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Deadspin | Jordan Walker goes deep to help Cardinals topple Nationals Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a 2 RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Jordan Walker homered again, Alec Burleson drove in three runs and notched three hits and starting pitcher Michael McGreevy retired the final 10 batters he faced as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the host Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday. Walker hit his fifth home run of the season and three St. Louis relievers completed what became a combined four-hitter. McGreevy (1-1) worked six innings, yielding one run on four hits without a walk. He struck out one. Walker moved into a share of the big-league lead for homers after smashing a long ball for the fourth time in a five-game stretch. The Nationals, who have lost seven of their past eight games, never led. They completed a 1-5 homestand. Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (0-3) allowed two runs on five hits with three walks in three innings. He fanned three. Washington’s James Wood went 2-for-4 to join Burleson as the only players in the game with more than one hit. Matt Svanson, Justin Bruihl and Riley O’Brien pitched in relief for St. Louis. The Cardinals, who stranded nine runners, struck first on Burleson’s two-run, two-out single in the second inning. Washington scored its run in the third on Luis Garcia Jr.’s fielder’s choice grounder for the second out. He was the last batter before McGreevy began his stretch of notching outs on the Nationals’ next 10 batters. Walker’s solo homer came with one out in the fifth off Brad Lord. The Cardinals began the seventh with back-to-back walks, and Burleson followed with an RBI single. However, a strikeout and a double-play grounder allowed the Nationals to escape without additional damage. St. Louis tacked on two runs in the ninth. After Walker walked to load the bases with two outs, Yohel Pozo delivered a two-run single. The teams split the previous two games of the three-game series, with the Nationals prevailing 9-6 on Monday and the Cardinals claiming a 7-6 decision in 10 innings on Tuesday. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jordan #Walker #deep #Cardinals #topple #Nationals

Deadspin | Jordan Walker goes deep to help Cardinals topple Nationals
Deadspin | Jordan Walker goes deep to help Cardinals topple Nationals Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a 2 RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Jordan Walker homered again, Alec Burleson drove in three runs and notched three hits and starting pitcher Michael McGreevy retired the final 10 batters he faced as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the host Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday. Walker hit his fifth home run of the season and three St. Louis relievers completed what became a combined four-hitter. McGreevy (1-1) worked six innings, yielding one run on four hits without a walk. He struck out one. Walker moved into a share of the big-league lead for homers after smashing a long ball for the fourth time in a five-game stretch. The Nationals, who have lost seven of their past eight games, never led. They completed a 1-5 homestand. Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (0-3) allowed two runs on five hits with three walks in three innings. He fanned three. Washington’s James Wood went 2-for-4 to join Burleson as the only players in the game with more than one hit. Matt Svanson, Justin Bruihl and Riley O’Brien pitched in relief for St. Louis. The Cardinals, who stranded nine runners, struck first on Burleson’s two-run, two-out single in the second inning. Washington scored its run in the third on Luis Garcia Jr.’s fielder’s choice grounder for the second out. He was the last batter before McGreevy began his stretch of notching outs on the Nationals’ next 10 batters. Walker’s solo homer came with one out in the fifth off Brad Lord. The Cardinals began the seventh with back-to-back walks, and Burleson followed with an RBI single. However, a strikeout and a double-play grounder allowed the Nationals to escape without additional damage. St. Louis tacked on two runs in the ninth. After Walker walked to load the bases with two outs, Yohel Pozo delivered a two-run single. The teams split the previous two games of the three-game series, with the Nationals prevailing 9-6 on Monday and the Cardinals claiming a 7-6 decision in 10 innings on Tuesday. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jordan #Walker #deep #Cardinals #topple #NationalsApr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a 2 RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Jordan Walker homered again, Alec Burleson drove in three runs and notched three hits and starting pitcher Michael McGreevy retired the final 10 batters he faced as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the host Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday.

Walker hit his fifth home run of the season and three St. Louis relievers completed what became a combined four-hitter. McGreevy (1-1) worked six innings, yielding one run on four hits without a walk. He struck out one.

Walker moved into a share of the big-league lead for homers after smashing a long ball for the fourth time in a five-game stretch.

The Nationals, who have lost seven of their past eight games, never led. They completed a 1-5 homestand.

Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (0-3) allowed two runs on five hits with three walks in three innings. He fanned three.

Washington’s James Wood went 2-for-4 to join Burleson as the only players in the game with more than one hit.


