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Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night. Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots. Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves. Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists). The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4. Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point. Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate. Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld. Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #Mammoth

Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth
Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night. Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots. Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves. Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists). The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4. Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point. Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate. Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld. Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #MammothApr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.

Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.

Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).


The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.

Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.

Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.

Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.

Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #Mammoth

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Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.

Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.

Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).

The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.

Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.

Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.

Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.

Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: Prolonged interruptions, slow over-rate in MI vs RCB pose threats to the very purpose of T20s <div id="content-body-70856306" itemprop="articleBody"><p>If the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings — which stretched more than half an hour beyond the prescribed 90 minutes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — was an example of cricket’s quickest format moving at a snail’s pace, the worst was yet to follow at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night.</p><p>After a 16-minute innings break, the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase lasted 124 minutes.</p><p>The match eventually wrapped up nine minutes shy of midnight, taking the total duration to four hours and 21 minutes. It was long enough to set social media abuzz, with fans debating whether the marquee clash had outlasted several Indian films — not just Lagaan but even Dhurandhar.</p><p>To be fair, Mumbai experienced perhaps its hottest day of the summer so far, with players battling dehydration and requiring frequent medical attention. The match also featured 11 reviews and at least five injury-related stoppages, each contributing to the sluggish pace.</p><p>Yet, such prolonged interruptions defeat the very purpose of T20 cricket and test the concentration of players at the crease.</p><p>Sherfane Rutherford, whose lone fightback helped MI reduce the margin of defeat, admitted that maintaining focus amid repeated stoppages proved challenging.</p><p>Rutherford waited patiently as Rasikh Salam went down thrice in the 18th over before eventually heading back to the pavilion after the fifth ball — an over that epitomised the stop-start nature of the contest.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-2026-mi-vs-rcb-game-result-match-report-royal-challengers-bengaluru-mumbai-indians/article70855091.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Batters fire Royal Challengers Bengaluru past Mumbai Indians in high-scoring contest</a></b></p><p>“Yes, that was the toughest part for me. Every time Rasikh bowls, he takes five minutes,” Rutherford said.</p><p>“As a batter, you need momentum. Every time you have momentum, when there is a stop and start, it just keeps slowing up the game. It’s something that no one can control. You just have to learn from it. Hopefully, next time, you just try and stay in the game or try some way of being ahead of the game.”</p><p>With temperatures expected to rise further and an extreme heatwave forecast for the Maximum City later this week, prolonged T20 contests could become a recurring theme when MI hosts Punjab Kings on Thursday.</p><p>Another contributing factor is the IPL’s revised slow over-rate regulations. Until 2024, captains faced match bans — along with heavy fines — after three offences.</p><p>Since the 2025 season, however, the IPL governing council has introduced a demerit points system, with suspensions a distant possibility over a 36-month period. The shift appears to have reduced the urgency among captains to maintain over-rates, further slowing down the game.</p><p>It is perhaps time to remind everyone involved in the IPL that T20 cricket is supposed to be fast-paced in terms of speed of the game, not just the run-rate. Is anybody listening?</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Prolonged #interruptions #slow #overrate #RCB #pose #threats #purpose #T20s

