Deadspin | Rays pitcher Griffin Jax backed by powerful lineup against Twins Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax throws as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin steals second during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Looking for a way to get right-handed reliever Griffin Jax back on track, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is starting him against the team that traded him last summer, the visiting Minnesota Twins, in their series finale on Sunday. Jax was one of the American League’s top setup relievers when he was obtained on July 31 for starter Taj Bradley. But Jax is off to a slow start this season (1-2, 8.00 ERA), allowing six earned runs in seven innings pitched in April, and has allowed at least one earned run in two of his last three appearances. It will be the second time Jax has faced his old team. He pitched two shutout innings of relief in a 4-1 win over the Twins in Minneapolis on April 5, allowing two hits and a walk. Right-hander Jesse Scholtens (1-1, 2.93) will handle the bulk role as the Rays go for the series sweep and their fourth straight win. Scholtens is 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Minnesota, all of which came in the 2023 season with a Chicago White Sox team that lost 101 games. Scholtens made the start in a 6-1 loss to Cincinnati on Monday and allowed five runs, including a two-run homer to Sal Stewart in the first inning, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. The Twins, who have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine, will start right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3, 5.96), who is 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Rays. Woods Richardson will try and cool down a Tampa Bay offense that has hit five home runs in the first two games of the series, all of which have traveled more than 400 feet. Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda both belted two home runs in Friday’s 6-2 victory, with one of Caminero’s landing over the batter’s eye in center field and measuring a career-long 450 feet. Jake Fraley hit a two-run shot 401 feet to right-center off Bailey Ober in the fourth inning to highlight Saturday’s 6-1 victory. “This lineup is dynamic,” Fraley said. “If we’re having trouble driving the baseball, we’re able to lean on ‘small ball’ a little bit. We’ve got a lot of guys in the lineup that are able to do it well. And then these last two games, we were able to put it in the stands.” Left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has missed the last two seasons due to Tommy John and left triceps surgeries, picked up his first win at Tropicana Field since 2023, allowing three hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings. “I was happy for him,” Cash said of the two-time All-Star. “Want to see that continue to build. We all know how special Shane can be in our rotation, and he’s working hard to get to that point. Today was another good step for him.” The Twins, who have been outscored 25-13 in their last four games, wasted a quality start by Ober, who allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Reliever Taylor Rogers was roughed up for three runs in the seventh without registering an out. Jonny DeLuca greeted him with a leadoff pinch-hit double into the left field corner and Ben Williamson followed with an RBI triple to the wall in left-center. Rogers then walked Cedric Mullins with a pitch to end his appearance. Minnesota batters were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Royce Lewis broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth with a bloop single to center, driving in Luke Keaschall, who had been hit by a pitch. “We’re not worried about this group,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “It’s the ebbs and flows of baseball.” Despite the recent rough stretch, the Twins are third in the American League Central, just 2 1/2 games behind the first place Cleveland Guardians. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #pitcher #Griffin #Jax #backed #powerful #lineup #Twins

