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Barcelona can clinch second straight La Liga title this weekend if Madrid slips against Espanyol  Barcelona could clinch a second straight La Liga title this weekend if it beats Osasuna and Real Madrid drops points against Espanyol.Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games left. If Hansi Flick’s side wins at Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also beat Espanyol on Sunday to keep the title race alive for at least one more round.If everything goes Barcelona’s way, it will host Real Madrid in the Clasico in the following round as the newly crowned champion.Flick is on the cusp of a third major title in two years at Barcelona, including the 2025 Copa del Rey, while Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy.Barcelona has been running away with the domestic title race. It has won nine straight matches in La Liga, with its only recent setback coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy outing in Pamplona.Ninth-placed Osasuna has lost only twice at El Sadar this season and is unbeaten in its last 10 home matches.ALSO READ: Ashley Young to retire at the end of the seasonMadrid, meanwhile, has won only one of its last six matches across all competitions as it limps towards the end of a disappointing season. Xabi Alonso has already been dismissed and, barring a drastic turn of events, Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to leave in the off-season.Espanyol has been in an even deeper rut than Madrid.It was fifth at the start of 2026 but is yet to win this year, enduring a 16-match winless run that has dragged it into the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.Atletico Madrid plays at Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visits Arsenal next week, with its Champions League semifinal finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw.Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Barcelona #clinch #straight #Liga #title #weekend #Madrid #slips #Espanyol

Barcelona can clinch second straight La Liga title this weekend if Madrid slips against Espanyol

Barcelona could clinch a second straight La Liga title this weekend if it beats Osasuna and Real Madrid drops points against Espanyol.

Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games left. If Hansi Flick’s side wins at Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also beat Espanyol on Sunday to keep the title race alive for at least one more round.

If everything goes Barcelona’s way, it will host Real Madrid in the Clasico in the following round as the newly crowned champion.

Flick is on the cusp of a third major title in two years at Barcelona, including the 2025 Copa del Rey, while Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy.

Barcelona has been running away with the domestic title race. It has won nine straight matches in La Liga, with its only recent setback coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.

However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy outing in Pamplona.

Ninth-placed Osasuna has lost only twice at El Sadar this season and is unbeaten in its last 10 home matches.

ALSO READ: Ashley Young to retire at the end of the season

Madrid, meanwhile, has won only one of its last six matches across all competitions as it limps towards the end of a disappointing season. Xabi Alonso has already been dismissed and, barring a drastic turn of events, Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to leave in the off-season.

Espanyol has been in an even deeper rut than Madrid.

It was fifth at the start of 2026 but is yet to win this year, enduring a 16-match winless run that has dragged it into the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.

Atletico Madrid plays at Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visits Arsenal next week, with its Champions League semifinal finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Barcelona #clinch #straight #Liga #title #weekend #Madrid #slips #Espanyol

Barcelona could clinch a second straight La Liga title this weekend if it beats Osasuna and Real Madrid drops points against Espanyol.

Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games left. If Hansi Flick’s side wins at Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also beat Espanyol on Sunday to keep the title race alive for at least one more round.

If everything goes Barcelona’s way, it will host Real Madrid in the Clasico in the following round as the newly crowned champion.

Flick is on the cusp of a third major title in two years at Barcelona, including the 2025 Copa del Rey, while Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy.

Barcelona has been running away with the domestic title race. It has won nine straight matches in La Liga, with its only recent setback coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.

However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy outing in Pamplona.

Ninth-placed Osasuna has lost only twice at El Sadar this season and is unbeaten in its last 10 home matches.

ALSO READ: Ashley Young to retire at the end of the season

Madrid, meanwhile, has won only one of its last six matches across all competitions as it limps towards the end of a disappointing season. Xabi Alonso has already been dismissed and, barring a drastic turn of events, Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to leave in the off-season.

Espanyol has been in an even deeper rut than Madrid.

It was fifth at the start of 2026 but is yet to win this year, enduring a 16-match winless run that has dragged it into the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.

