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‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson  While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson

While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.

After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.

With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).

Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.

“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.

“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.

Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings

“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”

The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.

After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.

With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).

Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.

“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.

“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.

Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings

“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”

The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

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#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

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Deadspin | CJ McCollum, Hawks pull out 2nd straight tight win over Knicks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28775126.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28775126.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Game 4 in the best-of-seven set will be played Saturday in Atlanta.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 23.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Hawks outscored the Knicks 28-15 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to eke out a 107-106 victory, then continued their torrid scoring in the first quarter of Game 3. Atlanta made 6 of 8 from long distance and outscored New York 33-21 behind 10 points from Kuminga. Brunson (11) and Anunoby (10) scored all of New York’s points.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Atlanta led by as many as 18 points (56-38) after a four-point possession with 3:46 left in the half. But the Hawks missed their next eight shots and New York finished the half on a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to 58-50.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Atlanta was the aggressor in the third quarter and led by 69-54, only to have the Knicks climb within 69-65 on Brunson’s drive with 6:40 left. Atlanta subsequently took an 88-80 lead into the final quarter.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #McCollum #Hawks #pull #2nd #straight #tight #win #Knicks

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Deadspin | NBA fines Suns’ Devin Booker $35K but rescind his technical <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28790966.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28790966.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a $35,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.”</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts).</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technical

Deadspin | Panthers get G Jacob Markstrom in 5-player trade with Devils  Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Goaltender Jacob Markstrom returned to the Florida Panthers in a five-player trade on Tuesday with the New Jersey Devils.  The Panthers acquired Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank, while sending forwards Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and prospect Ben Steeves to the Devils.  Markstrom, 36, was a second-round draft pick by Florida in 2008 and appeared in 43 games for the Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2014.  The 6-foot-6 Markstrom was 23-19-1 with one shutout in 44 games for the Devils in 2025-26, posting a 3.07 goals-against average and .883 save percentage.  “Jacob is an established veteran leader in this league who possesses size and a relentless drive to win,” said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito. “We are excited for him to compete alongside our established group and return to South Florida.”  An All-Star in 2019-20 and a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22, Markstrom is 264-231-64 with 25 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and .907 save percentage in 264 games with the Panthers, Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils.  The Panthers also acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday and appear to be moving on from veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who will become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.  Crookshank, 26, had one goal in eight games in his lone season with the Devils in 2025-26. He had two goals and two assists in 21 games with the Ottawa Senators from 2023-25.   “We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Evan and Jesper for their contributions to our organization,” Zito said.  Rodrigues, 32, lifted the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He tallied 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 69 games in 2025-26.  Rodrigues has recorded 270 points (107 goals, 163 assists) in 616 career games with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and Panthers.  Boqvist, 27, won the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Panthers in 2024-25 and recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 73 games in 2025-26.  Boqvist began his career with the Devils (2019-23) and has 105 points (50 goals, 55 assists) in 387 career games with New Jersey, the Boston Bruins and Florida. The Devils drafted him in the second round in 2017.  Steeves, 24, just completed his third season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. He set career highs across the board in 2025-26 with 23 goals and 22 assists in 72 games.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Panthers #Jacob #Markstrom #5player #trade #DevilsApr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom returned to the Florida Panthers in a five-player trade on Tuesday with the New Jersey Devils.

The Panthers acquired Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank, while sending forwards Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and prospect Ben Steeves to the Devils.

Markstrom, 36, was a second-round draft pick by Florida in 2008 and appeared in 43 games for the Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2014.

The 6-foot-6 Markstrom was 23-19-1 with one shutout in 44 games for the Devils in 2025-26, posting a 3.07 goals-against average and .883 save percentage.

“Jacob is an established veteran leader in this league who possesses size and a relentless drive to win,” said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito. “We are excited for him to compete alongside our established group and return to South Florida.”

An All-Star in 2019-20 and a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22, Markstrom is 264-231-64 with 25 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and .907 save percentage in 264 games with the Panthers, Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils.

The Panthers also acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday and appear to be moving on from veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who will become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.


Crookshank, 26, had one goal in eight games in his lone season with the Devils in 2025-26. He had two goals and two assists in 21 games with the Ottawa Senators from 2023-25.

“We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Evan and Jesper for their contributions to our organization,” Zito said.

Rodrigues, 32, lifted the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He tallied 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 69 games in 2025-26.

Rodrigues has recorded 270 points (107 goals, 163 assists) in 616 career games with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and Panthers.

