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Deadspin | Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama named 1st-time MVP finalist Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Third-year San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is a first-time NBA Most Valuable Player candidate along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the league announced Sunday. The league announced the MVP finalists, along with the finalists for the rest of its 2025-26 season awards, during the broadcast of the opening game of the Orlando Magic versus Detroit Pistons playoff series on NBC. Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, averaged a career-best 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game. He would be the youngest MVP in league history at 22 years old, a few months younger than Derrick Rose was in 2010-11. To do so, he’ll have to beat out the last two league MVPs in Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 ppg, 6.6 assists per game, 4.3 rpg), who won his first MVP last season, and Jokic (27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg), who won his third in 2023-24. Detroit’s Ausar Thompson and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren are the other two finalists for DPOY, which Wembanyama is heavily favored to win. Three of the first four picks in last year’s draft are the finalists for Rookie of the Year. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg of Dallas (21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 steals per game), No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe of Philadelphia (16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg) and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel of Charlotte (18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, league-high 273 made 3-pointers) earned the recognition. Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Portland’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Jalen Duren are the three finalists for Most Improved Player. In his first season in Atlanta, Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points — 9.8 more than in any of his first six seasons. Avdija averaged a career-high 24.2 points, and Duren — like Avdija a first-time All-Star — averaged 19.5 points, far exceeding the 11.8 he averaged last season. The Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr., Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson are the finalists for Sixth Man of the Year. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Denver’s Jamal Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander are finalists for Clutch Player of the Year. Any of them would be a first-time winner of the award, which will be given out for the fourth time this year. Three coaches of top-two seeded teams were named finalists for Coach of the Year in Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. Whoever wins will be a first-time COTY. The award winners will start being announced this coming week during playoff broadcasts, starting Monday with Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player on Tuesday, Sixth Man on Wednesday and Most Improved Player on Friday. NBA award finalists Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City) Nikola Jokic (Denver) Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) Rookie of the Year VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia) Cooper Flagg (Dallas) Kon Knueppel (Charlotte) Defensive Player of the Year Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City) Ausar Thompson (Detroit) Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta) Deni Avdija (Portland) Jalen Duren (Detroit) Sixth Man of the Year Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami) Keldon Johnson (San Antonio) Clutch Player of the Year Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City) Jamal Murray (Denver) Coach of the Year J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit) Mitch Johnson (San Antonio) Joe Mazzulla (Boston) –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #named #1sttime #MVP #finalist

Deadspin | Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama named 1st-time MVP finalist
Deadspin | Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama named 1st-time MVP finalist Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Third-year San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is a first-time NBA Most Valuable Player candidate along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the league announced Sunday. The league announced the MVP finalists, along with the finalists for the rest of its 2025-26 season awards, during the broadcast of the opening game of the Orlando Magic versus Detroit Pistons playoff series on NBC. Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, averaged a career-best 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game. He would be the youngest MVP in league history at 22 years old, a few months younger than Derrick Rose was in 2010-11. To do so, he’ll have to beat out the last two league MVPs in Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 ppg, 6.6 assists per game, 4.3 rpg), who won his first MVP last season, and Jokic (27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg), who won his third in 2023-24. Detroit’s Ausar Thompson and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren are the other two finalists for DPOY, which Wembanyama is heavily favored to win. Three of the first four picks in last year’s draft are the finalists for Rookie of the Year. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg of Dallas (21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 steals per game), No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe of Philadelphia (16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg) and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel of Charlotte (18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, league-high 273 made 3-pointers) earned the recognition. Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Portland’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Jalen Duren are the three finalists for Most Improved Player. In his first season in Atlanta, Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points — 9.8 more than in any of his first six seasons. Avdija averaged a career-high 24.2 points, and Duren — like Avdija a first-time All-Star — averaged 19.5 points, far exceeding the 11.8 he averaged last season. The Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr., Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson are the finalists for Sixth Man of the Year. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Denver’s Jamal Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander are finalists for Clutch Player of the Year. Any of them would be a first-time winner of the award, which will be given out for the fourth time this year. Three coaches of top-two seeded teams were named finalists for Coach of the Year in Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. Whoever wins will be a first-time COTY. The award winners will start being announced this coming week during playoff broadcasts, starting Monday with Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player on Tuesday, Sixth Man on Wednesday and Most Improved Player on Friday. NBA award finalists Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City) Nikola Jokic (Denver) Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) Rookie of the Year VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia) Cooper Flagg (Dallas) Kon Knueppel (Charlotte) Defensive Player of the Year Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City) Ausar Thompson (Detroit) Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta) Deni Avdija (Portland) Jalen Duren (Detroit) Sixth Man of the Year Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami) Keldon Johnson (San Antonio) Clutch Player of the Year Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City) Jamal Murray (Denver) Coach of the Year J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit) Mitch Johnson (San Antonio) Joe Mazzulla (Boston) –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #named #1sttime #MVP #finalistApr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Third-year San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is a first-time NBA Most Valuable Player candidate along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the league announced Sunday.

