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Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday. It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market. OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7. “This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.” Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21. The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state “This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe. “We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma
Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday. It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market. OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7. “This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.” Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21. The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state “This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe. “We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #OklahomaAug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.

It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.

OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”


Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell

OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.

The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state

“This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.

“We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

Sports news

Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.

It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.

OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”

Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell

OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.

The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state

“This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.

“We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

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Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star suffers concussion during NBA playoffs <div id="content-body-70891301" itemprop="articleBody"><p>San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol after tumbling face-first to the court in the second quarter of Tuesday night’s playoff loss to Portland.</p><p>“He has a concussion. He’s in the protocol,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after San Antonio fell 106-103 to even the Western Conference first-round series at one game apiece. “We’ll take the proper and appropriate steps.”</p><p>Any extended absence by Wembanyama would be a massive blow to San Antonio, which finished with the league’s second-best record behind the versatile 7-foot-4 center from France.</p><p>Under league guidelines, a player in the concussion protocol must have at least 48 hours of inactivity and recovery and then hit several benchmarks without symptoms before being cleared to play.</p><p>A player must undergo neurological testing and receive a final clearance from a team doctor in consultation with the league’s concussion protocol director.</p><p>Game 3 is Friday in Portland. It seems improbable that Wembanyama would be cleared by then, but Johnson wouldn’t speculate about his status.</p><p>“The protocol is the protocol,” Johnson said. “We’ll just follow it as everyone else does and plan accordingly.”</p><p>The Spurs went 12-6 during the regular season without Wembanyama.</p><p>“We’ve all got to step up,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. “We know what Vic brings to the table. We’ve played without him for a couple games this year. It’s going to be next man up. Everybody’s going to have to step up. That’s a huge void to fill. We can’t get bogged down by it.”</p><p>Wembanyama was fouled by Jrue Holiday after he spun around the Trail Blazers’ point guard in the paint. He was not able to brace himself on the fall, and his jaw hit the court with 8:57 remaining in the second quarter.</p><p>Wembanyama remained on the court for about 30 seconds before rising to a seated position for about a minute and speaking to teammate Stephon Castle. Johnson called timeout to check on Wembanyama, who immediately ran through the tunnel after getting to his feet.</p><p>Wembanyama had five points, four rebounds, one blocked shot and one assist in 12 minutes. Veteran Luke Kornet replaced Wembanyama and started the second half at centre, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes.</p><p>“It was scary. I saw the images. It was not good,” Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said of the play where Wembanyama got hurt. “With him out, Kornet, I think he did a tremendous job. We still have to figure out how to play better when Kornet is on the court.”</p><p>San Antonio is in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and beat Portland in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series with 35 points from Wembanyama. Without him, the Spurs blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, a span of 76 games.</p><p>On Monday, Wembanyama became the unanimous winner of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-best 3.1 blocks this season.</p><p>Vassell said he didn’t have a chance to talk with Wembanyama immediately after the game.</p><p>“We’ll definitely check in on him. Our prayers are with him,” Vassell said. “We just want him to be good.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Victor #Wembanyama #injury #update #San #Antonio #Spurs #star #suffers #concussion #NBA #playoffs

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Coppa Italia — Inter Milan comes back from two goals down to beat Como and reach final <div id="content-body-70891341" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Inter Milan’s pursuit of a sweep of the Italian league and Cup titles is still alive. The Serie A leader came back from two goals down for a decisive 3-2 win over Como in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Tuesday.</p><p>Hakan Calhanoglu scored twice and Petar Sucic had the winner in the 89th minute after Martin Baturina and Como captain Lucas Da Cunha scored either side of half-time.</p><p>The first leg had ended goalless.</p><p>Atalanta hosts Lazio in the other semifinal on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.</p><p>The final is scheduled for May 13.</p><p>Meanwhile, Inter could clinch the Serie A title as soon as this weekend.</p><p>The last time Inter claimed both titles was when it earned a treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010 that also included the Champions League trophy.</p><p>Inter’s first-year coach Cristian Chivu played on the 2010 team.</p><p>Calhanoglu started the comeback with a long, powerful shot and then equalized with a header in the 86th. Three minutes later, Sucic traded passes with Calhanoglu and scored amid a crowded area.</p><p>Inter won the last of its nine Italian Cup titles in 2023.</p><p>Inter also came back from two goals down for a 4-3 victory at Como in Serie A nine days ago.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Coppa #Italia #Inter #Milan #goals #beat #Como #reach #final

