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Deadspin | Missing George Springer, Jays send Max Scherzer vs. Twins  Mar 31, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   The Toronto Blue Jays will be dealing with another injury concern Sunday afternoon when they face the visiting Minnesota Twins in the decisive encounter of a three-game series.  Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe Saturday during the Twins’ 7-4 victory. Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and went down in pain, but waved off trainers. He finished the at-bat and grounded out to third before leaving the game.  Toronto manager John Schneider said Springer was going to have a CT scan.   “Initial X-rays showed a possible, probable small fracture,” Schneider said. “We’ll know more in the next couple of days. Seen Georgie do that a lot of times. Usually, when he gives us that (the wave off) he’s all right.”  Schneider said the CT scan likely would determine how much time Springer could miss.   “I know Georgie plays through a lot all the time,” he said. “Fingers crossed but we’ll see what the CT says.”   Schneider said that Springer had fouled a ball off the same toe on Friday.  The Blue Jays are slated to go with right-hander Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA) on Sunday. Scherzer is 10-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 career starts against Minnesota.  Scherzer left his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday after two innings and 36 pitches because of right forearm tendinitis. He said at the time that he did not expect to miss his next start.  The Twins are scheduled to start right-hander Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08). In six games (four starts), Bradley is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA against Toronto.   The Twins scored all their runs Saturday in the third inning against starter Eric Lauer. Brooks Lee started it with a solo shot — his second homer in two games — and Trevor Larnach finished it with a three-run blast. Two walks were also in the mix.  The Twins have homered in 25 consecutive games at Rogers Centre.  “Overall, we just had really consistent at-bats in that inning,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re having good at-bats, we’re grinding through it. We’re adding in walks.”  The Twins have faced nine left-handed starters in 15 games, including Lauer.   “We’re extremely left-handed and it’s a little bit of a challenge for us,” Shelton said. “But we’ve had guys step up. It’s been different guys on different days. Today Larnach got the start against the left-hander and hits a three-run homer. (Matt) Wallner has done very similar to that.   “We just have to get through this stretch. It’s a little bit unprecedented because I know we get two more (left-handers) in the next series, too. There’s nothing we can do. We have to figure out how to beat guys and so far we’ve done a pretty good job of it.”  Twins starter Joe Ryan overcame Daulton Varsho’s two-run homer in the first to go seven innings, allowing only one more hit and a hit batter.  The Twins put infielder Royce Lewis on the injured list with a sprained knee. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and started at third base. He was 0-for-4 and made a superb defensive play on a grounder by Nathan Lukes to end the seventh.  Minnesota also placed Cody Laweryson on the IL, retroactive to April 9, with a right forearm strain and promoted fellow right-handed reliever Andrew Morris from St. Paul.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Missing #George #Springer #Jays #send #Max #Scherzer #Twins