The league announced the MVP finalists, along with the finalists for the rest of its 2025-26 season awards, during the broadcast of the opening game of the Orlando Magic versus Detroit Pistons playoff series on NBC.

Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, averaged a career-best 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game. He would be the youngest MVP in league history at 22 years old, a few months younger than Derrick Rose was in 2010-11.

To do so, he’ll have to beat out the last two league MVPs in Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 ppg, 6.6 assists per game, 4.3 rpg), who won his first MVP last season, and Jokic (27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg), who won his third in 2023-24.

Detroit’s Ausar Thompson and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren are the other two finalists for DPOY, which Wembanyama is heavily favored to win.

Three of the first four picks in last year’s draft are the finalists for Rookie of the Year. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg of Dallas (21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 steals per game), No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe of Philadelphia (16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg) and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel of Charlotte (18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, league-high 273 made 3-pointers) earned the recognition.

Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Portland’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Jalen Duren are the three finalists for Most Improved Player. In his first season in Atlanta, Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points — 9.8 more than in any of his first six seasons. Avdija averaged a career-high 24.2 points, and Duren — like Avdija a first-time All-Star — averaged 19.5 points, far exceeding the 11.8 he averaged last season.

The Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr., Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson are the finalists for Sixth Man of the Year.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Denver’s Jamal Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander are finalists for Clutch Player of the Year. Any of them would be a first-time winner of the award, which will be given out for the fourth time this year.

Three coaches of top-two seeded teams were named finalists for Coach of the Year in Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. Whoever wins will be a first-time COTY.

The award winners will start being announced this coming week during playoff broadcasts, starting Monday with Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player on Tuesday, Sixth Man on Wednesday and Most Improved Player on Friday.

NBA award finalists

Most Valuable Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)

Nikola Jokic (Denver)

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)

Rookie of the Year

VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia)

Cooper Flagg (Dallas)

Kon Knueppel (Charlotte)


Defensive Player of the Year

Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City)

Ausar Thompson (Detroit)

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)

Most Improved Player

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta)

Deni Avdija (Portland)

Jalen Duren (Detroit)

Sixth Man of the Year

Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami)

Keldon Johnson (San Antonio)

Clutch Player of the Year

Anthony Edwards (Minnesota)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)

Jamal Murray (Denver)

Coach of the Year

J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit)

Mitch Johnson (San Antonio)

Joe Mazzulla (Boston)

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #named #1sttime #MVP #finalist

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Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Third-year San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is a first-time NBA Most Valuable Player candidate along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the league announced Sunday.

The league announced the MVP finalists, along with the finalists for the rest of its 2025-26 season awards, during the broadcast of the opening game of the Orlando Magic versus Detroit Pistons playoff series on NBC.

Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, averaged a career-best 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game. He would be the youngest MVP in league history at 22 years old, a few months younger than Derrick Rose was in 2010-11.

To do so, he’ll have to beat out the last two league MVPs in Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 ppg, 6.6 assists per game, 4.3 rpg), who won his first MVP last season, and Jokic (27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg), who won his third in 2023-24.

Detroit’s Ausar Thompson and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren are the other two finalists for DPOY, which Wembanyama is heavily favored to win.

