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IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants announces George Linde as replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga Lucknow Super Giants has announced South African all-rounder George Linde as its replacement for Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.Lucknow mein swagat hai, George Linde ❤️💙The Protea all-rounder replaces Wanindu Hasaranga in our squad for #TATAIPL 2026 pic.twitter.com/CZaSypy7ZR— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 10, 2026The 28-year-old Hasaranga — who was signed by LSG for Rs. 2 crore at the auction — was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a hamstring injury and had not taken a fitness test to receive the necessary No-Objection Certificate required to participate in the IPL.LSG director of cricket Tom Moody had confirmed during its match against KKR on Thursday that the team had been actively searching for a replacement for Hasaranga.ALSO READ: RR vs RCB, IPL 2026 Guwahati weather updates: Will rain delay today’s match?Linde, who has played three Tests, four ODIs, and 37 T20Is for South Africa, has not played in the IPL before, and will join LSG at his reserve price of Rs. 1 crore. He bowls left-arm spin and bats in the lower-order.The 34-year-old — who has featured in franchise leagues such as SA20, the Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the PSL in the last year — will join LSG’s spin attack alongside the likes of Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and M. Siddharth.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #IPL #Lucknow #Super #Giants #announces #George #Linde #replacement #Wanindu #Hasaranga

IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants announces George Linde as replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga

Lucknow Super Giants has announced South African all-rounder George Linde as its replacement for Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

The 28-year-old Hasaranga — who was signed by LSG for Rs. 2 crore at the auction — was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a hamstring injury and had not taken a fitness test to receive the necessary No-Objection Certificate required to participate in the IPL.

LSG director of cricket Tom Moody had confirmed during its match against KKR on Thursday that the team had been actively searching for a replacement for Hasaranga.

ALSO READ: RR vs RCB, IPL 2026 Guwahati weather updates: Will rain delay today’s match?

Linde, who has played three Tests, four ODIs, and 37 T20Is for South Africa, has not played in the IPL before, and will join LSG at his reserve price of Rs. 1 crore. He bowls left-arm spin and bats in the lower-order.

The 34-year-old — who has featured in franchise leagues such as SA20, the Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the PSL in the last year — will join LSG’s spin attack alongside the likes of Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and M. Siddharth.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#IPL #Lucknow #Super #Giants #announces #George #Linde #replacement #Wanindu #Hasaranga

Sports news , , , , ,

Lucknow Super Giants has announced South African all-rounder George Linde as its replacement for Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

The 28-year-old Hasaranga — who was signed by LSG for Rs. 2 crore at the auction — was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a hamstring injury and had not taken a fitness test to receive the necessary No-Objection Certificate required to participate in the IPL.

LSG director of cricket Tom Moody had confirmed during its match against KKR on Thursday that the team had been actively searching for a replacement for Hasaranga.

ALSO READ: RR vs RCB, IPL 2026 Guwahati weather updates: Will rain delay today’s match?

Linde, who has played three Tests, four ODIs, and 37 T20Is for South Africa, has not played in the IPL before, and will join LSG at his reserve price of Rs. 1 crore. He bowls left-arm spin and bats in the lower-order.

The 34-year-old — who has featured in franchise leagues such as SA20, the Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the PSL in the last year — will join LSG’s spin attack alongside the likes of Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and M. Siddharth.

Published on Apr 10, 2026



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#IPL #Lucknow #Super #Giants #announces #George #Linde #replacement #Wanindu #Hasaranga

