al.Black holes were little more than a theory 50 years ago — a kooky mathematical answer to a physics problem — but even astronomers at the top of their field weren't entirely convinced they existed.
How the supermassive kind form is even more elusive. Astrophysicists believe these invisible giants lurk at the center of virtually all galaxies. Hubble telescope observations have bolstered the theory that they begin in the dusty cores of starburst galaxies, where new stars are rapidly assembled, but scientists are still teasing that out.
Now black holes are getting their pictures taken by a collection of enormous, synced radio dishes on Earth. Humanity saw a clear view of the Milky Way's own central black hole, Sag A* for short, for the first time in 2022. It is about 26,000 light-years away from Earth.
The James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and the European and Canadian space agencies, is also doing its part to reveal how these mysterious behemoths form in the first place.
The research team found D9 in a dense cluster of stars orbiting Sag A*. Within this group are so-called "G objects," mysterious things that act like stars but look more like clouds of gas and dust. In their paper, the scientists propose that G objects might be a combination of other binary stars and leftover material from other pairs after they've merged, due to the strong gravitational clutch of the nearby black hole.
That's right: Astronomers suspect the two stars in D9 will soon merge into a single star because of the close-by gravity. They are estimated to be only about 2.7 million years old — for comparison, the sun is 4.5 billion years old — and they'll likely only have another 1 million years or so before they ultimately smash.
Though no one checked the D9 stars' driver's licenses for their ages, co-author Michal Zajaček, a researcher at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, said astronomers can tell the pair is young by the gas and dust around them. Other young stars, though not binaries, have been found in this region before.
Save $250: As of Dec. 19, 2024 Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip is available for $1,749 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount off its usual price of $1,999.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2024 Apple MacBook Pro $1,749.00 at Amazon2024 Apple MacBook Pro isn’t just a laptop — it’s a creative and productivity beast. And right now, you can snag the 14-inch model with the M4 Pro chip at Amazon for $1,749, saving $250 off its original price of $1,999.
This MacBook Pro packs Apple’s latest M4 Pro chip, delivering blazing-fast performance for demanding tasks like coding, video editing, and rendering 3D content. Whether working on complex workflows or enjoying a Netflix binge, this laptop handles it all without sweat. And thanks to Apple Intelligence, you get an intuitive personal assistant that enhances productivity while keeping your data safe.
SEE ALSO: Save $50 on the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) at AmazonThe 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a visual masterpiece, featuring 1600 nits of peak brightness, 1,000,000:1 contrast, and lifelike colors. It’s perfect for professional creators and casual users, making every image, video, and document look its best. The all-day battery life ensures you can take this power on the go without constantly hunting for outlets.
Compatibility is seamless — this MacBook Pro works like magic with your other Apple devices. Features like iPhone Mirroring, universal clipboard, and FaceTime integration make switching between devices effortless. If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is the laptop that ties it all together.
For connectivity, the MacBook Pro boasts three Thunderbolt 5 ports, MagSafe 3 charging, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a headphone jack. The M4 Pro model supports up to two external displays, while the M4 Max configuration handles up to four.
Need to hop on a call? The 12MP Center Stage camera keeps you perfectly framed, while three studio-quality mics and six speakers with Spatial Audio deliver crisp sound. Whether it’s Zoom meetings or music, you’ll look and sound amazing.
At $1,749, the 2024 MacBook Pro is a steal for anyone needing cutting-edge tech with unparalleled performance. Don’t miss this chance to own Apple’s latest and greatest at a rare discount.
Save $180: As of Dec. 19, Samsung Q-series 3.1ch Dolby Atmos soundbar is available for $199 at Walmart. That's a $180 discount from its original price of $379.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Q-Series Soundbar $199.00 at WalmartIf your TV’s built-in speakers aren’t cutting it, the Samsung Q-series 3.1ch Dolby Atmos soundbar saves the day. And the best part? It’s now available at Walmart for $199, a sweet $180 off its original price of $379.