Three of the first four picks in last year’s draft are the finalists for Rookie of the Year. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg of Dallas (21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 steals per game), No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe of Philadelphia (16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg) and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel of Charlotte (18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, league-high 273 made 3-pointers) earned the recognition.

Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Portland’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Jalen Duren are the three finalists for Most Improved Player. In his first season in Atlanta, Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points — 9.8 more than in any of his first six seasons. Avdija averaged a career-high 24.2 points, and Duren — like Avdija a first-time All-Star — averaged 19.5 points, far exceeding the 11.8 he averaged last season.

The Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr., Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson are the finalists for Sixth Man of the Year.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Denver’s Jamal Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander are finalists for Clutch Player of the Year. Any of them would be a first-time winner of the award, which will be given out for the fourth time this year.

Three coaches of top-two seeded teams were named finalists for Coach of the Year in Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. Whoever wins will be a first-time COTY.

The award winners will start being announced this coming week during playoff broadcasts, starting Monday with Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player on Tuesday, Sixth Man on Wednesday and Most Improved Player on Friday.

NBA award finalists

Most Valuable Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)

Nikola Jokic (Denver)

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)

Rookie of the Year

VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia)

Cooper Flagg (Dallas)

Kon Knueppel (Charlotte)

Defensive Player of the Year

Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City)

Ausar Thompson (Detroit)

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)

Most Improved Player

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta)

Deni Avdija (Portland)

Jalen Duren (Detroit)

Sixth Man of the Year

Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami)

Keldon Johnson (San Antonio)

Clutch Player of the Year

Anthony Edwards (Minnesota)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)

Jamal Murray (Denver)

Coach of the Year

J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit)

Mitch Johnson (San Antonio)

Joe Mazzulla (Boston)

–Field Level Media

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Konate close to new Liverpool deal, keen to stay amid Real Madrid links <div id="content-body-70884517" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté said he is close to agreeing a new contract with the Premier League club, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. The 26-year-old France international, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2021 for a reported fee of 36 million pound, had been linked with a move to Real Madrid.</p><p>Konaté has been a key part of Arne Slot’s side, forming a strong defensive partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk. During his time at Anfield, he has won the Premier League, two League Cups and the FA Cup, and finished runner-up in the Champions League.</p><p>“There are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” Konaté told reporters after Liverpool’s 2-1 derby win over Everton on Sunday.</p><p>“I think everyone wants that as soon as possible, but we are in a good place.</p><p>“For sure, there is a big chance that I will be here next season. This is what I have always wanted.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/epl/premier-league-title-race-arsenal-manchester-city-next-opponents-teams-matches-this-season/article70883144.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Premier League title race: Who are Manchester City and Arsenal playing next?</a></b></p><p>“I am waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is done you will have to ask Richard Hughes what I told him in September and November, before all the speculation. He will say something to make everyone quiet.”</p><p>The current campaign is set to end without silverware for the defender, with Liverpool eliminated from the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, and sitting fifth in the Premier League with five matches remaining.</p><p>“It has been a bad season by Liverpool’s standards. If we finish in the top four, we will not be happy,” Konaté said. “It is an amazing club and a great family. This club means so much to me.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 20, 2026</p></div> #Konate #close #Liverpool #deal #keen #stay #Real #Madrid #links