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Deadspin | Seeking elusive win, Austin FC tasked with slowing Quakes Apr 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Ousseni Bouda (7) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Football Club defender Eddie Segura (4) during the first period at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images The San Jose Earthquakes are enjoying the best eight-match start in franchise history and coach Bruce Arena doesn’t want to hear any chatter about a letdown. The destructive Earthquakes (7-1-0, 21 points) have outscored opponents 17-3 and look to inflict more damage when they host Austin FC on Wednesday night. Austin FC (1-3-4, 7 points) is winless in their past six MLS matches (0-3-3). “There are no trap games in this league,” Arena told reporters. “Any team can beat you on a given day in this league. We understand that. It’s going to be a difficult game on Wednesday. We played Austin last year and I think we split with them. … It’s going to be a difficult game.” The teams split two regular-season matches last season while Austin also won a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal matchup. San Jose is 3-2-6 in 11 all-time MLS matches against Austin. The Earthquakes are fresh off Sunday’s 4-1 pummeling of host Los Angeles FC. Ousseni Bouda posted a brace and has a team-best four goals. Bouda is in his fifth season with San Jose. He sees a definitive change in this season’s squad after the Quakes missed the playoffs last season. “I think it’s the culture we set for ourselves this year,” Bouda said. “I think everybody is all bought in. We’re taking it one game at a time. It’s only about eight games in right now, so there’s a lot of games left and we want to stay consistent and continue to get better throughout the season as well.” Austin certainly would like to collect a much-needed victory. The club led late on Saturday before host Toronto FC tallied in the 88th minute to gain a 3-3 tie. Austin coach Nico Estevez said one key is making sure his players aren’t intimidated by San Jose. “You can’t be afraid,” Estevez said. “You have to go and be aggressive and you have to attack them. You have to find their weaknesses that every team has and minimize their strengths.” Austin is winless in four road matches (0-2-2) but one of those was a 2-2 tie against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on April 4. That showing has Austin players feeling they can give the Earthquakes a battle. “We’ve had good performances and shown we can play against top teams in the league,” forward CJ Fodrey said. “It’s about being confident throughout 90 (minutes) and turning those good performances into results.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Seeking #elusive #win #Austin #tasked #slowing #QuakesApr 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Ousseni Bouda (7) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Football Club defender Eddie Segura (4) during the first period at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

The San Jose Earthquakes are enjoying the best eight-match start in franchise history and coach Bruce Arena doesn’t want to hear any chatter about a letdown.

The destructive Earthquakes (7-1-0, 21 points) have outscored opponents 17-3 and look to inflict more damage when they host Austin FC on Wednesday night.

Austin FC (1-3-4, 7 points) is winless in their past six MLS matches (0-3-3).

“There are no trap games in this league,” Arena told reporters. “Any team can beat you on a given day in this league. We understand that. It’s going to be a difficult game on Wednesday. We played Austin last year and I think we split with them. … It’s going to be a difficult game.”

The teams split two regular-season matches last season while Austin also won a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal matchup. San Jose is 3-2-6 in 11 all-time MLS matches against Austin.

The Earthquakes are fresh off Sunday’s 4-1 pummeling of host Los Angeles FC. Ousseni Bouda posted a brace and has a team-best four goals.

Bouda is in his fifth season with San Jose. He sees a definitive change in this season’s squad after the Quakes missed the playoffs last season.


“I think it’s the culture we set for ourselves this year,” Bouda said. “I think everybody is all bought in. We’re taking it one game at a time. It’s only about eight games in right now, so there’s a lot of games left and we want to stay consistent and continue to get better throughout the season as well.”

Austin certainly would like to collect a much-needed victory. The club led late on Saturday before host Toronto FC tallied in the 88th minute to gain a 3-3 tie.

Austin coach Nico Estevez said one key is making sure his players aren’t intimidated by San Jose.

“You can’t be afraid,” Estevez said. “You have to go and be aggressive and you have to attack them. You have to find their weaknesses that every team has and minimize their strengths.”

Austin is winless in four road matches (0-2-2) but one of those was a 2-2 tie against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on April 4.

That showing has Austin players feeling they can give the Earthquakes a battle.

