Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 Thursday night.
Boston (54-26) was within three points, 109-106, after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.
New York (52-28), which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots.
Boston, which will play New Orleans on Friday night, didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left Achilles tendinitis. Brown entered Thursday’s matchup averaging 28.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.
Each team led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, which ended with Boston up 29-26. A 10-0 run gave New York a 33-29 lead in the second, and the Knicks were up 54-53 at halftime.
Towns made back-to-back baskets to put New York up 72-59 with 6:58 left in the third, but Pritchard capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer that handed Boston a 78-76 advantage. The Celtics had an 83-81 lead after three quarters.
The Celtics matched their largest lead on a Tatum three-point play that made it 92-85 with 8:22 left, but the Knicks scored the next seven points to tie the game 92-92. New York led 99-98 following a Towns 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining and had a 109-104 edge after a Hart 3-pointer with 42.9 to play.
Bayern has South Korean international Kim Min-jae at the heart of its defence.
Villa, which has one foot in the semifinal of the Europa League, said on its website they “would hope to announce further fixtures in the far east in due course”.
Teams heading on pre-season tours will need to balance lucrative visits with player welfare, with the World Cup running from June 11 to July 19.
Bayern has South Korean international Kim Min-jae at the heart of its defence.
Villa, which has one foot in the semifinal of the Europa League, said on its website they “would hope to announce further fixtures in the far east in due course”.
Teams heading on pre-season tours will need to balance lucrative visits with player welfare, with the World Cup running from June 11 to July 19.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
#Bayern #Munich #face #Villa #lucrative #Hong #Kong #preseason #friendly">Bayern Munich to face Villa in lucrative Hong Kong pre-season friendly
Bayern Munich will play Aston Villa in an August pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, the German giants said on Friday, also announcing a match in South Korea.
Vincent Kompany’s perennial German champions will face South Korean team Jeju SK on August 4 and then fly to Hong Kong to meet Premier League Villa three days later.
Bayern and Villa met in last season’s Champions League, with Jhon Duran scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Unai Emery’s side.
Spearheaded by England striker Harry Kane, Bayern tops the Bundesliga and beat Real Madrid 2-1 away this week in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
They have visited South Korea and Hong Kong once each previously.
Bayern has South Korean international Kim Min-jae at the heart of its defence.
Villa, which has one foot in the semifinal of the Europa League, said on its website they “would hope to announce further fixtures in the far east in due course”.
Teams heading on pre-season tours will need to balance lucrative visits with player welfare, with the World Cup running from June 11 to July 19.
#Deadspin #Clippers #Trail #Blazers #duke #seed">Deadspin | Clippers, Trail Blazers duke it out for No. 8 seed
Mar 31, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) shoots the ball against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference play-in round hits the home stretch on Friday when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Los Angeles Clippers for a crucial showdown.
Los Angeles (41-39) heads into its final two games of the regular season with a one-game lead over Portland (40-40) for eighth place in the West. The Clippers overtook the Blazers thanks to Portland’s back-to-back losses at Denver and San Antonio on Monday and Wednesday.
However, Los Angeles was unable to take a critical two-game lead, falling Wednesday against NBA-leading and reigning league champion Oklahoma City 128-110.
The Clippers won two straight heading into Wednesday’s contest, routing Sacramento and Dallas to rebound from losses to Portland and San Antonio. Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said revisiting the 114-104 setback against the Blazers on March 31 is vital ahead of Friday’s rematch.
“Understanding how they beat us last time (is essential),” Lue said. “They were really physical. I thought they came in with the mindset that that was a big game for them, so we’ve got to come in with the same mindset on Friday from the start — not easing into the game. We’ve got to be physical from the start.”
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, calling Friday the team’s “most important game.” Replicating its effort from the last encounter will be key, beginning with the physicality Lue referenced.
Portland dominated the glass during the meeting in Inglewood, Calif., outrebounding Los Angeles 48-30. Deni Avdija’s 11 boards led the Blazers, while Toumani Camara grabbed four of his seven rebounds on the offensive glass in a contest that saw Portland with a 32-14 advantage for second-chance points.
Camara, a 2024-25 All-Defensive Team honoree, is again a catalyst for the Blazers on that side of the ball. He comes into Friday’s game a week removed from drawing his 100th offensive foul of the season, setting a single-season NBA record.