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Deadspin | Padres, D-backs visit ‘Petco South’ in Mexico City one more time Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with first baseman Ty France (25) after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas took the field with the Mexican flag as a cape in honor of his mother’s heritage and followed that entrance with a two-run homer against San Diego in the first game of the Mexico City Series on Saturday. It was not enough to keep the Padres from remaining undefeated in the Mexico City Series history. The Padres beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 Saturday in the first game of the 2026 edition after sweeping San Francisco in the first Mexico City Series in 2023. “We can probably call this place Petco South,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said in reference to the Padres’ Petco Park home. “I think that’s a good nickname for it.” San Diego’s Michael King (3-1, 2.28 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Kyle Nelson (1-2, 6.97) in the final game of the two-game set at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Sunday afternoon. “Great moment for Alek,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, noting that Thomas played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic this spring. “We’re going to come out tomorrow with everything we got to hopefully split this series,” Lovullo added Saturday. “There’s nothing we can do about today. There were some good moments and obviously moments that weren’t so good.” The Padres overcame a 4-0 deficit behind two bases-empty homers by Ty France, and their four-run seventh inning was perhaps the D-backs’ worst half-inning of the season. San Diego scored on two singles, three walks (one intentional), a balk, an error and two sacrifice flies. Gavin Sheets’ two-run single was the big blow. During the inning, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left the game with a sprained left ankle after committing an error. San Diego has won 13 of its past 15 games; the D-backs have lost four of five. “The team never gives up, especially in a ballpark like this,” Stammen said. “Keep taking good at-bats and hopefully something gets through. We’re just piecing it together, playing good baseball and never giving up. “So far this season we’ve been able to come back, and I think once you feel that and feel that early in the season, that becomes a little bit of your identity and who you are. So far, that’s been who we are.” King has been strongest when the Padres have needed it the most this season. Opponents are hitting .179 against him with runners on base and .080 with runners in scoring position. King came up as a relief pitcher with the New York Yankees and credits a mindset he developed there for his ability to rise to the occasion. “I took a lot of pride in that, in terms of when you got yourself in some bad situations, you’ve got to get yourself out,” King told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I kind of knew those situations and how to navigate it.” King is coming off a 2-1 victory last Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in a game in which he gave up only one hit in five scoreless innings but threw 105 pitches. He walked four batters. Nelson enters after his worst career outing. He allowed eight runs and eight hits and retired only one of the 10 batters he faced in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday. “I assume it is going to be kind of like pitching in Colorado,” Nelson said of the altitude in Mexico City, elevation 7,350 feet. “I’ll probably take the same approach. Just stick to my game plan, and if I need to make adjustments, make adjustments.” King is 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in three career starts against Arizona. Nelson is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against San Diego. He has surrendered 11 home runs to the Padres in 54 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Padres #Dbacks #visit #Petco #South #Mexico #City #timeApr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with first baseman Ty France (25) after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas took the field with the Mexican flag as a cape in honor of his mother’s heritage and followed that entrance with a two-run homer against San Diego in the first game of the Mexico City Series on Saturday.

It was not enough to keep the Padres from remaining undefeated in the Mexico City Series history.

The Padres beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 Saturday in the first game of the 2026 edition after sweeping San Francisco in the first Mexico City Series in 2023.

“We can probably call this place Petco South,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said in reference to the Padres’ Petco Park home. “I think that’s a good nickname for it.”

San Diego’s Michael King (3-1, 2.28 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Kyle Nelson (1-2, 6.97) in the final game of the two-game set at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Sunday afternoon.

“Great moment for Alek,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, noting that Thomas played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

“We’re going to come out tomorrow with everything we got to hopefully split this series,” Lovullo added Saturday. “There’s nothing we can do about today. There were some good moments and obviously moments that weren’t so good.”

The Padres overcame a 4-0 deficit behind two bases-empty homers by Ty France, and their four-run seventh inning was perhaps the D-backs’ worst half-inning of the season.

San Diego scored on two singles, three walks (one intentional), a balk, an error and two sacrifice flies. Gavin Sheets’ two-run single was the big blow. During the inning, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left the game with a sprained left ankle after committing an error.


San Diego has won 13 of its past 15 games; the D-backs have lost four of five.

“The team never gives up, especially in a ballpark like this,” Stammen said. “Keep taking good at-bats and hopefully something gets through. We’re just piecing it together, playing good baseball and never giving up.

“So far this season we’ve been able to come back, and I think once you feel that and feel that early in the season, that becomes a little bit of your identity and who you are. So far, that’s been who we are.”

King has been strongest when the Padres have needed it the most this season. Opponents are hitting .179 against him with runners on base and .080 with runners in scoring position.

King came up as a relief pitcher with the New York Yankees and credits a mindset he developed there for his ability to rise to the occasion.

“I took a lot of pride in that, in terms of when you got yourself in some bad situations, you’ve got to get yourself out,” King told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I kind of knew those situations and how to navigate it.”