Deadspin | Rays pitcher Griffin Jax backed by powerful lineup against Twins
Deadspin | Rays pitcher Griffin Jax backed by powerful lineup against Twins Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax throws as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin steals second during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Looking for a way to get right-handed reliever Griffin Jax back on track, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is starting him against the team that traded him last summer, the visiting Minnesota Twins, in their series finale on Sunday. Jax was one of the American League’s top setup relievers when he was obtained on July 31 for starter Taj Bradley. But Jax is off to a slow start this season (1-2, 8.00 ERA), allowing six earned runs in seven innings pitched in April, and has allowed at least one earned run in two of his last three appearances. It will be the second time Jax has faced his old team. He pitched two shutout innings of relief in a 4-1 win over the Twins in Minneapolis on April 5, allowing two hits and a walk. Right-hander Jesse Scholtens (1-1, 2.93) will handle the bulk role as the Rays go for the series sweep and their fourth straight win. Scholtens is 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Minnesota, all of which came in the 2023 season with a Chicago White Sox team that lost 101 games. Scholtens made the start in a 6-1 loss to Cincinnati on Monday and allowed five runs, including a two-run homer to Sal Stewart in the first inning, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. The Twins, who have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine, will start right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3, 5.96), who is 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Rays. Woods Richardson will try and cool down a Tampa Bay offense that has hit five home runs in the first two games of the series, all of which have traveled more than 400 feet. Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda both belted two home runs in Friday’s 6-2 victory, with one of Caminero’s landing over the batter’s eye in center field and measuring a career-long 450 feet. Jake Fraley hit a two-run shot 401 feet to right-center off Bailey Ober in the fourth inning to highlight Saturday’s 6-1 victory. “This lineup is dynamic,” Fraley said. “If we’re having trouble driving the baseball, we’re able to lean on ‘small ball’ a little bit. We’ve got a lot of guys in the lineup that are able to do it well. And then these last two games, we were able to put it in the stands.” Left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has missed the last two seasons due to Tommy John and left triceps surgeries, picked up his first win at Tropicana Field since 2023, allowing three hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings. “I was happy for him,” Cash said of the two-time All-Star. “Want to see that continue to build. We all know how special Shane can be in our rotation, and he’s working hard to get to that point. Today was another good step for him.” The Twins, who have been outscored 25-13 in their last four games, wasted a quality start by Ober, who allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Reliever Taylor Rogers was roughed up for three runs in the seventh without registering an out. Jonny DeLuca greeted him with a leadoff pinch-hit double into the left field corner and Ben Williamson followed with an RBI triple to the wall in left-center. Rogers then walked Cedric Mullins with a pitch to end his appearance. Minnesota batters were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Royce Lewis broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth with a bloop single to center, driving in Luke Keaschall, who had been hit by a pitch. “We’re not worried about this group,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “It’s the ebbs and flows of baseball.” Despite the recent rough stretch, the Twins are third in the American League Central, just 2 1/2 games behind the first place Cleveland Guardians. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #pitcher #Griffin #Jax #backed #powerful #lineup #TwinsApr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax throws as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin steals second during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Looking for a way to get right-handed reliever Griffin Jax back on track, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is starting him against the team that traded him last summer, the visiting Minnesota Twins, in their series finale on Sunday.

Jax was one of the American League’s top setup relievers when he was obtained on July 31 for starter Taj Bradley. But Jax is off to a slow start this season (1-2, 8.00 ERA), allowing six earned runs in seven innings pitched in April, and has allowed at least one earned run in two of his last three appearances.

It will be the second time Jax has faced his old team. He pitched two shutout innings of relief in a 4-1 win over the Twins in Minneapolis on April 5, allowing two hits and a walk.

Right-hander Jesse Scholtens (1-1, 2.93) will handle the bulk role as the Rays go for the series sweep and their fourth straight win.

Scholtens is 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Minnesota, all of which came in the 2023 season with a Chicago White Sox team that lost 101 games.

Scholtens made the start in a 6-1 loss to Cincinnati on Monday and allowed five runs, including a two-run homer to Sal Stewart in the first inning, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.

The Twins, who have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine, will start right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3, 5.96), who is 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Rays.

Woods Richardson will try and cool down a Tampa Bay offense that has hit five home runs in the first two games of the series, all of which have traveled more than 400 feet.


Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda both belted two home runs in Friday’s 6-2 victory, with one of Caminero’s landing over the batter’s eye in center field and measuring a career-long 450 feet.

Jake Fraley hit a two-run shot 401 feet to right-center off Bailey Ober in the fourth inning to highlight Saturday’s 6-1 victory.

“This lineup is dynamic,” Fraley said. “If we’re having trouble driving the baseball, we’re able to lean on ‘small ball’ a little bit. We’ve got a lot of guys in the lineup that are able to do it well. And then these last two games, we were able to put it in the stands.”

Left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has missed the last two seasons due to Tommy John and left triceps surgeries, picked up his first win at Tropicana Field since 2023, allowing three hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings.

