Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks clinch playoff berth with rout of Cavaliers Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images CJ McCollum scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and Dyson Daniels collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a playoff spot with a 124-102 rout of the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Jalen Johnson had 18 points and nine rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 for the Hawks (46-35), who will finish either fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. Southeast Division champion Atlanta missed the playoffs in the last two seasons. Daniels posted his second career triple-double and McCollum drained 6-of-8 3-point attempts. The Hawks built a 92-59 lead in the third quarter, when Alexander-Walker and Johnson each had 11 points to deliver the knockout blow. James Harden scored 20 points and dished out five assists, and Tyrese Proctor had 15 points in the final quarter for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (51-30). Cleveland will have home-court advantage in the first round against either Atlanta or the Toronto Raptors. Lakers 101, Suns 73 LeBron James scored 28 points and dished 12 assists to become the fourth player in NBA history to top 12,000 in a career, leading Los Angeles to a convincing victory over visiting Phoenix. Luke Kennard added 19 points in the victory that assured Los Angeles will finish no lower than fourth place in the Western Conference and have homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series. The Lakers remain one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets with one game to play, and Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker edge. Dillon Brooks scored 12 points and reserve Royce O’Neale added 11 for the Suns, who were without star Devin Booker (ankle). Phoenix scored just 25 second-half points in a contest that meant nothing after it previously locked up the No. 7 spot in the West and a home play-in game. Grayson Allen exited in the second quarter due to a left hamstring injury and didn’t return. 76ers 105, Pacers 94 Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Andre Drummond posted a double-double off the bench, and Philadelphia assured itself of finishing no worse than eighth in the Eastern Conference after beating Indiana in Indianapolis. With Joel Embiid out due to appendicitis, Drummond produced 10 points and 16 rebounds. The 76ers ended a three-game skid and stayed alive in the chase for the East’s sixth and final automatic playoff berth. Jarace Walker’s 17 points led the Pacers, who have lost four of the past five. Micah Potter finished 13 points and 10 rebounds. Pistons 118, Hornets 100 Jalen Duren scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and Detroit rode a strong stretch early in the fourth quarter to a win over host Charlotte. Duncan Robinson racked up 19 points, Cade Cunningham had 14 points, Ronald Holland II posted 13 points and Ausar Thompson added 12 points for the Pistons, who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already locked up first place in the Eastern Conference. The outcome means the Hornets will be in the East’s play-in tournament. The loss eliminated any chance that they could advance directly to the playoff bracket. LaMelo Ball’s 27 points, including six 3-point baskets, led the Hornets, while Brandon Miller had 22 points. Coby White, after missing the team’s Tuesday game night because of groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench. Bucks 125, Nets 108 AJ Green scored a career-high 35 points to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Brooklyn in Milwaukee’s final home game of the season. Milwaukee snapped a two-game skid as Green also became just the third Buck ever to make 10 or more 3-pointers in a game (11-for-16). Cormac Ryan added 28 while Taurean Prince scored 18 with 10 rebounds. Jericho Sims posted a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Tyson Etienne led Brooklyn with 23 points. Malachi Smith nearly contributed a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. The Nets only played seven players and each contributed double figures. Reserve Nolan Traore scored 14 points in just over 16 minutes of action. Nuggets 127, Thunder 107 Jonas Valanciunas amassed 23 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs, and Julian Strawther added 22 points as host Denver beat Oklahoma City in a matchup of benches. Denver clinched at least the fourth seed in the Western Conference with its 11th straight win. The Nuggets can still capture the No. 3 seed with a win Sunday in San Antonio or a Los Angeles Lakers’ loss. Denver rested its entire starting five and Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson, both of whom have been sidelined with hamstring strains. Oklahoma City has secured the top overall seed. The only starter dressed for either team was Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, who was required to play at least 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for postseason awards, according to coach Mark Daigneault. Jazz 147, Grizzlies 101 Rookie Blake Hinson scored a career-high 30 points and two Utah reserves logged triple-doubles, helping the Jazz snap a 10-game losing streak with a demolition of Memphis in Salt Lake City. Rookie Bez Mbeng logged 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals for his first triple-double. John Konchar registered a triple-double for a second straight game, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals. Kennedy Chandler added 26 points and 10 assists to help the Jazz get in the win column for only the second time in 16 games. Dariq Whitehead led Memphis with a career-best 21 points. Rookie Toby Okani had a career-high 20 points and Adama Bal added 18 for the Grizzlies, who used just six players while losing their seventh straight game. Kings 124, Warriors 118 Devin Carter set career highs with six 3-pointers, 29 points and nine rebounds as Sacramento beat visiting Golden State. Carter shot 11-for-18 from the floor and 6-for-11 from 3-point range for Sacramento, which avenged a 110-105 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday in San Francisco. Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden scored 20 apiece, and Malik Monk added 11. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with a career-high 30 points and De’Anthony Melton added 17. The Warriors lost for the sixth time in their past seven games, and they will compete in the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West. Heat 140, Wizards 117 Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson scored 24 points each as Miami snapped a two-game losing streak, crushing host Washington. Bam Adebayo added 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are locked into a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Adebayo scored a franchise-record 83 points against Washington on March 10. Miami completed a 4-0 season sweep of Washington. The Heat, however, have just four wins over the past 14 games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points for the Heat, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 16. Bub Carrington led Washington with 30 points, matching his season high. Bilal Coulibaly added 25 points and five assists and Will Riley scored 16 points for the Wizards, who have the NBA’s worst record as they fell for the 25th time in 26 games. Knicks 112, Raptors 95 Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter as New York clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory over visiting Toronto. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds while Mikal Bridges logged 13 points for New York, which has won seven straight home games and five games in a row overall. The Knicks have a 30-9 home mark this season. Sandro Mamukelashvili produced 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Toronto, which fell into a tie with the Orlando Magic for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the East. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker edge. Brandon Ingram had 16 points and six assists for the Raptors. Ja’Kobe Walter went 4 of 7 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points. Trail Blazers 116, Clippers 97 Deni Avdija scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter and helped fuel a crucial run as Portland powered past visiting Los Angeles. The teams are now tied with 41-40 records and one game to go, but the Trail Blazers own the tiebreaker, which would leave them eighth in the Western Conference. Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Portland. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez knocked down five 3-pointers on the way to 21 points. Magic 127, Bulls 103 Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Jamal Cain added 20 as visiting Orlando stretched its winning streak to five games with a victory against Chicago. Orlando remained alive for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference — which would allow the Magic to avoid the play-in tournament — with one game remaining in the regular season. Goga Bitadze posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists. Chicago suffered its eighth loss in 10 games despite 23 points from Tre Jones. The Bulls have lost 50 games for the first time since 2018-19. Matas Buzelis had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls before leaving in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle. Spurs 139, Mavericks 120 Victor Wembanyama showed that he is playoff ready after an injury by amassing 40 points and 13 rebounds as host San Antonio pummeled Dallas. Wembanyama, back after missing a game and a half with a left rib contusion, reached the 65-game requirement for league postseason awards. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who have won 14 of their past 15 games. Cooper Flagg put up 33 points and Max Christie had 16 for the Mavericks, who have lost three in a row. Celtics 144, Pelicans 118 Boston tied an NBA record by making 29 3-point field goals and secured the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating visiting New Orleans. Boston took 59 3-point shots but didn’t put up a shot on its final possession. The record for made 3-pointers in a game is also shared by the 2020 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2024 Celtics and the 2026 Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics received 24 points from Sam Hauser, who was 8 of 12 from 3-point territory. Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 36. Timberwolves 136, Rockets 132 Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as short-handed Minnesota snapped host Houston’s eight-game winning streak. Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games. The Timberwolves, playing without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid, shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc. Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #clinch #playoff #berth #rout #Cavaliers