Atletico Madrid plays at Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visits Arsenal next week, with its Champions League semifinal finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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#Barcelona #clinch #straight #Liga #title #weekend #Madrid #slips #Espanyol

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Rockets Still Facing Uphill Battle Following Game 5 Upset Against Lakers | Deadspin.com <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-0 py-0 pb-4 undefined"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777561100381" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777561100381" alt="Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James lost his first home court closeout game in 18 years on Wednesday night.</p><p>The Houston Rockets, even without Kevin Durant, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 to force a Game 6 on Friday night in Houston.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48636781/sources-rockets-kevin-durant-miss-game-6-vs-lakers" target="_blank">ESPN’s Shams Charania</a>, Durant has already been ruled out for Game 6. That news dropped at a devastating time for the Rockets, who found a way to steal a huge victory in Los Angeles without Durant on the night <a href="https://deadspin.com/lebron-james-needs-one-more-miracle-to-carry-lakers-without-doncic-reaves/" target="_blank">Austin Reaves made his return</a> to the Lakers.</p><p>As the Lakers regain health to support 41-year-old LeBron James, prediction markets are not showing Houston any respect, even fresh off the heels of a quality upset.</p><p>On Thursday morning, Kalshi gives the Rockets a 27% probability of winning this series. Without Durant, the Rockets aren’t getting any love to build momentum and attempt a rare 3-1 comeback in the NBA Playoffs.</p><p>Even with the series shifting back to Texas, the Lakers have a 73% chance of winning this series. A contract on the Rockets would earn 3.25% interest, as they’re massive underdogs down 3-2 in this series.</p> </section><p><span class="inline-block mr-3 uppercase shrink-0 font-bold">Our Current Best Offers</span></p><p>Channel debug: <span class="font-semibold text-gray-700">basketball</span></p> <section id="section-3"> <p>The Rockets still find themselves in this deep hole because of Durant. The 37-year-old is dealing with a bone bruise in his left ankle. It’s a separate injury than the tendon bruise that sidelined Durant in Game 1.</p><p>In Game 2, he was able to play his lone action in this series. Durant played 41 minutes and scored 23 points in the defeat. But that’s when he suffered this ankle injury, which has had just about 10 days to heal. If a Game 7 is forced, there’s a chance that Durant could return, even though it’ll still be less than two weeks since the initial injury.</p><p>Without Durant, Houston’s young core has played well against the Lakers. It’s the youngest starting five to win a game in the history of the NBA Playoffs. Remember, it was Los Angeles that was <a href="https://deadspin.com/which-nba-playoffs-game-1-loser-is-most-likely-to-win-their-series/" target="_blank">supposed to be facing an uphil battle</a> due to Reaves and Luka Doncic’s injuries during the final week of the NBA season. </p><p>Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson will be tasked with keeping Houston’s series alive on their home floor during Game 6. If they can do it? That at least gives Durant a chance at making a return for Game 7, which would decide this highly-contested first-round series.</p><p>If Houston wins Game 6 at home, their probability of winning this series will dramatically increase because of the idea that Durant could potentially make a return for a win-or-go-home matchup on Friday.</p> </section><p><span class="inline-block mr-3 uppercase shrink-0 font-bold">Our Current Best Offers</span></p><p>Channel debug: <span class="font-semibold text-gray-700">basketball</span></p> </div> #Rockets #Facing #Uphill #Battle #Game #Upset #Lakers #Deadspin.com

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Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6 <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-900/28782602.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28782602.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket 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<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-3"> <p>ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.</p> </section> <section id="section-4"> <p>If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt. </p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