“I was happy for him,” Cash said of the two-time All-Star. “Want to see that continue to build. We all know how special Shane can be in our rotation, and he’s working hard to get to that point. Today was another good step for him.”

The Twins, who have been outscored 25-13 in their last four games, wasted a quality start by Ober, who allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Reliever Taylor Rogers was roughed up for three runs in the seventh without registering an out. Jonny DeLuca greeted him with a leadoff pinch-hit double into the left field corner and Ben Williamson followed with an RBI triple to the wall in left-center. Rogers then walked Cedric Mullins with a pitch to end his appearance.

Minnesota batters were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Royce Lewis broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth with a bloop single to center, driving in Luke Keaschall, who had been hit by a pitch.

“We’re not worried about this group,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “It’s the ebbs and flows of baseball.”

Despite the recent rough stretch, the Twins are third in the American League Central, just 2 1/2 games behind the first place Cleveland Guardians.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rays #pitcher #Griffin #Jax #backed #powerful #lineup #Twins

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Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax throws as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin steals second during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Looking for a way to get right-handed reliever Griffin Jax back on track, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is starting him against the team that traded him last summer, the visiting Minnesota Twins, in their series finale on Sunday.

Jax was one of the American League’s top setup relievers when he was obtained on July 31 for starter Taj Bradley. But Jax is off to a slow start this season (1-2, 8.00 ERA), allowing six earned runs in seven innings pitched in April, and has allowed at least one earned run in two of his last three appearances.

It will be the second time Jax has faced his old team. He pitched two shutout innings of relief in a 4-1 win over the Twins in Minneapolis on April 5, allowing two hits and a walk.

Right-hander Jesse Scholtens (1-1, 2.93) will handle the bulk role as the Rays go for the series sweep and their fourth straight win.

Scholtens is 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Minnesota, all of which came in the 2023 season with a Chicago White Sox team that lost 101 games.

Scholtens made the start in a 6-1 loss to Cincinnati on Monday and allowed five runs, including a two-run homer to Sal Stewart in the first inning, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.

The Twins, who have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine, will start right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3, 5.96), who is 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Rays.

Woods Richardson will try and cool down a Tampa Bay offense that has hit five home runs in the first two games of the series, all of which have traveled more than 400 feet.

Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda both belted two home runs in Friday’s 6-2 victory, with one of Caminero’s landing over the batter’s eye in center field and measuring a career-long 450 feet.

Jake Fraley hit a two-run shot 401 feet to right-center off Bailey Ober in the fourth inning to highlight Saturday’s 6-1 victory.

“This lineup is dynamic,” Fraley said. “If we’re having trouble driving the baseball, we’re able to lean on ‘small ball’ a little bit. We’ve got a lot of guys in the lineup that are able to do it well. And then these last two games, we were able to put it in the stands.”

Left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has missed the last two seasons due to Tommy John and left triceps surgeries, picked up his first win at Tropicana Field since 2023, allowing three hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings.

“I was happy for him,” Cash said of the two-time All-Star. “Want to see that continue to build. We all know how special Shane can be in our rotation, and he’s working hard to get to that point. Today was another good step for him.”

The Twins, who have been outscored 25-13 in their last four games, wasted a quality start by Ober, who allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Reliever Taylor Rogers was roughed up for three runs in the seventh without registering an out. Jonny DeLuca greeted him with a leadoff pinch-hit double into the left field corner and Ben Williamson followed with an RBI triple to the wall in left-center. Rogers then walked Cedric Mullins with a pitch to end his appearance.

Minnesota batters were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Royce Lewis broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth with a bloop single to center, driving in Luke Keaschall, who had been hit by a pitch.

“We’re not worried about this group,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “It’s the ebbs and flows of baseball.”

Despite the recent rough stretch, the Twins are third in the American League Central, just 2 1/2 games behind the first place Cleveland Guardians.

