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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

Deadspin | Landen Roupp, Giants claim first matchup of season with 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 #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

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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

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#Deadspin #Landen #Roupp #Giants #claim #matchup #season #Dodgers

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Asian Boxing Championships: After historic haul, bigger tests await the Indian women’s team <div id="content-body-70883193" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Not long after her return to India from the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where she won gold in the women’s 54kg category, Preeti Pawar told  <i>Sportstar</i> how she was looking forward to spending time with her family in the boxing town of Bhiwani in Haryana.</p><p>“For the last three months before the Asian Championships, I was in the national camp. All the girls were missing  <i>ghar ka khana</i> (home-cooked meals). I’m looking forward to eating my mother’s  <i>roti, churma</i> and  <i>halwa.</i> I can enjoy that food a little bit now,” the 22-year-old said.</p><p>The treats are well deserved. Preeti had a spectacular tournament in Ulaanbaatar, beating two Olympic medallists — Korea’s Im Aeji and Taiwan’s Huang Hsiao-wen — to win her first continental championship.</p><p>But Preeti is clear that while she’ll savour, she won’t really indulge. Her mind is already preparing for the next national camp, which will begin in Patiala in the last week of April. “I know that I only have a few days at home. After that, I have to get into the same mindset of competition. I’ve done well at the Asian Championships, but now I will be preparing for the Commonwealth and Asian Games. There will be a lot of expectations on me there,” she says.</p><p><b>Great expectations</b></p><p>In Mongolia, every single member of the women’s team finished on the podium — 10 medals in all, including four gold, two silver and four bronze. The result was Indian women’s boxing’s best (in terms of medal count) at the Asian Championships in over two decades. The men settled for six overall, with one gold.</p><p>Coach Santiago Nieva says the result was even better than what he had been hoping for. “We had pretty high expectations going in, considering we already had two boxers who had won world championship gold last year [Jaismine Lamboriya in the women’s 57kg category and Meenakshi Hooda in the women’s 48kg class]; but we exceeded them.</p><p>“We wanted to position ourselves as one of the top teams, which we did by finishing on top of the medal tally. We knew we needed to get boxers into the final and convert those finals into gold medals. We had six boxers in the final and we won four of those bouts,” says Nieva. While India had also won four gold medals at the 2022 edition, just one medal came in an Olympic weight division — Lovlina Borgohain in the women’s 75kg category. This year, three of the four golds were in Olympic weight classes, where competition is the highest. More than the gold medals, it is the nature of the results that enthuses Nieva, who had previously been high-performance director with Indian boxing and later worked with the Australian national squad before joining the women’s team at the start of the year.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/1mvgkq/article70891477.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP__20190430__1G1840__v2__MidRes__BoxIndAiba.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/1mvgkq/article70891477.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP__20190430__1G1840__v2__MidRes__BoxIndAiba.jpg" alt="Mission control: “Our goal is to create high-performance athletes who are also experts at boxing, rather than boxers with a poor physical base,” says Santiago Nieva, the coach of the Indian women’s boxing team." title="Mission control: “Our goal is to create high-performance athletes who are also experts at boxing, rather than boxers with a poor physical base,” says Santiago Nieva, the coach of the Indian women’s boxing team." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Mission control: “Our goal is to create high-performance athletes who are also experts at boxing, rather than boxers with a poor physical base,” says Santiago Nieva, the coach of the Indian women’s boxing team. | Photo Credit: AFP </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Mission control: “Our goal is to create high-performance athletes who are also experts at boxing, rather than boxers with a poor physical base,” says Santiago Nieva, the coach of the Indian women’s boxing team. | Photo Credit: AFP </p></div><p><b>Winning where it counts</b></p><p>“I think when you look at results from earlier years, you’d notice that a lot of the gold medals came in non-Olympic categories, in which the top boxers often don’t take part. To win gold in Olympic weight classes is a very positive sign for us. We faced some of the top-level boxers from Asia, many of whom have won world titles. Not only did we beat them, we beat them convincingly. It shows we are on the right track,” says Nieva.</p><p>With boxers from Asia winning 14 of the 24 medals in the women’s divisions at the 2024 Olympics and 21 of the 40 medals at last year’s world championships, Nieva believes the result from the Asian Championships is a statement of Indian women boxers’ potential beyond the continental level.</p><p>“For the last 10 years or so, Asia has emerged as the strongest continent in women’s boxing. Earlier it was mostly China, North Korea, Taiwan and Thailand that were very strong, but in the last couple of years, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have produced some world-class talent. So if you are winning in Asia, it’s not too different from winning at the world level,” he says.</p><p>While the medals are welcome, Nieva says it is important not to forget the work that made the result possible. “When I came to the national camp at the start of the year, I felt I already had a lot to build from. But I feel that our training discipline — the way we push ourselves in each session — has improved significantly,” he says.</p><p>Over the past few months, Nieva says the team has been focusing on building what he considers high-performance athletes. “When we train, we have a purpose in mind. What our team believes in is the most important attribute of modern boxing — high-level aerobic endurance. We want that physical quality in our boxers because enduring hard training sessions is very tough on the body and can lead to injuries. Our goal is to create high-performance athletes who are also experts at boxing, rather than boxers with a poor physical base,” he says.