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks clinch playoff berth with rout of Cavaliers
Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks clinch playoff berth with rout of Cavaliers Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images CJ McCollum scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and Dyson Daniels collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a playoff spot with a 124-102 rout of the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Jalen Johnson had 18 points and nine rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 for the Hawks (46-35), who will finish either fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. Southeast Division champion Atlanta missed the playoffs in the last two seasons. Daniels posted his second career triple-double and McCollum drained 6-of-8 3-point attempts. The Hawks built a 92-59 lead in the third quarter, when Alexander-Walker and Johnson each had 11 points to deliver the knockout blow. James Harden scored 20 points and dished out five assists, and Tyrese Proctor had 15 points in the final quarter for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (51-30). Cleveland will have home-court advantage in the first round against either Atlanta or the Toronto Raptors. Lakers 101, Suns 73 LeBron James scored 28 points and dished 12 assists to become the fourth player in NBA history to top 12,000 in a career, leading Los Angeles to a convincing victory over visiting Phoenix. Luke Kennard added 19 points in the victory that assured Los Angeles will finish no lower than fourth place in the Western Conference and have homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series. The Lakers remain one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets with one game to play, and Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker edge. Dillon Brooks scored 12 points and reserve Royce O’Neale added 11 for the Suns, who were without star Devin Booker (ankle). Phoenix scored just 25 second-half points in a contest that meant nothing after it previously locked up the No. 7 spot in the West and a home play-in game. Grayson Allen exited in the second quarter due to a left hamstring injury and didn’t return. 76ers 105, Pacers 94 Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Andre Drummond posted a double-double off the bench, and Philadelphia assured itself of finishing no worse than eighth in the Eastern Conference after beating Indiana in Indianapolis. With Joel Embiid out due to appendicitis, Drummond produced 10 points and 16 rebounds. The 76ers ended a three-game skid and stayed alive in the chase for the East’s sixth and final automatic playoff berth. Jarace Walker’s 17 points led the Pacers, who have lost four of the past five. Micah Potter finished 13 points and 10 rebounds. Pistons 118, Hornets 100 Jalen Duren scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and Detroit rode a strong stretch early in the fourth quarter to a win over host Charlotte. Duncan Robinson racked up 19 points, Cade Cunningham had 14 points, Ronald Holland II posted 13 points and Ausar Thompson added 12 points for the Pistons, who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already locked up first place in the Eastern Conference. The outcome means the Hornets will be in the East’s play-in tournament. The loss eliminated any chance that they could advance directly to the playoff bracket. LaMelo Ball’s 27 points, including six 3-point baskets, led the Hornets, while Brandon Miller had 22 points. Coby White, after missing the team’s Tuesday game night because of groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench. Bucks 125, Nets 108 AJ Green scored a career-high 35 points to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Brooklyn in Milwaukee’s final home game of the season. Milwaukee snapped a two-game skid as Green also became just the third Buck ever to make 10 or more 3-pointers in a game (11-for-16). Cormac Ryan added 28 while Taurean Prince scored 18 with 10 rebounds. Jericho Sims posted a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Tyson Etienne led Brooklyn with 23 points. Malachi Smith nearly contributed a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. The Nets only played seven players and each contributed double figures. Reserve Nolan Traore scored 14 points in just over 16 minutes of action. Nuggets 127, Thunder 107 Jonas Valanciunas amassed 23 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs, and Julian Strawther added 22 points as host Denver beat Oklahoma City in a matchup of benches. Denver clinched at least the fourth seed in the Western Conference with its 11th straight win. The Nuggets can still capture the No. 3 seed with a win Sunday in San Antonio or a Los Angeles Lakers’ loss. Denver rested its entire starting five and Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson, both of whom have been sidelined with hamstring strains. Oklahoma City has secured the top overall seed. The only starter dressed for either team was Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, who was required to play at least 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for postseason awards, according to coach Mark Daigneault. Jazz 147, Grizzlies 101 Rookie Blake Hinson scored a career-high 30 points and two Utah reserves logged triple-doubles, helping the Jazz snap a 10-game losing streak with a demolition of Memphis in Salt Lake City. Rookie Bez Mbeng logged 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals for his first triple-double. John Konchar registered a triple-double for a second straight game, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals. Kennedy Chandler added 26 points and 10 assists to help the Jazz get in the win column for only the second time in 16 games. Dariq Whitehead led Memphis with a career-best 21 points. Rookie Toby Okani had a career-high 20 points and Adama Bal added 18 for the Grizzlies, who used just six players while losing their seventh straight game. Kings 124, Warriors 118 Devin Carter set career highs with six 3-pointers, 29 points and nine rebounds as Sacramento beat visiting Golden State. Carter shot 11-for-18 from the floor and 6-for-11 from 3-point range for Sacramento, which avenged a 110-105 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday in San Francisco. Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden scored 20 apiece, and Malik Monk added 11. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with a career-high 30 points and De’Anthony Melton added 17. The Warriors lost for the sixth time in their past seven games, and they will compete in the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West. Heat 140, Wizards 117 Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson scored 24 points each as Miami snapped a two-game losing streak, crushing host Washington. Bam Adebayo added 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are locked into a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Adebayo scored a franchise-record 83 points against Washington on March 10. Miami completed a 4-0 season sweep of Washington. The Heat, however, have just four wins over the past 14 games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points for the Heat, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 16. Bub Carrington led Washington with 30 points, matching his season high. Bilal Coulibaly added 25 points and five assists and Will Riley scored 16 points for the Wizards, who have the NBA’s worst record as they fell for the 25th time in 26 games. Knicks 112, Raptors 95 Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter as New York clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory over visiting Toronto. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds while Mikal Bridges logged 13 points for New York, which has won seven straight home games and five games in a row overall. The Knicks have a 30-9 home mark this season. Sandro Mamukelashvili produced 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Toronto, which fell into a tie with the Orlando Magic for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the East. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker edge. Brandon Ingram had 16 points and six assists for the Raptors. Ja’Kobe Walter went 4 of 7 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points. Trail Blazers 116, Clippers 97 Deni Avdija scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter and helped fuel a crucial run as Portland powered past visiting Los Angeles. The teams are now tied with 41-40 records and one game to go, but the Trail Blazers own the tiebreaker, which would leave them eighth in the Western Conference. Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Portland. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez knocked down five 3-pointers on the way to 21 points. Magic 127, Bulls 103 Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Jamal Cain added 20 as visiting Orlando stretched its winning streak to five games with a victory against Chicago. Orlando remained alive for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference — which would allow the Magic to avoid the play-in tournament — with one game remaining in the regular season. Goga Bitadze posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists. Chicago suffered its eighth loss in 10 games despite 23 points from Tre Jones. The Bulls have lost 50 games for the first time since 2018-19. Matas Buzelis had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls before leaving in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle. Spurs 139, Mavericks 120 Victor Wembanyama showed that he is playoff ready after an injury by amassing 40 points and 13 rebounds as host San Antonio pummeled Dallas. Wembanyama, back after missing a game and a half with a left rib contusion, reached the 65-game requirement for league postseason awards. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who have won 14 of their past 15 games. Cooper Flagg put up 33 points and Max Christie had 16 for the Mavericks, who have lost three in a row. Celtics 144, Pelicans 118 Boston tied an NBA record by making 29 3-point field goals and secured the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating visiting New Orleans. Boston took 59 3-point shots but didn’t put up a shot on its final possession. The record for made 3-pointers in a game is also shared by the 2020 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2024 Celtics and the 2026 Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics received 24 points from Sam Hauser, who was 8 of 12 from 3-point territory. Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 36. Timberwolves 136, Rockets 132 Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as short-handed Minnesota snapped host Houston’s eight-game winning streak. Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games. The Timberwolves, playing without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid, shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc. Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #clinch #playoff #berth #rout #CavaliersApr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and Dyson Daniels collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a playoff spot with a 124-102 rout of the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Jalen Johnson had 18 points and nine rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 for the Hawks (46-35), who will finish either fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. Southeast Division champion Atlanta missed the playoffs in the last two seasons.

Daniels posted his second career triple-double and McCollum drained 6-of-8 3-point attempts. The Hawks built a 92-59 lead in the third quarter, when Alexander-Walker and Johnson each had 11 points to deliver the knockout blow.

James Harden scored 20 points and dished out five assists, and Tyrese Proctor had 15 points in the final quarter for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (51-30). Cleveland will have home-court advantage in the first round against either Atlanta or the Toronto Raptors.

Lakers 101, Suns 73

LeBron James scored 28 points and dished 12 assists to become the fourth player in NBA history to top 12,000 in a career, leading Los Angeles to a convincing victory over visiting Phoenix.

Luke Kennard added 19 points in the victory that assured Los Angeles will finish no lower than fourth place in the Western Conference and have homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series. The Lakers remain one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets with one game to play, and Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker edge.

Dillon Brooks scored 12 points and reserve Royce O’Neale added 11 for the Suns, who were without star Devin Booker (ankle). Phoenix scored just 25 second-half points in a contest that meant nothing after it previously locked up the No. 7 spot in the West and a home play-in game. Grayson Allen exited in the second quarter due to a left hamstring injury and didn’t return.

76ers 105, Pacers 94

Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Andre Drummond posted a double-double off the bench, and Philadelphia assured itself of finishing no worse than eighth in the Eastern Conference after beating Indiana in Indianapolis.

With Joel Embiid out due to appendicitis, Drummond produced 10 points and 16 rebounds. The 76ers ended a three-game skid and stayed alive in the chase for the East’s sixth and final automatic playoff berth.

Jarace Walker’s 17 points led the Pacers, who have lost four of the past five. Micah Potter finished 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Pistons 118, Hornets 100

Jalen Duren scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and Detroit rode a strong stretch early in the fourth quarter to a win over host Charlotte.

Duncan Robinson racked up 19 points, Cade Cunningham had 14 points, Ronald Holland II posted 13 points and Ausar Thompson added 12 points for the Pistons, who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already locked up first place in the Eastern Conference. The outcome means the Hornets will be in the East’s play-in tournament.

The loss eliminated any chance that they could advance directly to the playoff bracket. LaMelo Ball’s 27 points, including six 3-point baskets, led the Hornets, while Brandon Miller had 22 points. Coby White, after missing the team’s Tuesday game night because of groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench.

Bucks 125, Nets 108

AJ Green scored a career-high 35 points to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Brooklyn in Milwaukee’s final home game of the season.

Milwaukee snapped a two-game skid as Green also became just the third Buck ever to make 10 or more 3-pointers in a game (11-for-16). Cormac Ryan added 28 while Taurean Prince scored 18 with 10 rebounds. Jericho Sims posted a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyson Etienne led Brooklyn with 23 points. Malachi Smith nearly contributed a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. The Nets only played seven players and each contributed double figures. Reserve Nolan Traore scored 14 points in just over 16 minutes of action.

Nuggets 127, Thunder 107

Jonas Valanciunas amassed 23 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs, and Julian Strawther added 22 points as host Denver beat Oklahoma City in a matchup of benches.

Denver clinched at least the fourth seed in the Western Conference with its 11th straight win. The Nuggets can still capture the No. 3 seed with a win Sunday in San Antonio or a Los Angeles Lakers’ loss. Denver rested its entire starting five and Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson, both of whom have been sidelined with hamstring strains.

Oklahoma City has secured the top overall seed. The only starter dressed for either team was Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, who was required to play at least 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for postseason awards, according to coach Mark Daigneault.

Jazz 147, Grizzlies 101

Rookie Blake Hinson scored a career-high 30 points and two Utah reserves logged triple-doubles, helping the Jazz snap a 10-game losing streak with a demolition of Memphis in Salt Lake City.

Rookie Bez Mbeng logged 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals for his first triple-double. John Konchar registered a triple-double for a second straight game, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals. Kennedy Chandler added 26 points and 10 assists to help the Jazz get in the win column for only the second time in 16 games.

Dariq Whitehead led Memphis with a career-best 21 points. Rookie Toby Okani had a career-high 20 points and Adama Bal added 18 for the Grizzlies, who used just six players while losing their seventh straight game.

Kings 124, Warriors 118

Devin Carter set career highs with six 3-pointers, 29 points and nine rebounds as Sacramento beat visiting Golden State.


Carter shot 11-for-18 from the floor and 6-for-11 from 3-point range for Sacramento, which avenged a 110-105 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday in San Francisco. Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden scored 20 apiece, and Malik Monk added 11.

Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with a career-high 30 points and De’Anthony Melton added 17. The Warriors lost for the sixth time in their past seven games, and they will compete in the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West.

Heat 140, Wizards 117

Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson scored 24 points each as Miami snapped a two-game losing streak, crushing host Washington.

Bam Adebayo added 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are locked into a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Adebayo scored a franchise-record 83 points against Washington on March 10. Miami completed a 4-0 season sweep of Washington. The Heat, however, have just four wins over the past 14 games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points for the Heat, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 16.

Bub Carrington led Washington with 30 points, matching his season high. Bilal Coulibaly added 25 points and five assists and Will Riley scored 16 points for the Wizards, who have the NBA’s worst record as they fell for the 25th time in 26 games.

Knicks 112, Raptors 95

Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter as New York clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory over visiting Toronto.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds while Mikal Bridges logged 13 points for New York, which has won seven straight home games and five games in a row overall. The Knicks have a 30-9 home mark this season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili produced 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Toronto, which fell into a tie with the Orlando Magic for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the East. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker edge. Brandon Ingram had 16 points and six assists for the Raptors. Ja’Kobe Walter went 4 of 7 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points.

Trail Blazers 116, Clippers 97

Deni Avdija scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter and helped fuel a crucial run as Portland powered past visiting Los Angeles.

The teams are now tied with 41-40 records and one game to go, but the Trail Blazers own the tiebreaker, which would leave them eighth in the Western Conference. Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez knocked down five 3-pointers on the way to 21 points.

Magic 127, Bulls 103

Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Jamal Cain added 20 as visiting Orlando stretched its winning streak to five games with a victory against Chicago.

Orlando remained alive for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference — which would allow the Magic to avoid the play-in tournament — with one game remaining in the regular season. Goga Bitadze posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists.

Chicago suffered its eighth loss in 10 games despite 23 points from Tre Jones. The Bulls have lost 50 games for the first time since 2018-19. Matas Buzelis had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls before leaving in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle.

Spurs 139, Mavericks 120

Victor Wembanyama showed that he is playoff ready after an injury by amassing 40 points and 13 rebounds as host San Antonio pummeled Dallas.

Wembanyama, back after missing a game and a half with a left rib contusion, reached the 65-game requirement for league postseason awards. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who have won 14 of their past 15 games.

Cooper Flagg put up 33 points and Max Christie had 16 for the Mavericks, who have lost three in a row.

Celtics 144, Pelicans 118

Boston tied an NBA record by making 29 3-point field goals and secured the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating visiting New Orleans.

Boston took 59 3-point shots but didn’t put up a shot on its final possession. The record for made 3-pointers in a game is also shared by the 2020 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2024 Celtics and the 2026 Memphis Grizzlies.

The Celtics received 24 points from Sam Hauser, who was 8 of 12 from 3-point territory. Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 36.

Timberwolves 136, Rockets 132

Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as short-handed Minnesota snapped host Houston’s eight-game winning streak.

Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games. The Timberwolves, playing without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid, shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc.

Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #clinch #playoff #berth #rout #Cavaliers

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Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and Dyson Daniels collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a playoff spot with a 124-102 rout of the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Jalen Johnson had 18 points and nine rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 for the Hawks (46-35), who will finish either fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. Southeast Division champion Atlanta missed the playoffs in the last two seasons.

Daniels posted his second career triple-double and McCollum drained 6-of-8 3-point attempts. The Hawks built a 92-59 lead in the third quarter, when Alexander-Walker and Johnson each had 11 points to deliver the knockout blow.

James Harden scored 20 points and dished out five assists, and Tyrese Proctor had 15 points in the final quarter for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (51-30). Cleveland will have home-court advantage in the first round against either Atlanta or the Toronto Raptors.

Lakers 101, Suns 73

LeBron James scored 28 points and dished 12 assists to become the fourth player in NBA history to top 12,000 in a career, leading Los Angeles to a convincing victory over visiting Phoenix.

Luke Kennard added 19 points in the victory that assured Los Angeles will finish no lower than fourth place in the Western Conference and have homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series. The Lakers remain one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets with one game to play, and Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker edge.