–Field Level Media

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Indian sports wrap, April 26: Diksha drops to T-26 at Women’s South Africa Open <div id="content-body-70908724" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar dished out a disappointing final round at the International Series Singapore as he finished the tournament with a 2-over 73 and tied 26th on Sunday, after having been in contention for the title earlier in the week at the Sentosa Golf Club.</p><p>The four-time IGPL winner, Bhullar, also a 11-time Asian Tour winner, had an early birdie on the second, but in the next seven holes, he dropped four shots. On the back nine, he birdied the 10th and the 17th and the 18th, but also double bogeyed the 15th in his 73.</p><p>The top Indian on the final day was yet another IGPL star, Pukhraj Singh Gill, who shot his best score of the week with a 4-under 67 with five birdies against one bogey to join Bhullar in the T-26th spot.</p><p>The only other Indian player to make the cut, Karandeep Kochhar (76), also from the IGPL, was 70th.</p><p><i>-PTI</i></p><p><b>Diksha drops to T-26 at Women’s South Africa Open</b></p><p>Indian golfer Diksha Dagar managed just one birdie against four bogeys on a rough and windy day at the Investec SA Women’s Open in Cape Town.</p><p>Diksha slipped down to T-24 with one more day to go in the Ladies European Tour event.</p><p>Diksha, who has been the leading Indian woman on the LET for many years, had one birdie on the fourth but gave away shots on the eighth and ninth and more bogeys came on the 15th and the 18th.</p><p>Things were slightly different for Pranavi Urs (74) and Avani Prashanth (75), who, despite over-par rounds, moved up slightly on the leaderboard. Pranavi, who was T-43, is now T-35 and Avani moved up to T-47 from T-53.</p><p>The other three Indians in the field, Tvesa Malik, Vani Kapoor and Hitaashee Bakshi missed the cut.</p><p><i>-PTI</i></p><p><b>GYMNASTICS</b></p><p><b>Uttar Pradesh wins junior national title</b></p><p>Uttar Pradesh gymnasts took the team title in men’s junior competition of the National gymnastics championships at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> The results: Team: Men: Junior: </h5><p> 1. Uttar Pradesh (Agrim Rawat, Harschit Damodaran, Hrigu Srivastava, Mohd. Zaid Ansari, Soham Sagar Atre, Vikas Yadav) 282.464, 2.Maharashtra (Adhyan Desai, Ayush Dalvi, Mayuresh Vartak, NIshad Narvane, Prasun Amalnerkar, Shreeyash Patil) 270.268, 3. West Bengal (Ayush Debnath, Premanshu Bera, Reetesh Debnath, Sk. Nabhigh Ali, Sohan Haque, Suman Dutta) 267.265. </p></div><p><i>– Team Sportstar</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 26, 2026</p></div> #Indian #sports #wrap #April #Diksha #drops #T26 #Womens #South #Africa #Open

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Deadspin | Athletics activate Brent Rooker, DFA INF Andy Ibanez Apr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Andy Ibanez (77) waits for the pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images The Athletics activated two-time All-Star Brent Rooker from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment. Rooker was sidelined with an oblique injury. He was injured during a game against the New York Yankees on April 9. Rooker is batting fourth and serving as the designated hitter in Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. He was hitting .146 (6 for 41) with two home runs and eight RBI before the injury. Rooker, 31, hit 30 homers last season, his third straight campaign with at least 30. He recorded career highs of 39 homers and 112 RBIs in 2024. The Ibanez transaction occurred to open a roster spot for Rooker. Last season, Ibanez recorded four home runs, 21 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .239/.301/.352 batting line across 91 games for the Detroit Tigers. Ibanez signed a one-year, .2 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January. However, he was designated for assignment a month later, as the Dodgers claimed Michael Siani off waivers. The Athletics claimed him, and he appeared in 11 games for the organization, posting a .118/.167/.118 line. The 33-year-old will now be available on waivers, once again. His defensive versatility could intrigue teams; he has experience playing first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field. Across six seasons, he has recorded 28 home runs, 131 RBIs and a .252 batting average. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Brent #Rooker #DFA #INF #Andy #IbanezApr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Andy Ibanez (77) waits for the pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images

The Athletics activated two-time All-Star Brent Rooker from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment.

