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Mukul knock example of how IPL turns youngsters into stars, says KKR’s Rovman Powell  Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Rovman Powell said youngster Mukul Choudhary’s sensational 27-ball 54 was the primary reason behind his team’s three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from a position of winning in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.“It’s very disappointing. You want to make Kolkata, Eden Gardens, your fortress. Credit to the youngster, he batted really well…That is what the IPL does to young Indian players — turn them into stars. And tonight, it was his night. He played a fantastic innings,” said Powell after his team failed to defend 181 for four and remained without a win after four matches, including three at home.Asked what KKR bowlers could have done differently to check Mukul, Powell said, “They could have gone to a wide (ball) plan just as we went for the last ball, the last over. We could have gone to a wide plan, after we realised that he’s hitting those short deliveries, maybe a few balls earlier…“When you are out there and the pressure is on and guys keep telling you or you have a plan, it then comes down to execution.”On the fairness of Finn Allen’s catch by Digvesh Rathi on the third-man boundary, Powell said, “We thought, as we’ve seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for lesser things and that’s not as close as that. Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we’re not going to say that is what cost us two points tonight.”Published on Apr 10, 2026  #Mukul #knock #IPL #turns #youngsters #stars #KKRs #Rovman #Powell

Mukul knock example of how IPL turns youngsters into stars, says KKR’s Rovman Powell

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Rovman Powell said youngster Mukul Choudhary’s sensational 27-ball 54 was the primary reason behind his team’s three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from a position of winning in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

“It’s very disappointing. You want to make Kolkata, Eden Gardens, your fortress. Credit to the youngster, he batted really well…That is what the IPL does to young Indian players — turn them into stars. And tonight, it was his night. He played a fantastic innings,” said Powell after his team failed to defend 181 for four and remained without a win after four matches, including three at home.

Asked what KKR bowlers could have done differently to check Mukul, Powell said, “They could have gone to a wide (ball) plan just as we went for the last ball, the last over. We could have gone to a wide plan, after we realised that he’s hitting those short deliveries, maybe a few balls earlier…

“When you are out there and the pressure is on and guys keep telling you or you have a plan, it then comes down to execution.”

On the fairness of Finn Allen’s catch by Digvesh Rathi on the third-man boundary, Powell said, “We thought, as we’ve seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for lesser things and that’s not as close as that. Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we’re not going to say that is what cost us two points tonight.”

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#Mukul #knock #IPL #turns #youngsters #stars #KKRs #Rovman #Powell

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Rovman Powell said youngster Mukul Choudhary’s sensational 27-ball 54 was the primary reason behind his team’s three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from a position of winning in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

“It’s very disappointing. You want to make Kolkata, Eden Gardens, your fortress. Credit to the youngster, he batted really well…That is what the IPL does to young Indian players — turn them into stars. And tonight, it was his night. He played a fantastic innings,” said Powell after his team failed to defend 181 for four and remained without a win after four matches, including three at home.

Asked what KKR bowlers could have done differently to check Mukul, Powell said, “They could have gone to a wide (ball) plan just as we went for the last ball, the last over. We could have gone to a wide plan, after we realised that he’s hitting those short deliveries, maybe a few balls earlier…

“When you are out there and the pressure is on and guys keep telling you or you have a plan, it then comes down to execution.”

On the fairness of Finn Allen’s catch by Digvesh Rathi on the third-man boundary, Powell said, “We thought, as we’ve seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for lesser things and that’s not as close as that. Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we’re not going to say that is what cost us two points tonight.”

Published on Apr 10, 2026

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#Mukul #knock #IPL #turns #youngsters #stars #KKRs #Rovman #Powell