King is coming off a 2-1 victory last Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in a game in which he gave up only one hit in five scoreless innings but threw 105 pitches. He walked four batters.

Nelson enters after his worst career outing. He allowed eight runs and eight hits and retired only one of the 10 batters he faced in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday.

“I assume it is going to be kind of like pitching in Colorado,” Nelson said of the altitude in Mexico City, elevation 7,350 feet. “I’ll probably take the same approach. Just stick to my game plan, and if I need to make adjustments, make adjustments.”

King is 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in three career starts against Arizona. Nelson is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against San Diego. He has surrendered 11 home runs to the Padres in 54 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Padres #Dbacks #visit #Petco #South #Mexico #City #time">Deadspin | Padres, D-backs visit ‘Petco South’ in Mexico City one more time Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with first baseman Ty France (25) after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas took the field with the Mexican flag as a cape in honor of his mother’s heritage and followed that entrance with a two-run homer against San Diego in the first game of the Mexico City Series on Saturday. It was not enough to keep the Padres from remaining undefeated in the Mexico City Series history. The Padres beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 Saturday in the first game of the 2026 edition after sweeping San Francisco in the first Mexico City Series in 2023. “We can probably call this place Petco South,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said in reference to the Padres’ Petco Park home. “I think that’s a good nickname for it.” San Diego’s Michael King (3-1, 2.28 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Kyle Nelson (1-2, 6.97) in the final game of the two-game set at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Sunday afternoon. “Great moment for Alek,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, noting that Thomas played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic this spring. “We’re going to come out tomorrow with everything we got to hopefully split this series,” Lovullo added Saturday. “There’s nothing we can do about today. There were some good moments and obviously moments that weren’t so good.” The Padres overcame a 4-0 deficit behind two bases-empty homers by Ty France, and their four-run seventh inning was perhaps the D-backs’ worst half-inning of the season. San Diego scored on two singles, three walks (one intentional), a balk, an error and two sacrifice flies. Gavin Sheets’ two-run single was the big blow. During the inning, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left the game with a sprained left ankle after committing an error. San Diego has won 13 of its past 15 games; the D-backs have lost four of five. “The team never gives up, especially in a ballpark like this,” Stammen said. “Keep taking good at-bats and hopefully something gets through. We’re just piecing it together, playing good baseball and never giving up. “So far this season we’ve been able to come back, and I think once you feel that and feel that early in the season, that becomes a little bit of your identity and who you are. So far, that’s been who we are.” King has been strongest when the Padres have needed it the most this season. Opponents are hitting .179 against him with runners on base and .080 with runners in scoring position. King came up as a relief pitcher with the New York Yankees and credits a mindset he developed there for his ability to rise to the occasion. “I took a lot of pride in that, in terms of when you got yourself in some bad situations, you’ve got to get yourself out,” King told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I kind of knew those situations and how to navigate it.” King is coming off a 2-1 victory last Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in a game in which he gave up only one hit in five scoreless innings but threw 105 pitches. He walked four batters. Nelson enters after his worst career outing. He allowed eight runs and eight hits and retired only one of the 10 batters he faced in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday. “I assume it is going to be kind of like pitching in Colorado,” Nelson said of the altitude in Mexico City, elevation 7,350 feet. “I’ll probably take the same approach. Just stick to my game plan, and if I need to make adjustments, make adjustments.” King is 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in three career starts against Arizona. Nelson is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against San Diego. He has surrendered 11 home runs to the Padres in 54 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Padres #Dbacks #visit #Petco #South #Mexico #City #time

Kolkata Knight Riders nearly defended 155 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium but came up clutch in the Super Over to claim its second win in IPL 2026 on Sunday.

Varun Chakaravarthy and Vaibhav Arora claimed two wickets each to restrict Lucknow to 155 for eight. Rishabh Pant scored 42 off 38 balls and Aiden Markram added another 31 but could not get LSG over the line.

Kartik Tyagi was asked to defend 17 runs off the final over but gave away two No Balls to hand LSG a late lifeline in the game.

In the Super Over, Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Markram inside three balls to set up the contest before Rinku Singh hit the first ball for four and sealed the result.