Rooker was sidelined with an oblique injury. He was injured during a game against the New York Yankees on April 9.

Rooker is batting fourth and serving as the designated hitter in Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

He was hitting .146 (6 for 41) with two home runs and eight RBI before the injury.

Rooker, 31, hit 30 homers last season, his third straight campaign with at least 30. He recorded career highs of 39 homers and 112 RBIs in 2024.


The Ibanez transaction occurred to open a roster spot for Rooker.

Last season, Ibanez recorded four home runs, 21 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .239/.301/.352 batting line across 91 games for the Detroit Tigers.

Ibanez signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January. However, he was designated for assignment a month later, as the Dodgers claimed Michael Siani off waivers.

The Athletics claimed him, and he appeared in 11 games for the organization, posting a .118/.167/.118 line.

The 33-year-old will now be available on waivers, once again. His defensive versatility could intrigue teams; he has experience playing first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field.

Across six seasons, he has recorded 28 home runs, 131 RBIs and a .252 batting average.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Brent #Rooker #DFA #INF #Andy #Ibanez">Deadspin | Athletics activate Brent Rooker, DFA INF Andy Ibanez Apr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Andy Ibanez (77) waits for the pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images The Athletics activated two-time All-Star Brent Rooker from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment. Rooker was sidelined with an oblique injury. He was injured during a game against the New York Yankees on April 9. Rooker is batting fourth and serving as the designated hitter in Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. He was hitting .146 (6 for 41) with two home runs and eight RBI before the injury. Rooker, 31, hit 30 homers last season, his third straight campaign with at least 30. He recorded career highs of 39 homers and 112 RBIs in 2024. The Ibanez transaction occurred to open a roster spot for Rooker. Last season, Ibanez recorded four home runs, 21 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .239/.301/.352 batting line across 91 games for the Detroit Tigers. Ibanez signed a one-year, .2 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January. However, he was designated for assignment a month later, as the Dodgers claimed Michael Siani off waivers. The Athletics claimed him, and he appeared in 11 games for the organization, posting a .118/.167/.118 line. The 33-year-old will now be available on waivers, once again. His defensive versatility could intrigue teams; he has experience playing first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field. Across six seasons, he has recorded 28 home runs, 131 RBIs and a .252 batting average. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Brent #Rooker #DFA #INF #Andy #Ibanez

Deadspin | Injury-depleted Timberwolves seek to eliminate Nuggets in Game 5 Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games. The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State. Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks. Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance. “I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.” Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey. “Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.” It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry. “I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup. The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon. Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised. “It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.” Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons. “We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #GameApr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State.

Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks.

Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance.

“I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.”

Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey.

“Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.”


It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry.

“I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup.

The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon.

Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised.

“It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.”

Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons.

“We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #Game">Deadspin | Injury-depleted Timberwolves seek to eliminate Nuggets in Game 5 Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games. The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State. Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks. Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance. “I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.” Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey. “Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.” It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry. “I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup. The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon. Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised. “It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.” Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons. “We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #Game

The new (and old) world number one had as dominating of a win as one can at the Chevron Championship. Korda finished the weekend 18-under and five strokes clear of anyone else. It is Nelly’s second win at the Chevron specifically in three years, and given her previous KMPG Women’s PGA Championship victory (2021) it is now her third career major victory.

Korda did most of the damage over the first two rounds in Houston as she posted back to back scores of 7-under. Golf is unpredictable and anything can happen, but Nelly’s grip on the field made the weekend more of a formality than anything.

It is hard to really qualify how impressive this win was for Nelly. The massive margin of victory does a great job of that, but she entered the week as the favorite in most circles. History literally said that she would go on to win and she did. Think about that.

The most impressive thing in sports is when the athletes who we expect to be great are so on the biggest possible stages. When it’s primetime and the lights are bright most human beings tend to fold. We are trained and conditioned to believe that athletic superstars can rise to the occasion, but even they are ultimately human as well. It is difficult, impossible on some level, to be at your best when the moment and everyone in the crowd. is calling for it.