Boqvist, 27, won the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Panthers in 2024-25 and recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 73 games in 2025-26.

Boqvist began his career with the Devils (2019-23) and has 105 points (50 goals, 55 assists) in 387 career games with New Jersey, the Boston Bruins and Florida. The Devils drafted him in the second round in 2017.

Steeves, 24, just completed his third season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. He set career highs across the board in 2025-26 with 23 goals and 22 assists in 72 games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Panthers #Jacob #Markstrom #5player #trade #Devils">Deadspin | Panthers get G Jacob Markstrom in 5-player trade with Devils  Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Goaltender Jacob Markstrom returned to the Florida Panthers in a five-player trade on Tuesday with the New Jersey Devils.  The Panthers acquired Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank, while sending forwards Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and prospect Ben Steeves to the Devils.  Markstrom, 36, was a second-round draft pick by Florida in 2008 and appeared in 43 games for the Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2014.  The 6-foot-6 Markstrom was 23-19-1 with one shutout in 44 games for the Devils in 2025-26, posting a 3.07 goals-against average and .883 save percentage.  “Jacob is an established veteran leader in this league who possesses size and a relentless drive to win,” said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito. “We are excited for him to compete alongside our established group and return to South Florida.”  An All-Star in 2019-20 and a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22, Markstrom is 264-231-64 with 25 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and .907 save percentage in 264 games with the Panthers, Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils.  The Panthers also acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday and appear to be moving on from veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who will become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.  Crookshank, 26, had one goal in eight games in his lone season with the Devils in 2025-26. He had two goals and two assists in 21 games with the Ottawa Senators from 2023-25.   “We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Evan and Jesper for their contributions to our organization,” Zito said.  Rodrigues, 32, lifted the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He tallied 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 69 games in 2025-26.  Rodrigues has recorded 270 points (107 goals, 163 assists) in 616 career games with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and Panthers.  Boqvist, 27, won the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Panthers in 2024-25 and recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 73 games in 2025-26.  Boqvist began his career with the Devils (2019-23) and has 105 points (50 goals, 55 assists) in 387 career games with New Jersey, the Boston Bruins and Florida. The Devils drafted him in the second round in 2017.  Steeves, 24, just completed his third season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. He set career highs across the board in 2025-26 with 23 goals and 22 assists in 72 games.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Panthers #Jacob #Markstrom #5player #trade #Devils

The goal also made some history.

Japan opened the scoring in the first half, on a brilliant interception, run, and strike from midfielder Kaishu Sano. Ancelotti made some halftime changes, taking off midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who had suffered a knock, for Endrick, a forward, to use more of a 4-2-4 shape. The results were almost immediate. After being overrun in the midfield in the first half, Brazil were on the front foot with more of an offensive advantage in the second, leading to the equalizer from Casemiro in the 56th minute:

But the winner from Martinelli did not come until deep in stoppage time, when the Arsenal forward—who did not enter the match until the 66th minute—struck with his right foot:

That leads us to the bit of history.

According to Opta, this was the latest winning goal in normal time of a knockout stage match on record at the FIFA World Cup, dating back to 1966:

With the FIFA World Cup expanding to 48 teams for this year’s tournament, and adding a Round of 32, that has opened the door to some history-making events like Martinelli’s winner on Monday.

What history awaits us starting today?

#Brazils #Gabriel #Martinelli #World #Cup #history #Japan">Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli makes World Cup history vs. Japan  Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal against Japan on Monday saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side through to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they await the winner of Tuesday’s match between the Ivory Coast and Norway.The goal also made some history.Japan opened the scoring in the first half, on a brilliant interception, run, and strike from midfielder Kaishu Sano. Ancelotti made some halftime changes, taking off midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who had suffered a knock, for Endrick, a forward, to use more of a 4-2-4 shape. The results were almost immediate. After being overrun in the midfield in the first half, Brazil were on the front foot with more of an offensive advantage in the second, leading to the equalizer from Casemiro in the 56th minute:But the winner from Martinelli did not come until deep in stoppage time, when the Arsenal forward—who did not enter the match until the 66th minute—struck with his right foot:That leads us to the bit of history.According to Opta, this was the latest winning goal in normal time of a knockout stage match on record at the FIFA World Cup, dating back to 1966:With the FIFA World Cup expanding to 48 teams for this year’s tournament, and adding a Round of 32, that has opened the door to some history-making events like Martinelli’s winner on Monday.What history awaits us starting today?  #Brazils #Gabriel #Martinelli #World #Cup #history #Japan

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