Deadspin | Vitality blanks Spirit to win IEM Rio grand final  YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.   Team Vitality completed a spotless run through the playoff stage at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio event, defeating Team Spirit 3-0 in the grand final Sunday in Brazil.  Vitality followed 2-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals with their latest shutout to claim the 5,000 first prize. Spirit settled for ,000 in second place. Team Falcons defeated FURIA 2-0 in another match to determine third place.  Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams began the week with a prize pool of 0,000.  The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.  In the single-elimination playoffs, all matches were best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.  The match was closer than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, at least in the early going. Team Vitality needed overtime for a 16-13 win on Mirage, then took Nuke 13-10 before a 13-5 victory on Dust II to finish off Team Spirit.  Robin “ropz” Kool of Estonia posted 62 kills and a 1.38 match rating to guide Team Vitality. Close behind was Frenchman Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (59 kills, 1.36 rating).  Team Falcons beat FURIA 13-11 on both Dust II and Mirage in the third-place match. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nikola “NiKo” Kovac led Team Falcons with 45 kills and had a 1.33 match rating, while teammate Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia had 42 kills and a 1.37 match rating.  IEM Rio prize pool:   1. 5,000 — Team Vitality  2. ,000 — Team Spirit  3. ,000 — Team Falcons  4. ,000 — FURIA  5-6. ,500 — MOUZ, Natus Vincere  7-8. ,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming  9-12. ,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU  13-16. ,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Vitality #blanks #Spirit #win #IEM #Rio #grand #final

Deadspin | Vitality blanks Spirit to win IEM Rio grand final
Deadspin | Vitality blanks Spirit to win IEM Rio grand final  YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.   Team Vitality completed a spotless run through the playoff stage at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio event, defeating Team Spirit 3-0 in the grand final Sunday in Brazil.  Vitality followed 2-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals with their latest shutout to claim the 5,000 first prize. Spirit settled for ,000 in second place. Team Falcons defeated FURIA 2-0 in another match to determine third place.  Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams began the week with a prize pool of 0,000.  The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.  In the single-elimination playoffs, all matches were best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.  The match was closer than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, at least in the early going. Team Vitality needed overtime for a 16-13 win on Mirage, then took Nuke 13-10 before a 13-5 victory on Dust II to finish off Team Spirit.  Robin “ropz” Kool of Estonia posted 62 kills and a 1.38 match rating to guide Team Vitality. Close behind was Frenchman Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (59 kills, 1.36 rating).  Team Falcons beat FURIA 13-11 on both Dust II and Mirage in the third-place match. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nikola “NiKo” Kovac led Team Falcons with 45 kills and had a 1.33 match rating, while teammate Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia had 42 kills and a 1.37 match rating.  IEM Rio prize pool:   1. 5,000 — Team Vitality  2. ,000 — Team Spirit  3. ,000 — Team Falcons  4. ,000 — FURIA  5-6. ,500 — MOUZ, Natus Vincere  7-8. ,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming  9-12. ,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU  13-16. ,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Vitality #blanks #Spirit #win #IEM #Rio #grand #finalYMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.

Team Vitality completed a spotless run through the playoff stage at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio event, defeating Team Spirit 3-0 in the grand final Sunday in Brazil.

Vitality followed 2-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals with their latest shutout to claim the $125,000 first prize. Spirit settled for $50,000 in second place. Team Falcons defeated FURIA 2-0 in another match to determine third place.

Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams began the week with a prize pool of $300,000.

The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.

In the single-elimination playoffs, all matches were best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.

The match was closer than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, at least in the early going. Team Vitality needed overtime for a 16-13 win on Mirage, then took Nuke 13-10 before a 13-5 victory on Dust II to finish off Team Spirit.

Robin “ropz” Kool of Estonia posted 62 kills and a 1.38 match rating to guide Team Vitality. Close behind was Frenchman Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (59 kills, 1.36 rating).

Team Falcons beat FURIA 13-11 on both Dust II and Mirage in the third-place match. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nikola “NiKo” Kovac led Team Falcons with 45 kills and had a 1.33 match rating, while teammate Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia had 42 kills and a 1.37 match rating.