With Dolby Atmos on board, this soundbar doesn’t just play sound — it creates a full-blown audio experience. Think of it as your favorite shows, movies, and songs, but with the audio depth and clarity they deserve. Thanks to Q-Symphony, your Samsung TV and soundbar team up to deliver perfectly synchronized sound, giving you a fuller, more immersive listening experience.
SEE ALSO: How 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' adapts two pages of Tolkien lore into a whole movieThe 3.1 channel system ensures you don’t miss a single detail. At the same time, Adaptive Sound Lite dynamically optimizes audio for whatever’s on screen, enhancing dialogue clarity and background effects. Whether action-packed explosions or quiet conversations, the audio always feels just right.
Gamers, this one’s for you, too. The Game Mode feature ensures perfectly synced directional audio, so you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action. With Bluetooth Multi-Connection, you can pair two devices simultaneously — no more unpairing to switch control. Streaming music? Tap your phone to the soundbar with Tap Sound for instant playback.
HDMI eARC seamless connectivity passes advanced audio from your TV to the soundbar with a single cable. The included One Remote controls your Samsung TV and soundbar, keeping your setup clean and clutter-free.
Designed by the sound gurus at Samsung Audio Lab, this soundbar delivers an audio experience worthy of your favorite entertainment. It’s Wireless Surround Sound compatible, so you can easily upgrade to a full surround setup with optional Samsung speakers.
At $199, this soundbar is a serious steal. The Samsung Q-series soundbar will take your home audio to the next level, whether gaming, bingeing Netflix, or hosting a movie night.
SAVE $300: As of Dec. 19, Bose Smart Soundbar 550 is available for $199 at Walmart. That's a $300 discount from its regular price of $499.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar 550 $199.00 at WalmartLooking to upgrade your TV’s audio without blowing your budget? The Bose Smart Soundbar 550 is the answer, delivering top-tier sound in a sleek, compact package. Even better, it’s currently on sale at Walmart for $199, a whopping $300 off its original price of $499.
This soundbar transforms your audio. With Dolby Atmos and Bose’s exclusive TrueSpace technology, the Smart Soundbar 550 creates a surround sound experience that feels like stepping into the action. While Dolby Atmos works its magic on compatible content, TrueSpace ensures that everything gets up-mixed to an immersive multi-channel experience. Think crystal-clear dialogue, perfectly separated instruments, and sound effects moving around the room and above it.
SEE ALSO: How 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' adapts two pages of Tolkien lore into a whole movieDespite its compact frame, this soundbar is a powerhouse. Inside, you’ll find five transducers, including two upward-firing ones, working together to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling. The result? Rich, room-filling audio that makes your living room feel like a private theater.
Streaming options? You’re spoiled for choice. The Bose Smart Soundbar 550 connects to Wi-Fi for built-in music services and internet radio access, or you can stream your favorites via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Spotify Connect. It’s flexible, seamless, and tailored to your entertainment habits.
Voice control is also available, thanks to compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Adjust settings, play your favorite playlist, or check the weather. Pair it with the Bose Music app for even more customization and effortless control.
At just $199, this deal is an audio upgrade waiting to happen. Whether you’re hosting a movie night, gaming, or just vibing to your favorite playlist, the Bose Smart Soundbar 550 delivers sound that hits differently at a price that’s music to your ears. Don’t miss out on this steal; it’s not likely to last long.k up.
Honda is about to reveal two new electric car prototypes, and judging by an early teaser, they'll look like something that came out of Blade Runner.
The company shared a teaser on X, showing silhouettes of two 0 Series EVs without revealing many other details.
Tweet may have been deletedThat one picture is not much to go on, we know. Honda's 0 Series ideas aren't a complete unknown, though — the company revealed the first 0 Series prototypes in January 2024, during this year's CES.
