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Deadspin | Cooper Flagg’s growth encourages Mavericks ahead of Heat matchup

Deadspin | Cooper Flagg’s growth encourages Mavericks ahead of Heat matchup

Dec 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) as guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) defends in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks take aim at their first three-game winning streak of the season on Wednesday night when they host the Miami Heat.

Dallas lost 15 of its first 20 games before notching back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets to complete a 2-2 road trip.

The Mavericks defeated the Clippers 114-110 on Saturday behind rookie Cooper Flagg’s season-high 35 points. Dallas followed up two nights later with a 131-121 win over the Nuggets with Anthony Davis recording a season-best 32 points and matching his season high of 13 rebounds.

Flagg said the Mavericks weren’t going to get overly giddy about two straight victories.

“We haven’t gotten too low off some of these losses, and we’re not getting too high off a couple of wins,” Flagg said. “Just stay consistent and just continue to build off what we had these last two games.

“If we can stay consistent with our approach and the way we’ve been coming out each and every day, I think we’ll be OK.”

Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 draft, was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November. He is averaging 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Flagg, who turns 19 on Dec. 21, has impressed Davis in their short time as teammates.

“He’s going to continue to be aggressive,” Davis said. “Him getting downhill, getting to his midrange and getting to the basket, he’s unstoppable.

“We told him to play to his strengths and when a three presents itself, shoot it. He still has a long ways to go, and that’s scary.”

The Mavericks also received a stellar effort from undrafted rookie free agent Ryan Nembhard against the Nuggets. The point guard had 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and recorded 10 assists without a single turnover.

“A blessing to be with this group of guys — a great group that we have here,” Nembhard said. “I just put in my work every day and stay consistent with that, and when you do that, good things will happen.”

Miami has won seven of its past eight games, and one of the victories came against the Mavericks on Nov. 24.

Tyler Herro made his season debut and scored 24 points on 12-of-18 shooting to fuel that 106-102 home win over Dallas.

Herro has played in four games and scored more than 20 points in each one.

The Heat had a lot of standout performers in Monday’s 140-123 home win over the Clippers. Miami tied a franchise record with 24 made 3-pointers.

Norman Powell had six 3-pointers while scoring 30 points, Bam Adebayo made five to go with 27 points and 14 rebounds, Herro hit four while scoring 22 points, Andrew Wiggins made two while recording 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks and Davion Mitchell was 4-for-4 from behind the arc while contributing 16 points and 12 assists.

“When everybody’s scoring, it opens the floor for everybody,” Wiggins said. “Everyone’s in a good rhythm, the ball is moving, and everyone has space to do their thing.”

Mitchell is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists while scoring 10 points per game and speeding up the Miami attack.

“When Davion gets the ball up and he gets up the court, it literally might be three dribbles,” Adebayo said. “That puts defenses on their heels, because he can get downhill. He’ll shoot a quick layup and people got to respect that. Then, when defenses collapse, it just makes it easier. Stop on two feet and hit the open person.”

Powell (ankle) is listed as questionable for the matchup. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington of the Mavericks are both questionable with ankle injuries.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cooper #Flaggs #growth #encourages #Mavericks #ahead #Heat #matchup

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports">FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports  FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from        The Athletic.Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World CupAccording to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.Published on Apr 14, 2026  #FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports

Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports">FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports
Deadspin | Sergio Garcia apologizes for meltdown at Masters  Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images   Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday.  Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later.  “I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion.  “I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”   Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration.  Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that.  Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #MastersApr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday.

Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later.

“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion.


“I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”

Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration.

Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that.

Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #Masters">Deadspin | Sergio Garcia apologizes for meltdown at Masters  Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images   Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday.  Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later.  “I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion.  “I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”   Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration.  Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that.  Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #Masters

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