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NBA roundup: Thunder again clinches top seed with win over Clippers Chet Holmgren scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points with 11 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the best record in the NBA with a 128-110 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.Isaiah Joe scored 21 points off the ​bench, and Jalen Williams added 18 as the Thunder grabbed the Western Conference’s No. 1 playoff seed for the third consecutive season with its seventh straight victory. Oklahoma City, ‌which won the franchise’s first NBA title last season, will have home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, ​and Kobe Sanders added 17 off the bench for the Clippers, who have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament ⁠following a 6-21 start to the season. Los Angeles played without Darius Garland (toe).Brook Lopez and Jordan Miller each scored 16 points as the Clippers remained in eighth place in the Western Conference. The eighth and ninth seeds in the West will be decided on Friday when the Clippers visit the Portland Trail Blazers.Suns 112, Mavericks 107Devin Booker had 37 points ‌and nine assists, Dillon Brooks scored 28 points and made a late layup to seal the outcome, and host Phoenix held off Dallas to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.Royce O’Neale scored 14 points and fellow reserve Collin Gillespie had ‌13 for the Suns (44-36), who lost an 18-point lead and fell behind in the fourth quarter in their final regular-season home game. The Suns will ‌open ⁠the play-in round on Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers, who still must decide the Nos. ⁠8 and 9 seeds.John Poulakidas had a career-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers, and Marvin Bagley III had 20 points for the Mavericks (25-55), who have lost 10 of 12. Cooper Flagg had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, strengthening his Rookie of the Year case. Flagg and his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets are in a two-man race.Cavaliers ​122, Hawks 116Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, and Evan Mobley ‌had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering Cleveland to a win over visiting Atlanta in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP James Harden put up 21 points and Jarrett Allen netted 16 for Cleveland, which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers, who have won four straight and six of their past seven, moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 ‌points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks, who failed to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson ​had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is half a game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could drop out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.Pistons 137, Bucks 111Jalen Duren scored 21 ⁠points with nine rebounds to lead Detroit to a win over visiting Milwaukee.Detroit, already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, won its fourth game in its last five contests. Duncan Robinson added 20 points while superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed ‌13 points with 10 assists.The Bucks fell for the second game in a row and the eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points, while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.Magic 132, Timberwolves 120Paolo Banchero had 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Orlando beat visiting Minnesota for its fourth consecutive victory. Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Desmond Bane scored 18 points and Franz Wagner added 17 for Orlando, which moved into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers with two games remaining. Goga Bitadze had 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Tristan da Silva added 12 points, and Jalen Suggs and Jevon Carter finished with 11 apiece.Terrence Shannon Jr. set career ‌highs with five 3-pointers and 33 points for short-handed Minnesota, which clinched the sixth position in the Western Conference on Tuesday. Jaden McDaniels returned after missing six games with a knee ​injury and scored 18 points in 19 minutes. Naz Reid had 15 points, and Donte DiVincenzo added 12.Nuggets 136, Grizzlies 119Jamal Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 34th triple-double of the season, ⁠and host Denver beat Memphis for its 10th win in a row.Cameron Johnson posted 18 points as the Nuggets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los ⁠Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.Cedric Coward finished with 27 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost six in a row and 19 of their past 21.Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101De’Aaron Fox poured in 25 points, and ‌San Antonio’s reserves contributed 48 points as the host Spurs defeated Portland.San Antonio played without Victor Wembanyama (rib) and Stephon Castle (knee) but still had enough to log their 13th win in 14 games. The Spurs became locked into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference when the Oklahoma City Thunder ​won its game.Deni Avdija paced Portland with 29 points, with Scoot Henderson scoring 20. The Trail Blazers remain ninth in the West, a game back of the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the teams’ Friday meeting in Portland.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #NBA #roundup #Thunder #clinches #top #seed #win #Clippers

NBA roundup: Thunder again clinches top seed with win over Clippers

Chet Holmgren scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points with 11 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the best record in the NBA with a 128-110 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.

Isaiah Joe scored 21 points off the ​bench, and Jalen Williams added 18 as the Thunder grabbed the Western Conference’s No. 1 playoff seed for the third consecutive season with its seventh straight victory. Oklahoma City, ‌which won the franchise’s first NBA title last season, will have home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.

Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, ​and Kobe Sanders added 17 off the bench for the Clippers, who have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament ⁠following a 6-21 start to the season. Los Angeles played without Darius Garland (toe).

Brook Lopez and Jordan Miller each scored 16 points as the Clippers remained in eighth place in the Western Conference. The eighth and ninth seeds in the West will be decided on Friday when the Clippers visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

Suns 112, Mavericks 107

Devin Booker had 37 points ‌and nine assists, Dillon Brooks scored 28 points and made a late layup to seal the outcome, and host Phoenix held off Dallas to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Royce O’Neale scored 14 points and fellow reserve Collin Gillespie had ‌13 for the Suns (44-36), who lost an 18-point lead and fell behind in the fourth quarter in their final regular-season home game. The Suns will ‌open ⁠the play-in round on Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers, who still must decide the Nos. ⁠8 and 9 seeds.

