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Deadspin | Nikola Jokic pours in 30 as Nuggets pull away from Celtics

Deadspin | Nikola Jokic pours in 30 as Nuggets pull away from Celtics

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Feb 25, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic compiled 30 points and 12 rebounds as the host Denver Nuggets rallied past the Boston Celtics 103-84 on Wednesday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 14 points, Julian Strawther finished with 12 and Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas had 11 each for Denver, which played most of the game without Jamal Murray.

The All-Star guard played the first 7:51 of the game before leaving due to an illness. He was listed as questionable to return but didn’t play again.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 23 points and 11 rebounds, Derrick White scored 20 points and Neemias Queta contributed 10. The Celtics had won four in a row and nine of the past 10, and they ended their Western Conference road trip 3-1.

The Nuggets have alternated losses and wins over their past eight games.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half. Boston hit just 40.9% of its shots, including a 7-for-24 effort (29.2%) from 3-point range, while the Nuggets shot 33.3% overall and 8-for-29 (27.6%) from deep.

White was the only player who found a rhythm in the first half. After he was held scoreless in the first quarter, the Colorado native scored 18 of the Celtics’ 24 points in the second, when he hit 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point range.

Down by one at halftime, Denver continued to struggle at the start of the third quarter, missing four of its first five shots and turning it over twice before surging at the end of the period.

After the Nuggets were down 67-66, Hardaway and Johnson made layups, Spencer Jones scored after a Nikola Vucevic miss at the other end, and Jokic drained a 3-pointer. Brown’s turnover led to a dunk by KJ Simpson that gave the Nuggets a 77-67 lead heading into the fourth.

Valanciunas scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter to give Denver an 14-point lead. Baylor Scheierman ended the Celtics’ drought with a 3-pointer, but Hardaway answered with a trey at the other end and Jones split a pair of free throws.

Valanciunas stretched the lead to 89-72 with a putback, and Boston sat its starters for the rest of the game with 5:33 remaining.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Dynamo strive for more clinical finishing vs. Rapids Mar 14, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme Augusto (20) controls the ball during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen wants a sharper offensive performance when his club hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The Dynamo (4-5-0, 12 points) have struggled to capitalize on possessions around the box, a trend that Olsen said must improve. “We are a little toothless in our attack,” Olsen said. “We have to be a little more patient and balanced and figure out the final third.” Houston lost 2-0 to Austin last Saturday, even though it held 53.9% of the possession. Prior to the loss at Austin, the Dynamo had won two straight matches by 1-0 scores but have been outscored 18-12 this season. Guilherme Augusto leads the Dynamo with five goals and four assists. “For 100 minutes a week, you’ve got to summon something, summon the best in yourself,” Olsen said. “And that’s the responsibility these players have and I have.” Colorado (4-5-1, 13 points) will look to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday. Rafael Navarro tallied the lone goal, and the Brazilian forward leads the Rapids with seven goals and four assists. He also has 19 shots on target. Navarro’s goal last week marked his 50th regular-season goal contribution in his fourth year with the club. He’s the eighth Colorado player to reach the milestone. Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry said the Rapids have to get off to better starts. “From the first whistle, we have to show up as ourselves,” Rosenberry said. “We have to have that bravery and meet the demands of the game better.” In the first matchup between the two teams, the Rapids rolled to a 6-2 home win over the Dynamo on April 11. Kosi Thompson and Navarro each scored a brace in that match. But since then, the Rapids have gone 0-2-1 in league play. “We have to do the necessary dirty stuff to win games,” Colorado coach Matt Wells said. “Our football warrants that.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dynamo #strive #clinical #finishing #RapidsMar 14, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme Augusto (20) controls the ball during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen wants a sharper offensive performance when his club hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

The Dynamo (4-5-0, 12 points) have struggled to capitalize on possessions around the box, a trend that Olsen said must improve.

“We are a little toothless in our attack,” Olsen said. “We have to be a little more patient and balanced and figure out the final third.”

Houston lost 2-0 to Austin last Saturday, even though it held 53.9% of the possession. Prior to the loss at Austin, the Dynamo had won two straight matches by 1-0 scores but have been outscored 18-12 this season.