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Ayush Shetty needed more patience in Badminton Asia Championships final; can be in top five: Sagar Chopda <div id="content-body-70856216" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India’s impressive run in men’s singles at the Badminton Asia Championships fell short in the final, but Sagar Chopda, head coach at the Centre for Badminton Excellence, believes silver-medallist Ayush Shetty has the potential to reach the very top of the sport.</p><p>The Indian shuttler went down in straight games against World No. 2 Chinese Shi Yu Qi in Ningbo on Sunday.</p><p>“I believe Ayush has the potential to be a top-five player in the world. We’ve always believed he can become a true champion,” Chopda told <i>PTI </i>after the 20-year-old won silver at the continental meet.</p><p>“We just need to be patient, but he definitely has the potential to reach that level,” he added.</p><p>Shetty’s campaign ended against home favourite Shi, with Chopda pointing to a key area that could have made a difference.</p><p>“He probably needed to be a little more patient. At times, he went for outright winners a bit too early, and many of those shots either went out or ended up in Shi’s hitting zone.</p><p>“Shi didn’t give him many opportunities, and at this level you have to make the most of whatever chances you get,” he said.</p><p>Despite the loss, the unseeded Shetty’s run, which included victories over Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie and Kunlavut Vitidsarn, marked a significant breakthrough after a string of early exits earlier in the season.</p><p>Chopda revealed that a back injury had disrupted Shetty’s preparation at the start of the year, forcing him into rehabilitation instead of building fitness. The turnaround, he said, came down to belief.</p><p>“At the start of the season, Ayush had a slight back injury, so he had to focus on rehab for about four to five weeks. That affected his preparation.</p><p>“The biggest plus this week was belief. He felt fitter, stronger and didn’t check himself. He showed great patience in long rallies, which is crucial at this level,” he said.</p><p>The coach, who trains Shetty in Bengaluru, also credited work behind the scenes, including sessions with a sports psychologist, for the player’s improved mental strength during the tournament.</p><p>While the results underline his rapid rise, Chopda was quick to point out areas that still need refinement.</p><p>“Endurance is still a work in progress. Ayush needs to get much fitter, although he is improving. He has been doing a lot of off-court sessions with the trainers and physios.</p><p>“Being a tall player, his movement has improved, especially side-to-side and in defence, but there is still room for improvement,” Chopda said.</p><p>Shetty has also begun working with Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, a move Chopda believes will benefit him in the long run.</p><p>“He has been the national coach of the Indonesian side when players like Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting were at their peak, so having someone like him on board is going to be helpful for Ayush,” Chopda noted.</p><p>Given his height and playing style, comparisons with two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen have already begun, something Chopda acknowledged.</p><p>“Because he’s so tall, he’s always been compared to Viktor Axelsen. In fact, he’s gone and trained with him a couple of times,” Chopda said.</p><p>“Viktor has mentioned that he sees similarities and that Ayush reminds him of his younger days.” However, Chopda was quick to add that there is still ground to cover.</p><p>“He has a strong net game and a big hit, but he needs to develop more variation, half-smashes, softer drops to become even more dangerous at this level.” Looking ahead with the World Championships and Asian Games in sight, consistency remains the key focus.</p><p>“Consistency is key. He has a lot of expectations from himself, and that probably added pressure in previous tournaments,” he said.</p><p>“He needs to consistently reach the later stages of tournaments and aim for podium finishes. Winning a big title and doing well at events like the World Championships and Asian Games should be his targets.”</p><p>“He has a big smash and a strong net game, but he needs to add more control, half-smashes, softer drops and better variation to consistently win at this level.</p><p>Chopda also pointed out that while Shetty had shown promise earlier, including during a title run at the U.S. Open, sustaining that level will be the real challenge.</p><p>“This tournament will give him a lot of confidence, but he needs to keep delivering so that people continue to notice him,” he added.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #Ayush #Shetty #needed #patience #Badminton #Asia #Championships #final #top #Sagar #Chopda

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Deadspin | Cavaliers rest core players, deal another defeat to Wizards Apr 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Washington Wizards 130-117 on Sunday afternoon. Jaylon Tyson had 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland (52-30), which is the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers jumped in front 43-21 after one quarter and led from wire to wire in the victory. Cleveland will have home-court advantage over the fifth-place Toronto Raptors in their first-round series. Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for the Wizards (17-65), who finished with the worst record in the league. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished out nine assists, and Sharife Cooper had 20 points and six assists off the bench. Cleveland had eight players reach double digits in points, including a career-best 12 from Riley Minix and 10 from Olivier Sarr. Both are on two-way contracts. The Cavaliers used their 41st starting lineup, resting their entire rotation except for Max Strus and Tyson. Their core four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen took part in the fan appreciation night festivities. With nothing tangible to play for, both teams chose to only dress nine players. Carrington extended his consecutive game streak to 164. The University of Pittsburgh product is the first player to appear in every game in his first two seasons since Karl-Anthony Towns with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2015-2017. The Wizards slowly reduced their deficit throughout the third, getting as close as 95-93 on a Cooper 3-pointer with 1:26 left in the quarter. Proctor had 10 points in the fourth as the Cavaliers closed the door by outscoring Washington 31-22. Carrington made back-to-back 3-pointers and tacked on a free throw in a personal 9-0 run to end the first half, pulling Washington within 65-55. He scored 12 points in the quarter, while Tyson led Cleveland with 14 and Tomlin had 13 at the break. Tyson scored 11 points and Strus had eight in the first quarter, when the Cavaliers built a 25-point lead and were up 43-21. Watkins and Anthony Gill had seven points apiece for the Wizards. Cleveland, which lost in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, only has one injured player heading into the postseason. Center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain) is questionable, according to coach Kenny Atkinson. The Cavaliers have won 16 straight over Washington, their second-longest streak in franchise history. Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic 17 consecutive times from 2013-17. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavaliers #rest #core #players #deal #defeat #WizardsApr 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Washington Wizards 130-117 on Sunday afternoon.

Jaylon Tyson had 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland (52-30), which is the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers jumped in front 43-21 after one quarter and led from wire to wire in the victory.