IEM Rio prize pool:

1. $125,000 — Team Vitality

2. $50,000 — Team Spirit

3. $30,000 — Team Falcons

4. $20,000 — FURIA

5-6. $12,500 — MOUZ, Natus Vincere

7-8. $7,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming

9-12. $5,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU

13-16. $4,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Vitality #blanks #Spirit #win #IEM #Rio #grand #final

YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.

Team Vitality completed a spotless run through the playoff stage at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio event, defeating Team Spirit 3-0 in the grand final Sunday in Brazil.

Vitality followed 2-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals with their latest shutout to claim the $125,000 first prize. Spirit settled for $50,000 in second place. Team Falcons defeated FURIA 2-0 in another match to determine third place.

Sixteen Counter-Strike 2 teams began the week with a prize pool of $300,000.

The double-elimination group stage began with two groups of eight teams, with all matches best-of-three. The group winners advanced to the playoff semifinals, with the group runners-up entering the quarterfinals as high seeds and the third-place teams entering the quarterfinals as low seeds.

In the single-elimination playoffs, all matches were best-of-three until Sunday’s best-of-five grand final.

The match was closer than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, at least in the early going. Team Vitality needed overtime for a 16-13 win on Mirage, then took Nuke 13-10 before a 13-5 victory on Dust II to finish off Team Spirit.

Robin “ropz” Kool of Estonia posted 62 kills and a 1.38 match rating to guide Team Vitality. Close behind was Frenchman Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (59 kills, 1.36 rating).

Team Falcons beat FURIA 13-11 on both Dust II and Mirage in the third-place match. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nikola “NiKo” Kovac led Team Falcons with 45 kills and had a 1.33 match rating, while teammate Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov of Russia had 42 kills and a 1.37 match rating.

IEM Rio prize pool:

1. $125,000 — Team Vitality

2. $50,000 — Team Spirit

3. $30,000 — Team Falcons

4. $20,000 — FURIA

5-6. $12,500 — MOUZ, Natus Vincere

7-8. $7,000 — G2 Esports, Aurora Gaming

9-12. $5,000 — RED Canids, 3DMAX, B8, HOTU

13-16. $4,000 — Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Passion UA, Legacy

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Vitality #blanks #Spirit #win #IEM #Rio #grand #final

Deadspin | Ducks rally twice, upend Oilers in OT for 3-1 lead  Apr 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers  in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images   Ryan Poehling scored the winning goal to give the host Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and put them one win away from advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund and Jeffery Viel also scored for the Ducks in the comeback victory that has them up 3-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series. Defensemen John and Carlson and Jackson Lacombe each had two assists and Lukas Dostal made 24 saves.  Game 5 is Tuesday in Edmonton.  The Oilers’ Evan Bouchard notched a goal and an assist, Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored a goal, while Connor McDavid collected two assists, his 50th multi-point performance in 100 career playoff games. Tristan Jarry stopped 34 shots in his first start of this year’s playoffs.  Poehling sent a pass to the front of the net, and it ricocheted off Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse’s skate before squirting through Jarry’s legs just over the line at 2:29 of overtime. Poehling has three goals in the series.  A lengthy video review ruled it was a good goal.  The Oilers have scored first in every game of the series and continued that trend when Kapanen tallied just 38 seconds into the clash by pouncing on a loose puck in the slot for his fourth goal of the series.   Nugent-Hopkins doubled the lead on the power play six minutes later. His shot from the left circle was stopped, but the puck bounced off the skate of defenseman Pavel Mintyukov and into the net.  Gauthier provided the Ducks a huge jolt when he put them on the board with a short-side, top-corner wrist shot from the right faceoff dot at 12:24 of the second period.  Granlund scored Anaheim’s second power-play goal of the game — and sixth of the series — with 77 seconds remaining in the period by converting a give-and-go with Leo Carlsson to tie the clash 2-2.  Bouchard restored Edmonton’s lead with his team’s second power-play goal of the affair, finding the mark with a high shot at 3:27 of the third period.  However, Viel again pulled Anaheim even by sliding into the net a loose puck with 6:29 remaining in regulation.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Ducks #rally #upend #Oilers #leadApr 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

Ryan Poehling scored the winning goal to give the host Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and put them one win away from advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund and Jeffery Viel also scored for the Ducks in the comeback victory that has them up 3-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series. Defensemen John and Carlson and Jackson Lacombe each had two assists and Lukas Dostal made 24 saves.