Camara has also been a contributor to the Portland offense in recent outings, scoring 17-plus points in each of the last five contests. His 13.5 points per game supplement team-leaders Avdija’s 24 points per game and 16.3 from veteran guard Jrue Holiday.
Holiday scored 30 points in Portland’s March 31 win at Los Angeles.
“Come out and keep fighting. Execute the best as possible,” Holiday told reporters about the team’s focus heading into the final two games. “Just do what we’ve been doing. We know how important each game is.”
The Clippers come into Portland with Kawhi Leonard setting the pace at 28 points per game. Darius Garland, averaging 20.4 points per game since his trade to Los Angeles from Cleveland, missed Wednesday’s contest with a toe injury.
Another key midseason addition, Bennedict Mathurin, will look to get back on track after scoring just 10 or fewer in four of the last five outings. Mathurin was held to four points in the last encounter with the Blazers.
“Everybody here is on the same page,” Mathurin said. “It’s one game (to potentially determine the No. 8 seed). So, we’ve got to go out there and play as hard as we can.”
“I dedicate this to my father… I also always watch MS (Dhoni) sir, the way he finishes,” Mukul said, reflecting on the influence of Dhoni.
That composure is built on routine. “Everyday I hit around 100-150 sixes… for the last five-six months, I’ve been practising a lot,” he revealed. His confidence in high-pressure finishes isn’t new either. Recalling a domestic game, he said: “25 runs were needed from the last over and five runs from the last ball… I got picked from that innings.”
Against KKR, that belief resurfaced as he turned 128/7 into victory. “I never thought about the result, just wanted to take the match till the end… in the end it became clear that ‘yes I can do it’.”
A key part of that clarity is mental discipline. “When there are many things going around, I want to sit down peacefully for five seconds and take 2-3 deep breaths, just watch the ball and play the ball.”
Support from skipper Rishabh Pant has also been crucial. “Rishabh bhaiya told me that ‘don’t think so much, just do what you have been doing’.”
“I dedicate this to my father… I also always watch MS (Dhoni) sir, the way he finishes,” Mukul said, reflecting on the influence of Dhoni.
That composure is built on routine. “Everyday I hit around 100-150 sixes… for the last five-six months, I’ve been practising a lot,” he revealed. His confidence in high-pressure finishes isn’t new either. Recalling a domestic game, he said: “25 runs were needed from the last over and five runs from the last ball… I got picked from that innings.”
Against KKR, that belief resurfaced as he turned 128/7 into victory. “I never thought about the result, just wanted to take the match till the end… in the end it became clear that ‘yes I can do it’.”
A key part of that clarity is mental discipline. “When there are many things going around, I want to sit down peacefully for five seconds and take 2-3 deep breaths, just watch the ball and play the ball.”
Support from skipper Rishabh Pant has also been crucial. “Rishabh bhaiya told me that ‘don’t think so much, just do what you have been doing’.”
Published on Apr 10, 2026
#VIDEO #Dhoni #dreams #IPL #reality #Mukul #Choudhary #finishes #LSG">VIDEO | From Dhoni dreams to IPL reality: Mukul Choudhary finishes it for LSG
Mukul Choudhary’s rise from a M.S. Dhoni-inspired dreamer to a match-winner has been rapid, but not accidental. At Eden Gardens on Thursday, the 21-year-old powered Lucknow Super Giants to a last-ball, three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders with a stunning, unbeaten 54 off 27 balls.
“I dedicate this to my father… I also always watch MS (Dhoni) sir, the way he finishes,” Mukul said, reflecting on the influence of Dhoni.
That composure is built on routine. “Everyday I hit around 100-150 sixes… for the last five-six months, I’ve been practising a lot,” he revealed. His confidence in high-pressure finishes isn’t new either. Recalling a domestic game, he said: “25 runs were needed from the last over and five runs from the last ball… I got picked from that innings.”
Against KKR, that belief resurfaced as he turned 128/7 into victory. “I never thought about the result, just wanted to take the match till the end… in the end it became clear that ‘yes I can do it’.”
A key part of that clarity is mental discipline. “When there are many things going around, I want to sit down peacefully for five seconds and take 2-3 deep breaths, just watch the ball and play the ball.”
Support from skipper Rishabh Pant has also been crucial. “Rishabh bhaiya told me that ‘don’t think so much, just do what you have been doing’.”