Deadspin | Missing George Springer, Jays send Max Scherzer vs. Twins
Deadspin | Missing George Springer, Jays send Max Scherzer vs. Twins  Mar 31, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   The Toronto Blue Jays will be dealing with another injury concern Sunday afternoon when they face the visiting Minnesota Twins in the decisive encounter of a three-game series.  Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe Saturday during the Twins’ 7-4 victory. Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and went down in pain, but waved off trainers. He finished the at-bat and grounded out to third before leaving the game.  Toronto manager John Schneider said Springer was going to have a CT scan.   “Initial X-rays showed a possible, probable small fracture,” Schneider said. “We’ll know more in the next couple of days. Seen Georgie do that a lot of times. Usually, when he gives us that (the wave off) he’s all right.”  Schneider said the CT scan likely would determine how much time Springer could miss.   “I know Georgie plays through a lot all the time,” he said. “Fingers crossed but we’ll see what the CT says.”   Schneider said that Springer had fouled a ball off the same toe on Friday.  The Blue Jays are slated to go with right-hander Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA) on Sunday. Scherzer is 10-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 career starts against Minnesota.  Scherzer left his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday after two innings and 36 pitches because of right forearm tendinitis. He said at the time that he did not expect to miss his next start.  The Twins are scheduled to start right-hander Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08). In six games (four starts), Bradley is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA against Toronto.   The Twins scored all their runs Saturday in the third inning against starter Eric Lauer. Brooks Lee started it with a solo shot — his second homer in two games — and Trevor Larnach finished it with a three-run blast. Two walks were also in the mix.  The Twins have homered in 25 consecutive games at Rogers Centre.  “Overall, we just had really consistent at-bats in that inning,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re having good at-bats, we’re grinding through it. We’re adding in walks.”  The Twins have faced nine left-handed starters in 15 games, including Lauer.   “We’re extremely left-handed and it’s a little bit of a challenge for us,” Shelton said. “But we’ve had guys step up. It’s been different guys on different days. Today Larnach got the start against the left-hander and hits a three-run homer. (Matt) Wallner has done very similar to that.   “We just have to get through this stretch. It’s a little bit unprecedented because I know we get two more (left-handers) in the next series, too. There’s nothing we can do. We have to figure out how to beat guys and so far we’ve done a pretty good job of it.”  Twins starter Joe Ryan overcame Daulton Varsho’s two-run homer in the first to go seven innings, allowing only one more hit and a hit batter.  The Twins put infielder Royce Lewis on the injured list with a sprained knee. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and started at third base. He was 0-for-4 and made a superb defensive play on a grounder by Nathan Lukes to end the seventh.  Minnesota also placed Cody Laweryson on the IL, retroactive to April 9, with a right forearm strain and promoted fellow right-handed reliever Andrew Morris from St. Paul.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Missing #George #Springer #Jays #send #Max #Scherzer #TwinsMar 31, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays will be dealing with another injury concern Sunday afternoon when they face the visiting Minnesota Twins in the decisive encounter of a three-game series.

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe Saturday during the Twins’ 7-4 victory. Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and went down in pain, but waved off trainers. He finished the at-bat and grounded out to third before leaving the game.

Toronto manager John Schneider said Springer was going to have a CT scan.

“Initial X-rays showed a possible, probable small fracture,” Schneider said. “We’ll know more in the next couple of days. Seen Georgie do that a lot of times. Usually, when he gives us that (the wave off) he’s all right.”

Schneider said the CT scan likely would determine how much time Springer could miss.

“I know Georgie plays through a lot all the time,” he said. “Fingers crossed but we’ll see what the CT says.”

Schneider said that Springer had fouled a ball off the same toe on Friday.

The Blue Jays are slated to go with right-hander Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA) on Sunday. Scherzer is 10-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 career starts against Minnesota.

Scherzer left his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday after two innings and 36 pitches because of right forearm tendinitis. He said at the time that he did not expect to miss his next start.


The Twins are scheduled to start right-hander Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08). In six games (four starts), Bradley is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA against Toronto.

The Twins scored all their runs Saturday in the third inning against starter Eric Lauer. Brooks Lee started it with a solo shot — his second homer in two games — and Trevor Larnach finished it with a three-run blast. Two walks were also in the mix.

The Twins have homered in 25 consecutive games at Rogers Centre.

“Overall, we just had really consistent at-bats in that inning,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re having good at-bats, we’re grinding through it. We’re adding in walks.”

The Twins have faced nine left-handed starters in 15 games, including Lauer.

“We’re extremely left-handed and it’s a little bit of a challenge for us,” Shelton said. “But we’ve had guys step up. It’s been different guys on different days. Today Larnach got the start against the left-hander and hits a three-run homer. (Matt) Wallner has done very similar to that.

“We just have to get through this stretch. It’s a little bit unprecedented because I know we get two more (left-handers) in the next series, too. There’s nothing we can do. We have to figure out how to beat guys and so far we’ve done a pretty good job of it.”

Twins starter Joe Ryan overcame Daulton Varsho’s two-run homer in the first to go seven innings, allowing only one more hit and a hit batter.

The Twins put infielder Royce Lewis on the injured list with a sprained knee. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and started at third base. He was 0-for-4 and made a superb defensive play on a grounder by Nathan Lukes to end the seventh.

Minnesota also placed Cody Laweryson on the IL, retroactive to April 9, with a right forearm strain and promoted fellow right-handed reliever Andrew Morris from St. Paul.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Missing #George #Springer #Jays #send #Max #Scherzer #Twins

Mar 31, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays will be dealing with another injury concern Sunday afternoon when they face the visiting Minnesota Twins in the decisive encounter of a three-game series.