John Poulakidas had a career-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers, and Marvin Bagley III had 20 points for the Mavericks (25-55), who have lost 10 of 12. Cooper Flagg had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, strengthening his Rookie of the Year case. Flagg and his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets are in a two-man race.

Cavaliers ​122, Hawks 116

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

NBA roundup: Thunder again clinches top seed with win over Clippers Chet Holmgren scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points with 11 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the best record in the NBA with a 128-110 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.Isaiah Joe scored 21 points off the ​bench, and Jalen Williams added 18 as the Thunder grabbed the Western Conference’s No. 1 playoff seed for the third consecutive season with its seventh straight victory. Oklahoma City, ‌which won the franchise’s first NBA title last season, will have home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, ​and Kobe Sanders added 17 off the bench for the Clippers, who have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament ⁠following a 6-21 start to the season. Los Angeles played without Darius Garland (toe).Brook Lopez and Jordan Miller each scored 16 points as the Clippers remained in eighth place in the Western Conference. The eighth and ninth seeds in the West will be decided on Friday when the Clippers visit the Portland Trail Blazers.Suns 112, Mavericks 107Devin Booker had 37 points ‌and nine assists, Dillon Brooks scored 28 points and made a late layup to seal the outcome, and host Phoenix held off Dallas to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.Royce O’Neale scored 14 points and fellow reserve Collin Gillespie had ‌13 for the Suns (44-36), who lost an 18-point lead and fell behind in the fourth quarter in their final regular-season home game. The Suns will ‌open ⁠the play-in round on Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers, who still must decide the Nos. ⁠8 and 9 seeds.John Poulakidas had a career-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers, and Marvin Bagley III had 20 points for the Mavericks (25-55), who have lost 10 of 12. Cooper Flagg had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, strengthening his Rookie of the Year case. Flagg and his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets are in a two-man race.Cavaliers ​122, Hawks 116Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, and Evan Mobley ‌had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering Cleveland to a win over visiting Atlanta in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP James Harden put up 21 points and Jarrett Allen netted 16 for Cleveland, which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers, who have won four straight and six of their past seven, moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 ‌points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks, who failed to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson ​had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is half a game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could drop out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.Pistons 137, Bucks 111Jalen Duren scored 21 ⁠points with nine rebounds to lead Detroit to a win over visiting Milwaukee.Detroit, already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, won its fourth game in its last five contests. Duncan Robinson added 20 points while superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed ‌13 points with 10 assists.The Bucks fell for the second game in a row and the eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points, while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.Magic 132, Timberwolves 120Paolo Banchero had 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Orlando beat visiting Minnesota for its fourth consecutive victory. Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Desmond Bane scored 18 points and Franz Wagner added 17 for Orlando, which moved into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers with two games remaining. Goga Bitadze had 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Tristan da Silva added 12 points, and Jalen Suggs and Jevon Carter finished with 11 apiece.Terrence Shannon Jr. set career ‌highs with five 3-pointers and 33 points for short-handed Minnesota, which clinched the sixth position in the Western Conference on Tuesday. Jaden McDaniels returned after missing six games with a knee ​injury and scored 18 points in 19 minutes. Naz Reid had 15 points, and Donte DiVincenzo added 12.Nuggets 136, Grizzlies 119Jamal Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 34th triple-double of the season, ⁠and host Denver beat Memphis for its 10th win in a row.Cameron Johnson posted 18 points as the Nuggets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los ⁠Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.Cedric Coward finished with 27 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost six in a row and 19 of their past 21.Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101De’Aaron Fox poured in 25 points, and ‌San Antonio’s reserves contributed 48 points as the host Spurs defeated Portland.San Antonio played without Victor Wembanyama (rib) and Stephon Castle (knee) but still had enough to log their 13th win in 14 games. The Spurs became locked into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference when the Oklahoma City Thunder ​won its game.Deni Avdija paced Portland with 29 points, with Scoot Henderson scoring 20. The Trail Blazers remain ninth in the West, a game back of the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the teams’ Friday meeting in Portland.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #NBA #roundup #Thunder #clinches #top #seed #win #Clippers

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket. | Photo Credit: AP

James Harden put up 21 points and Jarrett Allen netted 16 for Cleveland, which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers, who have won four straight and six of their past seven, moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 ‌points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks, who failed to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson ​had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is half a game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could drop out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.

Pistons 137, Bucks 111

Jalen Duren scored 21 ⁠points with nine rebounds to lead Detroit to a win over visiting Milwaukee.

Detroit, already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, won its fourth game in its last five contests. Duncan Robinson added 20 points while superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed ‌13 points with 10 assists.

The Bucks fell for the second game in a row and the eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points, while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Magic 132, Timberwolves 120

Paolo Banchero had 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Orlando beat visiting Minnesota for its fourth consecutive victory.

Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Desmond Bane scored 18 points and Franz Wagner added 17 for Orlando, which moved into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers with two games remaining. Goga Bitadze had 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Tristan da Silva added 12 points, and Jalen Suggs and Jevon Carter finished with 11 apiece.

Terrence Shannon Jr. set career ‌highs with five 3-pointers and 33 points for short-handed Minnesota, which clinched the sixth position in the Western Conference on Tuesday. Jaden McDaniels returned after missing six games with a knee ​injury and scored 18 points in 19 minutes. Naz Reid had 15 points, and Donte DiVincenzo added 12.

Nuggets 136, Grizzlies 119

Jamal Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 34th triple-double of the season, ⁠and host Denver beat Memphis for its 10th win in a row.

Cameron Johnson posted 18 points as the Nuggets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los ⁠Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Cedric Coward finished with 27 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost six in a row and 19 of their past 21.

Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101

De’Aaron Fox poured in 25 points, and ‌San Antonio’s reserves contributed 48 points as the host Spurs defeated Portland.

San Antonio played without Victor Wembanyama (rib) and Stephon Castle (knee) but still had enough to log their 13th win in 14 games. The Spurs became locked into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference when the Oklahoma City Thunder ​won its game.

Deni Avdija paced Portland with 29 points, with Scoot Henderson scoring 20. The Trail Blazers remain ninth in the West, a game back of the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the teams’ Friday meeting in Portland.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#NBA #roundup #Thunder #clinches #top #seed #win #Clippers

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Chet Holmgren scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points with 11 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the best record in the NBA with a 128-110 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.

Isaiah Joe scored 21 points off the ​bench, and Jalen Williams added 18 as the Thunder grabbed the Western Conference’s No. 1 playoff seed for the third consecutive season with its seventh straight victory. Oklahoma City, ‌which won the franchise’s first NBA title last season, will have home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.

Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, ​and Kobe Sanders added 17 off the bench for the Clippers, who have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament ⁠following a 6-21 start to the season. Los Angeles played without Darius Garland (toe).

Brook Lopez and Jordan Miller each scored 16 points as the Clippers remained in eighth place in the Western Conference. The eighth and ninth seeds in the West will be decided on Friday when the Clippers visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

Suns 112, Mavericks 107

Devin Booker had 37 points ‌and nine assists, Dillon Brooks scored 28 points and made a late layup to seal the outcome, and host Phoenix held off Dallas to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Royce O’Neale scored 14 points and fellow reserve Collin Gillespie had ‌13 for the Suns (44-36), who lost an 18-point lead and fell behind in the fourth quarter in their final regular-season home game. The Suns will ‌open ⁠the play-in round on Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers, who still must decide the Nos. ⁠8 and 9 seeds.

John Poulakidas had a career-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers, and Marvin Bagley III had 20 points for the Mavericks (25-55), who have lost 10 of 12. Cooper Flagg had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, strengthening his Rookie of the Year case. Flagg and his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets are in a two-man race.

Cavaliers ​122, Hawks 116

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

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket.
| Photo Credit:
AP

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after a basket.
| Photo Credit:
AP

James Harden put up 21 points and Jarrett Allen netted 16 for Cleveland, which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers, who have won four straight and six of their past seven, moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 ‌points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks, who failed to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson ​had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out. Atlanta is half a game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could drop out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.

Pistons 137, Bucks 111

Jalen Duren scored 21 ⁠points with nine rebounds to lead Detroit to a win over visiting Milwaukee.

Detroit, already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, won its fourth game in its last five contests. Duncan Robinson added 20 points while superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed ‌13 points with 10 assists.

The Bucks fell for the second game in a row and the eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points, while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Magic 132, Timberwolves 120

Paolo Banchero had 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Orlando beat visiting Minnesota for its fourth consecutive victory.

Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

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Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

Desmond Bane scored 18 points and Franz Wagner added 17 for Orlando, which moved into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers with two games remaining. Goga Bitadze had 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Tristan da Silva added 12 points, and Jalen Suggs and Jevon Carter finished with 11 apiece.

Terrence Shannon Jr. set career ‌highs with five 3-pointers and 33 points for short-handed Minnesota, which clinched the sixth position in the Western Conference on Tuesday. Jaden McDaniels returned after missing six games with a knee ​injury and scored 18 points in 19 minutes. Naz Reid had 15 points, and Donte DiVincenzo added 12.

Nuggets 136, Grizzlies 119

Jamal Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 34th triple-double of the season, ⁠and host Denver beat Memphis for its 10th win in a row.

Cameron Johnson posted 18 points as the Nuggets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los ⁠Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Cedric Coward finished with 27 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost six in a row and 19 of their past 21.

Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101

De’Aaron Fox poured in 25 points, and ‌San Antonio’s reserves contributed 48 points as the host Spurs defeated Portland.

San Antonio played without Victor Wembanyama (rib) and Stephon Castle (knee) but still had enough to log their 13th win in 14 games. The Spurs became locked into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference when the Oklahoma City Thunder ​won its game.

Deni Avdija paced Portland with 29 points, with Scoot Henderson scoring 20. The Trail Blazers remain ninth in the West, a game back of the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the teams’ Friday meeting in Portland.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

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Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.


When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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