“We’ve had good performances and shown we can play against top teams in the league,” forward CJ Fodrey said. “It’s about being confident throughout 90 (minutes) and turning those good performances into results.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Seeking #elusive #win #Austin #tasked #slowing #Quakes">Deadspin | Seeking elusive win, Austin FC tasked with slowing Quakes Apr 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Ousseni Bouda (7) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Football Club defender Eddie Segura (4) during the first period at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images The San Jose Earthquakes are enjoying the best eight-match start in franchise history and coach Bruce Arena doesn’t want to hear any chatter about a letdown. The destructive Earthquakes (7-1-0, 21 points) have outscored opponents 17-3 and look to inflict more damage when they host Austin FC on Wednesday night. Austin FC (1-3-4, 7 points) is winless in their past six MLS matches (0-3-3). “There are no trap games in this league,” Arena told reporters. “Any team can beat you on a given day in this league. We understand that. It’s going to be a difficult game on Wednesday. We played Austin last year and I think we split with them. … It’s going to be a difficult game.” The teams split two regular-season matches last season while Austin also won a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal matchup. San Jose is 3-2-6 in 11 all-time MLS matches against Austin. The Earthquakes are fresh off Sunday’s 4-1 pummeling of host Los Angeles FC. Ousseni Bouda posted a brace and has a team-best four goals. Bouda is in his fifth season with San Jose. He sees a definitive change in this season’s squad after the Quakes missed the playoffs last season. “I think it’s the culture we set for ourselves this year,” Bouda said. “I think everybody is all bought in. We’re taking it one game at a time. It’s only about eight games in right now, so there’s a lot of games left and we want to stay consistent and continue to get better throughout the season as well.” Austin certainly would like to collect a much-needed victory. The club led late on Saturday before host Toronto FC tallied in the 88th minute to gain a 3-3 tie. Austin coach Nico Estevez said one key is making sure his players aren’t intimidated by San Jose. “You can’t be afraid,” Estevez said. “You have to go and be aggressive and you have to attack them. You have to find their weaknesses that every team has and minimize their strengths.” Austin is winless in four road matches (0-2-2) but one of those was a 2-2 tie against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on April 4. That showing has Austin players feeling they can give the Earthquakes a battle. “We’ve had good performances and shown we can play against top teams in the league,” forward CJ Fodrey said. “It’s about being confident throughout 90 (minutes) and turning those good performances into results.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Seeking #elusive #win #Austin #tasked #slowing #Quakes

The Portland Trail Blazers exploited an injury to Victor Wembanyama to score an upset 106-103 victory over the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in their NBA Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday.

San Antonio superstar Wembanyama — who had scored 35 points in his side’s game one win on Sunday — exited in the second quarter at the Frost Bank Centre in Texas after hitting his head on the court floor following a collision with Portland’s Jrue Holiday.

The 22-year-old looked groggy as he lay on the floor for several minutes before getting to his feet and jogging to the locker room.

The 7ft 4in (2.24m) forward was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the game after entering the concussion protocol.

San Antonio looked to have overcome Wembanyama’s injury as they pulled into a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter, leading 93-79 with just over eight minutes left on the clock.

But with victory seemingly in sight, San Antonio’s shooting went ice cold and the absence of newly crowned NBA defensive player of the year Wembanyama was keenly felt as a determined Portland snaffled victory, closing the fourth quarter with a 27-10 run.

Scoot Henderson led Portland’s scoring with 31 points, while Holiday added 16.

“Basketball is a game of runs, and the basketball gods are always gonna repay the ones that play the game right,” Henderson told NBC television afterwards.

Game three of the best-of-seven series takes place in Portland on Friday.

LeBron sparks Lakers

Elsewhere Tuesday, the depleted Los Angeles Lakers produced another disciplined defensive effort to defeat the Houston Rockets 101-94 and take a surprise 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured in the final weeks of the regular season, many had all but written off the Lakers’ chances of mounting a serious challenge in the playoffs.

But LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard combined superbly to carry the Lakers to a second straight win over the Kevin Durant-led Rockets.

James finished with 28 points, while Smart added 25 and Kennard 23 to give the Lakers hope of advancing as the series heads to Houston for game three on Friday.

“As hard as we played in game one, we knew we had to double that in game two,” James said.

“They were going to come in with desperation, so we had to be even more desperate. I thought we played a hell of a game.

“Our own mindset now is focused on game three,” the 41-year-old NBA icon added.

“We know we’re going into a hostile environment. Guys tend to play better at home than they do on the road, so we have to be ready for that.”

Sixers bounce back

In the Eastern Conference playoffs, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 59 points as the Philadelphia 76ers scored a series-levelling 111-97 victory on the road over the Boston Celtics.

Edgecombe made six of 10 three-point attempts before finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists in a stunning victory for the Sixers, who had trailed 26-13 early in the first quarter before rallying.

Maxey was also lethal from long-range, making five three-pointers on his way to a 29-point haul.

The bounce-back victory came after the Sixers were thrashed 123-91 in game one on Sunday, after a performance that Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse lambasted as “absolutely unacceptable.”

Nurse was unsurprisingly happier with his team’s winning display on Tuesday.