Matt Svanson, Justin Bruihl and Riley O’Brien pitched in relief for St. Louis.

The Cardinals, who stranded nine runners, struck first on Burleson’s two-run, two-out single in the second inning.

Washington scored its run in the third on Luis Garcia Jr.’s fielder’s choice grounder for the second out. He was the last batter before McGreevy began his stretch of notching outs on the Nationals’ next 10 batters.

Walker’s solo homer came with one out in the fifth off Brad Lord.

The Cardinals began the seventh with back-to-back walks, and Burleson followed with an RBI single. However, a strikeout and a double-play grounder allowed the Nationals to escape without additional damage.

St. Louis tacked on two runs in the ninth. After Walker walked to load the bases with two outs, Yohel Pozo delivered a two-run single.

The teams split the previous two games of the three-game series, with the Nationals prevailing 9-6 on Monday and the Cardinals claiming a 7-6 decision in 10 innings on Tuesday.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jordan #Walker #deep #Cardinals #topple #Nationals

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Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a 2 RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Jordan Walker homered again, Alec Burleson drove in three runs and notched three hits and starting pitcher Michael McGreevy retired the final 10 batters he faced as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the host Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday.

Walker hit his fifth home run of the season and three St. Louis relievers completed what became a combined four-hitter. McGreevy (1-1) worked six innings, yielding one run on four hits without a walk. He struck out one.

Walker moved into a share of the big-league lead for homers after smashing a long ball for the fourth time in a five-game stretch.

The Nationals, who have lost seven of their past eight games, never led. They completed a 1-5 homestand.

Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (0-3) allowed two runs on five hits with three walks in three innings. He fanned three.

Washington’s James Wood went 2-for-4 to join Burleson as the only players in the game with more than one hit.

Matt Svanson, Justin Bruihl and Riley O’Brien pitched in relief for St. Louis.

The Cardinals, who stranded nine runners, struck first on Burleson’s two-run, two-out single in the second inning.

Washington scored its run in the third on Luis Garcia Jr.’s fielder’s choice grounder for the second out. He was the last batter before McGreevy began his stretch of notching outs on the Nationals’ next 10 batters.

Walker’s solo homer came with one out in the fifth off Brad Lord.

The Cardinals began the seventh with back-to-back walks, and Burleson followed with an RBI single. However, a strikeout and a double-play grounder allowed the Nationals to escape without additional damage.

St. Louis tacked on two runs in the ninth. After Walker walked to load the bases with two outs, Yohel Pozo delivered a two-run single.

The teams split the previous two games of the three-game series, with the Nationals prevailing 9-6 on Monday and the Cardinals claiming a 7-6 decision in 10 innings on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

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Champions League — Barca manager Hansi Flick blasts refereeing after home defeat to Atletico Madrid <div id="content-body-70841097" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tore into the officiating after his side’s 2-0 home defeat by Atletico ​Madrid in the Champions League, raging over a second-half penalty ‌call and Pau Cubarsi’s red card that left his ​team a man down before half-time.</p><p>Flick’s anger ⁠centred on an incident in the 53rd minute when Barca appealed for a penalty.</p><p>Goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to have put the ball in ‌play from a goal kick before defender Marc Pubill handled it inside the six-yard box to ‌retake the goal kick. Referee Istvan Kovacs waved play ‌on ⁠and the VAR crew did not call him ⁠to the monitor, sparking animated protests from the home bench.</p><p>“I don’t know why VAR hasn’t been used. The referee … I think he’s brilliant. We ​all make mistakes, but ‌what’s the point of VAR? I just can’t understand it. It should have been a penalty, a second yellow and a red card as he already had a ‌booking. This is exactly what shouldn’t happen,” Flick told ​Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus.</p><p>Atletico manager Diego Simeone saw it differently.</p><p>“It’s a matter of common sense,” Simeone ⁠told reporters.</p><p>“The referee saw it as, it was. That Marc (Pubill) received what appeared to be a pass from his teammate ‌to start the move, the referee saw it the same way as Marc saw it. Then we can look at as many situations as we like.”</p><p>Barcelona had already been reduced to 10 men in the 44th minute as Cubarsi was sent off for hauling down Giuliano Simeone as ‌the last man. Julian Alvarez brilliantly curled in the resulting free ​kick before the interval and Alexander Sorloth sealed the win after the break.</p><p>Flick also questioned the dismissal.</p><p>“I’m ⁠not sure if he made enough contact because the ball ⁠was behind him; I’m not entirely sure,” he said.</p><p>“I don’t know. It might be, or it might not ‌be. I don’t know if he touched him enough. But in other situations, when the ball is touched ​by the hand, it’s very clear to me.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Champions #League #Barca #manager #Hansi #Flick #blasts #refereeing #home #defeat #Atletico #Madrid

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Rashid Khan believes he has finally regained the rhythm that eluded him following his back surgery in 2023.

