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Deadspin | Brent Rooker’s sac fly in 9th lifts Athletics past Yankees  Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (3) slides safely past the tag of New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images   Brent Rooker lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the visiting Athletics earned a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.  The Athletics won for only the fourth time in their past 17 visits to Yankee Stadium and earned the win after a shaky opening inning and a night after blowing a two-run lead in the eighth.  David Bednar (0-1) allowed a single to Nick Kurtz and a double to Shea Langeliers to put runners at second and third. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out on a splitter, Rooker lifted a 1-0 curveball to center field and Kurtz scored.  Elvis Alvarado (2-0) struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a 100-mph fastball to end the eighth and set up the ninth. Joel Kuhnel retired the side in the ninth for his second career save and first since 2022 with Cincinnati.  Kurtz, Langeliers and Jeff McNeil had multi-hit games for the A’s, who stranded 11 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.  McNeil had an RBI single in the fourth off New York’s Will Warren and the A’s scored the tying run when Max Muncy trotted home on a wild pitch.  The Yankees were unable to win in their last at-bat after doing so in their last two wins. New York struck out a season-high 15 times and had one of their four hits in the final eight innings.   Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single in the first and J.C. Escarra drew a bases-loaded walk against former New York starter Luis Severino.  Severino, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2023, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven and issued five walks in his third appearance against his former team.  Warren allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three.  Severino threw 32 pitches in the opening inning when the Yankees took the lead on Bellinger’s bloop single to shallow left and Escarra’s bases-loaded walk after the A’s lost an ABS challenge.  Severino allowed one hit the rest of the way and retired Judge and McMahon on double plays to end the second and fourth.  The A’s tied it in the fourth as four straight hitters reached with two outs. McNeil singled to left and Muncy scored on a wild pitch during an at-bat to Kurtz, who ended the inning by striking out with two on.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Brent #Rookers #sac #fly #9th #lifts #Athletics #Yankees

Deadspin | Brent Rooker’s sac fly in 9th lifts Athletics past Yankees
Deadspin | Brent Rooker’s sac fly in 9th lifts Athletics past Yankees  Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (3) slides safely past the tag of New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images   Brent Rooker lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the visiting Athletics earned a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.  The Athletics won for only the fourth time in their past 17 visits to Yankee Stadium and earned the win after a shaky opening inning and a night after blowing a two-run lead in the eighth.  David Bednar (0-1) allowed a single to Nick Kurtz and a double to Shea Langeliers to put runners at second and third. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out on a splitter, Rooker lifted a 1-0 curveball to center field and Kurtz scored.  Elvis Alvarado (2-0) struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a 100-mph fastball to end the eighth and set up the ninth. Joel Kuhnel retired the side in the ninth for his second career save and first since 2022 with Cincinnati.  Kurtz, Langeliers and Jeff McNeil had multi-hit games for the A’s, who stranded 11 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.  McNeil had an RBI single in the fourth off New York’s Will Warren and the A’s scored the tying run when Max Muncy trotted home on a wild pitch.  The Yankees were unable to win in their last at-bat after doing so in their last two wins. New York struck out a season-high 15 times and had one of their four hits in the final eight innings.   Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single in the first and J.C. Escarra drew a bases-loaded walk against former New York starter Luis Severino.  Severino, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2023, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven and issued five walks in his third appearance against his former team.  Warren allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three.  Severino threw 32 pitches in the opening inning when the Yankees took the lead on Bellinger’s bloop single to shallow left and Escarra’s bases-loaded walk after the A’s lost an ABS challenge.  Severino allowed one hit the rest of the way and retired Judge and McMahon on double plays to end the second and fourth.  The A’s tied it in the fourth as four straight hitters reached with two outs. McNeil singled to left and Muncy scored on a wild pitch during an at-bat to Kurtz, who ended the inning by striking out with two on.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Brent #Rookers #sac #fly #9th #lifts #Athletics #YankeesApr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (3) slides safely past the tag of New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Brent Rooker lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the visiting Athletics earned a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.

The Athletics won for only the fourth time in their past 17 visits to Yankee Stadium and earned the win after a shaky opening inning and a night after blowing a two-run lead in the eighth.

David Bednar (0-1) allowed a single to Nick Kurtz and a double to Shea Langeliers to put runners at second and third. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out on a splitter, Rooker lifted a 1-0 curveball to center field and Kurtz scored.

Elvis Alvarado (2-0) struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a 100-mph fastball to end the eighth and set up the ninth. Joel Kuhnel retired the side in the ninth for his second career save and first since 2022 with Cincinnati.

Kurtz, Langeliers and Jeff McNeil had multi-hit games for the A’s, who stranded 11 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

McNeil had an RBI single in the fourth off New York’s Will Warren and the A’s scored the tying run when Max Muncy trotted home on a wild pitch.


The Yankees were unable to win in their last at-bat after doing so in their last two wins. New York struck out a season-high 15 times and had one of their four hits in the final eight innings.

Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single in the first and J.C. Escarra drew a bases-loaded walk against former New York starter Luis Severino.

Severino, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2023, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven and issued five walks in his third appearance against his former team.

