Napheesa Collier could miss beginning of WNBA season

Sports news wnba January 1, 2026

Napheesa Collier’s 2025 WNBA season ended in heartbreak when she was injured and could not finish the Minnesota Lynx’s second-round playoff series. That was back in October, and Collier’s goal was to heal in time for the Unrivaled season, which starts on Jan. 5. Unfortunately, it was announced in the early hours of the new year that it will not be happening.

Per a statement from Unrivaled, Collier will be undergoing surgery on both of her ankles. It has been recommended to her to do so, and it is the best chance for her to feel her best in the long term. That means, though, that she will be out for 4-6 months to recover.

This prognosis means that she will be out for the entirety of Unrivaled’s second season. Last season, Collier led her Lunar Owls to a semi-finals berth, won the league’s MVP award, and also won the mid-season 1-on-1 tournament. She was undoubtedly the most dominant player in the league. As a co-founder, Collier was also responsible for many of the perks and amenities that Unrivaled was praised for, working to create a great experience for herself and her peers.

With a prognosis of 4-6 months, this also means that Collier could miss the beginning of the WNBA season. Training camp begins in April (unless that changes with the new CBA), and the season starts in May — Collier will need to be on the lower end of that recovery timeline to make it for the beginning of the Lynx’s season.

The only way Collier avoids missing significant time to start the season is if the season is the WNBA season gets pushed. Which, with the way CBA negotiations are going, seems like a possibility.

On Dec. 31, Alexa Phillipou reported that the players and the WNBA are still very far apart on negotiations. Not just on salary, but on several other key details as well.

With Jan. 9 now just over a week away, we are getting into territory where the sides may start to talk about a work stoppage as well. The WNBPA has already voted to authorize a strike, if it comes to that as well. Either way, going beyond the Jan. 9 deadline almost guarantees that the WNBA season will be pushed (if not rushed).

In that case, Napheesa might get a little bit of extra time to recover. Either way, missing the Unrivaled season is going to have a huge impact on the Lunar Owls and the entire league as well. The league just lost their MVP, and the 1-on-1 tournament seems to have opened up for new contenders as well.

For Collier, sights must be set ahead to first get a new CBA signed, then healing up for the WNBA season, and then staying healthy long enough to help Team USA at the Women’s World Cup in Germany this fall.

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Stanger Things Series Finale: Eleven’s Ending Explained By Showrunners – SlashFilm

Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama makes history as Spurs outlast Blazers in Game 1 Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4. San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72. The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10 Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points. The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play. San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break. Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods. The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game">

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Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4.

San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72.

The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch,

Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10

Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points.

The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play.

San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break.

Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods.

The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game">Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama makes history as Spurs outlast Blazers in Game 1

Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4.

San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72.

The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch,

Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10

Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points.

The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play.

San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break.

Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods.

The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game

Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
| Photo Credit:
AP

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope — In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">

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Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.
Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.
Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.
“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.
“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.
“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”
Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.
ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta
He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.
“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”
The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.
“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”
Haaland embraced the chaos
“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP
Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.
“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.
Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.
“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”
City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.
Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.

Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.

Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.

“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.

“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.

“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”

Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.

ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.

“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”

The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.

A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”

Haaland embraced the chaos

“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.

“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.

Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.

“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”

City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

Deadspin | Knights rally in Game 1, spoiling Mammoth’s playoff debut Apr 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) checks Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Nic Dowd scored the go-ahead goal 7:20 into the third period and Carter Hart made 31 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Las Vegas. Colton Sissons had a goal and an assist, Noah Hanifin had two assists and Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev also scored goals for Vegas, which improved to 8-0-1 since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund each scored goals for Utah, which was playing its first playoff game in franchise history. Karel Vejmelka finished with 27 saves. Pacific Division champion Vegas had the first good scoring chance during a physical first period that featured more than 30 hits, several scrums and 10 penalty minutes when Stone blasted a slap shot from inside the blue line that caromed off the right post. Utah took a 1-0 lead just before the end of the period when former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt rifled a cross-ice pass to Cooley, who one-timed a shot from the middle of the right circle inside the right post for his first career playoff goal. Vegas tied it 3:44 into the second period when Sissons tapped in Cole Smith’s no-look backhand pass into the blue paint. The Mammoth regained the lead just 1:23 later. Stenlund fired a shot from along the right boards that Hart knocked away with his stick into defenseman Kaedan Korczak skating by the left side of the crease. The puck then ricocheted off Korczak and into the net to give the Mammoth a 2-1 lead. The Golden Knights tied it at 2-all at the 5:33 mark of the third period on a power-play goal by Stone, who roofed a rebound of a Tomas Hertl shot into an open net on the backdoor. It was Stone’s 37th career playoff goal with Vegas, breaking a tie with Jonathan Marchessault for most in team history. Dowd gave the Golden Knights their first lead when he deflected Noah Hanifin’s shot from the left point past Vejmelka’s glove side. Utah pulled Vejmelka for an extra attacker with 1:45 to go, and Barbashev sealed the win with an empty-netter before Vejmelka fully left the ice. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Knights #rally #Game #spoiling #Mammoths #playoff #debut