The Saloon. We're guessing Honda will think of a better name ahead of the 2026 launch. Credit: HondaThe two cars are (tentatively, we hope) called the Saloon and the Space Hub, with the first one being an elongated sedan, while the second is more of a family-hauling minivan. You can find out more about the current prototypes here.
Finally, a family hauler that looks like a spaceship. Credit: HondaAs for the new prototypes, we'll learn more about them at CES 2025, as the company has scheduled an event for 10:30 a.m. PT on January 7. Honda will also tell us more about a new System on Chip as well as a proprietary vehicle operating system, which will run on the 0 Series cars. We'll also learn more about the company's new automated driving tech. All of these have to do with the "wise" bit in the company's 0 Series motto of "Thin, Light, and Wise."
SEE ALSO: Nissan and Honda could merge to compete in the EV marketHonda plans to bring these cars to market in 2026, so the new prototypes are particularly interesting as they're being shown fairly close to launch. But there's currently no word on the rest of the cars' specs, such as battery, powertrain, and range.
The news comes shortly after reports that Nissan and Honda are in early talks to merge in order to strengthen their position in the EV market.
At a time when a vital public good like the U.S. Postal Service could be privatized, a film about going above and beyond to deliver mail ought to hit different(ly). Unfortunately, The Six Triple Eight hits the same as most sentimental dramas that treat war as a postcard. A story about an underestimated battalion delivering long-delayed mail to soldiers on the front lines, it's a decent watch with some intriguing historical tidbits about the United States' only World War II Army Corps made up predominantly of Black women: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. However, when it comes to material requiring a deft dramatic hand, writer/director Tyler Perry rarely answers the call of duty.
This Netflix original also is (or rather, should be) a film about just how the the 6888th managed such a gargantuan achievement, but it seldom finds a balance between the "what" and the "how" of its own subject matter. If The Six Triple Eight excels — and it seldom does — it's because of the movie's cast, who do their best to bring a sense of lived reality to the proceedings, if only to craft a lukewarm, passive experience for a couple of hours. You could throw on in the background this Christmas without too much fuss, though the women on screen might deserve better.
The Six Triple Eight begins with an underwhelming romance. Credit: Laura Radford / Perry Well Films 2 / NetflixThat little of The Six Triple Eight unfolds on the front lines is a mercy. Its opening prologue, however, does, making war seem like a hoot, with cartoonish explosions right out of a Quentin Tarantino film, or the Italian war and Western movies that inspired him. Alas, pure entertainment is the last thing on Perry's mind in this scene (ironically set in Italy in 1943), which culminates in a pilot being shot down, and a bloody letter being retrieved from his pocket.
The earnest drama then flashes back a year prior, to the blossoming Pennsylvania romance between young Black teenager Lena (Ebony Obsidian) and her white, Jewish boyfriend Abram (Gregg Sulkin), an interracial pair whose free-spirited frolic is looked upon with derision. Their broad, soap-opera dialogue suits the warm tones of this flashback setting, though this in turn steeps the film in a bizarre (if unintended) wistfulness. The opening text touts it as being based on the recollections of still-living battalion members, and this bright palette fits awkwardly with the many reminders of Jim Crow laws and socioeconomic segregation. Lena, for instance, works as a server at Abrams' going-away party before he's to be shipped out, and he asks her to wait for his return.
However, news of Abram's demise months later hits her like a freight train, and propels her to enlist. The film never quite loses its nostalgic glow, even in moments the camera gazes upon with disgust, like when white soldiers openly admonish Lena and her fellow Black female cadets. The group she spends time with are a lively bunch, but it isn't until we meet their commanding officer, Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), that The Six Triple Eight gains a sense of weight and occasion, en route to its tale of their corps being tasked with sorting through a 10-month backlog of mail in Scotland.