Game 5 is Tuesday in Edmonton.

The Oilers’ Evan Bouchard notched a goal and an assist, Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored a goal, while Connor McDavid collected two assists, his 50th multi-point performance in 100 career playoff games. Tristan Jarry stopped 34 shots in his first start of this year’s playoffs.

Poehling sent a pass to the front of the net, and it ricocheted off Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse’s skate before squirting through Jarry’s legs just over the line at 2:29 of overtime. Poehling has three goals in the series.

A lengthy video review ruled it was a good goal.


The Oilers have scored first in every game of the series and continued that trend when Kapanen tallied just 38 seconds into the clash by pouncing on a loose puck in the slot for his fourth goal of the series.

Nugent-Hopkins doubled the lead on the power play six minutes later. His shot from the left circle was stopped, but the puck bounced off the skate of defenseman Pavel Mintyukov and into the net.

Gauthier provided the Ducks a huge jolt when he put them on the board with a short-side, top-corner wrist shot from the right faceoff dot at 12:24 of the second period.

Granlund scored Anaheim’s second power-play goal of the game — and sixth of the series — with 77 seconds remaining in the period by converting a give-and-go with Leo Carlsson to tie the clash 2-2.

Bouchard restored Edmonton’s lead with his team’s second power-play goal of the affair, finding the mark with a high shot at 3:27 of the third period.

However, Viel again pulled Anaheim even by sliding into the net a loose puck with 6:29 remaining in regulation.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ducks #rally #upend #Oilers #lead">Deadspin | Ducks rally twice, upend Oilers in OT for 3-1 lead  Apr 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers  in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images   Ryan Poehling scored the winning goal to give the host Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and put them one win away from advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund and Jeffery Viel also scored for the Ducks in the comeback victory that has them up 3-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series. Defensemen John and Carlson and Jackson Lacombe each had two assists and Lukas Dostal made 24 saves.  Game 5 is Tuesday in Edmonton.  The Oilers’ Evan Bouchard notched a goal and an assist, Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored a goal, while Connor McDavid collected two assists, his 50th multi-point performance in 100 career playoff games. Tristan Jarry stopped 34 shots in his first start of this year’s playoffs.  Poehling sent a pass to the front of the net, and it ricocheted off Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse’s skate before squirting through Jarry’s legs just over the line at 2:29 of overtime. Poehling has three goals in the series.  A lengthy video review ruled it was a good goal.  The Oilers have scored first in every game of the series and continued that trend when Kapanen tallied just 38 seconds into the clash by pouncing on a loose puck in the slot for his fourth goal of the series.   Nugent-Hopkins doubled the lead on the power play six minutes later. His shot from the left circle was stopped, but the puck bounced off the skate of defenseman Pavel Mintyukov and into the net.  Gauthier provided the Ducks a huge jolt when he put them on the board with a short-side, top-corner wrist shot from the right faceoff dot at 12:24 of the second period.  Granlund scored Anaheim’s second power-play goal of the game — and sixth of the series — with 77 seconds remaining in the period by converting a give-and-go with Leo Carlsson to tie the clash 2-2.  Bouchard restored Edmonton’s lead with his team’s second power-play goal of the affair, finding the mark with a high shot at 3:27 of the third period.  However, Viel again pulled Anaheim even by sliding into the net a loose puck with 6:29 remaining in regulation.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Ducks #rally #upend #Oilers #lead