Dillon Brooks scored 12 points and reserve Royce O’Neale added 11 for the Suns, who were without star Devin Booker (ankle). Phoenix scored just 25 second-half points in a contest that meant nothing after it previously locked up the No. 7 spot in the West and a home play-in game. Grayson Allen exited in the second quarter due to a left hamstring injury and didn’t return.

76ers 105, Pacers 94

Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Andre Drummond posted a double-double off the bench, and Philadelphia assured itself of finishing no worse than eighth in the Eastern Conference after beating Indiana in Indianapolis.

With Joel Embiid out due to appendicitis, Drummond produced 10 points and 16 rebounds. The 76ers ended a three-game skid and stayed alive in the chase for the East’s sixth and final automatic playoff berth.

Jarace Walker’s 17 points led the Pacers, who have lost four of the past five. Micah Potter finished 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Pistons 118, Hornets 100

Jalen Duren scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and Detroit rode a strong stretch early in the fourth quarter to a win over host Charlotte.

Duncan Robinson racked up 19 points, Cade Cunningham had 14 points, Ronald Holland II posted 13 points and Ausar Thompson added 12 points for the Pistons, who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already locked up first place in the Eastern Conference. The outcome means the Hornets will be in the East’s play-in tournament.

The loss eliminated any chance that they could advance directly to the playoff bracket. LaMelo Ball’s 27 points, including six 3-point baskets, led the Hornets, while Brandon Miller had 22 points. Coby White, after missing the team’s Tuesday game night because of groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench.

Bucks 125, Nets 108

AJ Green scored a career-high 35 points to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Brooklyn in Milwaukee’s final home game of the season.

Milwaukee snapped a two-game skid as Green also became just the third Buck ever to make 10 or more 3-pointers in a game (11-for-16). Cormac Ryan added 28 while Taurean Prince scored 18 with 10 rebounds. Jericho Sims posted a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyson Etienne led Brooklyn with 23 points. Malachi Smith nearly contributed a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. The Nets only played seven players and each contributed double figures. Reserve Nolan Traore scored 14 points in just over 16 minutes of action.

Nuggets 127, Thunder 107

Jonas Valanciunas amassed 23 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs, and Julian Strawther added 22 points as host Denver beat Oklahoma City in a matchup of benches.

Denver clinched at least the fourth seed in the Western Conference with its 11th straight win. The Nuggets can still capture the No. 3 seed with a win Sunday in San Antonio or a Los Angeles Lakers’ loss. Denver rested its entire starting five and Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson, both of whom have been sidelined with hamstring strains.

Oklahoma City has secured the top overall seed. The only starter dressed for either team was Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, who was required to play at least 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for postseason awards, according to coach Mark Daigneault.

Jazz 147, Grizzlies 101

Rookie Blake Hinson scored a career-high 30 points and two Utah reserves logged triple-doubles, helping the Jazz snap a 10-game losing streak with a demolition of Memphis in Salt Lake City.

Rookie Bez Mbeng logged 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals for his first triple-double. John Konchar registered a triple-double for a second straight game, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals. Kennedy Chandler added 26 points and 10 assists to help the Jazz get in the win column for only the second time in 16 games.

Dariq Whitehead led Memphis with a career-best 21 points. Rookie Toby Okani had a career-high 20 points and Adama Bal added 18 for the Grizzlies, who used just six players while losing their seventh straight game.

Kings 124, Warriors 118

Devin Carter set career highs with six 3-pointers, 29 points and nine rebounds as Sacramento beat visiting Golden State.

Carter shot 11-for-18 from the floor and 6-for-11 from 3-point range for Sacramento, which avenged a 110-105 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday in San Francisco. Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden scored 20 apiece, and Malik Monk added 11.

Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with a career-high 30 points and De’Anthony Melton added 17. The Warriors lost for the sixth time in their past seven games, and they will compete in the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West.

Heat 140, Wizards 117

Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson scored 24 points each as Miami snapped a two-game losing streak, crushing host Washington.