Rashid went through a horror last season when he took just nine wickets in 15 games for Gujarat Titans. This was after an equally underwhelming 2024 run, during which he struggled to find his rhythm following the surgery.

But with a standout performance on Wednesday night against Delhi Capitals, he made a loud statement.

He challenged edges on both sides and took three timely wickets of Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi and opposition skipper Axar Patel to bring his team back into the contest that it eventually won by a solitary run.

“… If you have a bad season, it doesn’t mean you are gone…It’s just about your line and length,” Rashid said after the win.

“…it’s a fresh year, and I gave myself a couple of months after the last IPL, focused on my fitness. I felt like I was struggling a little bit with my back after surgery. And I think when I had three good months, I had a good The Hundred in the UK.

“But more importantly, I try my best to just work on my fitness and work on my core. That does allow my body to bowl with the full rhythm,” he added.

ALSO READ | GT captain Shubman Gill fined Rs. 12 lakh for slow over-rate against DC

Rashid had pushed his body to the limit to play the 2023 ODI World Cup, ignoring the doctor’s advice. He struggled to even walk after the ICC event in India and eventually went under the knife. It is precisely for this reason that he was cautious on return.

“After surgery, when I came back, I was very, very careful with my back. That, I think, affected my bowling action and release and everything. So, I was trying to be careful,” he said.

“I missed a little bit of my rhythm. You know, I was trying to be slow for two-three months, four months.

“And what was not allowing me (to push harder) was a bit of pain in the back. I was scared. So, yeah, just to work on my core. And I tried my best to make it as strong as possible. And then, you know, just to go on with the full energy,” he recollected.

Though the Afghan star is fit to bowl again, he said it would be difficult to play Test cricket going forward.

“Red ball is something which looks a bit difficult for me to keep in. Yes, one Test in a year, I will take that, but I don’t think I can do more than that,” he said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Rashid #Khan #believes #hes #prime #IPL #remains #unsure #Test #cricket">Rashid Khan believes he’s back to his prime in IPL 2026 but remains unsure about Test cricket Rashid Khan believes he has finally regained the rhythm that eluded him following his back surgery in 2023.Rashid went through a horror last season when he took just nine wickets in 15 games for Gujarat Titans. This was after an equally underwhelming 2024 run, during which he struggled to find his rhythm following the surgery.But with a standout performance on Wednesday night against Delhi Capitals, he made a loud statement.He challenged edges on both sides and took three timely wickets of Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi and opposition skipper Axar Patel to bring his team back into the contest that it eventually won by a solitary run.“… If you have a bad season, it doesn’t mean you are gone…It’s just about your line and length,” Rashid said after the win.“…it’s a fresh year, and I gave myself a couple of months after the last IPL, focused on my fitness. I felt like I was struggling a little bit with my back after surgery. And I think when I had three good months, I had a good The Hundred in the UK.“But more importantly, I try my best to just work on my fitness and work on my core. That does allow my body to bowl with the full rhythm,” he added.ALSO READ | GT captain Shubman Gill fined Rs. 12 lakh for slow over-rate against DCRashid had pushed his body to the limit to play the 2023 ODI World Cup, ignoring the doctor’s advice. He struggled to even walk after the ICC event in India and eventually went under the knife. It is precisely for this reason that he was cautious on return.“After surgery, when I came back, I was very, very careful with my back. That, I think, affected my bowling action and release and everything. So, I was trying to be careful,” he said.“I missed a little bit of my rhythm. You know, I was trying to be slow for two-three months, four months.“And what was not allowing me (to push harder) was a bit of pain in the back. I was scared. So, yeah, just to work on my core. And I tried my best to make it as strong as possible. And then, you know, just to go on with the full energy,” he recollected.Though the Afghan star is fit to bowl again, he said it would be difficult to play Test cricket going forward.“Red ball is something which looks a bit difficult for me to keep in. Yes, one Test in a year, I will take that, but I don’t think I can do more than that,” he said.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Rashid #Khan #believes #hes #prime #IPL #remains #unsure #Test #cricket

GT captain Shubman Gill fined Rs. 12 lakh for slow over-rate against DC

Rashid had pushed his body to the limit to play the 2023 ODI World Cup, ignoring the doctor’s advice. He struggled to even walk after the ICC event in India and eventually went under the knife. It is precisely for this reason that he was cautious on return.