Kerry Washington leads an impressive ensemble. Credit: Laura Radford / Perry Well Films 2 / NetflixThe variety of personalities in the movie's ensemble makes it mostly watchable. Obsidian, for instance, shows great care in her approach to Lena, whose grief prevents her from accepting the advances of a handsome soldier (Jay Reeves) or diving headfirst into the banter and camaraderie of her makeshift friend group. Among them are the voluptuous, foul-mouthed Southerner Johnnie Mae (Shanice Shantay) and the uptight preacher's daughter Elaine (Pepi Sonuga), whose friction is amusing. Meanwhile, mixed-race cadet Dolores (Sarah Jeffery) becomes a headstrong standout, for the kind support she offers. However, no matter how committed the cast is to their interpersonal dynamics, the writing seldom affords most of them the chance to expand beyond the broad archetypes with which they're saddled. In the process, they feel cordoned off from the movie's larger drama, and from the time period itself — which is where Major Adams comes in.
As soon as Washington appears, she lights the screen ablaze with her poise and commitment. Immediately, she appears like the only actor who was allowed to explore the dramatic boundaries of The Six Triple Eight. It's a war film first and foremost, and while Adams' battalion never sees action, the character is locked in battle with larger forces from the moment we first glimpse her. It's a wonder the film wasn't entirely about Adams, whose story involves the delicate tightrope walk between holding back her anger towards white superiors who dismiss her and paving a path for women like herself to be treated as equals.
The task of sorting through tens of thousands of letters (both to and from homesick infantrymen) comes her way as a challenge, courtesy of a side plot in which big-name actors show up for a scene or two. The movers of history, like President Franklin Roosevelt (Sam Waterston), First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (Susan Sarandon), and her friend and Black Cabinet leader Mary McLeod Bethune (Oprah Winfrey) have minutes of what feels like purely nominal screen time, as their characters set the wheels for the 6888th in motion. Their relatively minor roles help create the sense that these heavy hitters of the screen are ceding space for the younger cast.
Of course, a story about racism would be incomplete without its racists, and Breaking Bad's Dean Norris makes for an especially detestable presence as General Halt, whose de facto purpose is throwing wrenches in Adams' operation. The movie never needs to offer an explanation for his actions, since the bitter indignance with which Norris carries Halt speaks for itself.
Unfortunately, an aspect of its story the film could've been more overt about is its actual plot mechanics, i.e. the immense logistical operation the 6888th had to undertake.
The Six Triple Eight doesn't work as a film about the mail. Credit: Laura Radford / Perry Well Films 2 / NetflixWhat makes a challenge cinematically interesting is seeing how it's overcome. The Six Triple Eight is primed for the kind of observations and montages that make films about complex undertakings — heists, journalism, or the inventing of Facebook — such a sensory delight. The film's leading women are quick to improve the material conditions with which they're saddled, via a slick montage of them cleaning and fixing up a bombed shelter as soon as they arrive in Europe. However, the same approach is rarely applied to them decoding, sorting through, and delivering letters to keep up morale.
Several scenes and dialogue exchanges stress the importance of their task, from mothers and other relatives back home awaiting long-delayed communication, to Lena herself lamenting how little she heard from Abram while he was deployed. In fact, the film's central thesis on racist mistreatment boils down to how well (and how ingeniously) the women of 6888th can overcome the particular challenges of tracking down mail recipients from smudged addresses, or even clues as minor as fabric threads in family care packages. Whether or not they're capable of connecting loved ones becomes intrinsically tied to proving their worth.
Unfortunately, they seem to solve these problems largely off-screen. Most of their methods don't even come to light until after they've been implemented and are being shown off to their white inspecting officers. It's nominally validating that they can prove naysayers wrong, but the joy of seeing how they do is robbed from the audience. Perry, though he seems to understand the strife his characters face, isn't as interested in cinematic pleasures as he is in gestures toward conquering bigotry and adversity.
For instance, when Adams first reacts to the monumental piles of letters, stored in a hangar, that she and her troupe will have to sort through, the camera rightly stays affixed to her shocked expression. But the film never actually cuts to what she's looking at. It never affords the viewer the chance to experience Washington's gradual realization about the immensity of the mission before her. Even in a film about the eponymous squad, Perry keeps us at a distance from the rigors of their duties.