#Deadspin #Knights #rally #Game #spoiling #Mammoths #playoff #debut">

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Apr 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) checks Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Nic Dowd scored the go-ahead goal 7:20 into the third period and Carter Hart made 31 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Colton Sissons had a goal and an assist, Noah Hanifin had two assists and Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev also scored goals for Vegas, which improved to 8-0-1 since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund each scored goals for Utah, which was playing its first playoff game in franchise history. Karel Vejmelka finished with 27 saves.

Pacific Division champion Vegas had the first good scoring chance during a physical first period that featured more than 30 hits, several scrums and 10 penalty minutes when Stone blasted a slap shot from inside the blue line that caromed off the right post.

Utah took a 1-0 lead just before the end of the period when former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt rifled a cross-ice pass to Cooley, who one-timed a shot from the middle of the right circle inside the right post for his first career playoff goal.

Vegas tied it 3:44 into the second period when Sissons tapped in Cole Smith’s no-look backhand pass into the blue paint.

The Mammoth regained the lead just 1:23 later. Stenlund fired a shot from along the right boards that Hart knocked away with his stick into defenseman Kaedan Korczak skating by the left side of the crease. The puck then ricocheted off Korczak and into the net to give the Mammoth a 2-1 lead.

The Golden Knights tied it at 2-all at the 5:33 mark of the third period on a power-play goal by Stone, who roofed a rebound of a Tomas Hertl shot into an open net on the backdoor. It was Stone’s 37th career playoff goal with Vegas, breaking a tie with Jonathan Marchessault for most in team history.

Dowd gave the Golden Knights their first lead when he deflected Noah Hanifin’s shot from the left point past Vejmelka’s glove side.

Utah pulled Vejmelka for an extra attacker with 1:45 to go, and Barbashev sealed the win with an empty-netter before Vejmelka fully left the ice.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knights #rally #Game #spoiling #Mammoths #playoff #debut">Deadspin | Knights rally in Game 1, spoiling Mammoth’s playoff debut

Apr 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) checks Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Nic Dowd scored the go-ahead goal 7:20 into the third period and Carter Hart made 31 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Colton Sissons had a goal and an assist, Noah Hanifin had two assists and Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev also scored goals for Vegas, which improved to 8-0-1 since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund each scored goals for Utah, which was playing its first playoff game in franchise history. Karel Vejmelka finished with 27 saves.

Pacific Division champion Vegas had the first good scoring chance during a physical first period that featured more than 30 hits, several scrums and 10 penalty minutes when Stone blasted a slap shot from inside the blue line that caromed off the right post.

Utah took a 1-0 lead just before the end of the period when former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt rifled a cross-ice pass to Cooley, who one-timed a shot from the middle of the right circle inside the right post for his first career playoff goal.

Vegas tied it 3:44 into the second period when Sissons tapped in Cole Smith’s no-look backhand pass into the blue paint.

The Mammoth regained the lead just 1:23 later. Stenlund fired a shot from along the right boards that Hart knocked away with his stick into defenseman Kaedan Korczak skating by the left side of the crease. The puck then ricocheted off Korczak and into the net to give the Mammoth a 2-1 lead.

The Golden Knights tied it at 2-all at the 5:33 mark of the third period on a power-play goal by Stone, who roofed a rebound of a Tomas Hertl shot into an open net on the backdoor. It was Stone’s 37th career playoff goal with Vegas, breaking a tie with Jonathan Marchessault for most in team history.

Dowd gave the Golden Knights their first lead when he deflected Noah Hanifin’s shot from the left point past Vejmelka’s glove side.

Utah pulled Vejmelka for an extra attacker with 1:45 to go, and Barbashev sealed the win with an empty-netter before Vejmelka fully left the ice.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knights #rally #Game #spoiling #Mammoths #playoff #debut

Stanger Things Series Finale: Eleven’s Ending Explained By Showrunners – SlashFilm

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