Deadspin | Caleb Love, Blazers dump Warriors to move atop NBA Cup group

Deadspin | Caleb Love, Blazers dump Warriors to move atop NBA Cup group

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Nov 21, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Rookie Caleb Love capped a season-best 26-point performance with two key late 3-pointers and the Portland Trail Blazers put themselves in position for advancement in the NBA Cup with a 127-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday in San Francisco.

Deni Avdija also put up 26 points and Donovan Clingan chipped in with 22 points and 10 rebounds as Portland moved to 2-1 in West Group C, good for a first-place tie with the Denver Nuggets with just one game to play.

Toumani Camara added 20 points for the Trail Blazers, who defeated Denver in an earlier NBA Cup game.

After an 18-point second quarter by Stephen Curry offset a 19-10 Trail Blazers start, the clubs batted on even terms until Love buried a 3-pointer and Avdija dropped in five straight free throws in a run that gave the visitors the lead for good at 109-102 with 7:56 remaining.

The Warriors got within 119-118 on a layup by Gary Payton II with 1:43 to play, and later within 122-120 after two free throws by Jimmy Butler III with 43.2 seconds left, but both times Love responded with a 3-pointer to help Portland keep the hosts at arm’s length.

Love, a two-way player whose previous season high was 17 points, shot 6-for-14 from 3-point range to account for a majority of his points.

Avdija went 12-for-13 at the free throw line and also found time for a career-high 14 assists for the Trail Blazers, who also stunned the Warriors with a 139-119 home romp during the first week of the season.

Robert Williams grabbed 11 boards to complement eight points and three blocks for the Trail Blazers, who had lost four in a row. Sidy Cissoko aided the visitors’ cause with a career-high 15 points.

Portland played without Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe due to calf injuries.

Curry connected on nine 3-pointers in a 38-point effort for the Warriors, who were playing for the first time at home after a 3-3 road trip. Curry hit 14 of his 23 shots overall.

Butler and Brandin Podziemski finished with 20 points apiece, Draymond Green with 11 and Moses Moody 10 for the Warriors, who fell to 1-2 in West Group C.

Butler had a team-high eight rebounds and Green a team-high eight assists for Golden State, which lost for the first time in six home games this season.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Keller directs Pirates over Rays to clinch series win Apr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) tags Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) out at second base on a steal attempt during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon. Coming off a 13-inning loss on Saturday where Pittsburgh used six relievers, Keller (2-1) preserved some arms for the Pirates bullpen and helped his team take two of three games against the Rays, who entered the series having won six in a row. Bryan Reynolds backed up the pitching with two hits and three RBI to lead Pittsburgh’s bats, while Spencer Horwitz and Nick Yorke each hit solo home runs. Nick Gonzales had two hits and an RBI and Jake Mangum also had two hits. The Pirates did it with the long ball and small ball as they recorded three bunt singles in a game for the first time since 1998. After picking up his first win in three years in his previous start, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (1-2) was unable to follow up that success, nor spare Tampa Bay’s own taxed bullpen a day after it used seven relievers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4 1/3 innings on 90 pitches. Keller picked up his second win in his fifth start of the season after not doing so last season until his 17th start. He struck out five and gave up five hits and did not issue a walk on 89 pitches. The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run single by Hunter Feduccia off Keller, which was one of Tampa Bay’s six hits overall. Jonny DeLuca followed a Richie Palacios double and then stole second to set up Feduccia’s go-ahead hit. The Pirates answered immediately when Joey Bart doubled and Billy Cook followed with a bunt single and stole second. Two batters later, Gonzales singled to drive in Bart, and Reynolds followed with a two-run single to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-2. Right-hander Wilber Dotel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major-league debut in the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Junior Caminero, but then struck out Jonathan Aranda and retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out, and Cedric Mullins on a fly ball to center. The Pirates optioned reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Keller #directs #Pirates #Rays #clinch #series #winApr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) tags Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) out at second base on a steal attempt during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.

Coming off a 13-inning loss on Saturday where Pittsburgh used six relievers, Keller (2-1) preserved some arms for the Pirates bullpen and helped his team take two of three games against the Rays, who entered the series having won six in a row.