Deadspin | MLS commish blames hacker for inflammatory post  Apr 22, 2026; Morristown, New Jersey, USA; Commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, speaks onstage  during an event for the opening of the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center. The complex has been selected as Brazil’s training home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images   MLS commissioner Don Garber said his X account was “compromised” after a since-deleted post appeared to taunt British Columbia Premier David Eby.  Eby posted a 45-second video on his X account on Wednesday pledging that he is working to prevent the Vancouver Whitecaps from relocating.  “The Whitecaps are British Columbia, and I want you to know that we are at the table fighting hard to save the Whitecaps,” Eby told the team’s fans in the video.  A direct reply to Eby’s post from Garber’s account said, “Liar liar pants on fire.”  About an hour later, Garber posted an explanation: “My account was compromised earlier this evening. The issue has been resolved. I appreciate Premier Eby for taking the time to meet with me today.”  MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche backed up the commissioner, posting on X that “Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this.”   Garber, 68, commissioner of the league since 1999, is in Vancouver to attend Thursday’s FIFA Congress and to meet with government leaders about the future of the Whitecaps.  The Whitecaps originally were founded in 1974 as a member of the North American Soccer League and were later revived as an MLS franchise in 2009.  The team has been up for sale since December 2024 but “no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here” despite serious conversations with more than 100 interested parties, according to the team.  ESPN reported earlier this week that investor groups from Phoenix and Las Vegas have expressed interested in buying and moving the team.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #MLS #commish #blames #hacker #inflammatory #postApr 22, 2026; Morristown, New Jersey, USA; Commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, speaks onstage during an event for the opening of the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center. The complex has been selected as Brazil’s training home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

MLS commissioner Don Garber said his X account was “compromised” after a since-deleted post appeared to taunt British Columbia Premier David Eby.

Eby posted a 45-second video on his X account on Wednesday pledging that he is working to prevent the Vancouver Whitecaps from relocating.

“The Whitecaps are British Columbia, and I want you to know that we are at the table fighting hard to save the Whitecaps,” Eby told the team’s fans in the video.

A direct reply to Eby’s post from Garber’s account said, “Liar liar pants on fire.”

About an hour later, Garber posted an explanation: “My account was compromised earlier this evening. The issue has been resolved. I appreciate Premier Eby for taking the time to meet with me today.”


MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche backed up the commissioner, posting on X that “Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this.”

Garber, 68, commissioner of the league since 1999, is in Vancouver to attend Thursday’s FIFA Congress and to meet with government leaders about the future of the Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps originally were founded in 1974 as a member of the North American Soccer League and were later revived as an MLS franchise in 2009.

The team has been up for sale since December 2024 but “no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here” despite serious conversations with more than 100 interested parties, according to the team.

ESPN reported earlier this week that investor groups from Phoenix and Las Vegas have expressed interested in buying and moving the team.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLS #commish #blames #hacker #inflammatory #post">Deadspin | MLS commish blames hacker for inflammatory post  Apr 22, 2026; Morristown, New Jersey, USA; Commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, speaks onstage  during an event for the opening of the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center. The complex has been selected as Brazil’s training home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images   MLS commissioner Don Garber said his X account was “compromised” after a since-deleted post appeared to taunt British Columbia Premier David Eby.  Eby posted a 45-second video on his X account on Wednesday pledging that he is working to prevent the Vancouver Whitecaps from relocating.  “The Whitecaps are British Columbia, and I want you to know that we are at the table fighting hard to save the Whitecaps,” Eby told the team’s fans in the video.  A direct reply to Eby’s post from Garber’s account said, “Liar liar pants on fire.”  About an hour later, Garber posted an explanation: “My account was compromised earlier this evening. The issue has been resolved. I appreciate Premier Eby for taking the time to meet with me today.”  MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche backed up the commissioner, posting on X that “Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this.”   Garber, 68, commissioner of the league since 1999, is in Vancouver to attend Thursday’s FIFA Congress and to meet with government leaders about the future of the Whitecaps.  The Whitecaps originally were founded in 1974 as a member of the North American Soccer League and were later revived as an MLS franchise in 2009.  The team has been up for sale since December 2024 but “no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here” despite serious conversations with more than 100 interested parties, according to the team.  ESPN reported earlier this week that investor groups from Phoenix and Las Vegas have expressed interested in buying and moving the team.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #MLS #commish #blames #hacker #inflammatory #post

