×
Sindarov vs Bluebaum LIVE: FIDE Canditates Tournament 2026 Round 9 updates Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov faces Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round of the Open section at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 on Wednesday in Cyprus.Sindarov continues to lead the standings after drawing with Andrey Esipenko in the previous round.Sindarov vs Bluebaum LIVE board updatesWhere to watch FIDE Candidates 2026?The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will be streamed live on the FIDE YouTube channel.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #Sindarov #Bluebaum #LIVE #FIDE #Canditates #Tournament #updates

Sindarov vs Bluebaum LIVE: FIDE Canditates Tournament 2026 Round 9 updates

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov faces Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round of the Open section at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 on Wednesday in Cyprus.

Sindarov continues to lead the standings after drawing with Andrey Esipenko in the previous round.

Sindarov vs Bluebaum LIVE board updates

Where to watch FIDE Candidates 2026?

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will be streamed live on the FIDE YouTube channel.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Sindarov #Bluebaum #LIVE #FIDE #Canditates #Tournament #updates

Sports news , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov faces Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round of the Open section at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 on Wednesday in Cyprus.

Sindarov continues to lead the standings after drawing with Andrey Esipenko in the previous round.

Sindarov vs Bluebaum LIVE board updates

Where to watch FIDE Candidates 2026?

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will be streamed live on the FIDE YouTube channel.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

Source link
#Sindarov #Bluebaum #LIVE #FIDE #Canditates #Tournament #updates

Tag
Previous post

Deadspin | Hot outfielders lead Nationals, Cardinals into decisive game <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28658205.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28658205.jpg" alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Detroit Tigers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) receives congratulations from second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) after he hits a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker will look to continue his hot streak when the Cardinals and Washington Nationals meet in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon in the nation’s capital.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Walker homered for the second straight night and third time in four games Tuesday to help the Cardinals rally for a 7-6, 10-inning win.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>He has four home runs in 11 games this season after it took him 73 games to reach that mark a season ago. The 23-year-old has driven in 11 runs, including eight in his past four games, and is batting .300 overall.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Washington has its own outfielder on a hot streak. James Wood had two hits and homered in his third straight game — a career first — for the Nationals on Tuesday. He also scored three runs, bringing his season total to 11.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy (0-1, 2.53 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-2, 14.46) in the series finale.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Mikolas, signed by Washington as a free agent in the offseason, played seven of the past eight seasons with the Cardinals, going 68-69 with a 4.16 ERA. He missed 2020 due to injury. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>He has had a rough beginning to 2026. After allowing six runs (four earned) in his first outing, a 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on March 28, he was shellacked for 11 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Washington’s home opener last Friday. The Dodgers hit four home runs off of him in their 13-6 victory.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“Knowing Miles, the competitor he is, he was frustrated by it,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said of Mikolas’ start against the Dodgers. “But he’ll be fine. He’ll flush it, he’ll make his adjustments and we’ll fix this.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Before joining the Cardinals, Mikolas pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against them while with the San Diego Padres in 2012.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>McGreevy tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against the Tampa Rays in his first start on March 28, a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Last Friday, he took a 4-0 loss against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, McGreevy worked on his hip movement leading up to that start in an effort to regain some lost velocity compared to 2025.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>McGreevy never has faced the Nationals.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>On Tuesday, Nathan Church hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Cardinals as they improved to 3-0 in extra inning games. Run-scoring doubles by Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt in the 10th inning led to the win. </p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“They’re not gonna give in,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of his team. “They’re going to play hard regardless of score, situation. I’m proud of these dudes for continuing to do that.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Church snapped an 0-for-22 skid with his crucial home run.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“Just something over the plate and put a good swing on it,” he said. “That’s really all I was trying to do — simplify.”</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Washington’s bullpen squandered a lead for the third straight game, though the Nationals came back to win on Monday. Washington relievers allowed five runs and six walks in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>“We want to win every night, and our offense is doing a tremendous job of putting up runs every single night,” Butera said. “I know our pitching is going to come along. They are going to get better, I know that. So, if our offense keeps doing what it’s doing and we get the pitching squared away, we are going to be in a good spot.”</p> </section><section id="section-19"> </section><br/><section id="section-20"> <p>-Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Hot #outfielders #lead #Nationals #Cardinals #decisive #game