Warren allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three.

Severino threw 32 pitches in the opening inning when the Yankees took the lead on Bellinger’s bloop single to shallow left and Escarra’s bases-loaded walk after the A’s lost an ABS challenge.

Severino allowed one hit the rest of the way and retired Judge and McMahon on double plays to end the second and fourth.

The A’s tied it in the fourth as four straight hitters reached with two outs. McNeil singled to left and Muncy scored on a wild pitch during an at-bat to Kurtz, who ended the inning by striking out with two on.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brent #Rookers #sac #fly #9th #lifts #Athletics #Yankees

Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (3) slides safely past the tag of New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Brent Rooker lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the visiting Athletics earned a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.

The Athletics won for only the fourth time in their past 17 visits to Yankee Stadium and earned the win after a shaky opening inning and a night after blowing a two-run lead in the eighth.

David Bednar (0-1) allowed a single to Nick Kurtz and a double to Shea Langeliers to put runners at second and third. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out on a splitter, Rooker lifted a 1-0 curveball to center field and Kurtz scored.

Elvis Alvarado (2-0) struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a 100-mph fastball to end the eighth and set up the ninth. Joel Kuhnel retired the side in the ninth for his second career save and first since 2022 with Cincinnati.

Kurtz, Langeliers and Jeff McNeil had multi-hit games for the A’s, who stranded 11 and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

McNeil had an RBI single in the fourth off New York’s Will Warren and the A’s scored the tying run when Max Muncy trotted home on a wild pitch.

The Yankees were unable to win in their last at-bat after doing so in their last two wins. New York struck out a season-high 15 times and had one of their four hits in the final eight innings.

Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single in the first and J.C. Escarra drew a bases-loaded walk against former New York starter Luis Severino.

Severino, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2023, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven and issued five walks in his third appearance against his former team.

Warren allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three.

Severino threw 32 pitches in the opening inning when the Yankees took the lead on Bellinger’s bloop single to shallow left and Escarra’s bases-loaded walk after the A’s lost an ABS challenge.

Severino allowed one hit the rest of the way and retired Judge and McMahon on double plays to end the second and fourth.

The A’s tied it in the fourth as four straight hitters reached with two outs. McNeil singled to left and Muncy scored on a wild pitch during an at-bat to Kurtz, who ended the inning by striking out with two on.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Brent #Rookers #sac #fly #9th #lifts #Athletics #Yankees

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IPL 2026: GT captain Shubman Gill fined Rs. 12 lakh for slow over-rate against DC <div id="content-body-70841441" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during its Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals, which it won in a thrilling last-ball finish here.</p><p>Gujarat Titans secured its first win of the season with a one-run victory over the hosts in a high-scoring cliffhanger on Wednesday.</p><p>“Gujarat Titans (GT) Captain Shubman Gill has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 14 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi,” said an IPL media advisory.</p><p>“As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Gill was fined INR 12 lakh,” it added.</p><p>In a nail-biting contest, David Miller had a momentary lapse in judgment, refusing a single off the penultimate delivery from Prasidh Krishna before missing the final ball.</p><p>Kuldeep Yadav then failed to get past Jos Buttler’s direct hit, as Delhi Capitals finished at 209 for eight in its chase of Titans’ 210.</p><p>Gujarat Titans will next take on Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Sunday, while Delhi Capitals is set to face Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Saturday.</p><p><i>(with inputs from PTI)</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #IPL #captain #Shubman #Gill #fined #lakh #slow #overrate

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Deadspin | Injury-plagued Lakers look to regroup vs. Warriors <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28681871.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28681871.jpg" alt="NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">April 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) scores a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The foundation is crumbling fast around the Los Angeles Lakers, who looked like championship contenders after going 15-2 last month.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Lakers (50-29) now find themselves pressed to find enough healthy players for their next matchup against the host Golden State Warriors (37-42) on Thursday night.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Los Angeles sits a game behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoffs, while Golden State will likely be the No. 10 seed and compete in the play-in tournament.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Lakers lost their third straight game on Tuesday, falling 123-87 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury-plagued squad played without Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique), LeBron James (left foot injury management), Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (ankle).</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 15 points against Oklahoma City. Los Angeles recorded their lowest-scoring outing of the season and was 14 of 31 (45.2%) from the foul line.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“We’ve got to find nine guys that are, like, all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us over the next three games to find those guys.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>One bright spot in Tuesday’s loss was the play of rookie forward Adou Thiero, who scored a career-high 10 points in a career-high 21 minutes.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Thiero’s performance was overshadowed by a heated exchange between Redick and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who confronted his coach after being pulled from the game just 16 seconds into the second quarter. Vanderbilt was benched for the rest of the contest.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“It’s, you know, nothing personal with him. Normal stuff from my end,” Redick said. “I think for all of us, you know, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard. Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted, but again, normal interaction for me.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Los Angeles has won two of its three previous meetings against Golden State this season, including a 129-101 road victory on Feb. 28.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Stephen Curry scored 17 points and committed three turnovers in his second game back from a right knee injury</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>“Part of (Curry) getting back is recognizing that decision-making is really gonna matter next week when we’re in the play-in,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “He knows he had a little bit of a ragged game handling the ball. He’ll make the necessary adjustments.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The Warriors used their 40th different lineup of the season on Tuesday after rookie guard Will Richard was scratched with a back injury.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Golden State forward Draymond Green had seven assists in the victory and acknowledged that he’s not looking forward to the upcoming play-in tournament.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“It’s not exciting,” Green said. “I’m a competitor, so going into the game I’m going to do all I can to win, but it’s not that exciting. I’m not going to sleep tomorrow night like, ‘man I got this play-in next week.’ “</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Injuryplagued #Lakers #regroup #Warriors

David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.

Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.

Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.

Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.

Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.

Reactions

Here’s what Mohammed Kaif had to say

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision">“Can’t fathom it”: Experts react to David Miller’s no-single decision vs GT  David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.ReactionsHere’s what Mohammed Kaif had to sayMiller should have taken the single. pic.twitter.com/BXxIih2KSv— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 8, 2026Perplexed!Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.Why Miller didn’t take a single on 19.5??!! #DCvGT#IPL2026— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 8, 2026Bonkers!Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.Published on Apr 09, 2026  #fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision">“Can’t fathom it”: Experts react to David Miller’s no-single decision vs GT

David Miller’s decision on the penultimate ball became the defining moment in Delhi Capitals’ one-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, a game that swung wildly until the very end.

Chasing 211, DC stayed alive through Miller’s late assault despite a mid-innings injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt. Returning when the equation had steepened, he tore into Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, bringing the target down to 12 off the final over.

Prasidh Krishna, under pressure and with fielding restrictions due to a slow over rate, nearly lost control when Miller smashed a 106-metre six, leaving DC needing two off two balls. At that point, the obvious option was to take a single and force a Super Over.

Instead, Miller declined it, trusting himself to finish. He missed the final ball, and a sharp run-out sealed a one-run defeat, turning a calculated gamble into a moment of intense scrutiny.

Here’s how the cricket world reacted to Miller’s call.

Reactions

Here’s what Mohammed Kaif had to say

Perplexed!

Wasim Jaffer, like everyone else, was simply baffled.

Bonkers!

Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment.

“I am thinking what could have happened to Kuldeep and David Miller. If I was Kuldeep, I would have pushed him to the other end. I can’t understand. I can’t fathom it. It is just beyond me. It is bonkers,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further broke down the situation, pointing out that the match context made the decision even harder to justify.

“Because if you want 4 runs or 6 runs, it was right. You need 2 runs. And what are the odds? You can take 1 run. Kuldeep will at least get into the bat. Or if he doesn’t, you can run away. Even if Kuldeep gets bowled, in a 210 game, if you reach the Super Over, you have done well. I am not able to wrap my head around it,” Ashwin further said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#fathom #Experts #react #David #Millers #nosingle #decision
Deadspin | Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers keep Hawks from clinching playoff bid  Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night.  James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.  Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out.  Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.  The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row.  Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line.  Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front.   Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half.  Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break.  Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks.  Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests.  Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bidApr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night.

James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out.

Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.

The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row.

Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line.


Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front.

Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half.

Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break.

Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks.

Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests.

Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bid">Deadspin | Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers keep Hawks from clinching playoff bid  Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dribbles between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Max Strus (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and a career-high-tying 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-116 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview Wednesday night.  James Harden put up 21 points on 6-of-23 field-goal shooting and Jarrett Allen netted 16 points for Cleveland (51-29), which is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the East. The Cavaliers moved within one-half game of the third-place New York Knicks.  Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points off the bench for the fifth-place Hawks (45-35), who failed in a bid to clinch a playoff berth. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out.  Atlanta is one-half game ahead of the Toronto Raptors, but both teams could fall out of the top six and into the play-in tournament.  The Cavaliers have won four straight and six of the past seven, while the Hawks have lost two in a row.  Alexander-Walker produced 10 points in a frantic fourth quarter that saw the Hawks fall behind 105-87, then pull within two three times. On the last occasion, Kuminga hit two free throws to cut Cleveland’s advantage to 118-116 with 2:15 left, but Mitchell answered with four makes from the foul line.  Mitchell had 13 points and Harden added nine in the third when the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks 44-20 to take a commanding 104-87 edge. Cleveland used a 17-3 run spanning halftime, featuring 10 points from Mitchell, to go in front.   Atlanta went ahead for the initial time at 34-33 on Kuminga’s layup early in the second, then extended the gap to 67-60 at the break. Kuminga made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the first half.  Mitchell totaled 14 first-half points, including buzzer-beaters in the first and second periods, and Mobley had 16 points and nine rebounds before the break.  Mobley was aggressive from the start, posting 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter as Cleveland led 33-29. Johnson and Kuminga had six points apiece for the Hawks.  Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) missed his 10th consecutive game, but coach Kenny Atkinson hasn’t ruled him out for the final two regular-season contests.  Atlanta will be without backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) until at least late April. He was hurt when Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic committed a flagrant foul on April 1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Donovan #Mitchell #Cavaliers #Hawks #clinching #playoff #bid

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