Deadspin | Jabari Smith Jr. puts up 31 as Rockets rumble past Jazz

Deadspin | Jabari Smith Jr. puts up 31 as Rockets rumble past Jazz

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Feb 23, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) grabs a defensive rebound against Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored a game-high 31 points, Kevin Durant and Tari Eason chipped in double-doubles and the Houston Rockets rolled to a 125-105 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Monday.

Smith shot 12 of 17, drilled six 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds to ignite the Rockets, who won for the fourth time in six games. Durant paired 18 points with a season-high 12 assists while Eason logged 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Amen Thompson added 20 points on 8-for-9 shooting and pulled down seven rebounds for the Rockets, who dominated the glass with a plus-16 margin.

Houston’s Alperen Sengun flirted with a triple-double (16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists). Reed Sheppard tallied 15 points on five 3-pointers off the bench.

Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points but missed 9 of 10 from behind the arc for the Jazz, who played without Keyonte George (ankle), their second-leading scorer. Brice Sensabaugh posted 26 points and four treys as Utah took its third loss in a row.

Behind Smith, the Rockets erased an early turnover-fueled deficit with a hail of 3-pointers. Utah, courtesy of its full-court pressure, seized a quick 9-6 lead before Smith caught fire. Smith scored 14 first-quarter points on four 3-pointers and a fastbreak dunk, and Houston carried a 38-22 lead into the second period after drilling 8 of 13 from behind the arc.

Durant, who nailed a 3-pointer just before the period expired, and Sheppard hit two 3-pointers each in the first.

The Rockets missed all three of their 3-point tries in the second but countered with a whopping 26 points in the paint. The Jazz opened the second with a 13-2 blitz that shaved the deficit to 40-35, only for the Rockets to respond with a flurry of transition baskets.

Durant was the catalyst of the fastbreak attack. He recorded six assists in the second quarter, and Houston scored 14 fastbreak points in the period. Thompson sank a floater in the lane off a Sengun screen for a 58-37 lead with 3:58 to go in the second, and Houston took a 68-47 lead into halftime.

Smith gave the Rockets an 86-56 advantage on a fadeaway jumper with 5:22 left in the third quarter.

Houston eventually led by as many as 33 points. On the plus side for the Jazz, they converted 27 Rockets turnovers into 34 points.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday. Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season. In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position. The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation. Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey. Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday. The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg. The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators. Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks. The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #SaturdayApr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.

Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.

In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position.

The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation.


Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.

Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday.

The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg.

The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators.

Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks.

The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #Saturday">Deadspin | Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday. Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season. In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position. The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation. Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey. Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday. The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg. The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators. Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks. The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #Saturday

Indian paddler Manika Batra exited from the WTT Contender Taiyuan on Friday after losing to Japan’s Miu Hirano in a Round of 16 clash.

World No. 36 Hirano blanked Manika 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) in quick time, wrapping up the win in little over 26 minutes.

In the previous round, World No. 49 Manika defeated World No. 25 Miyuu Kihara 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 14-12, 9-11, 11-7) in 43 minutes.

In that match, Manika led 6-2 in the second game after bagging the opener easily. However, Kihara managed to fight back, saving two game points before levelling the match.

The Japanese player was on her way to steal the third game as well as she won three points in a row from 8-10 down but this time, the Indian held her nerve to eventually take a 2-1 lead in the fixture.

Kihara edged out Manika in a closely-fought fourth game, forcing a decider.

From 3-3 in the fifth game, Manika dictated terms and converted her first match point to secure her maiden win over Kihara in their third meeting.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#WTT #Contender #Taiyuan #Manika #Batra #exits #loss">WTT Contender Taiyuan: Manika Batra exits with Round of 16 loss Indian paddler Manika Batra exited from the WTT Contender Taiyuan on Friday after losing to Japan’s Miu Hirano in a Round of 16 clash.World No. 36 Hirano blanked Manika 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) in quick time, wrapping up the win in little over 26 minutes.In the previous round, World No. 49 Manika defeated World No. 25 Miyuu Kihara 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 14-12, 9-11, 11-7) in 43 minutes.In that match, Manika led 6-2 in the second game after bagging the opener easily. However, Kihara managed to fight back, saving two game points before levelling the match.The Japanese player was on her way to steal the third game as well as she won three points in a row from 8-10 down but this time, the Indian held her nerve to eventually take a 2-1 lead in the fixture.Kihara edged out Manika in a closely-fought fourth game, forcing a decider.From 3-3 in the fifth game, Manika dictated terms and converted her first match point to secure her maiden win over Kihara in their third meeting.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #WTT #Contender #Taiyuan #Manika #Batra #exits #loss

