×
NADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Unit tip-off leads to seizure of banned drugs in Najafgarh  In a major success for the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) Intelligence and Investigations unit, a tip-off from the body resulted in the confiscation of several prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids like methenolone and stanozolol, in Najafgarh following a joint operation, that included the local police.The joint task force was led by Central Food Safety Officers (CFSOs) and also featured Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) officials, who cracked the whip on Friday following specific intelligence from NADA.Approximately 2,800 capsules/tablets and 11 injectable units of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids — Methenolone Enanthate, Trenbolone, and Stanozolol — were recovered.Three hundred Methandienone and 850 Oxandrolone tablets along with 1,500 Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARMs) capsules were recovered from the premises of Gaurav Vats Nutrition, which is run by one Gaurav Vats.All these substances are steroids banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as they can be abused for building muscle mass to gain unfair performance advantage.Injections of Adenosine Monophosphate, a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator that helps endurance, were also among the recoveries.WADA president Witold Banka, who was recently in India for a conference on Intelligence and Information gathering operations of the world body, had stated that India is the world’s largest producer of banned Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).“The State Drug Control Department has taken custody of the drugs and drawn samples for formal legal proceedings,” the police stated.READ  |          WADA chief meets NADA officials to discuss protecting “integrity of sport” in IndiaA NADA source said it was informed about the presence of these banned substances by a “reliable source”. The body said it subsequently initiated a targeted investigation into the matter.“The substances procured by NADA were sent to the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) for analysis. Laboratory findings confirmed that the substances were WADA-prohibited, and were additionally found to be contaminated with other prohibited substances, indicating serious concerns regarding quality, safety, and deliberate adulteration,” said the source.Following this, regulatory bodies were alerted for “necessary intervention and further action under applicable laws.” “Intelligence-driven investigations and inter-agency collaboration continue to play a critical role in identifying and dismantling networks involved in doping and illegal supply chains,” the source said.Banka, during his visit, had acknowledged the efforts being made to address the doping problem in India, describing them as “sincere”. However, the country’s abysmal record remains a major concern given its ambition to become an Olympic host in 2036.India has been topping the WADA’s annual list of dope offenders for the past three years and was recently placed in Category A by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which means that Indian athletes must now comply with more stringent anti-doping stipulations because of the “extremely high” risk of doping in the country.The WADA president had emphasised on the need to crack down on suppliers of banned substances besides ramping up testing figures. WADA has a tie-up with INTERPOL to target supply chains and has launched ‘Operation Upstream’ to disrupt the illegal market run by “organised crime networks”.The operation has so far covered over 20 countries, including India where CBI is an active partner in intelligence gathering. The WADA said it has so far dismantled 88 illegal labs and seized 90 tonnes of PEDs, effectively preventing 1.8 billion such doses from reaching the market.Expired supplements also recoveredIn addition to the illegal PEDs, FSSAI officials also identified severe violations regarding health supplements sold at the Najafgarh premises without a valid food license.“The raid uncovered 45 kg of expired Gainers and Whey Protein.” Another 85kg of non-expired protein and Creatine have been confiscated for “further safety inspection.” “FSSAI has initiated separate proceedings for violations related to food safety standards, storage, and the sale of expired products.”Published on Apr 24, 2026  #NADAs #Intelligence #Investigations #Unit #tipoff #leads #seizure #banned #drugs #Najafgarh

NADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Unit tip-off leads to seizure of banned drugs in Najafgarh

In a major success for the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) Intelligence and Investigations unit, a tip-off from the body resulted in the confiscation of several prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids like methenolone and stanozolol, in Najafgarh following a joint operation, that included the local police.

The joint task force was led by Central Food Safety Officers (CFSOs) and also featured Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) officials, who cracked the whip on Friday following specific intelligence from NADA.

Approximately 2,800 capsules/tablets and 11 injectable units of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids — Methenolone Enanthate, Trenbolone, and Stanozolol — were recovered.

Three hundred Methandienone and 850 Oxandrolone tablets along with 1,500 Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARMs) capsules were recovered from the premises of Gaurav Vats Nutrition, which is run by one Gaurav Vats.