“After surgery, when I came back, I was very, very careful with my back. That, I think, affected my bowling action and release and everything. So, I was trying to be careful,” he said.

“I missed a little bit of my rhythm. You know, I was trying to be slow for two-three months, four months.

“And what was not allowing me (to push harder) was a bit of pain in the back. I was scared. So, yeah, just to work on my core. And I tried my best to make it as strong as possible. And then, you know, just to go on with the full energy,” he recollected.

Though the Afghan star is fit to bowl again, he said it would be difficult to play Test cricket going forward.

“Red ball is something which looks a bit difficult for me to keep in. Yes, one Test in a year, I will take that, but I don’t think I can do more than that,” he said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Rashid #Khan #believes #hes #prime #IPL #remains #unsure #Test #cricket">Rashid Khan believes he’s back to his prime in IPL 2026 but remains unsure about Test cricket

Rashid Khan believes he has finally regained the rhythm that eluded him following his back surgery in 2023.

Rashid went through a horror last season when he took just nine wickets in 15 games for Gujarat Titans. This was after an equally underwhelming 2024 run, during which he struggled to find his rhythm following the surgery.

But with a standout performance on Wednesday night against Delhi Capitals, he made a loud statement.

He challenged edges on both sides and took three timely wickets of Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi and opposition skipper Axar Patel to bring his team back into the contest that it eventually won by a solitary run.

“… If you have a bad season, it doesn’t mean you are gone…It’s just about your line and length,” Rashid said after the win.

“…it’s a fresh year, and I gave myself a couple of months after the last IPL, focused on my fitness. I felt like I was struggling a little bit with my back after surgery. And I think when I had three good months, I had a good The Hundred in the UK.

“But more importantly, I try my best to just work on my fitness and work on my core. That does allow my body to bowl with the full rhythm,” he added.

ALSO READ | GT captain Shubman Gill fined Rs. 12 lakh for slow over-rate against DC

Rashid had pushed his body to the limit to play the 2023 ODI World Cup, ignoring the doctor’s advice. He struggled to even walk after the ICC event in India and eventually went under the knife. It is precisely for this reason that he was cautious on return.

“After surgery, when I came back, I was very, very careful with my back. That, I think, affected my bowling action and release and everything. So, I was trying to be careful,” he said.

“I missed a little bit of my rhythm. You know, I was trying to be slow for two-three months, four months.

“And what was not allowing me (to push harder) was a bit of pain in the back. I was scared. So, yeah, just to work on my core. And I tried my best to make it as strong as possible. And then, you know, just to go on with the full energy,” he recollected.

Though the Afghan star is fit to bowl again, he said it would be difficult to play Test cricket going forward.

“Red ball is something which looks a bit difficult for me to keep in. Yes, one Test in a year, I will take that, but I don’t think I can do more than that,” he said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Rashid #Khan #believes #hes #prime #IPL #remains #unsure #Test #cricket

David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.

Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.

Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.

Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.

Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.

Reactions

Here’s what Mohammed Kaif had to say

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision">“Can’t fathom it”: Experts react to David Miller’s no-single decision vs GT David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.ReactionsHere’s what Mohammed Kaif had to sayMiller should have taken the single. pic.twitter.com/BXxIih2KSv— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 8, 2026Perplexed!Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.Why Miller didn’t take a single on 19.5??!! #DCvGT#IPL2026— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 8, 2026Bonkers!Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision">“Can’t fathom it”: Experts react to David Miller’s no-single decision vs GT

David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.

Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.

Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.

Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.

Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.

Reactions

Here’s what Mohammed Kaif had to say

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision
Deadspin | Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers keep Hawks from clinching playoff bid Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night. James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament. The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row. Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line. Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front. Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half. Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break. Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks. Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests. Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bidApr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night.

James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out.

Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.

The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row.

Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line.


Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front.

Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half.

Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break.

Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks.

Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests.

Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bid">Deadspin | Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers keep Hawks from clinching playoff bid Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night. James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament. The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row. Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line. Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front. Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half. Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break. Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks. Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests. Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bid

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