#Deadspin #Anthony #Kay #pitches #gem #White #Sox #shut #Royals">Deadspin | Anthony Kay pitches gem to help White Sox shut out Royals
Apr 9, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Anthony Kay (18) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as the Chicago White Sox snapped their 14-game road losing streak to the Kansas City Royals with Thursday night’s 2-0 victory.
Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0), who broke into the majors with Toronto in 2019, was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He never faced any real trouble while yielding three hits and two walks on a career-high 100 pitches.
Relievers Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure and Seranthony Dominguez (two saves) combined to yield two hits and strike out five in helping Chicago snap a three-game skid.
Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The Royals have gone 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position while totaling just three runs during their current three-game losing streak.
Chicago managed one hit through three innings against Lugo but opened the scoring in the fourth. Japanese rookie Munetaka Murakami drew a four-pitch walk to begin the frame, then scored on Montgomery’s one-out liner that got by Royals right fielder Lane Thomas.
The White Sox, who managed just five hits themselves and hit in three double plays on the evening, added a run in the seventh. After Lugo exited for issuing back-to-back one-out walks in the frame, Chicago loaded the bases against John Schreiber following a poor throw by first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino on a potential force out at second base. Acuna then lifted his sacrifice fly to right field.
Witt has hit safely in 22 straight games versus Chicago.
Four other Indian men – Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Akash (75kg), Lokesh (85kg) and Narender (+90kg) – settled for bronze.
In the women’s competition, all 10 Indian boxers finished with a medal. Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) bagged gold; Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+80kg) took silver; and Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) clinched bronze.
Four other Indian men – Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Akash (75kg), Lokesh (85kg) and Narender (+90kg) – settled for bronze.
In the women’s competition, all 10 Indian boxers finished with a medal. Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) bagged gold; Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+80kg) took silver; and Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) clinched bronze.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
#Asian #Boxing #Championships #Vishvanath #Suresh #wins #gold #India #finishes #campaign #medals">Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Vishvanath Suresh wins gold as India finishes campaign with 16 medals
Vishvanath Suresh defeated Daichi Iwai of Japan in convincing fashion to win gold in men’s 50kg category as India finished its campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with 16 medals.
Vishvanath beat Japan’s Iwai with a 5-0 scoreline, becoming the only Indian man to clinch gold at this edition of the continental event.
Sachin Siwach lost 2-3 to Orazbek Assylkulov of Kazakhstan, the reigning world champion, in men’s 60kg final.
PURE GLORY! 🥇🇮🇳
Vishvanath Suresh secures the top spot on the podium! With a dominant 5:0 victory over Japan’s Daichi Iwai, he is your new Asian Champion in the 50kg category. pic.twitter.com/KL5865GevZ
Four other Indian men – Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Akash (75kg), Lokesh (85kg) and Narender (+90kg) – settled for bronze.
In the women’s competition, all 10 Indian boxers finished with a medal. Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) bagged gold; Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+80kg) took silver; and Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) clinched bronze.
#Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #scores #Rockets #hold #76ers">Deadspin | Kevin Durant scores 29 as Rockets hold off 76ers
Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped the host Houston Rockets fend off the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers 113-102 on Thursday.
The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes. The 76ers (43-37) shaved a 28-point third-quarter deficit to 107-102 when VJ Edgecombe followed a pair of missed free throws by Durant with a short jumper with 1:36 left to play.
But Durant nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to settle the game for the Rockets (51-29) once and for all.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston while Tari Eason added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Alperen Sengun (12) and Josh Okogie (10) combined for 22 rebounds.
The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced the 76ers with 23 points while Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.
The 76ers have dropped five of six games.
Eason sank a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third that pushed the Rockets to a 96-68 lead. But the 76ers, behind reserve Quentin Grimes (20 points), engineered a stunning rally in the fourth, starting with a 16-0 run that included the Rockets going scoreless for over five minutes.
After turning a 9-0 spurt into a 17-10 lead, Houston added a 13-3 blitz capped by a Thompson dunk that pushed the margin to 33-20. The 76ers committed three turnovers during the second Houston run and had six total in the opening period that the Rockets converted into 12 points.
The Rockets entered the second with a 35-26 advantage and continued to extend that margin. Reed Sheppard sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a Durant field goal that lifted Houston to a 65-47 lead with 3:47 left in the half, and the Rockets opened a 23-point cushion before Maxey caught fire.
Maxey, held scoreless in the first quarter, tallied 15 points in the second, including the final eight for the 76ers in the half. His consecutive 3s down the stretch cut the deficit to 73-56 at halftime.
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images 