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Deadspin | Birdie barrage gives Rory McIlroy largest 36-hole lead in Masters history <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-900/28702379.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28702379.jpg" alt="PGA: Masters Tournament - Second Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy’s quest to become the fourth player to win consecutive Masters might turn into a 36-hole march toward history thanks to a late birdie barrage on Friday that gave him a record six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>McIlroy carded six birdies over his final seven holes — including a chip-in from 29 yards on No. 17 — to shoot a 7-under-par 65 and sit at 12 under halfway through the 90th Masters. It’s one shot better than the score McIlroy posted in 72 holes last April before winning his first green jacket in a playoff.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“I knew I had some chances coming in when I was standing on the 12th tee, but I didn’t think I’d birdie six of the last seven,” McIlroy said. “It just shows what you can do around here.”</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Northern Irishman will be paired in Saturday’s final group with Sam Burns, who shared the 18-hole lead with McIlroy at 5 under. Burns also took advantage of a back nine at Augusta National that gave way to unexpectedly low scores Friday. He closed with three birdies over his final four holes to get under par for the day with a 71 and become the first to reach the clubhouse at 6 under.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Burns moved into the final pairing when Patrick Reed’s 6-foot par putt on the 18th hole slid left of the cup. That left the 2018 Masters champion with matching 69s to sit at 6 under for the tournament. Reed briefly tied the lead with a birdie on No. 12 to reach 6 under for the first time, which occurred while McIlroy was bogeying No. 10.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Reed climbed to 7 under before suffering his lone bogey of the day at 18.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“The worst part and the thing that frustrated me most is I hit every golf shot how I wanted to,” Reed said. “On 18 you’re having to get up and down, and then hit the putt where I wanted to and just doesn’t go in. Things like that happen around here. In golf in general.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Playing three groups behind Reed, McIlroy was catching fire. He started with a birdie on the 12th hole that surrendered 19 on the day, then drove it into the pine straw on 13 yet managed a birdie anyway. McIlroy repeated the scrambling act on the par-5 15th hole and knocked it to three feet for birdie on the par-3 16th before his Houdini act on 17. The Northern Irishman then hit his approach to six feet on 18 to set the stage for the closing birdie.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>McIlroy holds the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history — and the third largest in any major — despite hitting only five fairways on Friday and 13 of 28 through two rounds. He has managed to hit 13 greens both days while relying heavily on his short game.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“But my wedge play today was really good. My short game the first two days has been amazing,” McIlroy said. “I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point. My mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>If he’s able to close out the victory, he would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) as the only players to win consecutive Masters. Only 18 players have won multiple Masters titles at any point in their careers.</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> <p>“I think the next two days for me is really about focusing on myself,” McIlroy said. “It’s hard to avoid those big leaderboards out there, but like I know that I’ve got a lead. So, I don’t need to keep checking it all the time. For me, just really focusing on myself and staying in my own little world out there is the best thing.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Reed will be paired on Saturday with England’s Justin Rose, who was the first of three players to reach the clubhouse at 5 under on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>For a while, it appeared Rose might be set up for a Saturday pairing with McIlroy 12 months after their dramatic playoff showdown. Rose reached 5 under with a birdie on the 11th hole before immediately giving it back on the 12th. He battled back with a birdie on the 15th and parred out from there.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Ireland’s Shane Lowry are also at 5 under and will be paired on Saturday. Another shot back is Tyrrell Hatton, who set the tone for the lower-than-expected scoring in the second round by posting a 6-under 66. He is at 4 under along with Wyndham Clark, Cameron Young, Australia’s Jason Day, China’s Haotong Li and Kristoffer Reitan, only the second Norwegian to compete in the Masters.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“This is my best start thus far at Augusta and I’m just really excited to be in this position,” said Clark, whose only other sub-par score in seven previous rounds at the Masters was also a 68 in last year’s second round. “This morning kind of throughout the whole day wasn’t as firm as yesterday. I know we went off in the morning, typically it’s softer.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“I think as the tournament goes on, I mean, these greens are going to be concrete. Obviously getting really fast without the wind, so it’s going to really matter hitting it in the fairway and the angles and being patient.”</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>The extremely difficult conditions predicted by many players after scores rose throughout Thursday’s first round never materialized on Friday. The scoring average dropped nearly two shots, from 74.65 to 72.85. After only five players broke 70 in the first round, there were 20 scores in the 60s on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>“There wasn’t a ton of wind. It felt somewhat gettable,” Rose said. “I thought the pins were just a little easier than yesterday.”</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Scottie Scheffler, who was unable to capitalize on the conditions, said he expects Augusta National’s teeth to return for the weekend. The two-time Masters champion and World No. 1 struggled to a 74 that left him at even par for the tournament and 12 shots off McIlroy’s lead.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>“I felt like the greens would get firmer as the week went on, but I think they may have saw how difficult it was late in the day yesterday,” Scheffler said. “It felt like they softened them up a bit today, but I couldn’t imagine them doing that the rest of the weekend.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-22"> <p>–Derek Harper, Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Birdie #barrage #Rory #McIlroy #largest #36hole #lead #Masters #history

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Deadspin | Blue bloods Denver, Wisconsin clash in Frozen Four championship game <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28694814.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28694814.jpg" alt="NCAA Hockey: Frozen Four-Semifinal 1" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Aiden Dubinsky (28) celebrates with goalie Daniel Hauser (31) after defeating North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the semifinals of the NCAA men’s ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The first-ever Frozen Four played in Las Vegas culminates with historic blue bloods Denver and Wisconsin meeting for a national championship on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The competitors have taken different paths to the ultimate game. Denver (28-11-3) carries 12-game winning and 16-game unbeaten streaks to be within one victory of its record 11th all-time title. Wisconsin (24-12-2) seeks to complete a Cinderella run to its first crown in two decades after receiving a proverbial second life in the NCAA tournament following a Big Ten quarterfinal loss.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>In their semifinal round games on Thursday, both teams bent but didn’t break.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Pioneers, who recently won it all in both 2022 and 2024, were outshot 52-26 but topped No. 1 overall seed Michigan 4-3 on senior captain and defenseman Kent Anderson’s double-overtime goal. It was the third-longest game in Frozen Four history.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“It means everything to play in this national championship game,” Anderson said. “It’s our goal at the beginning of the year. It’s what we work for and what we play for at Denver.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Though the Pioneers boast a Frozen Four-high 15 NHL draft picks, this time of year in hockey is all about unsung heroes. Anderson is certainly one of those, having scored just one previous goal this season and five in his first 148 career games.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“Really proud of him and how he’s led this team,” Denver coach David Carle said. “Not many had him on the ‘BucciOT Challenge.’ No matter.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Meanwhile, the Badgers got goals from Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill 27 seconds apart in the first period and went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill — including 1:57 of 5-on-3 time in the second — before holding off a late North Dakota surge in a 2-1 win.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“It doesn’t have to be (a) Mona Lisa,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said. “You just have to find a way to make sure you’re living for another day.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>The Badgers entered Thursday with the second-worst penalty kill in the country (70.9%), but they stepped up at the most crucial time against a high-octane offense.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Guys took a lot of effort on blocking shots, getting in lanes,” said defenseman Ben Dexheimer, who propelled Wisconsin to its first Frozen Four since 2010 with an overtime goal for a 4-3 win over regional top seed Michigan State on March 28 in Worcester, Mass.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Denver is at its best on the back end, having entered the Frozen Four tied for the fourth-best scoring defense in the country (2.10 goals per game).</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>On that note, the best penalty killers and key reasons why both teams advanced were the goaltenders: Wisconsin’s Daniel Hauser and Denver’s Johnny Hicks — both older freshmen with past Canadian major junior experience.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Hauser made 21 saves in Thursday’s game, posting his eighth win in nine starts.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>However, no goalie on the planet is on a hotter run than Hicks, who is an incredible 15-0-1 with a .957 save percentage since taking over the net from Quentin Miller in December. He stopped a season-high 49 shots against Michigan, staying in the game after taking a third-period hit on a drive to the net.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“He’s a battler. He’s unfazed. He was our best player,” Carle said. “Made the saves you’re supposed to. Made a lot that he wasn’t supposed to.”</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>The two teams had one previous national championship meeting in Boston in 1973, with Wisconsin winning 4-2. That was the first of six Badgers titles, the most recent coming in 2006.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Blue #bloods #Denver #Wisconsin #clash #Frozen #championship #game

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

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

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

2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

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

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

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

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

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

4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty

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

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

5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago Sky

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

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

6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury

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

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

7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm

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

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

8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago Sky

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

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

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