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Deadspin | Lakers romp past Rockets, seal series in 6, set date with Thunder May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images LeBron James scored 18 of his 28 points in a runaway first half for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, who cruised to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday and claimed their Western Conference first-round playoff series in six games. By virtue of the 4-2 series victory, the Lakers advance to the Western Conference semifinals and will travel to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 on Tuesday. James added seven rebounds and eight assists to his ledger. Teammate Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Austin Reaves, who started for the first time in the series, added 15 points for the Lakers. Undermined by turnovers throughout the series, the Lakers committed just 11 giveaways while limiting Houston to 35% shooting. The Lakers finished with a 19-8 edge in fastbreak points, made 12 of 28 3-point shots (42.9%) and produced a plus-9 rebounding margin. Alperen Sengun paired 17 points with 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who played without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the fifth time in the series. Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds while Tari Eason tallied 14 points. Reed Sheppard scored 10 points for Houston, but missed 15 of 19 shots, including 9 of 10 from 3-point range. Houston finished 5 of 28 (17.9%) from deep. The Rockets’ promising bid to rally from a 3-0 series deficit and force a Game 7 in Los Angeles on Sunday fizzled quickly. Sengun gave Houston a 16-11 lead with a hook shot nearly seven minutes into the first quarter, but the Lakers seized control with a 12-0 run. Reaves ignited the surge with a three-point play while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Hachimura added treys to lift the Lakers to a 23-16 lead. The Lakers opened the second with a 9-0 spurt keyed by James, who scored in the post, drilled a 3-pointer and tallied a driving layup. The Rockets missed their first 11 shots of the second, with Sheppard ending the drought by driving for a layup at the 6:55 mark. After Thompson scored through a foul to cut what had been a 19-point deficit to 11, Ayton sank 1 of 2 free throws and then James assisted on a Hachimura trey before nailing a pull-up 3-pointer that helped the Lakers re carry a 49-31 lead into the intermission. Los Angeles led by as many as 29 points in the second half. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lakers #romp #Rockets #seal #series #set #date #Thunder

Deadspin | Lakers romp past Rockets, seal series in 6, set date with Thunder
Deadspin | Lakers romp past Rockets, seal series in 6, set date with Thunder May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images LeBron James scored 18 of his 28 points in a runaway first half for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, who cruised to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday and claimed their Western Conference first-round playoff series in six games. By virtue of the 4-2 series victory, the Lakers advance to the Western Conference semifinals and will travel to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 on Tuesday. James added seven rebounds and eight assists to his ledger. Teammate Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Austin Reaves, who started for the first time in the series, added 15 points for the Lakers. Undermined by turnovers throughout the series, the Lakers committed just 11 giveaways while limiting Houston to 35% shooting. The Lakers finished with a 19-8 edge in fastbreak points, made 12 of 28 3-point shots (42.9%) and produced a plus-9 rebounding margin. Alperen Sengun paired 17 points with 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who played without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the fifth time in the series. Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds while Tari Eason tallied 14 points. Reed Sheppard scored 10 points for Houston, but missed 15 of 19 shots, including 9 of 10 from 3-point range. Houston finished 5 of 28 (17.9%) from deep. The Rockets’ promising bid to rally from a 3-0 series deficit and force a Game 7 in Los Angeles on Sunday fizzled quickly. Sengun gave Houston a 16-11 lead with a hook shot nearly seven minutes into the first quarter, but the Lakers seized control with a 12-0 run. Reaves ignited the surge with a three-point play while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Hachimura added treys to lift the Lakers to a 23-16 lead. The Lakers opened the second with a 9-0 spurt keyed by James, who scored in the post, drilled a 3-pointer and tallied a driving layup. The Rockets missed their first 11 shots of the second, with Sheppard ending the drought by driving for a layup at the 6:55 mark. After Thompson scored through a foul to cut what had been a 19-point deficit to 11, Ayton sank 1 of 2 free throws and then James assisted on a Hachimura trey before nailing a pull-up 3-pointer that helped the Lakers re carry a 49-31 lead into the intermission. Los Angeles led by as many as 29 points in the second half. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lakers #romp #Rockets #seal #series #set #date #ThunderMay 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

LeBron James scored 18 of his 28 points in a runaway first half for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, who cruised to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday and claimed their Western Conference first-round playoff series in six games.

By virtue of the 4-2 series victory, the Lakers advance to the Western Conference semifinals and will travel to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 on Tuesday.

James added seven rebounds and eight assists to his ledger. Teammate Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Austin Reaves, who started for the first time in the series, added 15 points for the Lakers.