Deadspin | Scottie Scheffler rues decision, poor swing that led to 74 Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler had battled his way back from a poor start in the second round and was staring at a prime scoring opportunity on Friday when he made a decision that might have sunk his chances to win the 2026 Masters. Scheffler dropped back to even par for the tournament with two bogeys through his first five holes on Friday, but rebounded with birdies at No. 8 and another at the difficult 10th hole at Augusta National. He holed a clutch par putt on No. 11 and was even through the first two holes of “Amen Corner” when he walked up to his drive on the par-5 13th hole. Despite watching playing partner Robert MacIntyre put one in Rae’s Creek in front of the green just before him, Scheffler stuck with his decision to go for the green. It’s not his typical shot shape, but Scheffler liked the draw lie with a 3-iron to a back right pin location. Then came a poor swing, Scheffler’s ball failed to draw the way he envisioned and also hopped into the creek. With the short angle he was left, Scheffler chose to use the drop zone, which was a longer chip. He failed to get up and down, and carded a bogey on one of Augusta National’s easiest holes. “Probably my only shot I would rather be able to hit again. Maybe a different decision there,” Scheffler said. “That’s a tough shot, but I felt like I could make something happen to that pin. “To that pin specifically that’s a shot that I could get in there close, so I felt like it was worth the risk of going for it.” Scheffler also bogeyed the par-5 15th hole when his approach bounded off the green and into the water, leading to a 2-over 74 that marks the second-highest score in 18 career rounds at the Masters. “I felt like I played a lot better than my score,” Scheffler said. “Just the little things that I felt like I was close to having a really, really good round today. Just a few things here or there that, you know, poor swing on 13 and then a few breaks that didn’t go my way. “The margins are small.” Scheffler planned to hit the practice facility before heading back to rest. He’ll need to take advantage of an earlier tee time on Saturday and make his move before the front page of the leaderboard tees off. “You can’t force anything around this place,” Scheffler said. “I definitely struck it well enough to have a really, really nice round today, so go get a bit of practice, get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow.” –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #rues #decision #poor #swing #ledApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler had battled his way back from a poor start in the second round and was staring at a prime scoring opportunity on Friday when he made a decision that might have sunk his chances to win the 2026 Masters.

Scheffler dropped back to even par for the tournament with two bogeys through his first five holes on Friday, but rebounded with birdies at No. 8 and another at the difficult 10th hole at Augusta National. He holed a clutch par putt on No. 11 and was even through the first two holes of “Amen Corner” when he walked up to his drive on the par-5 13th hole.

Despite watching playing partner Robert MacIntyre put one in Rae’s Creek in front of the green just before him, Scheffler stuck with his decision to go for the green. It’s not his typical shot shape, but Scheffler liked the draw lie with a 3-iron to a back right pin location.

Then came a poor swing, Scheffler’s ball failed to draw the way he envisioned and also hopped into the creek. With the short angle he was left, Scheffler chose to use the drop zone, which was a longer chip. He failed to get up and down, and carded a bogey on one of Augusta National’s easiest holes.

“Probably my only shot I would rather be able to hit again. Maybe a different decision there,” Scheffler said. “That’s a tough shot, but I felt like I could make something happen to that pin.


“To that pin specifically that’s a shot that I could get in there close, so I felt like it was worth the risk of going for it.”

Scheffler also bogeyed the par-5 15th hole when his approach bounded off the green and into the water, leading to a 2-over 74 that marks the second-highest score in 18 career rounds at the Masters.

“I felt like I played a lot better than my score,” Scheffler said. “Just the little things that I felt like I was close to having a really, really good round today. Just a few things here or there that, you know, poor swing on 13 and then a few breaks that didn’t go my way.

“The margins are small.”

Scheffler planned to hit the practice facility before heading back to rest. He’ll need to take advantage of an earlier tee time on Saturday and make his move before the front page of the leaderboard tees off.

“You can’t force anything around this place,” Scheffler said. “I definitely struck it well enough to have a really, really nice round today, so go get a bit of practice, get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow.”


–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #rues #decision #poor #swing #led">Deadspin | Scottie Scheffler rues decision, poor swing that led to 74 Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler had battled his way back from a poor start in the second round and was staring at a prime scoring opportunity on Friday when he made a decision that might have sunk his chances to win the 2026 Masters. Scheffler dropped back to even par for the tournament with two bogeys through his first five holes on Friday, but rebounded with birdies at No. 8 and another at the difficult 10th hole at Augusta National. He holed a clutch par putt on No. 11 and was even through the first two holes of “Amen Corner” when he walked up to his drive on the par-5 13th hole. Despite watching playing partner Robert MacIntyre put one in Rae’s Creek in front of the green just before him, Scheffler stuck with his decision to go for the green. It’s not his typical shot shape, but Scheffler liked the draw lie with a 3-iron to a back right pin location. Then came a poor swing, Scheffler’s ball failed to draw the way he envisioned and also hopped into the creek. With the short angle he was left, Scheffler chose to use the drop zone, which was a longer chip. He failed to get up and down, and carded a bogey on one of Augusta National’s easiest holes. “Probably my only shot I would rather be able to hit again. Maybe a different decision there,” Scheffler said. “That’s a tough shot, but I felt like I could make something happen to that pin. “To that pin specifically that’s a shot that I could get in there close, so I felt like it was worth the risk of going for it.” Scheffler also bogeyed the par-5 15th hole when his approach bounded off the green and into the water, leading to a 2-over 74 that marks the second-highest score in 18 career rounds at the Masters. “I felt like I played a lot better than my score,” Scheffler said. “Just the little things that I felt like I was close to having a really, really good round today. Just a few things here or there that, you know, poor swing on 13 and then a few breaks that didn’t go my way. “The margins are small.” Scheffler planned to hit the practice facility before heading back to rest. He’ll need to take advantage of an earlier tee time on Saturday and make his move before the front page of the leaderboard tees off. “You can’t force anything around this place,” Scheffler said. “I definitely struck it well enough to have a really, really nice round today, so go get a bit of practice, get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow.” –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #rues #decision #poor #swing #led

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