This is, by and large, the movie's approach to all drama. It renders its audience as mere observers, rather than participants in its story. Despite the tremendous efforts of its cast, it leaves us to look upon the 6888th as artifacts of history, rather than real flesh-and-blood people with enormous hurdles thrown in their paths.
Off the back of a stressful election cycle, an ongoing cost of living crisis, and winter cutting our sunshine short, anxiety and restlessness are common right now. So it's no surprise that the latest trend in wellness is all about scoring the perfect night's sleep.
It's been labelled "sleepmaxxing."
With nearly 125 million posts on TikTok, sleepmaxxing is a catch-all rebranded term for maximising your sleep potential through all sorts of existing hacks ranging from the unusual to the eccentric, like wearing blue light glasses and weighted sleep masks, eating kiwis before bed, and even pineal gland meditation — a breathing exercise that promises to put you to sleep in under 10 minutes.
SEE ALSO: Why the best sleep tracker is one you already ownBut does sleepmaxxing really work? I spoke to a sleep expert and a sworn sleepmaxxer to find out.
What is sleepmaxxing? Credit: Rudzhan Nagiev / iStock / Getty Images Plus"Sleepmaxxing is a current social media trend for optimising sleep quality and quantity by focusing on (and obsessing!) about products, techniques and strategies to help you to get more restorative sleep," sleep expert and physiologist Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan tells Mashable.
"It's a growing viral trend because, although innately our physiology is perfectly designed to enable us to get good sleep, the way we are living our lives is very contrary to the way we are actually designed to live," she explains.
A survey of 2,000 adults by Norwegian health site Helsestart found that more than one in five U.S. adults suffers from insomnia, a disorder that makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep, and a shocking 50 percent of adults experience insomnia once a month or more. Separately, research from the CDC in 2020 has found 14.5 percent of U.S. adults had trouble falling asleep, and nearly 18 percent had difficulty staying asleep. Online searches for "insomnia symptoms" are trending upward over the last five years, with notable peaks each January, according to Google Trends data.
"Sleepmaxxing is a current social media trend for optimising sleep quality and quantity..." - Dr. Nerina RamlakhanThis sleeplessness phenomenon is a combination of factors keeping us awake at night, according to Ramlakhan: too much city light, mental stimulation, anxiety, fear, and — of course — unlimited access to our mobile phones and social media, resulting in a 24/7 online culture that makes it nearly impossible to disconnect before bedtime. And not everyone likes using dark mode.
"People are obsessed with getting a good night's sleep and are looking for solutions," said Ramlakhan. And that's where sleepmaxxing comes in — prioritising sleep through tech, luxury products, and unconventional lifestyle changes.
Are sleep hacks legit? Credit: Rudzhan Nagiev / iStock / Getty Images PlusThere's an almost endless list of long-existing sleep hacks and techniques now trending as sleepmaxxing, including avoiding liquids for two hours before bed, using wearable sleep trackers, sipping herbal teas with magnesium or melatonin, light therapy lamps, special pillows, guided breathwork sleep companions, smart bed frames, noise machine apps, smart pyjamas, lettuce water and more. Sleep stories are big business for mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace, audio streamers like Spotify have whole Sleep sections, and there are entire podcasts dedicated to making you fall asleep.
Featured Video For You Researchers created a sleep-tracking device designed to alter dreams — Future BlinkPerhaps the oddest of all sleepmaxxing methods involves placing skin sensitive tape over your mouth before sleeping.
After hearing about the benefits of sleepmaxxing, Rachel Carrell, aged 44 in London, decided to try mouth taping because it's easy and cheap — though the science on the benefits of mouth taping is limited (more on that below), and you should check with your doctor before trying this.
"I have three kids and I run a childcare startup — I was exhausted all the time. I'm always looking for ways to optimise my sleep because I don't get very many hours," Carrell said. "I decided to give mouth-taping a go. From one day to the next, I felt an incredible difference. I felt like there was this fire and energy inside of me that would last all day."
After forgetting to use mouth tape a couple of nights in the last several months, Carrell immediately felt a difference waking up the next day. "I felt so groggy. I could instantly tell that I had forgotten to do it and so for me, it's been the most life-changing thing I've ever done."
A 2022 study found that during sleep, mouth taping improved both snoring and sleep apnea amongst mouth breathers with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), though the sample size was low (20 patients). Another study of 30 mouth breathing patients with OSA found that their snoring and sleep improved when wearing a patch on their mouths. While Carrell has seen success with mouth taping, this is one anecdotal case.
Credit: Rudzhan Nagiev / iStock / Getty Images PlusSome sleepmaxxing methods have been researched — somewhat, but remember, tech moves faster than regulation so health and wellness companies can make broad claims. A 2021 study on white noise found it improved sleep quality for people struggling to sleep with city noise. Research has also suggested a link between magnesium and sleep quality, as well as exposure to blue light, although there's more research needed to draw definitive conclusions on all these methods.
"There are definitely sleep aids and techniques that work," Ramlakhan says. "Often sleep problems are created by underlying issues such as fear, anxiety, not feeling in control or safe in your body, past traumas or relationship challenges. While sleepmaxxing might help for a time, the deeper work lies in finding inner safety and settling the nervous system," she explained.
"I recommend magnesium glycinate [a supplement that increases your magnesium levels], white noise for those who wake at the slightest noise, having a simple fan in your bedroom, reducing exposure to blue light in the evening and I do believe that there can be some value in mouth taping," she said.
Carrell hasn't experienced any side effects of sleepmaxxing and intends to mouth tape for the rest of her life. She's even noticed changes to her breathing patterns during other activities. "Now when I walk up a steep hill, I don't have to puff through my mouth. I'm breathing more through my nose during exercise. I've even tried spin class with my mouth taped, just to see what happens," she said.
The downside of sleepmaxxingThere is a word of caution though, for anyone determined to optimise their sleep.
"While it is good and healthy to prioritise and value your sleep, there is the danger of becoming so obsessed with measuring your sleep, finding your next sleep aid and creating the 'perfect sleep' that this in itself creates anxiety about sleep — and ends up keeping you awake," warned Ramlakhan.
And it's important to take a holistic view of your health, instead of zooming too far in on your sleep alone. "The occasional poor sleep is normal and while sleep is really important, we also need to look at all of the other factors that impact our health, happiness, and energy levels: food, hydration, the way we breathe and move, our relationships, and doing things that bring us joy and purpose," she said.
"While it is good and healthy to prioritise and value your sleep, there is the danger of becoming so obsessed with measuring your sleep..." - Dr. Nerina RamlakhanYet when it comes to getting good quality sleep, it's often about what you don't do, rather than what you do. "The biggest hindrance to getting good sleep is our obsession with our phones and in my extensive experience, there is no one product out there that can ameliorate the effects of constant usage of phones and our obsession with social media," said Ramlakhan.
She shared her five top tips to truly sleepmax for a good night's sleep – no kiwis involved:
Eat a nutrient rich breakfast everyday within 30-45 minutes of waking up. This helps to stabilise your blood sugar levels, reduces morning cortisol levels and alleviates anxiety, which are all important if you're experiencing sleep problems, according to Ramlakhan.
Avoid caffeine and don't use it as a substitute for food.
Hydrate for optimal brain function, including regulating your body temperature and to help produce sleep hormones like melatonin. Drink ideally 1.5 to 2 litres of water everyday.
Get to bed earlier, ideally around 9.30pm. Read something relaxing, meditate or journal before falling asleep.
Cultivate a healthier relationship with technology. Most crucially, don't keep your phone in your bedroom. Create an electronic sundown at least one hour before getting into bed and don't look at your phone during the night.
Mashable has more tips for getting a good night's sleep, if you're still in need of a little help.
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