Bam Adebayo added 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are locked into a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Adebayo scored a franchise-record 83 points against Washington on March 10. Miami completed a 4-0 season sweep of Washington. The Heat, however, have just four wins over the past 14 games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points for the Heat, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 16.

Bub Carrington led Washington with 30 points, matching his season high. Bilal Coulibaly added 25 points and five assists and Will Riley scored 16 points for the Wizards, who have the NBA’s worst record as they fell for the 25th time in 26 games.

Knicks 112, Raptors 95

Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter as New York clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory over visiting Toronto.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds while Mikal Bridges logged 13 points for New York, which has won seven straight home games and five games in a row overall. The Knicks have a 30-9 home mark this season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili produced 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Toronto, which fell into a tie with the Orlando Magic for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the East. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker edge. Brandon Ingram had 16 points and six assists for the Raptors. Ja’Kobe Walter went 4 of 7 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points.

Trail Blazers 116, Clippers 97

Deni Avdija scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter and helped fuel a crucial run as Portland powered past visiting Los Angeles.

The teams are now tied with 41-40 records and one game to go, but the Trail Blazers own the tiebreaker, which would leave them eighth in the Western Conference. Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez knocked down five 3-pointers on the way to 21 points.

Magic 127, Bulls 103

Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Jamal Cain added 20 as visiting Orlando stretched its winning streak to five games with a victory against Chicago.

Orlando remained alive for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference — which would allow the Magic to avoid the play-in tournament — with one game remaining in the regular season. Goga Bitadze posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists.

Chicago suffered its eighth loss in 10 games despite 23 points from Tre Jones. The Bulls have lost 50 games for the first time since 2018-19. Matas Buzelis had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls before leaving in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle.

Spurs 139, Mavericks 120

Victor Wembanyama showed that he is playoff ready after an injury by amassing 40 points and 13 rebounds as host San Antonio pummeled Dallas.

Wembanyama, back after missing a game and a half with a left rib contusion, reached the 65-game requirement for league postseason awards. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who have won 14 of their past 15 games.

Cooper Flagg put up 33 points and Max Christie had 16 for the Mavericks, who have lost three in a row.

Celtics 144, Pelicans 118

Boston tied an NBA record by making 29 3-point field goals and secured the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating visiting New Orleans.

Boston took 59 3-point shots but didn’t put up a shot on its final possession. The record for made 3-pointers in a game is also shared by the 2020 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2024 Celtics and the 2026 Memphis Grizzlies.

The Celtics received 24 points from Sam Hauser, who was 8 of 12 from 3-point territory. Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 36.

Timberwolves 136, Rockets 132

Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as short-handed Minnesota snapped host Houston’s eight-game winning streak.

Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games. The Timberwolves, playing without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid, shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc.

Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Surging Sounders primed to avoid ‘trap’ vs. lowly Sporting KC Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28. The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week. Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow. “It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.” Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions. First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire. Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute. “I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #SportingApr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon.

The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28.

The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week.

Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow.


“It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.”

Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions.

First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire.

Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute.

“I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #Sporting">Deadspin | Surging Sounders primed to avoid ‘trap’ vs. lowly Sporting KC Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28. The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week. Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow. “It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.” Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions. First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire. Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute. “I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #Sporting

Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday. DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season. DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.” LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau. “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.” In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed. “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.” Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years. “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.” DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles. DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solutionApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday.

DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season.

DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time

“I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.”

LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau.

“We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.”


In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported $125 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a $500 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed.

“We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.”

Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years.

“There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”

DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles.

DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution">Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday. DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season. DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.” LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau. “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.” In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed. “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.” Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years. “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.” DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles. DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution

Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June. To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500. Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks. “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.” The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June. Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk. He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career. The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings. He has never faced the A’s in his career. Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short. In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision. He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even. Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz. Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time. “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.” – Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #openerApr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.

Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.

To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.

Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.

“When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”

The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June.

Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.

He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.


The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.

He has never faced the A’s in his career.

Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.

In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.

He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.

Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.

Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.

“I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”

– Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener">Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June. To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500. Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks. “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.” The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June. Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk. He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career. The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings. He has never faced the A’s in his career. Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short. In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision. He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even. Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz. Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time. “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.” – Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener

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