All these substances are steroids banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as they can be abused for building muscle mass to gain unfair performance advantage.

Injections of Adenosine Monophosphate, a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator that helps endurance, were also among the recoveries.

WADA president Witold Banka, who was recently in India for a conference on Intelligence and Information gathering operations of the world body, had stated that India is the world’s largest producer of banned Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).

“The State Drug Control Department has taken custody of the drugs and drawn samples for formal legal proceedings,” the police stated.

READ | WADA chief meets NADA officials to discuss protecting “integrity of sport” in India

A NADA source said it was informed about the presence of these banned substances by a “reliable source”. The body said it subsequently initiated a targeted investigation into the matter.

“The substances procured by NADA were sent to the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) for analysis. Laboratory findings confirmed that the substances were WADA-prohibited, and were additionally found to be contaminated with other prohibited substances, indicating serious concerns regarding quality, safety, and deliberate adulteration,” said the source.

Following this, regulatory bodies were alerted for “necessary intervention and further action under applicable laws.” “Intelligence-driven investigations and inter-agency collaboration continue to play a critical role in identifying and dismantling networks involved in doping and illegal supply chains,” the source said.

Banka, during his visit, had acknowledged the efforts being made to address the doping problem in India, describing them as “sincere”. However, the country’s abysmal record remains a major concern given its ambition to become an Olympic host in 2036.

India has been topping the WADA’s annual list of dope offenders for the past three years and was recently placed in Category A by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which means that Indian athletes must now comply with more stringent anti-doping stipulations because of the “extremely high” risk of doping in the country.

The WADA president had emphasised on the need to crack down on suppliers of banned substances besides ramping up testing figures. WADA has a tie-up with INTERPOL to target supply chains and has launched ‘Operation Upstream’ to disrupt the illegal market run by “organised crime networks”.

The operation has so far covered over 20 countries, including India where CBI is an active partner in intelligence gathering. The WADA said it has so far dismantled 88 illegal labs and seized 90 tonnes of PEDs, effectively preventing 1.8 billion such doses from reaching the market.

Expired supplements also recovered

In addition to the illegal PEDs, FSSAI officials also identified severe violations regarding health supplements sold at the Najafgarh premises without a valid food license.

“The raid uncovered 45 kg of expired Gainers and Whey Protein.” Another 85kg of non-expired protein and Creatine have been confiscated for “further safety inspection.” “FSSAI has initiated separate proceedings for violations related to food safety standards, storage, and the sale of expired products.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#NADAs #Intelligence #Investigations #Unit #tipoff #leads #seizure #banned #drugs #Najafgarh

In a major success for the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) Intelligence and Investigations unit, a tip-off from the body resulted in the confiscation of several prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids like methenolone and stanozolol, in Najafgarh following a joint operation, that included the local police.

The joint task force was led by Central Food Safety Officers (CFSOs) and also featured Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) officials, who cracked the whip on Friday following specific intelligence from NADA.

Approximately 2,800 capsules/tablets and 11 injectable units of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids — Methenolone Enanthate, Trenbolone, and Stanozolol — were recovered.

Three hundred Methandienone and 850 Oxandrolone tablets along with 1,500 Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARMs) capsules were recovered from the premises of Gaurav Vats Nutrition, which is run by one Gaurav Vats.

All these substances are steroids banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as they can be abused for building muscle mass to gain unfair performance advantage.

Injections of Adenosine Monophosphate, a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator that helps endurance, were also among the recoveries.

WADA president Witold Banka, who was recently in India for a conference on Intelligence and Information gathering operations of the world body, had stated that India is the world’s largest producer of banned Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).

“The State Drug Control Department has taken custody of the drugs and drawn samples for formal legal proceedings,” the police stated.

READ | WADA chief meets NADA officials to discuss protecting “integrity of sport” in India

A NADA source said it was informed about the presence of these banned substances by a “reliable source”. The body said it subsequently initiated a targeted investigation into the matter.