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Spurs storm past Blazers in Victor Wembanyama’s return  Apr 26, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) walks off the court after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and Victor Wembanyama had 27 in his return from concussion protocol, helping the visiting San Antonio Spurs to a 114-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday.  Fox sank 11 of 17 shots from the floor and drained four 3-pointers to aid the Spurs in overcoming a 19-point deficit to seize a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Tuesday in San Antonio. After sitting out Game 3, Wembanyama showed why he was the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year by recording 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals.  Stephon Castle collected 16 points and eight assists while dealing with both an injured left hand and foul trouble. Devin Vassell added 11 points for the Spurs, who outscored the Trail Blazers by a 73-35 margin in the second half. Deni Avdija scored 26 points, Jrue Holiday had 20 and Jerami Grant added 17 off the bench for the Trail Blazers.  Tied at 74 entering the fourth quarter, the Spurs opened the period on a 27-7 run. Castle set up Wembanyama for a trio of alley-oop dunks before Fox sank a pair of jumpers and a 3-pointer to give San Antonio an 87-77 lead with 7:47 left. Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson converted from beyond the arc and added a pair of driving buckets to extend San Antonio’s lead to 101-81 with 4:31 remaining.  Rockets 115, Lakers 96  Amen Thompson scored a game-high 23 points, Tari Eason added 20 and Houston averted elimination with a victory over visiting Los Angeles in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.  All five starters scored in double figures for the Rockets, who played without Kevin Durant (ankle) for the third time in the series. Reed Sheppard chipped in 17 points on 4-for-7 3-point shooting while Alperen Sengun (19 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points) rounded out the balanced offensive attack.  After dominating Game 3 and co-authoring the Lakers’ overtime victory, LeBron James (10 points, nine assists) and Marcus Smart (nine, five) shot a combined 5 of 17 from the floor. Deandre Ayton finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds but was ejected in the third quarter.  Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89  Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points and Toronto held off visiting Cleveland to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2.    Barnes added nine rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots to his stat line and scored 10 fourth-quarter points, knocking down all six free throw attempts in the final 34.6 seconds. RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds.  Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Sam Merrill contributed 14 points.  Celtics 128, 76ers 96    Payton Pritchard scored a career-playoff-high 32 points off the bench and Boston took a 3-1 series lead with a convincing road victory over Philadelphia.    Jayson Tatum made five treys and recorded 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 20 points and seven rebounds as the second-seeded Celtics moved one victory away from winning the Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Boston.    Joel Embiid played for the first time in the series for the seventh-seeded 76ers after undergoing an appendectomy two-plus weeks ago. He scored 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting and collected 10 rebounds and six assists while playing 34 minutes. Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and Paul George added 16 for the 76ers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Spurs #storm #Blazers #Victor #Wembanyamas #returnApr 26, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) walks off the court after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and Victor Wembanyama had 27 in his return from concussion protocol, helping the visiting San Antonio Spurs to a 114-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday.

Fox sank 11 of 17 shots from the floor and drained four 3-pointers to aid the Spurs in overcoming a 19-point deficit to seize a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Tuesday in San Antonio. After sitting out Game 3, Wembanyama showed why he was the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year by recording 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals.

Stephon Castle collected 16 points and eight assists while dealing with both an injured left hand and foul trouble. Devin Vassell added 11 points for the Spurs, who outscored the Trail Blazers by a 73-35 margin in the second half. Deni Avdija scored 26 points, Jrue Holiday had 20 and Jerami Grant added 17 off the bench for the Trail Blazers.

Tied at 74 entering the fourth quarter, the Spurs opened the period on a 27-7 run. Castle set up Wembanyama for a trio of alley-oop dunks before Fox sank a pair of jumpers and a 3-pointer to give San Antonio an 87-77 lead with 7:47 left. Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson converted from beyond the arc and added a pair of driving buckets to extend San Antonio’s lead to 101-81 with 4:31 remaining.

Rockets 115, Lakers 96

Amen Thompson scored a game-high 23 points, Tari Eason added 20 and Houston averted elimination with a victory over visiting Los Angeles in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Rockets, who played without Kevin Durant (ankle) for the third time in the series. Reed Sheppard chipped in 17 points on 4-for-7 3-point shooting while Alperen Sengun (19 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points) rounded out the balanced offensive attack.