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe Saturday during the Twins’ 7-4 victory. Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and went down in pain, but waved off trainers. He finished the at-bat and grounded out to third before leaving the game.

Toronto manager John Schneider said Springer was going to have a CT scan.

“Initial X-rays showed a possible, probable small fracture,” Schneider said. “We’ll know more in the next couple of days. Seen Georgie do that a lot of times. Usually, when he gives us that (the wave off) he’s all right.”

Schneider said the CT scan likely would determine how much time Springer could miss.

“I know Georgie plays through a lot all the time,” he said. “Fingers crossed but we’ll see what the CT says.”

Schneider said that Springer had fouled a ball off the same toe on Friday.

The Blue Jays are slated to go with right-hander Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA) on Sunday. Scherzer is 10-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 career starts against Minnesota.

Scherzer left his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday after two innings and 36 pitches because of right forearm tendinitis. He said at the time that he did not expect to miss his next start.

The Twins are scheduled to start right-hander Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08). In six games (four starts), Bradley is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA against Toronto.

The Twins scored all their runs Saturday in the third inning against starter Eric Lauer. Brooks Lee started it with a solo shot — his second homer in two games — and Trevor Larnach finished it with a three-run blast. Two walks were also in the mix.

The Twins have homered in 25 consecutive games at Rogers Centre.

“Overall, we just had really consistent at-bats in that inning,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re having good at-bats, we’re grinding through it. We’re adding in walks.”

The Twins have faced nine left-handed starters in 15 games, including Lauer.

“We’re extremely left-handed and it’s a little bit of a challenge for us,” Shelton said. “But we’ve had guys step up. It’s been different guys on different days. Today Larnach got the start against the left-hander and hits a three-run homer. (Matt) Wallner has done very similar to that.

“We just have to get through this stretch. It’s a little bit unprecedented because I know we get two more (left-handers) in the next series, too. There’s nothing we can do. We have to figure out how to beat guys and so far we’ve done a pretty good job of it.”

Twins starter Joe Ryan overcame Daulton Varsho’s two-run homer in the first to go seven innings, allowing only one more hit and a hit batter.

The Twins put infielder Royce Lewis on the injured list with a sprained knee. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and started at third base. He was 0-for-4 and made a superb defensive play on a grounder by Nathan Lukes to end the seventh.

Minnesota also placed Cody Laweryson on the IL, retroactive to April 9, with a right forearm strain and promoted fellow right-handed reliever Andrew Morris from St. Paul.

–Field Level Media

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SRH vs RR, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad takes on Rajasthan Royals in battle of explosive opening pairs <div id="content-body-70854413" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Two of the IPL’s most devastating opening duos are set to clash as a Sunrisers Hyderabad side, blowing hot and cold, hosts the unbeaten Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.</p><p>Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, arguably the most explosive opening pair in T20 cricket over the past two years, once again set the tone against Punjab Kings on Friday, plundering 105 runs in the PowerPlay and briefly threatening the elusive 300-run mark. However, a double strike that removed ‘Travishek’ in a single over and a middle order that struggled to get going helped PBKS restrict the marauders in orange to a now modest 219.</p><p>A subpar batting outing only dials up the heat of the spotlight on an undercooked bowling pie. With Pat Cummins sidelined, SRH’s pace unit has often looked toothless and went wicketless against the Kings for 10 overs while conceding 145 runs. In contrast, the relatively inexperienced spin attack offered some resistance, picking up four wickets while giving away 78 runs in 8.5 overs.</p><p>Rajasthan Royals has seen SRH’s Travishek and raised their own opening firebomb: JaiSurya (Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi), an unintentional homage to a Sri Lankan batting maverick by the same name. The 383 runs the pair has amassed have come at the cost of several proud bowling orders whimpering away.</p><p>With Dhruv Jurel contributing 176 runs, three of the top four run-scorers currently wear pink and blue.</p><p>After a forgettable season for its bowlers last year, where they finished with the fewest wickets (65), the worst average (42.15), and the second-highest economy rate, 2026 has been good so far, with the Royals at the top of the pile with 35 wickets in just four games.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-news/sanju-samson-csk-leading-man-chennai-crowd-yellow-jersey-maiden-hundred-delhi-capitals-ipl-2026/article70853348.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sanju Samson stakes claim to be CSK’s ‘leading man’ with maiden hundred in ‘drenched-in-sweat’ yellow jersey</a></b></p><p>A resurgent Ravi Bishnoi (nine wickets in 11 games, second in the Purple Cap standings) leads the charge. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger have been effective with the new ball, while Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravindra Jadeja add valuable depth to the attack.</p><p>SRH’s inconsistent bowling will need to find both discipline and bite against a Royals side that has looked close to flawless. Fail to seize key moments, and the margin for error could vanish quickly.</p><p>Because come Monday, a test of nerve beneath the fireworks beckons. One side feeds on chaos, the other on control — and neither would want to blink first. When the dust finally settles, it won’t matter who landed the first blow, but who stood firm when the going got unforgiving.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #SRH #IPL #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #takes #Rajasthan #Royals #battle #explosive #opening #pairs