“The substances procured by NADA were sent to the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) for analysis. Laboratory findings confirmed that the substances were WADA-prohibited, and were additionally found to be contaminated with other prohibited substances, indicating serious concerns regarding quality, safety, and deliberate adulteration,” said the source.

Following this, regulatory bodies were alerted for “necessary intervention and further action under applicable laws.” “Intelligence-driven investigations and inter-agency collaboration continue to play a critical role in identifying and dismantling networks involved in doping and illegal supply chains,” the source said.

Banka, during his visit, had acknowledged the efforts being made to address the doping problem in India, describing them as “sincere”. However, the country’s abysmal record remains a major concern given its ambition to become an Olympic host in 2036.

India has been topping the WADA’s annual list of dope offenders for the past three years and was recently placed in Category A by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which means that Indian athletes must now comply with more stringent anti-doping stipulations because of the “extremely high” risk of doping in the country.

The WADA president had emphasised on the need to crack down on suppliers of banned substances besides ramping up testing figures. WADA has a tie-up with INTERPOL to target supply chains and has launched ‘Operation Upstream’ to disrupt the illegal market run by “organised crime networks”.

The operation has so far covered over 20 countries, including India where CBI is an active partner in intelligence gathering. The WADA said it has so far dismantled 88 illegal labs and seized 90 tonnes of PEDs, effectively preventing 1.8 billion such doses from reaching the market.

Expired supplements also recovered

In addition to the illegal PEDs, FSSAI officials also identified severe violations regarding health supplements sold at the Najafgarh premises without a valid food license.

“The raid uncovered 45 kg of expired Gainers and Whey Protein.” Another 85kg of non-expired protein and Creatine have been confiscated for “further safety inspection.” “FSSAI has initiated separate proceedings for violations related to food safety standards, storage, and the sale of expired products.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

Source link
#NADAs #Intelligence #Investigations #Unit #tipoff #leads #seizure #banned #drugs #Najafgarh

Previous post

Deadspin | Canadiens, Lightning head into critical third game of OT-laden series <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-900/28779900.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28779900.jpg" alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 21, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) and left wing Brandon Hagel (38) fight with Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Montreal Canadiens return home for Game 3 of their best-of-seven series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and have a chance to maintain the home-ice advantage they claimed in the opening game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Both of the games in Tampa went to overtime, with each team taking one. After the Canadiens won 4-3 on Sunday, the Lightning rebounded with a 3-2 win Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Montreal led Tuesday’s game 2-1 before Nikita Kucherov tied the score with 7:27 remaining in regulation. J.J. Moser won it with his first goal of the postseason with 7:12 left in the first overtime.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis told reporters Thursday that Montreal was in command until the last 10 minutes of the third period.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“We controlled a lot of that game,” he said. “We just lost our way.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>After Juraj Slafkovsky scored a hat trick in the series-opening victory for Montreal, his teammates on the top line, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, added assists on Lane Hutson’s power-play goal in Game 2.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Through the first two games, Caufield and Suzuki have three assists each.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Caufield, who led the Canadiens with 51 goals in the regular season, told reporters that he expects more. He believes that’s possible, adding that while there may not be many opportunities, he and his line must be ready to pounce when they arise.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“We want more, and that’s what we’re going to do,” said Caufield, 25, who has improved on his goal totals in each of his five full seasons with the Habs. “We’re going to build off the energy of playing here and being excited for that. It’s a fun time of the year to play, and obviously it’s back to zero-zero.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>As the Lightning travel to Montreal, they are expected to have defensemen Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Victor Hedman be with the squad. However, it’s still uncertain whether D’Astous, who is out with an undisclosed injury, or Hedman, who has been on leave for a month, will return to the lineup.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Hedman, the team’s captain and 17-year veteran, played in a career-low 33 games this season with 16 of his 17 points coming on assists. The 35-year-old has been an effective offensive player for most of his career and played a key role on Tampa Bay’s power play.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>His absence for most of this season has opened the door for Darren Raddysh to augment his role with the Lightning. In his third full season, the Toronto native, 30, posted personal highs with 22 goals and 48 assists. His 70 points equaled his total from the past two seasons.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The boost in offense did not necessarily come as a surprise to Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who told reporters Thursday that he remembered Raddysh once led the AHL in scoring around Christmas.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“He’s had that part to him,” the coach said about Raddysh, who scored a goal in Game 1. “He just had to find his niche.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“The spot opening up on the power play for him has helped, but that’s all playing time, confidence, having success, knowing what you can do. It took him a little bit of time to figure all that stuff out, and then it took a coach that finally clued in and played him more.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Canadiens #Lightning #critical #game #OTladen #series

Next post

Canceled TV Shows of 2026: Which Series Are Ending This Year?

Deadspin | Short-handed Lakers show grit in leading series vs. Rockets  Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) looks on during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Beyond LeBron James’ individual brilliance and extensive postseason history of carrying teams to heights previously unimagined, perhaps the characteristic most overlooked within these Los Angeles Lakers was their collective ability to overcome obstacles during the regular season.  Even with James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missing a combined 71 games this season, the Lakers clawed their way to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. As one of the preeminent NBA franchises, Los Angeles has long been renowned for glitz, not grit.  But given the track record of this iteration, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise that the Lakers scrapped their way to a 2-0 first-round series lead over the Houston Rockets despite the absences of Doncic and Reaves due to injuries. With the series shifting to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, what has come into clearer focus is the Lakers’ tenacity, and the fact that it should not be overlooked.  “The regular season is not a means of punishment; it’s a means of building resiliency,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “And I think our group in the aggregate has been an incredibly resilient group. That’s why we have the confidence and belief and certainly the collective competitive spirit that is needed to be on this stage going against a great basketball team in Houston.”  The “great” version of the Rockets that Redick lauded has yet to make an appearance. Seen as prohibitive pre-series favorites with Doncic and Reaves sidelined, the Rockets stumbled over themselves in the series opener with their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, out with a knee injury.  When Durant returned for Game 2, little changed. The Lakers again found offense from Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, and they generated the defensive might to stymie the Rockets, who, despite being at full strength, were even less efficient from behind the 3-point arc.   Houston likes to hang its hat on its defense, but its woeful offense remains problematic.  “They’re just daring guys to prove it, regardless of our spacing,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Sometimes we’ve been in the proper places, sometimes guys are cutting on top of each other.   “I wouldn’t say it’s a spacing issue. We’ve had really good spacing and gotten the ball to the places (we want) and not made the shot or taken the right one. I think they’re going to dare it regardless of who’s on the court until we prove otherwise.”  Durant committed nine turnovers in Game 2 and scored only three points of his 23 points in the second half. Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ second-leading scorer during the regular season (20.4 ppg), is shooting just 38.5% from the field in this series. If the Rockets don’t unlock that tandem, this series will end in short order.  “We need to get the advantage when they’re doubling (Durant),” Sengun said. “We’re going to figure it out.”  Now that they are on the doorstep of taking a stranglehold on this series, the Lakers know that they can rely on the others to support James. The experienced players have revealed themselves at critical junctures already this series, and the expectation is that their guidance will continue to lead the way despite the roster attrition and the long odds stacked against them.  “It was brought up, our group trying to lean on LeBron’s otherworldly experience in this league, and, obviously, we’ve had to do that,” Redick said. “And he’s captained our team and led our team.  “But we have four guys that have played in the Finals. All the experience that Smart has had, all the experience that DA (Deandre Ayton) has had, Maxi (Kleber) on the bench — they’ve shared that. Being in big moments for those guys is not a new thing.”  Kennard, a Feb. 5 trade acquisition from Atlanta, leads Los Angeles with a 25.0 scoring average in the first two games, with James at 23.5 and Smart at 20.0.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Shorthanded #Lakers #show #grit #leading #series #RocketsApr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) looks on during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Beyond LeBron James’ individual brilliance and extensive postseason history of carrying teams to heights previously unimagined, perhaps the characteristic most overlooked within these Los Angeles Lakers was their collective ability to overcome obstacles during the regular season.

Even with James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missing a combined 71 games this season, the Lakers clawed their way to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. As one of the preeminent NBA franchises, Los Angeles has long been renowned for glitz, not grit.

But given the track record of this iteration, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise that the Lakers scrapped their way to a 2-0 first-round series lead over the Houston Rockets despite the absences of Doncic and Reaves due to injuries. With the series shifting to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, what has come into clearer focus is the Lakers’ tenacity, and the fact that it should not be overlooked.

“The regular season is not a means of punishment; it’s a means of building resiliency,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “And I think our group in the aggregate has been an incredibly resilient group. That’s why we have the confidence and belief and certainly the collective competitive spirit that is needed to be on this stage going against a great basketball team in Houston.”

The “great” version of the Rockets that Redick lauded has yet to make an appearance. Seen as prohibitive pre-series favorites with Doncic and Reaves sidelined, the Rockets stumbled over themselves in the series opener with their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, out with a knee injury.

When Durant returned for Game 2, little changed. The Lakers again found offense from Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, and they generated the defensive might to stymie the Rockets, who, despite being at full strength, were even less efficient from behind the 3-point arc.

Houston likes to hang its hat on its defense, but its woeful offense remains problematic.


“They’re just daring guys to prove it, regardless of our spacing,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Sometimes we’ve been in the proper places, sometimes guys are cutting on top of each other.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a spacing issue. We’ve had really good spacing and gotten the ball to the places (we want) and not made the shot or taken the right one. I think they’re going to dare it regardless of who’s on the court until we prove otherwise.”

Durant committed nine turnovers in Game 2 and scored only three points of his 23 points in the second half. Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ second-leading scorer during the regular season (20.4 ppg), is shooting just 38.5% from the field in this series. If the Rockets don’t unlock that tandem, this series will end in short order.

“We need to get the advantage when they’re doubling (Durant),” Sengun said. “We’re going to figure it out.”

Now that they are on the doorstep of taking a stranglehold on this series, the Lakers know that they can rely on the others to support James. The experienced players have revealed themselves at critical junctures already this series, and the expectation is that their guidance will continue to lead the way despite the roster attrition and the long odds stacked against them.

“It was brought up, our group trying to lean on LeBron’s otherworldly experience in this league, and, obviously, we’ve had to do that,” Redick said. “And he’s captained our team and led our team.

“But we have four guys that have played in the Finals. All the experience that Smart has had, all the experience that DA (Deandre Ayton) has had, Maxi (Kleber) on the bench — they’ve shared that. Being in big moments for those guys is not a new thing.”