Next post

Deadspin | Giants’ Daniel Susac hopes to continue fast start vs. Phillies <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28647808.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28647808.jpg" alt="MLB: New York Mets at San Francisco Giants" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac (6) looks on during an interview after the game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Daniel Susac’s start to his career has been so eye-opening that the rookie catcher has earned himself more at-bats.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Susac became the first player in Giants history to open his career with five consecutive hits, and San Francisco manager Tony Vitello indicated he’s ready to write Susac’s name on the lineup card more frequently.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The mystery is whether Susac will be in the lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday afternoon when the Giants close a three-game set with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Susac, 24, went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple in Tuesday night’s 6-0 victory over the Phillies. When he started 2-for-2 for his fifth hit in a row this season, he was one safety away from becoming the first player to start his career 6-for-6 since Ted Cox of the Boston Red Sox in 1977.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Susac fell short of Cox when he flied out in the sixth inning. Still, the rookie surpassed a big name for the team mark in Hall of Famer Willie McCovey (4-for-4 in 1959).</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Susac is batting .857 while regular catcher Patrick Bailey is struggling at .129 with four hits (all singles) in 31 at-bats.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“I think he’s obviously earned the right to be out there for us more often,” Vitello said of Susac. “It would be good for those guys.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“I think they have a good friendship and also a good working relationship. … It’s not an easy thing to go out there all the time. You’ll be seeing plenty of both guys as the season goes on.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Susac was a Rule 5 Draft pick in the offseason by the Minnesota Twins out of the Athletics’ organization. He later was traded to the Giants. He saw an opportunity with them and worked on his approach.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“A lot of it has to do with offseason changes I made,” Susac said. “Just being a lot calmer at the plate, smooth, seeing the ball a little better.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Growing up, my strength was the opposite side of the field. So getting back to that … taking what they give me as well.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>Philadelphia had just four hits in Tuesday’s loss, and the defense had issues in the fifth inning.</p> </section> <section id="section-13"> <p>Star shortstop Trea Turner fumbled a grounder that appeared to be a double play. Later in the inning, left fielder Otto Kemp’s reaction time was slow as Matt Chapman’s RBI double sailed over his head.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“Hindsight, I wish I would have tried to beat the ball to the spot,” Kemp said. “Better chance to make that play rather than trying to jump up.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto exited in the bottom of the first inning due to a bruised right foot. He was hit with a foul ball off the bat of San Francisco’s Rafael Devers.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“X-rays were negative,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll re-evaluate (Wednesday).”</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Thomson said Rafael Marchan will start at catcher on Wednesday. Marchan was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Aaron Nola (1-0, 3.18 ERA) will start for the Phillies in the finale against fellow right-hander Tyler Mahle (0-2, 7.00) of the Giants.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Nola, 32, beat the Colorado Rockies on Friday when he gave up one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked one in a 10-1 victory.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Nola has struggled against San Francisco, going 3-3 with a 7.00 ERA in nine career starts. Willy Adames is just 1-for-19 with 10 strikeouts against him while Matt Chapman is 3-for-7.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Mahle, 31, served up two homers while allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings in a 10-3 loss to the New York Mets on Friday. He struck out four and walked two.</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>Mahle is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber (5-for-18) has homered twice off him.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Giants #Daniel #Susac #hopes #continue #fast #start #Phillies

Related Posts

Deadspin | Aaron Rai keen to learn from mistakes heading into Memorial Tournament May 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win. The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio. The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.” He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship. “Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said. “I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.” Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour. “It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.” This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025. He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend. “Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut. “I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.” Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #TournamentMay 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win.

The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

“That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.”

He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship.

“Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said.

“I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.”


Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour.

“It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.”

This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025.

He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend.

“Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut.

“I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.”

Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #Tournament">Deadspin | Aaron Rai keen to learn from mistakes heading into Memorial Tournament May 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win. The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio. The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.” He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship. “Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said. “I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.” Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour. “It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.” This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025. He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend. “Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut. “I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.” Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #Tournament

We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.

Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Draft Number: No. 2
Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Minutes per game: 30.6

Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.

2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

Draft Number: No. 1
Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 block
Minutes per game: 25.5

Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Draft Number: No. 6
Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Minutes per game: 27

The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.

4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.

5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: No. 5
Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Minutes per game: 28.3

Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.

6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 rebound
Minutes per game: 21.9

It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.

7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm

Draft Number: No. 8
Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.

8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Minutes per game: 13.9

Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court.

#Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked">Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd and the 8 best WNBA rookies, ranked We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota LynxDraft Number: No. 2Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 stealsMinutes per game: 30.6Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas WingsDraft Number: No. 1Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 blockMinutes per game: 25.5Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.3. Kiki Rice, Toronto TempoDraft Number: No. 6Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assistsMinutes per game: 27The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.4. Pauline Astier, New York LibertyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago SkyDraft Number: No. 5Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 stealsMinutes per game: 28.3Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix MercuryDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 reboundMinutes per game: 21.9It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle StormDraft Number: No. 8Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago SkyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 reboundsMinutes per game: 13.9Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court. #Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.

With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.

The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen to stay in hunt for title Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.More to follow…Published on Jun 03, 2026 #Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title

Post Comment