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Chelsea vs Man City Live Score, Premier League: Match updates, lineups, streaming info <div id="content-body-70854529" itemprop="articleBody"><p><b>Welcome to Sportstar’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League 2025-26 match between Chelsea and Manchester City being played at the Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday.</b></p><h4 class="sub_head">Lineups</h4><p><b>Chelsea:</b> Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.</p><p><b>Manchester City:</b> Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Live Streaming Info</h4><p>The live streaming for the Chelsea vs Manchester City Premier League 2025-26 match will be available on the <i>JioHotstar </i>mobile app and website. The live telecast of the match will be available on the <i>Star Sports Network</i> in India.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #Chelsea #Man #City #Live #Score #Premier #League #Match #updates #lineups #streaming #info

Deadspin | Golden Knights secure playoff berth with OT win at Avalanche  Apr 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons (10) battle for the puck in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images   Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights clinched a playoff spot with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday night.  Vegas (37-26-17, 91 points) jumped over Edmonton (90 points) into first place in the Pacific Division. Anaheim is third with 89 points heading into the final week of the regular season.  Eichel grabbed the puck in the Colorado end, skated down the left boards and beat goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood with a shot from the circle.  Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored and Carter Hart made 30 saves for the Knights.  Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews scored and Blackwood turned away 26 shots for the Central Division-leading Avalanche (52-16-11, 115 points).  Colorado coach Jared Bednar left the bench early in the third period when he took a puck to the side of his head. The Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar carried the puck up the left boards and attempted to send it down the ice, but instead it went into the Avalanche bench and hit Bednar.  Bednar bent over holding his head and was taken into the locker room by a trainer. He did not return.   Colorado played the final 20 minutes without defenseman Josh Manson, who sustained an upper-body injury in the second period.  The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead on a power play midway through the first period when Toews wristed a shot that trickled through Hart and in at 9:17.  Vegas answered 12 seconds into its second power play of the night. Mitch Marner took a shot from the point that Tomas Hertl tipped as it went through the slot. Stone, parked in front of the net, knocked it out of the air and lifted a backhand by Blackwood at 13:47.  The Knights went ahead early in the second period. Kaeden Korczak kept the puck in at the blueline and passed down low to Ivan Barbashev, who fed Dorofeyev in the left circle, and he shot it over Blackwood’s left shoulder at 2:09.  Colorado evened it again when Blankenburg’s shot from the point hit the post, bounced off Hart and in at 10:56 of the second before a scoreless third period.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Golden #Knights #secure #playoff #berth #win #AvalancheApr 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons (10) battle for the puck in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights clinched a playoff spot with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday night.

Vegas (37-26-17, 91 points) jumped over Edmonton (90 points) into first place in the Pacific Division. Anaheim is third with 89 points heading into the final week of the regular season.

Eichel grabbed the puck in the Colorado end, skated down the left boards and beat goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood with a shot from the circle.

Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored and Carter Hart made 30 saves for the Knights.

Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews scored and Blackwood turned away 26 shots for the Central Division-leading Avalanche (52-16-11, 115 points).

Colorado coach Jared Bednar left the bench early in the third period when he took a puck to the side of his head. The Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar carried the puck up the left boards and attempted to send it down the ice, but instead it went into the Avalanche bench and hit Bednar.


Bednar bent over holding his head and was taken into the locker room by a trainer. He did not return.

Colorado played the final 20 minutes without defenseman Josh Manson, who sustained an upper-body injury in the second period.

The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead on a power play midway through the first period when Toews wristed a shot that trickled through Hart and in at 9:17.

Vegas answered 12 seconds into its second power play of the night. Mitch Marner took a shot from the point that Tomas Hertl tipped as it went through the slot. Stone, parked in front of the net, knocked it out of the air and lifted a backhand by Blackwood at 13:47.

The Knights went ahead early in the second period. Kaeden Korczak kept the puck in at the blueline and passed down low to Ivan Barbashev, who fed Dorofeyev in the left circle, and he shot it over Blackwood’s left shoulder at 2:09.

Colorado evened it again when Blankenburg’s shot from the point hit the post, bounced off Hart and in at 10:56 of the second before a scoreless third period.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Golden #Knights #secure #playoff #berth #win #Avalanche">Deadspin | Golden Knights secure playoff berth with OT win at Avalanche  Apr 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons (10) battle for the puck in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images   Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights clinched a playoff spot with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday night.  Vegas (37-26-17, 91 points) jumped over Edmonton (90 points) into first place in the Pacific Division. Anaheim is third with 89 points heading into the final week of the regular season.  Eichel grabbed the puck in the Colorado end, skated down the left boards and beat goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood with a shot from the circle.  Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored and Carter Hart made 30 saves for the Knights.  Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews scored and Blackwood turned away 26 shots for the Central Division-leading Avalanche (52-16-11, 115 points).  Colorado coach Jared Bednar left the bench early in the third period when he took a puck to the side of his head. The Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar carried the puck up the left boards and attempted to send it down the ice, but instead it went into the Avalanche bench and hit Bednar.  Bednar bent over holding his head and was taken into the locker room by a trainer. He did not return.   Colorado played the final 20 minutes without defenseman Josh Manson, who sustained an upper-body injury in the second period.  The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead on a power play midway through the first period when Toews wristed a shot that trickled through Hart and in at 9:17.  Vegas answered 12 seconds into its second power play of the night. Mitch Marner took a shot from the point that Tomas Hertl tipped as it went through the slot. Stone, parked in front of the net, knocked it out of the air and lifted a backhand by Blackwood at 13:47.  The Knights went ahead early in the second period. Kaeden Korczak kept the puck in at the blueline and passed down low to Ivan Barbashev, who fed Dorofeyev in the left circle, and he shot it over Blackwood’s left shoulder at 2:09.  Colorado evened it again when Blankenburg’s shot from the point hit the post, bounced off Hart and in at 10:56 of the second before a scoreless third period.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Golden #Knights #secure #playoff #berth #win #Avalanche

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.

Paige, for one, was thrilled:

Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+

This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the $1.19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.

Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.

This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?

All eyes are on Dallas now.

#Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major">The Dallas Wings just got Paige Bueckers some major help  


	
	MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images	

The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.

Paige, for one, was thrilled:


Paige Bueckers can’t believe this is her life “WE HERE BABY” ‼️ pic.twitter.com/TVuO358za9— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) April 12, 2026


Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+

This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the .19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.

Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.

This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?

All eyes are on Dallas now.  #Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major

Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+

This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the $1.19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.

Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.

This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?

All eyes are on Dallas now.

#Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major">The Dallas Wings just got Paige Bueckers some major help
The Dallas Wings just got Paige Bueckers some major help  


	
	MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images	

The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.

Paige, for one, was thrilled:


Paige Bueckers can’t believe this is her life “WE HERE BABY” ‼️ pic.twitter.com/TVuO358za9— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) April 12, 2026


Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+

This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the .19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.

Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.

This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?

All eyes are on Dallas now.  #Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.

Paige, for one, was thrilled:

Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+

This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the $1.19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.

Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.

This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?

All eyes are on Dallas now.

#Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major

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