Nelly Korda did that at the Chevron Championship and has made a career of doing it more often than not. She is one of the most dominant athletes in the world right now and is building quite the trophy collection to prove that.

#Nelly #Korda #wins #Chevron #Championship #wire #wire #career #major #win">Nelly Korda wins Chevron Championship going wire to wire, third career major win It was never in doubt. Nelly Korda made sure of that.The new (and old) world number one had as dominating of a win as one can at the Chevron Championship. Korda finished the weekend 18-under and five strokes clear of anyone else. It is Nelly’s second win at the Chevron specifically in three years, and given her previous KMPG Women’s PGA Championship victory (2021) it is now her third career major victory.Korda did most of the damage over the first two rounds in Houston as she posted back to back scores of 7-under. Golf is unpredictable and anything can happen, but Nelly’s grip on the field made the weekend more of a formality than anything.It is hard to really qualify how impressive this win was for Nelly. The massive margin of victory does a great job of that, but she entered the week as the favorite in most circles. History literally said that she would go on to win and she did. Think about that.The most impressive thing in sports is when the athletes who we expect to be great are so on the biggest possible stages. When it’s primetime and the lights are bright most human beings tend to fold. We are trained and conditioned to believe that athletic superstars can rise to the occasion, but even they are ultimately human as well. It is difficult, impossible on some level, to be at your best when the moment and everyone in the crowd. is calling for it.Nelly Korda did that at the Chevron Championship and has made a career of doing it more often than not. She is one of the most dominant athletes in the world right now and is building quite the trophy collection to prove that. #Nelly #Korda #wins #Chevron #Championship #wire #wire #career #major #win

most of the damage over the first two rounds in Houston as she posted back to back scores of 7-under. Golf is unpredictable and anything can happen, but Nelly’s grip on the field made the weekend more of a formality than anything.

It is hard to really qualify how impressive this win was for Nelly. The massive margin of victory does a great job of that, but she entered the week as the favorite in most circles. History literally said that she would go on to win and she did. Think about that.

The most impressive thing in sports is when the athletes who we expect to be great are so on the biggest possible stages. When it’s primetime and the lights are bright most human beings tend to fold. We are trained and conditioned to believe that athletic superstars can rise to the occasion, but even they are ultimately human as well. It is difficult, impossible on some level, to be at your best when the moment and everyone in the crowd. is calling for it.

Nelly Korda did that at the Chevron Championship and has made a career of doing it more often than not. She is one of the most dominant athletes in the world right now and is building quite the trophy collection to prove that.

#Nelly #Korda #wins #Chevron #Championship #wire #wire #career #major #win">Nelly Korda wins Chevron Championship going wire to wire, third career major win

It was never in doubt. Nelly Korda made sure of that.

The new (and old) world number one had as dominating of a win as one can at the Chevron Championship. Korda finished the weekend 18-under and five strokes clear of anyone else. It is Nelly’s second win at the Chevron specifically in three years, and given her previous KMPG Women’s PGA Championship victory (2021) it is now her third career major victory.

Korda did most of the damage over the first two rounds in Houston as she posted back to back scores of 7-under. Golf is unpredictable and anything can happen, but Nelly’s grip on the field made the weekend more of a formality than anything.

It is hard to really qualify how impressive this win was for Nelly. The massive margin of victory does a great job of that, but she entered the week as the favorite in most circles. History literally said that she would go on to win and she did. Think about that.

The most impressive thing in sports is when the athletes who we expect to be great are so on the biggest possible stages. When it’s primetime and the lights are bright most human beings tend to fold. We are trained and conditioned to believe that athletic superstars can rise to the occasion, but even they are ultimately human as well. It is difficult, impossible on some level, to be at your best when the moment and everyone in the crowd. is calling for it.

Nelly Korda did that at the Chevron Championship and has made a career of doing it more often than not. She is one of the most dominant athletes in the world right now and is building quite the trophy collection to prove that.

#Nelly #Korda #wins #Chevron #Championship #wire #wire #career #major #win

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