7 can’t-miss sports events to watch this weekend

Kentucky Derby! And playoffs! And more playoffs! Also, other stuff!

One week removed from the NFL draft, the sports this weekend are once again about ... sports! People will be playing them instead of talking about them — and horses are doing sports, too!

WHAT TO WATCH

(1) THE KENTUCKY DERBY!

The horses are off at 6:46p.m. ET on Saturday if you just want to watch the most exciting two minutes in sports, but the Kentucky Derby is an all-day event if you dream big.

Watch it on NBC. We’ll be rooting for Patch!

Oh, and here’s a super secret (and simple!) mint julep recipe, too.

(2) PLAYOFF BASKETBALL

Do y’all like playoff basketball? There is playoff basketball! Sunday is the big day and it’s headlined by the Celtics and Wizards — who legit do not like each other! Only ‘90s kids will remember the NBA being like this.

Spurs at Rockets, Game 3, Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Warriors at Jazz, Game 3, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Cavs at Raptors, Game 4, Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Celtics at Wizards, Game 4, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT — if you only watch one of these, watch this one.

Spurs at Rockets, Game 4, Sunday, 9:00 p.m. ET on TNT

(3) THERE’S PLAYOFF HOCKEY, TOO

From SB Nation hockey writer Pat Iversen: The NHL game to watch has to be Pittsburgh at Washington on Saturday night. Down 3-1, the Caps have to win Game 5 to keep their season alive and avoid yet another playoff disappointment and a potential roster shake-up.

Oilers at Ducks, Game 5, Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCS

Rangers at Senators, Game 5, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. ET on NBCS

Penguins at Capitals, Game 5, Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET on NBC — if you only watch a little hockey, try this!

Blues at Predators, Game 6, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC

Ducks at Oilers, Game 6, Sunday, 7:00 p.m. ET on NBCS

(4) SOCCER!

From SB Nation’s soccer editor, Kevin McCauley: Watch Sounders-Toronto FC! This is a rematch of last season's MLS Cup final, and both teams got better during the winter. Seattle and Toronto both expect to challenge for the title again this season, and they both have better attackers than defenders — so expect goals.

Seattle Sounders vs. Toronto FC, Saturday, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN

(5) HELLO BASEBALL, OUR SPRING TIME FRIEND

The Yankees and Cubs are playing each other, so that’s fresh and new. Plus, as SI points out, it’s a battle to decide who MLB’s official Large Adult Son is. Wonderful!

Yankees at Cubs, Sunday, 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN

(6) GOLF!

From SB Nation’s golf editor, Brendan Porath: The Wells Fargo Championship is one of the better non-major tournaments on the PGA Tour. The field includes Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, who is making his first start since he fell down some stairs in Augusta and had to miss the Masters. It’s a good field, interesting new course, and a perfect tuneup before next week’s Players Championship, the game’s “5th major.”

Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 2:30 p.m ET on Golf Channel then 3 to 6 p.m. ET on CBS

(7) THERE’S EVEN CYCLING!

From SB Nation’s associate editor Louis Bien: “The Giro d'Italia is like the Tour de France but better. It is one of cycling's three "Grand Tours" along with the Tour and the Vuelta a Espana. Unlike the Tour, however, Chris Froome isn't in it, which means it may actually have an exciting finish. The 21-stage race begins Friday, and through Sunday riders will trace the coast of Sardinia. Wake up early (Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern time) and take in views like this, and this, aaaand this, all while you sip your Italian roast.

“The later stages will mountainous and treacherous. Last year, the race leader, Steven Kruijswijk, lost when he crashed at the peak of a blustery, snowy climb. He's back, along with many of cycling's youngest and hungriest riders.

“Oh, and the winner after three weeks gets a pretty pink bicycle.”

Stage 2 Giro d'Italia, Saturday, stage start at 5:55 a.m. ET on fubo.tv (it has a 7-day free trial!)

Stage 3 Giro d'Italia, Sunday, stage start at 7:35 a.m. ET on fubo.tv

You can also follow along on SB Nation’s very good cycling blog Podium Cafe

WHAT TO READ (AND WATCH)

Spencer Hall explains what the Future of Football will look like.

Mike Prada is in D.C., where the Wizards are finally capturing the city’s attention.

Aanu Adeoye wrote about Sully Muntari’s ban, another disgrace for Italian soccer.

Grant Brisbee on the Red Sox and Manny Machado, and the violence inherent in baseball.

Dayana Sarkisova lays out the case that maaaaybe Lavar Ball is a basketball shoe genius.

Kofie Yeboah built an NBA 2K team out of old people to see if they’d made the playoffs. How did he get this amazing job?

WHAT TO DO

You don’t have to be in Kentucky to celebrate the derby. Put on a fancy hat and some silly clothes and go have fun outside or on your couch.

This is probably the only weekend of the year that football isn’t somehow dominating. Please savor it.