Kennard, a Feb. 5 trade acquisition from Atlanta, leads Los Angeles with a 25.0 scoring average in the first two games, with James at 23.5 and Smart at 20.0.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Shorthanded #Lakers #show #grit #leading #series #Rockets">Deadspin | Short-handed Lakers show grit in leading series vs. Rockets  Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) looks on during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Beyond LeBron James’ individual brilliance and extensive postseason history of carrying teams to heights previously unimagined, perhaps the characteristic most overlooked within these Los Angeles Lakers was their collective ability to overcome obstacles during the regular season.  Even with James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missing a combined 71 games this season, the Lakers clawed their way to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. As one of the preeminent NBA franchises, Los Angeles has long been renowned for glitz, not grit.  But given the track record of this iteration, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise that the Lakers scrapped their way to a 2-0 first-round series lead over the Houston Rockets despite the absences of Doncic and Reaves due to injuries. With the series shifting to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, what has come into clearer focus is the Lakers’ tenacity, and the fact that it should not be overlooked.  “The regular season is not a means of punishment; it’s a means of building resiliency,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “And I think our group in the aggregate has been an incredibly resilient group. That’s why we have the confidence and belief and certainly the collective competitive spirit that is needed to be on this stage going against a great basketball team in Houston.”  The “great” version of the Rockets that Redick lauded has yet to make an appearance. Seen as prohibitive pre-series favorites with Doncic and Reaves sidelined, the Rockets stumbled over themselves in the series opener with their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, out with a knee injury.  When Durant returned for Game 2, little changed. The Lakers again found offense from Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, and they generated the defensive might to stymie the Rockets, who, despite being at full strength, were even less efficient from behind the 3-point arc.   Houston likes to hang its hat on its defense, but its woeful offense remains problematic.  “They’re just daring guys to prove it, regardless of our spacing,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Sometimes we’ve been in the proper places, sometimes guys are cutting on top of each other.   “I wouldn’t say it’s a spacing issue. We’ve had really good spacing and gotten the ball to the places (we want) and not made the shot or taken the right one. I think they’re going to dare it regardless of who’s on the court until we prove otherwise.”  Durant committed nine turnovers in Game 2 and scored only three points of his 23 points in the second half. Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ second-leading scorer during the regular season (20.4 ppg), is shooting just 38.5% from the field in this series. If the Rockets don’t unlock that tandem, this series will end in short order.  “We need to get the advantage when they’re doubling (Durant),” Sengun said. “We’re going to figure it out.”  Now that they are on the doorstep of taking a stranglehold on this series, the Lakers know that they can rely on the others to support James. The experienced players have revealed themselves at critical junctures already this series, and the expectation is that their guidance will continue to lead the way despite the roster attrition and the long odds stacked against them.  “It was brought up, our group trying to lean on LeBron’s otherworldly experience in this league, and, obviously, we’ve had to do that,” Redick said. “And he’s captained our team and led our team.  “But we have four guys that have played in the Finals. All the experience that Smart has had, all the experience that DA (Deandre Ayton) has had, Maxi (Kleber) on the bench — they’ve shared that. Being in big moments for those guys is not a new thing.”  Kennard, a Feb. 5 trade acquisition from Atlanta, leads Los Angeles with a 25.0 scoring average in the first two games, with James at 23.5 and Smart at 20.0.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Shorthanded #Lakers #show #grit #leading #series #Rockets

Deadspin | Qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo stuns Grigor Dimitrov in Madrid  Grigor Dimitrov is visibly frustrated during his loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 7, 2026.   Qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay won in his ATP Masters 1000 debut as he set aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.  Vallejo, 21, is just the second Paraguayan to register a Masters 1000 win since the series began in 1990. The other was Ramon Delgado at Indian Wells in 2010.  Vallejo saved 5 of 6 break points while dispatching the Bulgarian in 94 minutes.  “It is unbelievable. It feels like a movie,” Vallejo said afterward. “I don’t know what is happening. I used to watch (Dimitrov) and all the highlights of him. All the points he did against me today, I used to watch on TV.  “Now to play against him, wow. I can’t understand what is happening but I am just trying to enjoy it.”  Vallejo was leading 5-2 in the second set before Dimitrov put up a fight by winning the next two games. Vallejo then won the 10th game to seal his big accomplishment.  Vallejo converted 37 of 49 first-serve points (75.5%) while Dimitrov committed 27 unforced errors, nine more than Vallejo.  Vallejo will face American 17th seed Learner Tien in the second round.   Frenchman Gael Monfils played in his final match in Madrid and fell 6-3, 6-4 to Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Monfils reached the quarterfinals at the event in 2008 and 2010.  “Tough match for me, I would have liked to do better for my last time in Madrid,” Monfils said on-court.  Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) victory over American Patrick Kypson. Tsitsipas had 46 winners to 28 for Kypson.  Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta recovered to knock off Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Fucsovics lost despite a 9-3 edge in aces.  Qualifier Martin Damm posted a 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, but fellow American Reilly Opelka was forced to retire in his first set due to a right shoulder injury. Opelka was behind 5-3 to Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer when he decided he couldn’t continue.  Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan knocked off Ethan Quinn 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) and Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann outlasted Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-5.  Other winners include Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Mariano Navone, Australia’s Adam Walton, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, France’s Terence Atmane, Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas and Spain’s Daniel Merida and Jaume Munar.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Qualifier #Adolfo #Daniel #Vallejo #stuns #Grigor #Dimitrov #MadridGrigor Dimitrov is visibly frustrated during his loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 7, 2026.

Qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay won in his ATP Masters 1000 debut as he set aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.

Vallejo, 21, is just the second Paraguayan to register a Masters 1000 win since the series began in 1990. The other was Ramon Delgado at Indian Wells in 2010.

Vallejo saved 5 of 6 break points while dispatching the Bulgarian in 94 minutes.

“It is unbelievable. It feels like a movie,” Vallejo said afterward. “I don’t know what is happening. I used to watch (Dimitrov) and all the highlights of him. All the points he did against me today, I used to watch on TV.

“Now to play against him, wow. I can’t understand what is happening but I am just trying to enjoy it.”

Vallejo was leading 5-2 in the second set before Dimitrov put up a fight by winning the next two games. Vallejo then won the 10th game to seal his big accomplishment.

Vallejo converted 37 of 49 first-serve points (75.5%) while Dimitrov committed 27 unforced errors, nine more than Vallejo.


Vallejo will face American 17th seed Learner Tien in the second round.

Frenchman Gael Monfils played in his final match in Madrid and fell 6-3, 6-4 to Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Monfils reached the quarterfinals at the event in 2008 and 2010.

“Tough match for me, I would have liked to do better for my last time in Madrid,” Monfils said on-court.

Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) victory over American Patrick Kypson. Tsitsipas had 46 winners to 28 for Kypson.

Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta recovered to knock off Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Fucsovics lost despite a 9-3 edge in aces.

Qualifier Martin Damm posted a 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, but fellow American Reilly Opelka was forced to retire in his first set due to a right shoulder injury. Opelka was behind 5-3 to Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer when he decided he couldn’t continue.

Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan knocked off Ethan Quinn 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) and Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann outlasted Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-5.

Other winners include Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Mariano Navone, Australia’s Adam Walton, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, France’s Terence Atmane, Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas and Spain’s Daniel Merida and Jaume Munar.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Qualifier #Adolfo #Daniel #Vallejo #stuns #Grigor #Dimitrov #Madrid">Deadspin | Qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo stuns Grigor Dimitrov in Madrid  Grigor Dimitrov is visibly frustrated during his loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 7, 2026.   Qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay won in his ATP Masters 1000 debut as he set aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.  Vallejo, 21, is just the second Paraguayan to register a Masters 1000 win since the series began in 1990. The other was Ramon Delgado at Indian Wells in 2010.  Vallejo saved 5 of 6 break points while dispatching the Bulgarian in 94 minutes.  “It is unbelievable. It feels like a movie,” Vallejo said afterward. “I don’t know what is happening. I used to watch (Dimitrov) and all the highlights of him. All the points he did against me today, I used to watch on TV.  “Now to play against him, wow. I can’t understand what is happening but I am just trying to enjoy it.”  Vallejo was leading 5-2 in the second set before Dimitrov put up a fight by winning the next two games. Vallejo then won the 10th game to seal his big accomplishment.  Vallejo converted 37 of 49 first-serve points (75.5%) while Dimitrov committed 27 unforced errors, nine more than Vallejo.  Vallejo will face American 17th seed Learner Tien in the second round.   Frenchman Gael Monfils played in his final match in Madrid and fell 6-3, 6-4 to Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Monfils reached the quarterfinals at the event in 2008 and 2010.  “Tough match for me, I would have liked to do better for my last time in Madrid,” Monfils said on-court.  Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) victory over American Patrick Kypson. Tsitsipas had 46 winners to 28 for Kypson.  Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta recovered to knock off Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Fucsovics lost despite a 9-3 edge in aces.  Qualifier Martin Damm posted a 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, but fellow American Reilly Opelka was forced to retire in his first set due to a right shoulder injury. Opelka was behind 5-3 to Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer when he decided he couldn’t continue.  Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan knocked off Ethan Quinn 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) and Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann outlasted Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-5.  Other winners include Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Mariano Navone, Australia’s Adam Walton, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, France’s Terence Atmane, Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas and Spain’s Daniel Merida and Jaume Munar.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Qualifier #Adolfo #Daniel #Vallejo #stuns #Grigor #Dimitrov #Madrid

Post Comment