After dominating Game 3 and co-authoring the Lakers’ overtime victory, LeBron James (10 points, nine assists) and Marcus Smart (nine, five) shot a combined 5 of 17 from the floor. Deandre Ayton finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds but was ejected in the third quarter.

Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89


Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points and Toronto held off visiting Cleveland to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2.

Barnes added nine rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots to his stat line and scored 10 fourth-quarter points, knocking down all six free throw attempts in the final 34.6 seconds. RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Sam Merrill contributed 14 points.

Celtics 128, 76ers 96

Payton Pritchard scored a career-playoff-high 32 points off the bench and Boston took a 3-1 series lead with a convincing road victory over Philadelphia.

Jayson Tatum made five treys and recorded 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 20 points and seven rebounds as the second-seeded Celtics moved one victory away from winning the Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Boston.

Joel Embiid played for the first time in the series for the seventh-seeded 76ers after undergoing an appendectomy two-plus weeks ago. He scored 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting and collected 10 rebounds and six assists while playing 34 minutes. Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and Paul George added 16 for the 76ers.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Spurs #storm #Blazers #Victor #Wembanyamas #return">Deadspin | NBA roundup: Spurs storm past Blazers in Victor Wembanyama’s return  Apr 26, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) walks off the court after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and Victor Wembanyama had 27 in his return from concussion protocol, helping the visiting San Antonio Spurs to a 114-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday.  Fox sank 11 of 17 shots from the floor and drained four 3-pointers to aid the Spurs in overcoming a 19-point deficit to seize a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Tuesday in San Antonio. After sitting out Game 3, Wembanyama showed why he was the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year by recording 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals.  Stephon Castle collected 16 points and eight assists while dealing with both an injured left hand and foul trouble. Devin Vassell added 11 points for the Spurs, who outscored the Trail Blazers by a 73-35 margin in the second half. Deni Avdija scored 26 points, Jrue Holiday had 20 and Jerami Grant added 17 off the bench for the Trail Blazers.  Tied at 74 entering the fourth quarter, the Spurs opened the period on a 27-7 run. Castle set up Wembanyama for a trio of alley-oop dunks before Fox sank a pair of jumpers and a 3-pointer to give San Antonio an 87-77 lead with 7:47 left. Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson converted from beyond the arc and added a pair of driving buckets to extend San Antonio’s lead to 101-81 with 4:31 remaining.  Rockets 115, Lakers 96  Amen Thompson scored a game-high 23 points, Tari Eason added 20 and Houston averted elimination with a victory over visiting Los Angeles in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.  All five starters scored in double figures for the Rockets, who played without Kevin Durant (ankle) for the third time in the series. Reed Sheppard chipped in 17 points on 4-for-7 3-point shooting while Alperen Sengun (19 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points) rounded out the balanced offensive attack.  After dominating Game 3 and co-authoring the Lakers’ overtime victory, LeBron James (10 points, nine assists) and Marcus Smart (nine, five) shot a combined 5 of 17 from the floor. Deandre Ayton finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds but was ejected in the third quarter.  Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89  Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points and Toronto held off visiting Cleveland to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2.    Barnes added nine rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots to his stat line and scored 10 fourth-quarter points, knocking down all six free throw attempts in the final 34.6 seconds. RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds.  Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Sam Merrill contributed 14 points.  Celtics 128, 76ers 96    Payton Pritchard scored a career-playoff-high 32 points off the bench and Boston took a 3-1 series lead with a convincing road victory over Philadelphia.    Jayson Tatum made five treys and recorded 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 20 points and seven rebounds as the second-seeded Celtics moved one victory away from winning the Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Boston.    Joel Embiid played for the first time in the series for the seventh-seeded 76ers after undergoing an appendectomy two-plus weeks ago. He scored 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting and collected 10 rebounds and six assists while playing 34 minutes. Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and Paul George added 16 for the 76ers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Spurs #storm #Blazers #Victor #Wembanyamas #return

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