Undermined by turnovers throughout the series, the Lakers committed just 11 giveaways while limiting Houston to 35% shooting. The Lakers finished with a 19-8 edge in fastbreak points, made 12 of 28 3-point shots (42.9%) and produced a plus-9 rebounding margin.

Alperen Sengun paired 17 points with 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who played without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the fifth time in the series. Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds while Tari Eason tallied 14 points. Reed Sheppard scored 10 points for Houston, but missed 15 of 19 shots, including 9 of 10 from 3-point range. Houston finished 5 of 28 (17.9%) from deep.


The Rockets’ promising bid to rally from a 3-0 series deficit and force a Game 7 in Los Angeles on Sunday fizzled quickly. Sengun gave Houston a 16-11 lead with a hook shot nearly seven minutes into the first quarter, but the Lakers seized control with a 12-0 run.

Reaves ignited the surge with a three-point play while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Hachimura added treys to lift the Lakers to a 23-16 lead.

The Lakers opened the second with a 9-0 spurt keyed by James, who scored in the post, drilled a 3-pointer and tallied a driving layup.

The Rockets missed their first 11 shots of the second, with Sheppard ending the drought by driving for a layup at the 6:55 mark. After Thompson scored through a foul to cut what had been a 19-point deficit to 11, Ayton sank 1 of 2 free throws and then James assisted on a Hachimura trey before nailing a pull-up 3-pointer that helped the Lakers re carry a 49-31 lead into the intermission.

Los Angeles led by as many as 29 points in the second half.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lakers #romp #Rockets #seal #series #set #date #Thunder

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May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

LeBron James scored 18 of his 28 points in a runaway first half for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, who cruised to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday and claimed their Western Conference first-round playoff series in six games.

By virtue of the 4-2 series victory, the Lakers advance to the Western Conference semifinals and will travel to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 on Tuesday.

James added seven rebounds and eight assists to his ledger. Teammate Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Austin Reaves, who started for the first time in the series, added 15 points for the Lakers.

Undermined by turnovers throughout the series, the Lakers committed just 11 giveaways while limiting Houston to 35% shooting. The Lakers finished with a 19-8 edge in fastbreak points, made 12 of 28 3-point shots (42.9%) and produced a plus-9 rebounding margin.

Alperen Sengun paired 17 points with 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who played without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the fifth time in the series. Amen Thompson added 18 points and eight rebounds while Tari Eason tallied 14 points. Reed Sheppard scored 10 points for Houston, but missed 15 of 19 shots, including 9 of 10 from 3-point range. Houston finished 5 of 28 (17.9%) from deep.

The Rockets’ promising bid to rally from a 3-0 series deficit and force a Game 7 in Los Angeles on Sunday fizzled quickly. Sengun gave Houston a 16-11 lead with a hook shot nearly seven minutes into the first quarter, but the Lakers seized control with a 12-0 run.

Reaves ignited the surge with a three-point play while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Hachimura added treys to lift the Lakers to a 23-16 lead.

The Lakers opened the second with a 9-0 spurt keyed by James, who scored in the post, drilled a 3-pointer and tallied a driving layup.

The Rockets missed their first 11 shots of the second, with Sheppard ending the drought by driving for a layup at the 6:55 mark. After Thompson scored through a foul to cut what had been a 19-point deficit to 11, Ayton sank 1 of 2 free throws and then James assisted on a Hachimura trey before nailing a pull-up 3-pointer that helped the Lakers re carry a 49-31 lead into the intermission.

Los Angeles led by as many as 29 points in the second half.

–Field Level Media

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Former F1 driver and Paralympic champion Zanardi dies at 59 <div id="content-body-70931232" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a racing ​crash and went on to win Paralympic gold ‌medals, has died at the age of ​59, his family said on Saturday.</p><p>Zanardi, ⁠from Bologna, made his F1 debut in 1991 and later achieved success in the CART series in ‌the United States, winning back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998.</p><p>His life took a ‌dramatic turn in September 2001 when ‌he ⁠was involved in a high-speed crash during ⁠a CART race in Germany that led to the amputation of both legs.</p><p>Zanardi refused to end his sporting career ​and instead turned ‌to para-cycling, becoming one of Italy’s most successful Paralympic athletes.</p><p>He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 London ‌and 2016 Rio Games.</p><p>“It is with deep ​sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred ⁠suddenly yesterday evening, May 1,” his family said in a statement.</p><p>“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by ‌the love of his family and friends.</p><p>“The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all those who are showing their support at this time and asks that their grief and privacy be respected during this ‌period of mourning.”</p><p>Zanardi also claimed multiple world championship titles ​in para-cycling and became a powerful advocate for athletes with disabilities.</p><p>His life took ⁠another blow in 2020 when he was seriously injured ⁠after being struck by a truck while competing in a charity para-cycling relay ‌in Tuscany. He sustained serious head injuries and spent years undergoing treatment.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on May 02, 2026</p></div> #driver #Paralympic #champion #Zanardi #dies

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Harmanpreet Kaur will lead India’s squad for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the BCCI annoucned on Saturday. Smriti Mandhana has been named vice captain.