It could have been vastly different had Rinku not accumulated 26 runs off the final over of KKR’s innings. His 51-ball 83 ensured the visitor recovered from 93 for seven after the 16th over and lived on to fight.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#LSG #KKR #IPL #Knight #Riders #trump #Super #Giants #Super #thriller">LSG vs KKR, IPL 2026: Knight Riders trump Super Giants in Super Over thriller Kolkata Knight Riders nearly defended 155 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium but came up clutch in the Super Over to claim its second win in IPL 2026 on Sunday.Varun Chakaravarthy and Vaibhav Arora claimed two wickets each to restrict Lucknow to 155 for eight. Rishabh Pant scored 42 off 38 balls and Aiden Markram added another 31 but could not get LSG over the line.Kartik Tyagi was asked to defend 17 runs off the final over but gave away two No Balls to hand LSG a late lifeline in the game.In the Super Over, Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Markram inside three balls to set up the contest before Rinku Singh hit the first ball for four and sealed the result.It could have been vastly different had Rinku not accumulated 26 runs off the final over of KKR’s innings. His 51-ball 83 ensured the visitor recovered from 93 for seven after the 16th over and lived on to fight.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #LSG #KKR #IPL #Knight #Riders #trump #Super #Giants #Super #thriller

BetBoom Team swept Aurora Gaming 3-0 on Sunday to win the grand final and the $300,000 top prize of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania.

It was a rematch of Saturday’s upper-bracket final that BetBoom Team won 2-1.

To reach the grand final, Aurora needed to beat Team Falcons earlier Sunday in the lower-bracket final. Aurora pulled off the 2-0 win to advance to the best-of-five grand final.

Sixteen teams began the $1 million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continued with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday.

BetBoom Team opened the grand final with a challenging 62-minute victory on green, then followed with a 42-minute triumph on red. They wrapped up the championship by winning again on green, this time in 49 minutes.

Russian Danil “gpk~” Skutin guided BetBoom with a 32-2-48 kill-death-assist ratio over three games. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov aided BetBoom with a 32-9-33 K-D-A ratio.

Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko of Russia posted a 9-15-21 K-D-A ratio to pace Aurora Gaming. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman finished at 14-17-15.

PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool:

1. $300,000 — BetBoom Team


2. $175,000 — Aurora Gaming

3. $120,000 — Team Falcons

4. $80,000 — Team Liquid

5-6. $60,000 — South America Rejects, PARIVISION

7-8. $40,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit

9-11. $20,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ

12-14. $15,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere

15-16. $10,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #BetBoom #Team #captures #PGL #Wallachia #Season #Aurora #Gaming">Deadspin | BetBoom Team captures PGL Wallachia Season 8 over Aurora Gaming BetBoom Team swept Aurora Gaming 3-0 on Sunday to win the grand final and the 0,000 top prize of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania. It was a rematch of Saturday’s upper-bracket final that BetBoom Team won 2-1. To reach the grand final, Aurora needed to beat Team Falcons earlier Sunday in the lower-bracket final. Aurora pulled off the 2-0 win to advance to the best-of-five grand final. Sixteen teams began the million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continued with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday. BetBoom Team opened the grand final with a challenging 62-minute victory on green, then followed with a 42-minute triumph on red. They wrapped up the championship by winning again on green, this time in 49 minutes. Russian Danil “gpk~” Skutin guided BetBoom with a 32-2-48 kill-death-assist ratio over three games. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov aided BetBoom with a 32-9-33 K-D-A ratio. Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko of Russia posted a 9-15-21 K-D-A ratio to pace Aurora Gaming. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman finished at 14-17-15. PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool: 1. 0,000 — BetBoom Team 2. 5,000 — Aurora Gaming 3. 0,000 — Team Falcons 4. ,000 — Team Liquid 5-6. ,000 — South America Rejects, PARIVISION 7-8. ,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit 9-11. ,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ 12-14. ,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere 15-16. ,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports –Field Level Media #Deadspin #BetBoom #Team #captures #PGL #Wallachia #Season #Aurora #Gaming

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