“I thought we just played much better team defence tonight,” said Nurse, who also saluted his team’s resolve after Boston surged into an early double-digit lead.

“I think we did a great job of just taking that punch,” Nurse said.

Jaylen Brown led Boston’s scoring with 36 points, but Jayson Tatum was the only other Celtics player to make double figures with 19 points. The Celtics made just 35-of-89 shots from the field throughout the game.

Game three takes place in Philadelphia on Friday.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Trail #Blazers #stun #Spurs #Wembanyama #injury #LeBron #James #shines #Lakers #win">NBA Playoffs: Trail Blazers stun Spurs after Wembanyama injury; LeBron James shines in Lakers’ win The Portland Trail Blazers exploited an injury to Victor Wembanyama to score an upset 106-103 victory over the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in their NBA Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday.San Antonio superstar Wembanyama — who had scored 35 points in his side’s game one win on Sunday — exited in the second quarter at the Frost Bank Centre in Texas after hitting his head on the court floor following a collision with Portland’s Jrue Holiday.The 22-year-old looked groggy as he lay on the floor for several minutes before getting to his feet and jogging to the locker room.The 7ft 4in (2.24m) forward was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the game after entering the concussion protocol.San Antonio looked to have overcome Wembanyama’s injury as they pulled into a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter, leading 93-79 with just over eight minutes left on the clock.But with victory seemingly in sight, San Antonio’s shooting went ice cold and the absence of newly crowned NBA defensive player of the year Wembanyama was keenly felt as a determined Portland snaffled victory, closing the fourth quarter with a 27-10 run.Scoot Henderson led Portland’s scoring with 31 points, while Holiday added 16.“Basketball is a game of runs, and the basketball gods are always gonna repay the ones that play the game right,” Henderson told NBC television afterwards.Game three of the best-of-seven series takes place in Portland on Friday.LeBron sparks LakersElsewhere Tuesday, the depleted Los Angeles Lakers produced another disciplined defensive effort to defeat the Houston Rockets 101-94 and take a surprise 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured in the final weeks of the regular season, many had all but written off the Lakers’ chances of mounting a serious challenge in the playoffs.But LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard combined superbly to carry the Lakers to a second straight win over the Kevin Durant-led Rockets.James finished with 28 points, while Smart added 25 and Kennard 23 to give the Lakers hope of advancing as the series heads to Houston for game three on Friday.“As hard as we played in game one, we knew we had to double that in game two,” James said.“They were going to come in with desperation, so we had to be even more desperate. I thought we played a hell of a game.“Our own mindset now is focused on game three,” the 41-year-old NBA icon added.“We know we’re going into a hostile environment. Guys tend to play better at home than they do on the road, so we have to be ready for that.”Sixers bounce backIn the Eastern Conference playoffs, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 59 points as the Philadelphia 76ers scored a series-levelling 111-97 victory on the road over the Boston Celtics.Edgecombe made six of 10 three-point attempts before finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists in a stunning victory for the Sixers, who had trailed 26-13 early in the first quarter before rallying.Maxey was also lethal from long-range, making five three-pointers on his way to a 29-point haul.The bounce-back victory came after the Sixers were thrashed 123-91 in game one on Sunday, after a performance that Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse lambasted as “absolutely unacceptable.”Nurse was unsurprisingly happier with his team’s winning display on Tuesday.“I thought we just played much better team defence tonight,” said Nurse, who also saluted his team’s resolve after Boston surged into an early double-digit lead.“I think we did a great job of just taking that punch,” Nurse said.Jaylen Brown led Boston’s scoring with 36 points, but Jayson Tatum was the only other Celtics player to make double figures with 19 points. The Celtics made just 35-of-89 shots from the field throughout the game.Game three takes place in Philadelphia on Friday.Published on Apr 22, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Trail #Blazers #stun #Spurs #Wembanyama #injury #LeBron #James #shines #Lakers #win

Deadspin | Landen Roupp, Giants claim first matchup of season with Dodgers Apr 21, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Landen Roupp outpitched Yoshinobu Yamamoto, San Francisco got RBI singles from Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee in a three-run first inning, and the Giants held off the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night. Roupp (4-1) allowed just one run on one hit in five innings, then watched five relievers combine for four innings of shutout ball, helping the Giants open a six-game homestand with a win after a 4-5 trip. Roupp struck out seven and walked five in his first career win over the Dodgers. Seeking his first-ever victory over the Giants, Yamamoto (2-2) went seven innings, allowing six hits and three runs, all of which scored in the first. He walked two and fanned seven. Willy Adames got the cold night rolling for San Francisco with an infield single, after which Luis Arraez singled and Matt Chapman walked to load the bases. Each of the next three batters delivered single runs, with Devers’ single chasing home Adames, Casey Schmitt’s sacrifice fly scoring Arraez, and Lee’s single plating Chapman. Roupp allowed a two-out single by Hyeseong Kim in the second but no other hits until a wild spate in the fourth. He walked four of the first five batters he faced that inning, including Kim with the bases loaded to force home Teoscar Hernandez. The right-hander got out of the one-out jam by inducing a double play grounder off the bat of Alex Call. The Dodgers got the potential tying run on the bases with two outs in the seventh before Erik Miller struck out Kyle Tucker to retain the 3-1 lead. Ryan Walker worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save. Ryan Borucki, Matt Gage and Keaton Winn also contributed to the three-hitter in the first meeting of the season between the longtime California rivals. Lee was the only player in the game with multiple hits, a pair of singles. The Giants out-hit the visitors 6-3, with the Dodgers’ Hernandez stroking the game’s only extra-base hit, a double. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Landen #Roupp #Giants #claim #matchup #season #DodgersApr 21, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Landen Roupp outpitched Yoshinobu Yamamoto, San Francisco got RBI singles from Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee in a three-run first inning, and the Giants held off the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

Roupp (4-1) allowed just one run on one hit in five innings, then watched five relievers combine for four innings of shutout ball, helping the Giants open a six-game homestand with a win after a 4-5 trip.

Roupp struck out seven and walked five in his first career win over the Dodgers.

Seeking his first-ever victory over the Giants, Yamamoto (2-2) went seven innings, allowing six hits and three runs, all of which scored in the first. He walked two and fanned seven.

Willy Adames got the cold night rolling for San Francisco with an infield single, after which Luis Arraez singled and Matt Chapman walked to load the bases.

Each of the next three batters delivered single runs, with Devers’ single chasing home Adames, Casey Schmitt’s sacrifice fly scoring Arraez, and Lee’s single plating Chapman.


Roupp allowed a two-out single by Hyeseong Kim in the second but no other hits until a wild spate in the fourth. He walked four of the first five batters he faced that inning, including Kim with the bases loaded to force home Teoscar Hernandez.

The right-hander got out of the one-out jam by inducing a double play grounder off the bat of Alex Call.

The Dodgers got the potential tying run on the bases with two outs in the seventh before Erik Miller struck out Kyle Tucker to retain the 3-1 lead.

Ryan Walker worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save.

Ryan Borucki, Matt Gage and Keaton Winn also contributed to the three-hitter in the first meeting of the season between the longtime California rivals.

Lee was the only player in the game with multiple hits, a pair of singles. The Giants out-hit the visitors 6-3, with the Dodgers’ Hernandez stroking the game’s only extra-base hit, a double.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Landen #Roupp #Giants #claim #matchup #season #Dodgers">Deadspin | Landen Roupp, Giants claim first matchup of season with Dodgers Apr 21, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Landen Roupp outpitched Yoshinobu Yamamoto, San Francisco got RBI singles from Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee in a three-run first inning, and the Giants held off the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night. Roupp (4-1) allowed just one run on one hit in five innings, then watched five relievers combine for four innings of shutout ball, helping the Giants open a six-game homestand with a win after a 4-5 trip. Roupp struck out seven and walked five in his first career win over the Dodgers. Seeking his first-ever victory over the Giants, Yamamoto (2-2) went seven innings, allowing six hits and three runs, all of which scored in the first. He walked two and fanned seven. Willy Adames got the cold night rolling for San Francisco with an infield single, after which Luis Arraez singled and Matt Chapman walked to load the bases. Each of the next three batters delivered single runs, with Devers’ single chasing home Adames, Casey Schmitt’s sacrifice fly scoring Arraez, and Lee’s single plating Chapman. Roupp allowed a two-out single by Hyeseong Kim in the second but no other hits until a wild spate in the fourth. He walked four of the first five batters he faced that inning, including Kim with the bases loaded to force home Teoscar Hernandez. The right-hander got out of the one-out jam by inducing a double play grounder off the bat of Alex Call. The Dodgers got the potential tying run on the bases with two outs in the seventh before Erik Miller struck out Kyle Tucker to retain the 3-1 lead. Ryan Walker worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save. Ryan Borucki, Matt Gage and Keaton Winn also contributed to the three-hitter in the first meeting of the season between the longtime California rivals. Lee was the only player in the game with multiple hits, a pair of singles. The Giants out-hit the visitors 6-3, with the Dodgers’ Hernandez stroking the game’s only extra-base hit, a double. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Landen #Roupp #Giants #claim #matchup #season #Dodgers

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