India will travel to England with four pace options including Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Nandini Sharma, who has received her maiden call-up.

Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur were not available for selection owing to injuries.

India enters the tournament on the back of its ODI World Cup triumph where it defeated South Africa in the final.

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav

Published on May 02, 2026

#India #squad #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #Harmanpreet #Kaur #lead #Nandni #Sharma #maiden #callup">India squad for Women’s T20 World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur to lead; Nandni Sharma gets maiden call-up Harmanpreet Kaur will lead India’s squad for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the BCCI annoucned on Saturday. Smriti Mandhana has been named vice captain.India will travel to England with four pace options including Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Nandini Sharma, who has received her maiden call-up.Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur were not available for selection owing to injuries.India enters the tournament on the back of its ODI World Cup triumph where it defeated South Africa in the final.Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha YadavPublished on May 02, 2026 #India #squad #Womens #T20 #World #Cup #Harmanpreet #Kaur #lead #Nandni #Sharma #maiden #callup

Deadspin | Fire, Cincinnati bring unbeaten streaks into rematch of draw Apr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) scores a goal during the first half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images Two weeks after playing to a draw, the Chicago Fire and visiting FC Cincinnati battle again on Saturday. The 3-3 draw in Cincinnati on April 18 contributed to both teams’ ongoing unbeaten streaks in MLS play. FC Cincinnati (3-4-3, 12 points) are 1-0-3 in their last four regular-season matches, while the Fire are 4-0-1 in their last five. Chicago (5-2-2, 17 points) did suffer a 2-1 home loss on Wednesday, when St. Louis City SC eliminated the Fire in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16. The Fire held leads in all three of their losses in all competitions this season, and also led 3-1 through 78 minutes against Cincinnati before settling for the draw. Midfielder Anton Saletros told On Tap Sports Net on Wednesday that the Fire are “very, very hungry” for Saturday’s rematch. “We had the three points against Cincinnati and they slipped through our fingers. We are very eager to play at home again and to keep pushing,” Saletros said. In regular-season play, the Fire have outscored opponents 11-2 at home while posting a 4-1-0 record. FC Cincinnati are winless on the road this season (0-3-2), but unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five matches in Chicago. Cincinnati is tied for fifth in the league with 19 goals, but the team’s 23 goals allowed are the fourth-highest total in MLS. Chicago is tied for 10th in goals scored (17) while allowing the sixth-fewest goals (eight) in the league. The April 18 result gives FC Cincinnati confidence that they can handle the well-rounded Fire. “It’s … looking at how do they gain advantages to put this really strong attacking group in positions to make plays, and that’s what our focus is,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “Hopefully our attack continues and hopefully our defending improves to limit their strengths.” Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga were in full training this week, and Noonan said the defenders could return from leg injuries Saturday. Hugo Cuypers leads Chicago with eight goals and Kevin Denkey leads Cincinnati with six. Both strikers have scored a brace in each of their last two regular-season matches. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Fire #Cincinnati #bring #unbeaten #streaks #rematch #drawApr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) scores a goal during the first half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

Two weeks after playing to a draw, the Chicago Fire and visiting FC Cincinnati battle again on Saturday.

The 3-3 draw in Cincinnati on April 18 contributed to both teams’ ongoing unbeaten streaks in MLS play. FC Cincinnati (3-4-3, 12 points) are 1-0-3 in their last four regular-season matches, while the Fire are 4-0-1 in their last five.

Chicago (5-2-2, 17 points) did suffer a 2-1 home loss on Wednesday, when St. Louis City SC eliminated the Fire in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16.

The Fire held leads in all three of their losses in all competitions this season, and also led 3-1 through 78 minutes against Cincinnati before settling for the draw.

Midfielder Anton Saletros told On Tap Sports Net on Wednesday that the Fire are “very, very hungry” for Saturday’s rematch.

“We had the three points against Cincinnati and they slipped through our fingers. We are very eager to play at home again and to keep pushing,” Saletros said.


In regular-season play, the Fire have outscored opponents 11-2 at home while posting a 4-1-0 record. FC Cincinnati are winless on the road this season (0-3-2), but unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five matches in Chicago.

Cincinnati is tied for fifth in the league with 19 goals, but the team’s 23 goals allowed are the fourth-highest total in MLS. Chicago is tied for 10th in goals scored (17) while allowing the sixth-fewest goals (eight) in the league.

The April 18 result gives FC Cincinnati confidence that they can handle the well-rounded Fire.

“It’s … looking at how do they gain advantages to put this really strong attacking group in positions to make plays, and that’s what our focus is,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “Hopefully our attack continues and hopefully our defending improves to limit their strengths.”

Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga were in full training this week, and Noonan said the defenders could return from leg injuries Saturday.

Hugo Cuypers leads Chicago with eight goals and Kevin Denkey leads Cincinnati with six. Both strikers have scored a brace in each of their last two regular-season matches.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fire #Cincinnati #bring #unbeaten #streaks #rematch #draw">Deadspin | Fire, Cincinnati bring unbeaten streaks into rematch of draw Apr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) scores a goal during the first half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images Two weeks after playing to a draw, the Chicago Fire and visiting FC Cincinnati battle again on Saturday. The 3-3 draw in Cincinnati on April 18 contributed to both teams’ ongoing unbeaten streaks in MLS play. FC Cincinnati (3-4-3, 12 points) are 1-0-3 in their last four regular-season matches, while the Fire are 4-0-1 in their last five. Chicago (5-2-2, 17 points) did suffer a 2-1 home loss on Wednesday, when St. Louis City SC eliminated the Fire in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16. The Fire held leads in all three of their losses in all competitions this season, and also led 3-1 through 78 minutes against Cincinnati before settling for the draw. Midfielder Anton Saletros told On Tap Sports Net on Wednesday that the Fire are “very, very hungry” for Saturday’s rematch. “We had the three points against Cincinnati and they slipped through our fingers. We are very eager to play at home again and to keep pushing,” Saletros said. In regular-season play, the Fire have outscored opponents 11-2 at home while posting a 4-1-0 record. FC Cincinnati are winless on the road this season (0-3-2), but unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five matches in Chicago. Cincinnati is tied for fifth in the league with 19 goals, but the team’s 23 goals allowed are the fourth-highest total in MLS. Chicago is tied for 10th in goals scored (17) while allowing the sixth-fewest goals (eight) in the league. The April 18 result gives FC Cincinnati confidence that they can handle the well-rounded Fire. “It’s … looking at how do they gain advantages to put this really strong attacking group in positions to make plays, and that’s what our focus is,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “Hopefully our attack continues and hopefully our defending improves to limit their strengths.” Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga were in full training this week, and Noonan said the defenders could return from leg injuries Saturday. Hugo Cuypers leads Chicago with eight goals and Kevin Denkey leads Cincinnati with six. Both strikers have scored a brace in each of their last two regular-season matches. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Fire #Cincinnati #bring #unbeaten #streaks #rematch #draw

Kuldeep Kumar set a new national record in pole vault by clearing 5.41m at the 1st Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competitions in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

Kuldeep, the 21-year-old vaulter from Madhya Pradesh, surpassed the previous national record of 5.40m, held by statemate Dev Meena, who finished third.

He had three failed attempts at 5.46m, while the qualifying mark for the Asian Games is set at 5.45m.

The 21-year-old has been in impressive form. Earlier in April, he secured gold in Jaipur by clearing 5.25m, achieving the qualification mark for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

RESULTS

Gold – Kuldeep Kumar (Madhya Pradesh) – 5.41m

Silver – G Reegan (Tamil Nadu) – 5.25m.

Bronze – Dev Meena (Madhya Pradesh) – 5.20m

Published on May 02, 2026

#Kuldeep #Kumar #sets #national #pole #vault #record #Bhubaneswar">Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar Kuldeep Kumar set a new national record in pole vault by clearing 5.41m at the 1st Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competitions in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.Kuldeep, the 21-year-old vaulter from Madhya Pradesh, surpassed the previous national record of 5.40m, held by statemate Dev Meena, who finished third.He had three failed attempts at 5.46m, while the qualifying mark for the Asian Games is set at 5.45m.The 21-year-old has been in impressive form. Earlier in April, he secured gold in Jaipur by clearing 5.25m, achieving the qualification mark for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. RESULTS Gold – Kuldeep Kumar (Madhya Pradesh) – 5.41m Silver – G Reegan (Tamil Nadu) – 5.25m. Bronze – Dev Meena (Madhya Pradesh) – 5.20m Published on May 02, 2026 #Kuldeep #Kumar #sets #national #pole #vault #record #Bhubaneswar

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