NBA Playoffs: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into its first-round playoff series with a 99-93 ‌road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine ⁠rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best- of-seven Western Conference series after falling ‌into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.The ‌consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who ‌has ⁠only played in Game 2.Austin Reaves scored 22 points ⁠off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for his side, which ‌will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).Pistons 116, Magic 109Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points ‌as top-seeded Detroit Pistons stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the ⁠Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered ‌Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Magic. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.45 POINTS FOR CADE.45 POINTS FOR PAOLO.2nd time EVER two opponents have dropped 45 in a postseason game… Pistons keep their season alive in an ALL-TIME battle between the 2021 and 2022 No. 1 picks 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BvRX27ZP8S— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland ‌Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so ⁠far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell ⁠scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.RJ Barrett ‌paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.

Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.

While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.

“So hopefully we will make that.”

HARROWING EXIT

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.

Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.

Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.

She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.

“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”

Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.

Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.

“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournamentsPrior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.“So hopefully we will make that.”HARROWING EXITSince the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition

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Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.
“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.
“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”
READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.
While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.
“So hopefully we will make that.”
HARROWING EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.
Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments