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Deadspin | Twins place RHP Taj Bradley (pectoral) on injured list  Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right pectoral muscle.  The move is retroactive to Wednesday, the day after Bradley struck out eight batters in six innings and earned the win in an 11-3 victory at Washington.  Bradley, 25, improved to 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA through eight starts this season. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 17 in 47 innings.  Bradley is 23-28 with a 4.64 ERA in 83 career games (81 starts) with the Rays (2023-25) and Twins, who acquired him from Tampa Bay at the 2025 trade deadline for right-hander Griffin Jax.   Minnesota recalled right-hander Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Bradley on the 26-man roster.   Adams, 26, is 3-0 with a 9.00 ERA in five relief appearances this season at St. Paul.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Twins #place #RHP #Taj #Bradley #pectoral #injured #list

Deadspin | Twins place RHP Taj Bradley (pectoral) on injured list
Deadspin | Twins place RHP Taj Bradley (pectoral) on injured list  Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right pectoral muscle.  The move is retroactive to Wednesday, the day after Bradley struck out eight batters in six innings and earned the win in an 11-3 victory at Washington.  Bradley, 25, improved to 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA through eight starts this season. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 17 in 47 innings.  Bradley is 23-28 with a 4.64 ERA in 83 career games (81 starts) with the Rays (2023-25) and Twins, who acquired him from Tampa Bay at the 2025 trade deadline for right-hander Griffin Jax.   Minnesota recalled right-hander Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Bradley on the 26-man roster.   Adams, 26, is 3-0 with a 9.00 ERA in five relief appearances this season at St. Paul.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Twins #place #RHP #Taj #Bradley #pectoral #injured #listApr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right pectoral muscle.

The move is retroactive to Wednesday, the day after Bradley struck out eight batters in six innings and earned the win in an 11-3 victory at Washington.

Bradley, 25, improved to 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA through eight starts this season. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 17 in 47 innings.


Bradley is 23-28 with a 4.64 ERA in 83 career games (81 starts) with the Rays (2023-25) and Twins, who acquired him from Tampa Bay at the 2025 trade deadline for right-hander Griffin Jax.

Minnesota recalled right-hander Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Bradley on the 26-man roster.

Adams, 26, is 3-0 with a 9.00 ERA in five relief appearances this season at St. Paul.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #place #RHP #Taj #Bradley #pectoral #injured #list

Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right pectoral muscle.

The move is retroactive to Wednesday, the day after Bradley struck out eight batters in six innings and earned the win in an 11-3 victory at Washington.

Bradley, 25, improved to 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA through eight starts this season. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 17 in 47 innings.

Bradley is 23-28 with a 4.64 ERA in 83 career games (81 starts) with the Rays (2023-25) and Twins, who acquired him from Tampa Bay at the 2025 trade deadline for right-hander Griffin Jax.

Minnesota recalled right-hander Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Bradley on the 26-man roster.

Adams, 26, is 3-0 with a 9.00 ERA in five relief appearances this season at St. Paul.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Twins #place #RHP #Taj #Bradley #pectoral #injured #list

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NBA Draft 2026: Which lottery team is most desperate for the No. 1 pick? <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The 2026 NBA Draft lottery feels like one of the most important in the recent history of the sport, and not necessarily because there’s a no-brainer future MVP candidate available at the top of the order. This draft is special because the top-four prospects all have the potential to be a franchise player down the line. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1113333/cameron-boozer-scouting-report-best-prospect-2026-nba-draft-duke">Cameron Boozer is the No. 1 player in the class in our eyes</a>, but <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1113726/aj-dybantsa-best-team-fits-nba-draft-2026-lottery">A.J. Dybantsa feels like the favorite to be drafted with the first-pick</a>, while Darryn Peterson will have plenty of fans as well. North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson has the potential to be as good as any of them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The available talent is just one reason why this lottery is so important. The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1112811/nba-draft-lottery-changes-explained-new-problems-this-is-terrible">NBA is rushing through anti-tanking reform for next year’s draft</a> that flattens the odds to such a degree that it will essentially randomize the draft order. The floor has also been taken out of the new rules, so while the worst team in the league can only fall to the No. 5 pick this year, next season they could fall as far as No. 12 overall.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The stakes are so high. Check out our <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1112669/nba-mock-draft-2026-update-after-college-basketball-early-entry-deadline-final-odds">most recent mock draft</a>, and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1112981/nba-draft-lottery-2026-who-deserves-it">read our take on who deserves lottery luck</a>. Now, let’s rank every lottery team by how desperate they are to move into the top-4.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">14. Oklahoma City Thunder</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">No. Just no. If the Thunder cash in on their seven percent chance to move into the top-4, the rest of the league is in deep, deep trouble.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Hornets already look like the Team of the Future in the East to me after posting the league’s best net-rating after Jan. 1. The Hornets are going to be good either way next year, and they’ll have a chance to add two solid long-term pieces to the draft in this draft with multiple picks in the teens.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The stakes are higher for the Pacers than any other team. If their pick drops out of the top-4, it goes to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. It’s hard to see the Pacers as “desperate” for lottery luck though because they were just in the NBA Finals last time they had a healthy Tyrese Haliburton. Let’s hope the star point guard recovers quickly from his shingles, but he should be ready to go coming off the Achilles tear.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Hawks took two games off the Knicks in the first-round this year, and they already have a nice young core in place led by Jalen Johnson. Atlanta is still searching for a true No. 1 option in this draft, but they have a bright future even if their pick remains in its expected range around No. 8.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Heat feel like they’re stuck in no-man’s land. The current team is just good enough to make the play-in tournament but not the playoffs, and they’ll never be bad enough to have decent odds for a top pick. Next year’s lottery changes really helps a team like Miami who is always in the middle. Lottery reform is basically a bailout package for the Heat, so they don’t need luck as badly this year as some other teams.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Mavs needed a miracle to land Cooper Flagg last year, and now they really need to make this year’s pick count to find him a co-star. Dallas doesn’t control its pick from 2027-2030, so this chance is precious. Flagg is going to be an A1 star starting next season, so they already have a bright future just with him plus a top-10 pick this year even if they don’t move into the top-4.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Grizzlies appear ready to trade Ja Morant after already trading Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis has a decent young core in place with Zach Edey and Cedric Coward, and I fully trust this franchise to keep uncovering hidden gems in the draft. They would love lottery luck, but they don’t <em>need</em> it.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Jazz should be pretty good next season even if their pick falls out of the top-4. Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George are a solid core, and Ace Bailey could also take a leap in his second season. Landing Dybantsa or Peterson would be the perfect final piece, and give Utah a real chance to be contenders in the future.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Warriors are staring down the reality that they’re just not going to be good enough to contend in Steph Curry’s golden years. Moving into the top-4 wouldn’t necessarily get the Warriors back on top, but it would at least give them a plausible exit strategy after Curry retires. I could see a big fall from Golden State coming soon if they don’t get lottery luck and/or nail this pick.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Bulls’ roster feels bottom-3 in the league for next year before the offseason gets started. Chicago does have a lot of cap space and two top-15 picks in this draft, and best of all Arturas Karnisovas isn’t calling the shots anymore. New EVP Bryson Graham seems prepared to take a long-term view of the franchise’s recent struggles, but the best way to turn things around is a little lottery luck. Chicago hasn’t picked in the top-3 since it moved up to No. 1 for Derrick Rose despite being one of the league’s worst teams over the last decade.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Wizards traded for Anthony Davis and Trae Young to accelerate their rebuild, but AD doesn’t seem thrilled to be there. Washington has a decent young core led by Alex Sarr after a few years of tanking, but they still don’t have a young franchise player. If the Wizards fall in the draft lottery again and can’t get Davis to buy-in, they could be in danger of falling off the deep end when the new lottery odds begin.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga continues to hold the Bucks hostage. It feels like we’re finally going to get some finality to the situation this summer as Milwaukee has the ability to offer their superstar a max extension. If Giannis turns it down, Bucks ownership has already said it will trade him. Getting lottery luck would change everything for the future of this franchise — whether that involved Giannis or not. The Bucks can pick as high as No. 2 — but only if the Hawks land No. 1.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Nets had five first-round picks in last year’s draft, but none of them are likely to turn into the franchise player this organization desperately needs. Brooklyn has a bottom tier roster right now and really needs a young star to build around. The Nets also owe a pick swap to Houston next year, so this is their last chance to add a premium young talent until 2028.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Kings didn’t want to tank — they just built a terrible team on accident. Sacramento’s core is old and expensive, and somehow none of the main pieces are on expiring contracts. How are the Kings ever going to compete in the West if they don’t get lottery luck this year? The new odds are going to hurt them, and the roster probably has less young talent on it than any team in the league currently. I’d love to see more top picks land in the East to address conference imbalance, but the Kings are the most desperate team in the league for a little bit of luck.</p></div></div> #NBA #Draft #lottery #team #desperate #pick

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IPL टिकट ब्लैक करने वाला गिरोह पकड़ाया:फ्लाइट से सभी वेन्यू पर टिकट बेचने जाते थे 3 आरोपी; ₹20 हजार में बिक रहे थे फ्री पास

Deadspin | Fire transfer high-scoring Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey  Apr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) (center) dribbles forward during the second half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images   The Chicago Fire sent star striker Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey of Liga MX for a multimillion-dollar transfer fee, the MLS club announced Thursday.  Cuypers, 29, departed for a .5 million transfer fee plus 0,000 in add-ons, according to The Athletic. The Belgian’s exit opens a designated player roster spot.  “My time in Chicago is one that I will always treasure,” Cuypers said in a statement released by the team. “Since arriving here in 2024, the city has become a second home for me and my family.  “I would like to thank the club and staff and especially the fans for their unwavering support. I look forward to cheering the team from afar and wish my teammates nothing but the best.”  Named to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Cuypers has scored 13 goals this season, tied for the league lead with Petar Musa of FC Dallas. He established a Fire record this campaign by scoring in 10 consecutive matches in which he played.   Cuypers amassed 40 goals in 75 matches for the Fire since being acquired for a reported  million fee from Belgian first division side K.A.A. Gent in February 2024.  Chicago signed Polish free agent striker Robert Lewandowski in late June. The former star for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona made his Fire debut on Wednesday.  “We are incredibly grateful to Hugo for everything he has given this club, both on and off the field,” Chicago director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in the team’s news release. “He is an outstanding professional, a valued teammate and someone who has made a lasting impact on our group. We wish Hugo and his family nothing but success in this next chapter.  “While these decisions are never easy, this was the right move for both Hugo and the club,” Berhalter continued. “With his contract nearing its end, we felt this was the right moment to maximize the opportunity, create greater roster flexibility and continue investing in the squad to build a competitive roster now and in the years ahead.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fire #transfer #highscoring #Hugo #Cuypers #MonterreyApr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) (center) dribbles forward during the second half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

The Chicago Fire sent star striker Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey of Liga MX for a multimillion-dollar transfer fee, the MLS club announced Thursday.

Cuypers, 29, departed for a $7.5 million transfer fee plus $500,000 in add-ons, according to The Athletic. The Belgian’s exit opens a designated player roster spot.

“My time in Chicago is one that I will always treasure,” Cuypers said in a statement released by the team. “Since arriving here in 2024, the city has become a second home for me and my family.

“I would like to thank the club and staff and especially the fans for their unwavering support. I look forward to cheering the team from afar and wish my teammates nothing but the best.”


Named to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Cuypers has scored 13 goals this season, tied for the league lead with Petar Musa of FC Dallas. He established a Fire record this campaign by scoring in 10 consecutive matches in which he played.

Cuypers amassed 40 goals in 75 matches for the Fire since being acquired for a reported $12 million fee from Belgian first division side K.A.A. Gent in February 2024.

Chicago signed Polish free agent striker Robert Lewandowski in late June. The former star for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona made his Fire debut on Wednesday.

“We are incredibly grateful to Hugo for everything he has given this club, both on and off the field,” Chicago director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in the team’s news release. “He is an outstanding professional, a valued teammate and someone who has made a lasting impact on our group. We wish Hugo and his family nothing but success in this next chapter.

“While these decisions are never easy, this was the right move for both Hugo and the club,” Berhalter continued. “With his contract nearing its end, we felt this was the right moment to maximize the opportunity, create greater roster flexibility and continue investing in the squad to build a competitive roster now and in the years ahead.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fire #transfer #highscoring #Hugo #Cuypers #Monterrey">Deadspin | Fire transfer high-scoring Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey  Apr 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Hugo Cuypers (9) (center) dribbles forward during the second half of an MLS match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images   The Chicago Fire sent star striker Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey of Liga MX for a multimillion-dollar transfer fee, the MLS club announced Thursday.  Cuypers, 29, departed for a .5 million transfer fee plus 0,000 in add-ons, according to The Athletic. The Belgian’s exit opens a designated player roster spot.  “My time in Chicago is one that I will always treasure,” Cuypers said in a statement released by the team. “Since arriving here in 2024, the city has become a second home for me and my family.  “I would like to thank the club and staff and especially the fans for their unwavering support. I look forward to cheering the team from afar and wish my teammates nothing but the best.”  Named to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Cuypers has scored 13 goals this season, tied for the league lead with Petar Musa of FC Dallas. He established a Fire record this campaign by scoring in 10 consecutive matches in which he played.   Cuypers amassed 40 goals in 75 matches for the Fire since being acquired for a reported  million fee from Belgian first division side K.A.A. Gent in February 2024.  Chicago signed Polish free agent striker Robert Lewandowski in late June. The former star for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona made his Fire debut on Wednesday.  “We are incredibly grateful to Hugo for everything he has given this club, both on and off the field,” Chicago director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in the team’s news release. “He is an outstanding professional, a valued teammate and someone who has made a lasting impact on our group. We wish Hugo and his family nothing but success in this next chapter.  “While these decisions are never easy, this was the right move for both Hugo and the club,” Berhalter continued. “With his contract nearing its end, we felt this was the right moment to maximize the opportunity, create greater roster flexibility and continue investing in the squad to build a competitive roster now and in the years ahead.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fire #transfer #highscoring #Hugo #Cuypers #Monterrey

Kayla McBride is a top 10 scorer in the WNBA, averaging 18.2 points and shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc. She’s the second-leading scorer on the best team in the league — the Minnesota Lynx — and she’s a strong defender, too.

So, it comes as a surprise that she wasn’t selected as an All-Star reserve this season, especially when the league had the chance to appoint her as an injury reserve on Wednesday.

McBride has been named an All-Star five times in her career, including the last two seasons with the Lynx. But this year, the Lynx are represented by Natasha Howard, Olivia Miles, and Courtney Williams in the All-Star game, and McBride is the odd one out. All three players have deserving cases — and Howard and Miles were selected as starters — but it seems wrong that the 34-year-old was snubbed.

Part of why McBride was named an All-Star is because her scoring rampage is more recent — she was the Lynx’s leading scorer for eight straight games between July 3rd and July 20th, and was named Western Conference Player of the Week last week. So, her best stretch of basketball came after All-Star fan and media voting had closed, and even before coaches selected All-Star reserves.

The full list of All-Star starters includes Caitlin Clark (IND), Paige Bueckers (DAL), A’ja Wilson (LVA), Breanna Stewart (NYL), Olivia Miles (MIN), Kelsey Mitchell (IND), Aliyah Boston (IND), Natasha Howard (MIN), Jessica Shepard (DAL), and Gabby Williams (GSV).

The full list of All-Star reserves includes Rhyne Howard (ATL), Angel Reese (ATL), Allisha Gray (ATL), Marina Mabrey (TOR), Jonquel Jones (NYL), Dominique Malonga (SEA), Courtney Williams (MIN), Kelsey Plum (LAS), Kiki Iriafen (WAS), Jackie Young (LVA), Nneka Ogwumike (LAS), and Sonia Citron (WAS).

But the league had another chance to reward McBride with an All-Star selection, and they whiffed.

Kayla McBride probably should have been picked over Kahleah Copper for the All-Star replacement

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is sidelined with a leg injury, and the WNBA announced Wednesday night that Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper is the injury replacement.

Copper has had a good season; she’s the 7th-leading scorer in the WNBA, averaging 20.5 points per game, and her efficiency has increased after a sluggish start to the year. But she’s still shooting 42.8% from the field and 27.5% from three, marks that are far lower than McBride’s (who is shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.8% from three).

Most importantly, Copper headlines a Mercury squad that is 10-18 and out of the playoff race. (In comparison, the Lynx are 22-6 with a league-best +8.7 point differential). Therefore, it’s hard to make the case that Copper earned the selection over McBride, both when you look at the two players’ counting stats and their impact on winning.

McBride isn’t the only player who has an All-Star case but wasn’t ultimately selected: Carla Leite, Natisha Hiedeman, Shakira Austin, and Alyssa Thomas have all had strong seasons too, among others.

“Mac has really put us on her back,” Napheesa Collier said Wednesday. “This tear that she’s on has been so clutch … Also, she’s a huge reason I wanted to get back on the court, too. Like, ‘Mac looks like she’s having so much fun. I want to get out there.’”

If there’s one more injury replacement selection, McBride should be the no-brainer pick. If not, she’ll enjoy a much-deserved break after an elite first half of the season.

#major #WNBA #AllStar #snub #season">There’s 1 major WNBA All-Star snub this season  Kayla McBride is a top 10 scorer in the WNBA, averaging 18.2 points and shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc. She’s the second-leading scorer on the best team in the league — the Minnesota Lynx — and she’s a strong defender, too.So, it comes as a surprise that she wasn’t selected as an All-Star reserve this season, especially when the league had the chance to appoint her as an injury reserve on Wednesday.McBride has been named an All-Star five times in her career, including the last two seasons with the Lynx. But this year, the Lynx are represented by Natasha Howard, Olivia Miles, and Courtney Williams in the All-Star game, and McBride is the odd one out. All three players have deserving cases — and Howard and Miles were selected as starters — but it seems wrong that the 34-year-old was snubbed.Part of why McBride was named an All-Star is because her scoring rampage is more recent — she was the Lynx’s leading scorer for eight straight games between July 3rd and July 20th, and was named Western Conference Player of the Week last week. So, her best stretch of basketball came after All-Star fan and media voting had closed, and even before coaches selected All-Star reserves.The full list of All-Star starters includes Caitlin Clark (IND), Paige Bueckers (DAL), A’ja Wilson (LVA), Breanna Stewart (NYL), Olivia Miles (MIN), Kelsey Mitchell (IND), Aliyah Boston (IND), Natasha Howard (MIN), Jessica Shepard (DAL), and Gabby Williams (GSV).The full list of All-Star reserves includes Rhyne Howard (ATL), Angel Reese (ATL), Allisha Gray (ATL), Marina Mabrey (TOR), Jonquel Jones (NYL), Dominique Malonga (SEA), Courtney Williams (MIN), Kelsey Plum (LAS), Kiki Iriafen (WAS), Jackie Young (LVA), Nneka Ogwumike (LAS), and Sonia Citron (WAS).But the league had another chance to reward McBride with an All-Star selection, and they whiffed.Kayla McBride probably should have been picked over Kahleah Copper for the All-Star replacement Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is sidelined with a leg injury, and the WNBA announced Wednesday night that Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper is the injury replacement.Copper has had a good season; she’s the 7th-leading scorer in the WNBA, averaging 20.5 points per game, and her efficiency has increased after a sluggish start to the year. But she’s still shooting 42.8% from the field and 27.5% from three, marks that are far lower than McBride’s (who is shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.8% from three).Most importantly, Copper headlines a Mercury squad that is 10-18 and out of the playoff race. (In comparison, the Lynx are 22-6 with a league-best +8.7 point differential). Therefore, it’s hard to make the case that Copper earned the selection over McBride, both when you look at the two players’ counting stats and their impact on winning.McBride isn’t the only player who has an All-Star case but wasn’t ultimately selected: Carla Leite, Natisha Hiedeman, Shakira Austin, and Alyssa Thomas have all had strong seasons too, among others.“Mac has really put us on her back,” Napheesa Collier said Wednesday. “This tear that she’s on has been so clutch … Also, she’s a huge reason I wanted to get back on the court, too. Like, ‘Mac looks like she’s having so much fun. I want to get out there.’”If there’s one more injury replacement selection, McBride should be the no-brainer pick. If not, she’ll enjoy a much-deserved break after an elite first half of the season.  #major #WNBA #AllStar #snub #season

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