</p><p><b>Improving future chances</b></p><p>The results from the Asian Championships will have more than just confidence-boosting benefits. “There are a lot of ranking points from this tournament. That will help me in the future because it will improve my seeding in important events,” says Priya Ganghas, who won gold on her international debut in the women’s 60kg category. “Even though I know I can take on any boxer, boxing is a game where one punch can change everything. It’s better to meet the top boxers in the medal rounds rather than in the opening rounds.”</p><p>“If we are competing against a good opponent, then obviously we have to be sharp all the time. At an early stage in a new environment, this isn’t always easy because we aren’t always habituated that fast. So if you face the best boxers in the semifinals or finals, things become easier because you have time to get into your rhythm,” says the 20-year-old.</p><p>While Nieva believes the team is on the right track, he says it is important not to get carried away. “I think we should see this as a great result, independent of how we do in the next competition. But of course, this year the main goals will be the Commonwealth Games and especially the Asian Games.</p><p>“If we don’t achieve a similar result at the Asian Games, we will be disappointed. We know it will be tougher. Some of the opponents who lost will come back stronger, and some of us who won in Mongolia might get a tougher draw or have things not go perfectly,” he says.</p><div class="verticle article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/6jaf3q/article70891479.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/55198003238_8ee02f5a44_o.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/6jaf3q/article70891479.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/55198003238_8ee02f5a44_o.jpg" alt="Although Preeti went on to beat two Olympic medallists, she had a tough opening round in her first bout against former U-22 Asian champion Elina Bazarova of Kazakhstan. And while she has an Asian title, her hunger remains." title="Although Preeti went on to beat two Olympic medallists, she had a tough opening round in her first bout against former U-22 Asian champion Elina Bazarova of Kazakhstan. And while she has an Asian title, her hunger remains." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Although Preeti went on to beat two Olympic medallists, she had a tough opening round in her first bout against former U-22 Asian champion Elina Bazarova of Kazakhstan. And while she has an Asian title, her hunger remains. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Although Preeti went on to beat two Olympic medallists, she had a tough opening round in her first bout against former U-22 Asian champion Elina Bazarova of Kazakhstan. And while she has an Asian title, her hunger remains. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement </p></div><p>This is why, before the team left for a short break after the Asian Championships, Nieva reminded them that the job was not done. “According to the selection criteria of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), only the boxers who won gold or silver are assured of a place in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games teams. Everyone else, including the bronze medallists — and even two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain — will have to go through another assessment in May,” he says.</p><p>Even the boxers who have cemented their places know there is work to do. “From a technical and tactical point of view, there are still many things to work on. There were bouts that became very messy, with holding, wrestling and boxers falling to the floor. We were not always able to solve those situations or come back from that.</p><p>“We know we have to improve so that we don’t have to depend on luck to win close bouts. Right now, a lot of boxers had their best days in the final. But there were also bouts where our boxers had a bad day, and that wasn’t enough to win. We want to improve our baseline so that even on a bad day, it is still good enough to get the win,” he says.</p><p>At least one boxer has the confidence that her bad day is still good enough at the continental level. Although she went on to beat two Olympic medallists, Preeti had a tough opening round in her first bout against former U-22 Asian champion Elina Bazarova of Kazakhstan.</p><p>“I actually lost the first round on all five scorecards, but fought back to win the next two rounds 5-0 and take the bout. When you lose the first round so convincingly, it’s hard to come back, but I know now that I can change the bout situation anytime,” she says.</p><p>But as she readies to return to the national camp, Preeti says she doesn’t want to be in a similar situation in the tournaments to come. And while she has an Asian title, her hunger remains.</p><p>“I might have won gold at the Asian Championships, but right now the goal is to repeat my medal at the Asian Games. What I’ve done is not enough,” she says.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Asian #Boxing #Championships #historic #haul #bigger #tests #await #Indian #womens #team

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This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com">LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves Could Change the Western Conference Race | Deadspin.com This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more. #LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com

around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com">LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves Could Change the Western Conference Race | Deadspin.com

This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.What are the Group D standings?Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsUnited States20061+56Australia1012203Paraguay10124-23Türkiye00203-30What are the next Group D matches?There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.United States 2, Australia 0Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0Türkiye vs. United StatesParaguay vs. AustraliaWhat are the scenarios for Group D?Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against ParaguayParaguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.Türkiye has already been eliminated.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams. #World #Cup #advanced #Group

standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group

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