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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Xander Bogaerts’ 12th-inning slam powers Padres past Rockies <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-900/28698247.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28698247.jpg" alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Twins 3, Tigers 1</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Brooks Lee pulled an eighth-inning, two-run single through the right side of the infield, and Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the Twins to complete a four-game sweep over the Tigers. Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings. Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games. Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Athletics 1, Yankees 0</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Jeffrey Springs allowed one hit in seven outstanding innings to lead the visiting Athletics past New York.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Springs (2-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, surrendering just two walks while striking out six. Max Muncy tripled and scored off a Tyler Soderstrom single to help the Athletics record their first series win over the Yankees since April 2016.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Ben Rice broke up Springs’ no-hit bid with a single for New York’s only hit of the day. Ryan Weathers (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite surrendering just one run on seven hits in a season-high seven innings. The Yankees haven’t scored since taking a two-run lead on Luis Severino in the first inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-13"> <p>White Sox 2, Royals 0</p> </section> <section id="section-14"> <p>Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as Chicago snapped its 14-game road losing streak to Kansas City.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0) was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He yielded three hits on a career-high 100 pitches.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Diamondbacks 7, Mets 1</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning for Arizona, which went on to rout host New York in the decisive game of a three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series. Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over six innings.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8. Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Marlins 8, Reds 1</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>Owen Caissie and Javier Sanoja combined for six hits and five RBIs to lead host Miami to a defeat of Cincinnati, earning a split of the four-game set.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>In a battle of former first-round picks, Miami’s Max Meyer (1-0) allowed four hits, three walks and one run in five innings, striking out four.</p> </section><section id="section-24"> <p>Reds starter Rhett Lowder (1-1) entered the game with the best eight-game ERA (1.30) in Reds history with a minimum of 30 innings. He had never allowed more than three runs in a game. On Thursday, he allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Caissie (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Sanoja (3-for-4, two RBIs) led Miami’s offense. Agustin Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.</p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Xander #Bogaerts #12thinning #slam #powers #Padres #Rockies

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Deadspin | NBA roundup: Knicks top Celtics to extend home win streak to 6 <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-900/28695906.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695906.jpg" alt="NBA: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) after Hart hit a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Boston was within 109-106 after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>New York, which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots. Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sat out.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Rockets 113, 76ers 102</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped host Houston fend off hard-charging Philadelphia.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes, when what was once a 28-point lead was trimmed to three. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The 76ers, who have lost three straight, played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while VJ Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Raptors 128, Heat 114</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Brandon Ingram scored 23 of his 38 points in the first half as Toronto defeated visiting Miami to complete a four-game sweep of the Heat and move into fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>RJ Barrett complemented Ingram with 22 points for the Raptors, while Collin Murray-Boyles went perfect from the field in scoring 17 points. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley added 13 and 11 points, respectively. </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Bam Adebayo bounced back from a disappointing performance Tuesday by tallying 24 points and adding 11 rebounds for Miami. Tyler Herro scored 15 points, while Davion Mitchell added 15 points and 11 assists. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-13"> <p>Bulls 119, Wizards 108</p> </section> <section id="section-14"> <p>Tre Jones scored 31 points, Collin Sexton had 27 and Leonard Miller recorded a career-high 26, fueling visiting Chicago to a victory over Washington.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Jones sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor and all 12 of his attempts from the free-throw line for the Bulls, who rode a strong finish to the third quarter en route to defeating the Wizards for the second time in three days. Miller, who made 11 of 14 shots from the floor, added 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Washington rookie Will Riley collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Julian Reese recorded 16 points and 15 boards. Leaky Black and Anthony Gill each scored 14 points for the undermanned Wizards, who dressed the league-minimum eight players on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Pacers 123, Nets 94</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Reserve Obi Toppin collected a season-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Indiana seized control in the first quarter and rolled to an easy victory over Brooklyn.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Toppin, the only available player to appear in the NBA Finals last season for Indiana, made 11 of 14 shots in 19 minutes. Micah Potter added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 52%, scored 80 points in the paint and outrebounded Brooklyn 66-43.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>E.J. Liddell led the Nets with a career-high 26 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. He made 10 of 16 shots and set his career high for scoring in a third straight game. Rookie Ben Saraf added 19 points and Tyson Etienne contributed 14.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Lakers 119, Warriors 103</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>LeBron James tallied 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Golden State in San Francisco.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>Deandre Ayton scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Jake LaRavia added 16 points for the Lakers, who moved into a tie with the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Both teams are one game behind the Denver Nuggets. Luke Kennard finished with 14 points, Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith Jr. added 12 apiece and Bronny James had 10.</p> </section><section id="section-24"> <p>Brandin Podziemski and Nate Williams led Golden State (37-43) with 17 points apiece. Charles Bassey, Pat Spencer and Malevy Leons each scored 12 points, Seth Curry added 11, and Gary Payton II had 10. Bassey grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds. </p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Knicks #top #Celtics #extend #home #win #streak

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

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