Deadspin | Reds place LHP Brandon Williamson (shoulder) on 15-day injured list  Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.   Cincinnati Reds left-handed starter Brandon Wiliamson, who missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery, went on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with left shoulder fatigue.  In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville.  Williamson, 28, last pitched on Wednesday night, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts before he exited after three innings of a 13-2 home loss to the Colorado Rockies.  He had an MRI exam on Thursday morning.  “Structurally, it came back good, so that’s good,” manager Terry Francona said. “Dr. (Tim) Kremchek looked at him, injected his shoulder with cortisone and he will go on a shoulder program — range of motion, strength and all that stuff.”  Williamson is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA, 19 strikeouts and National League-high 20 walks in 28 innings over six starts this season.   For his career, Williamson is 7-8 with a 4.69 ERA, 64 walks and 129 strikeouts in 159 1/3 innings over 33 games (32 starts) for the Reds in 2022-24 and 2026.  Williamson spent five months on the injured list following a left shoulder strain in 2024, then four games into his return, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and sat out the 2025 campaign.  Maxwell, 25, is the No. 17 prospect in the Reds organization per MLB Pipeline. He pitched 10 innings as a rookie in 2025 and had a 4.50 ERA with four walks and 13 strikeouts in eight relief appearances.  This season, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Maxwell is 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA in 12 appearances at Louisville.  Cincinnati selected Maxwell in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reds #place #LHP #Brandon #Williamson #shoulder #15day #injured #listCincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds left-handed starter Brandon Wiliamson, who missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery, went on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with left shoulder fatigue.

In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville.

Williamson, 28, last pitched on Wednesday night, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts before he exited after three innings of a 13-2 home loss to the Colorado Rockies.

He had an MRI exam on Thursday morning.

“Structurally, it came back good, so that’s good,” manager Terry Francona said. “Dr. (Tim) Kremchek looked at him, injected his shoulder with cortisone and he will go on a shoulder program — range of motion, strength and all that stuff.”


Williamson is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA, 19 strikeouts and National League-high 20 walks in 28 innings over six starts this season.

For his career, Williamson is 7-8 with a 4.69 ERA, 64 walks and 129 strikeouts in 159 1/3 innings over 33 games (32 starts) for the Reds in 2022-24 and 2026.

Williamson spent five months on the injured list following a left shoulder strain in 2024, then four games into his return, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and sat out the 2025 campaign.

Maxwell, 25, is the No. 17 prospect in the Reds organization per MLB Pipeline. He pitched 10 innings as a rookie in 2025 and had a 4.50 ERA with four walks and 13 strikeouts in eight relief appearances.

This season, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Maxwell is 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA in 12 appearances at Louisville.

Cincinnati selected Maxwell in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reds #place #LHP #Brandon #Williamson #shoulder #15day #injured #list">Deadspin | Reds place LHP Brandon Williamson (shoulder) on 15-day injured list  Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.   Cincinnati Reds left-handed starter Brandon Wiliamson, who missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery, went on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with left shoulder fatigue.  In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville.  Williamson, 28, last pitched on Wednesday night, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts before he exited after three innings of a 13-2 home loss to the Colorado Rockies.  He had an MRI exam on Thursday morning.  “Structurally, it came back good, so that’s good,” manager Terry Francona said. “Dr. (Tim) Kremchek looked at him, injected his shoulder with cortisone and he will go on a shoulder program — range of motion, strength and all that stuff.”  Williamson is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA, 19 strikeouts and National League-high 20 walks in 28 innings over six starts this season.   For his career, Williamson is 7-8 with a 4.69 ERA, 64 walks and 129 strikeouts in 159 1/3 innings over 33 games (32 starts) for the Reds in 2022-24 and 2026.  Williamson spent five months on the injured list following a left shoulder strain in 2024, then four games into his return, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and sat out the 2025 campaign.  Maxwell, 25, is the No. 17 prospect in the Reds organization per MLB Pipeline. He pitched 10 innings as a rookie in 2025 and had a 4.50 ERA with four walks and 13 strikeouts in eight relief appearances.  This season, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Maxwell is 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA in 12 appearances at Louisville.  Cincinnati selected Maxwell in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reds #place #LHP #Brandon #Williamson #shoulder #15day #injured #list

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