Cleveland will have home-court advantage over the fifth-place Toronto Raptors in their first-round series.

Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for the Wizards (17-65), who finished with the worst record in the league. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished out nine assists, and Sharife Cooper had 20 points and six assists off the bench.

Cleveland had eight players reach double digits in points, including a career-best 12 from Riley Minix and 10 from Olivier Sarr. Both are on two-way contracts.

The Cavaliers used their 41st starting lineup, resting their entire rotation except for Max Strus and Tyson. Their core four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen took part in the fan appreciation night festivities.


With nothing tangible to play for, both teams chose to only dress nine players.

Carrington extended his consecutive game streak to 164. The University of Pittsburgh product is the first player to appear in every game in his first two seasons since Karl-Anthony Towns with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2015-2017.

The Wizards slowly reduced their deficit throughout the third, getting as close as 95-93 on a Cooper 3-pointer with 1:26 left in the quarter. Proctor had 10 points in the fourth as the Cavaliers closed the door by outscoring Washington 31-22.

Carrington made back-to-back 3-pointers and tacked on a free throw in a personal 9-0 run to end the first half, pulling Washington within 65-55. He scored 12 points in the quarter, while Tyson led Cleveland with 14 and Tomlin had 13 at the break.

Tyson scored 11 points and Strus had eight in the first quarter, when the Cavaliers built a 25-point lead and were up 43-21. Watkins and Anthony Gill had seven points apiece for the Wizards.

Cleveland, which lost in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, only has one injured player heading into the postseason. Center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain) is questionable, according to coach Kenny Atkinson.

The Cavaliers have won 16 straight over Washington, their second-longest streak in franchise history. Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic 17 consecutive times from 2013-17.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cavaliers #rest #core #players #deal #defeat #Wizards">Deadspin | Cavaliers rest core players, deal another defeat to Wizards Apr 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Washington Wizards 130-117 on Sunday afternoon. Jaylon Tyson had 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland (52-30), which is the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers jumped in front 43-21 after one quarter and led from wire to wire in the victory. Cleveland will have home-court advantage over the fifth-place Toronto Raptors in their first-round series. Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for the Wizards (17-65), who finished with the worst record in the league. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished out nine assists, and Sharife Cooper had 20 points and six assists off the bench. Cleveland had eight players reach double digits in points, including a career-best 12 from Riley Minix and 10 from Olivier Sarr. Both are on two-way contracts. The Cavaliers used their 41st starting lineup, resting their entire rotation except for Max Strus and Tyson. Their core four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen took part in the fan appreciation night festivities. With nothing tangible to play for, both teams chose to only dress nine players. Carrington extended his consecutive game streak to 164. The University of Pittsburgh product is the first player to appear in every game in his first two seasons since Karl-Anthony Towns with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2015-2017. The Wizards slowly reduced their deficit throughout the third, getting as close as 95-93 on a Cooper 3-pointer with 1:26 left in the quarter. Proctor had 10 points in the fourth as the Cavaliers closed the door by outscoring Washington 31-22. Carrington made back-to-back 3-pointers and tacked on a free throw in a personal 9-0 run to end the first half, pulling Washington within 65-55. He scored 12 points in the quarter, while Tyson led Cleveland with 14 and Tomlin had 13 at the break. Tyson scored 11 points and Strus had eight in the first quarter, when the Cavaliers built a 25-point lead and were up 43-21. Watkins and Anthony Gill had seven points apiece for the Wizards. Cleveland, which lost in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, only has one injured player heading into the postseason. Center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain) is questionable, according to coach Kenny Atkinson. The Cavaliers have won 16 straight over Washington, their second-longest streak in franchise history. Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic 17 consecutive times from 2013-17. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavaliers #rest #core #players #deal #defeat #Wizards

#SRH #IPL #Live #Score #Unbeaten #Rajasthan #Royals #visits #struggling #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #team #news #toss #700PM #IST">SRH vs RR IPL 2026, Live Score: Unbeaten Rajasthan Royals visits struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad; team news, toss at 7:00PM IST Hello, and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of today’s IPL 2026 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad!Stay with us as we bring you all the updates from what should be a fascinating encounter tonight. #SRH #IPL #Live #Score #Unbeaten #Rajasthan #Royals #visits #struggling #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #team #news #toss #700PM #IST

Deadspin | Pistons reach 60-win plateau by racing past Pacers Apr 12, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons closed out just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history on Sunday, leading wire-to-wire in a 133-121 defeat of the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. With the East’s No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA Playoffs also secured, Detroit (60-22) limited its entire starting five to fewer than 26 minutes in Sunday’s regular-season finale. That was plenty of time for Paul Reed to make some more Pistons’ history, as he became the organization’s first player ever to score 25-plus points on a perfect field-goal shooting performance. Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 from the floor. Tobias Harris added 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc. Detroit knocked down 15-of-33 from long distance overall and went a blistering 50-of-89 (56.2%) from the floor overall. The Pistons’ even distribution of minutes provided plenty of scoring opportunities for Detroit’s reserves, led by Kevin Huerter’s 15 points and Isaiah Stewart’s 16. The Detroit bench outscored Indiana’s, 60-45. The Pacers (19-63) made a late push in their final game of the worst season by won-loss record in franchise history, pulling to within six points with less than three minutes remaining. Ethan Thompson, one of four Indiana scorers with at least 18 points, scored the last of his 18 during the futile rally effort down the stretch. Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points each, and Kobe Brown added 20 points. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. The Detroit reserves helped build a lead that peaked at 27 points in the third quarter when the visitors surged out of halftime with an 18-9 run. Reed and Ausar Thompson punctuated the surge with back-to-back dunks, part of the Pistons’ 62 points in the paint. On a night Detroit was red-hot from the floor, Cade Cunningham was a rare exception shooting just 3 of 12. The Pistons’ star finished with only seven points, but neared a triple-double in his reduced playing time, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing 14 assists. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pistons #reach #60win #plateau #racing #PacersApr 12, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons closed out just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history on Sunday, leading wire-to-wire in a 133-121 defeat of the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.

With the East’s No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA Playoffs also secured, Detroit (60-22) limited its entire starting five to fewer than 26 minutes in Sunday’s regular-season finale. That was plenty of time for Paul Reed to make some more Pistons’ history, as he became the organization’s first player ever to score 25-plus points on a perfect field-goal shooting performance.

Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 from the floor. Tobias Harris added 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Detroit knocked down 15-of-33 from long distance overall and went a blistering 50-of-89 (56.2%) from the floor overall.


The Pistons’ even distribution of minutes provided plenty of scoring opportunities for Detroit’s reserves, led by Kevin Huerter’s 15 points and Isaiah Stewart’s 16. The Detroit bench outscored Indiana’s, 60-45.

The Pacers (19-63) made a late push in their final game of the worst season by won-loss record in franchise history, pulling to within six points with less than three minutes remaining. Ethan Thompson, one of four Indiana scorers with at least 18 points, scored the last of his 18 during the futile rally effort down the stretch.

Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points each, and Kobe Brown added 20 points. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.

The Detroit reserves helped build a lead that peaked at 27 points in the third quarter when the visitors surged out of halftime with an 18-9 run. Reed and Ausar Thompson punctuated the surge with back-to-back dunks, part of the Pistons’ 62 points in the paint.

On a night Detroit was red-hot from the floor, Cade Cunningham was a rare exception shooting just 3 of 12. The Pistons’ star finished with only seven points, but neared a triple-double in his reduced playing time, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing 14 assists.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pistons #reach #60win #plateau #racing #Pacers">Deadspin | Pistons reach 60-win plateau by racing past Pacers Apr 12, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons closed out just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history on Sunday, leading wire-to-wire in a 133-121 defeat of the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. With the East’s No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA Playoffs also secured, Detroit (60-22) limited its entire starting five to fewer than 26 minutes in Sunday’s regular-season finale. That was plenty of time for Paul Reed to make some more Pistons’ history, as he became the organization’s first player ever to score 25-plus points on a perfect field-goal shooting performance. Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 from the floor. Tobias Harris added 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc. Detroit knocked down 15-of-33 from long distance overall and went a blistering 50-of-89 (56.2%) from the floor overall. The Pistons’ even distribution of minutes provided plenty of scoring opportunities for Detroit’s reserves, led by Kevin Huerter’s 15 points and Isaiah Stewart’s 16. The Detroit bench outscored Indiana’s, 60-45. The Pacers (19-63) made a late push in their final game of the worst season by won-loss record in franchise history, pulling to within six points with less than three minutes remaining. Ethan Thompson, one of four Indiana scorers with at least 18 points, scored the last of his 18 during the futile rally effort down the stretch. Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points each, and Kobe Brown added 20 points. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. The Detroit reserves helped build a lead that peaked at 27 points in the third quarter when the visitors surged out of halftime with an 18-9 run. Reed and Ausar Thompson punctuated the surge with back-to-back dunks, part of the Pistons’ 62 points in the paint. On a night Detroit was red-hot from the floor, Cade Cunningham was a rare exception shooting just 3 of 12. The Pistons’ star finished with only seven points, but neared a triple-double in his reduced playing time, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing 14 assists. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pistons #reach #60win #plateau #racing #Pacers

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