Guilherme Augusto leads the Dynamo with five goals and four assists.

“For 100 minutes a week, you’ve got to summon something, summon the best in yourself,” Olsen said. “And that’s the responsibility these players have and I have.”


Colorado (4-5-1, 13 points) will look to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday. Rafael Navarro tallied the lone goal, and the Brazilian forward leads the Rapids with seven goals and four assists. He also has 19 shots on target.

Navarro’s goal last week marked his 50th regular-season goal contribution in his fourth year with the club. He’s the eighth Colorado player to reach the milestone.

Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry said the Rapids have to get off to better starts.

“From the first whistle, we have to show up as ourselves,” Rosenberry said. “We have to have that bravery and meet the demands of the game better.”

In the first matchup between the two teams, the Rapids rolled to a 6-2 home win over the Dynamo on April 11. Kosi Thompson and Navarro each scored a brace in that match. But since then, the Rapids have gone 0-2-1 in league play.

“We have to do the necessary dirty stuff to win games,” Colorado coach Matt Wells said. “Our football warrants that.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dynamo #strive #clinical #finishing #Rapids">Deadspin | Dynamo strive for more clinical finishing vs. Rapids Mar 14, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme Augusto (20) controls the ball during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen wants a sharper offensive performance when his club hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The Dynamo (4-5-0, 12 points) have struggled to capitalize on possessions around the box, a trend that Olsen said must improve. “We are a little toothless in our attack,” Olsen said. “We have to be a little more patient and balanced and figure out the final third.” Houston lost 2-0 to Austin last Saturday, even though it held 53.9% of the possession. Prior to the loss at Austin, the Dynamo had won two straight matches by 1-0 scores but have been outscored 18-12 this season. Guilherme Augusto leads the Dynamo with five goals and four assists. “For 100 minutes a week, you’ve got to summon something, summon the best in yourself,” Olsen said. “And that’s the responsibility these players have and I have.” Colorado (4-5-1, 13 points) will look to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday. Rafael Navarro tallied the lone goal, and the Brazilian forward leads the Rapids with seven goals and four assists. He also has 19 shots on target. Navarro’s goal last week marked his 50th regular-season goal contribution in his fourth year with the club. He’s the eighth Colorado player to reach the milestone. Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry said the Rapids have to get off to better starts. “From the first whistle, we have to show up as ourselves,” Rosenberry said. “We have to have that bravery and meet the demands of the game better.” In the first matchup between the two teams, the Rapids rolled to a 6-2 home win over the Dynamo on April 11. Kosi Thompson and Navarro each scored a brace in that match. But since then, the Rapids have gone 0-2-1 in league play. “We have to do the necessary dirty stuff to win games,” Colorado coach Matt Wells said. “Our football warrants that.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dynamo #strive #clinical #finishing #Rapids

The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.

The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.

Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.

A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.

“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.

Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.

But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.

After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.

Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.

The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.

“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.

Glory

If Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.

Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish.

NBA Playoffs 2026: Lakers progress past Rockets; Pistons, Raptors survive The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.GloryIf Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish. Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.Close-outThe Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.Published on May 02, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive

Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP

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Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP

Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.

Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.

But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.

“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.

Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.

Close-out

The Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.

But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.

Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.

The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.

“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.

Published on May 02, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive">NBA Playoffs 2026: Lakers progress past Rockets; Pistons, Raptors survive The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.GloryIf Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish. Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.Close-outThe Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.Published on May 02, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive

Deadspin | USL, players’ union reach tentative CBA deal May 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement. The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.” The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance. The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to ,000, an increase of ,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be ,500. Entry-level deals will be worth ,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of ,000) and ,000 in the USL Premier. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #dealMay 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement.

The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.”


The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance.

The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to $42,000, an increase of $11,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be $67,500.

Entry-level deals will be worth $34,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of $8,000) and $50,000 in the USL Premier.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #deal">Deadspin | USL, players’ union reach tentative CBA deal May 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement. The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.” The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance. The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to ,000, an increase of ,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be ,500. Entry-level deals will be worth ,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of ,000) and ,000 in the USL Premier. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #deal

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