Bryan Reynolds backed up the pitching with two hits and three RBI to lead Pittsburgh’s bats, while Spencer Horwitz and Nick Yorke each hit solo home runs.

Nick Gonzales had two hits and an RBI and Jake Mangum also had two hits. The Pirates did it with the long ball and small ball as they recorded three bunt singles in a game for the first time since 1998.


After picking up his first win in three years in his previous start, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (1-2) was unable to follow up that success, nor spare Tampa Bay’s own taxed bullpen a day after it used seven relievers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4 1/3 innings on 90 pitches.

Keller picked up his second win in his fifth start of the season after not doing so last season until his 17th start. He struck out five and gave up five hits and did not issue a walk on 89 pitches.

The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run single by Hunter Feduccia off Keller, which was one of Tampa Bay’s six hits overall. Jonny DeLuca followed a Richie Palacios double and then stole second to set up Feduccia’s go-ahead hit.

The Pirates answered immediately when Joey Bart doubled and Billy Cook followed with a bunt single and stole second. Two batters later, Gonzales singled to drive in Bart, and Reynolds followed with a two-run single to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-2.

Right-hander Wilber Dotel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major-league debut in the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Junior Caminero, but then struck out Jonathan Aranda and retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out, and Cedric Mullins on a fly ball to center. The Pirates optioned reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Keller #directs #Pirates #Rays #clinch #series #win">Deadspin | Keller directs Pirates over Rays to clinch series win Apr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) tags Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) out at second base on a steal attempt during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon. Coming off a 13-inning loss on Saturday where Pittsburgh used six relievers, Keller (2-1) preserved some arms for the Pirates bullpen and helped his team take two of three games against the Rays, who entered the series having won six in a row. Bryan Reynolds backed up the pitching with two hits and three RBI to lead Pittsburgh’s bats, while Spencer Horwitz and Nick Yorke each hit solo home runs. Nick Gonzales had two hits and an RBI and Jake Mangum also had two hits. The Pirates did it with the long ball and small ball as they recorded three bunt singles in a game for the first time since 1998. After picking up his first win in three years in his previous start, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (1-2) was unable to follow up that success, nor spare Tampa Bay’s own taxed bullpen a day after it used seven relievers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4 1/3 innings on 90 pitches. Keller picked up his second win in his fifth start of the season after not doing so last season until his 17th start. He struck out five and gave up five hits and did not issue a walk on 89 pitches. The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run single by Hunter Feduccia off Keller, which was one of Tampa Bay’s six hits overall. Jonny DeLuca followed a Richie Palacios double and then stole second to set up Feduccia’s go-ahead hit. The Pirates answered immediately when Joey Bart doubled and Billy Cook followed with a bunt single and stole second. Two batters later, Gonzales singled to drive in Bart, and Reynolds followed with a two-run single to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-2. Right-hander Wilber Dotel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major-league debut in the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Junior Caminero, but then struck out Jonathan Aranda and retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out, and Cedric Mullins on a fly ball to center. The Pirates optioned reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Keller #directs #Pirates #Rays #clinch #series #win

The week has offered back-to-back reasons for celebration in the chess fraternity. R. Vaishali secured qualification for the FIDE Women’s World Championship, A. S. Sharvaanica won the FIDE Under-12 Rapid title, and on Sunday, there was another milestone as Aronyak Ghosh became India’s 95th Grandmaster, achieving his final norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026.

The Kolkata native scored 7.0 out of 9 to finish tied for first place.

The achievement has been a long time coming for the National Rapid champion, who earned his first GM norm at the Sants Open in 2023 and followed it up with his second at the Annemasse Masters in 2024.

ALSO READ: A. S. Sharvaanica crowned FIDE World Rapid Under-12 Girls’ Champion

Aronyak also qualified for the FIDE World Cup 2025, where he beat Poland’s Mateusz Bartel in the first round before losing to Levon Aronian.

He is currently ranked 401 in the world, with a standard rating of 2533.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Aronyak #Ghosh #Indias #95th #Grandmaster #landmark #week #Indian #chess">Aronyak Ghosh becomes India’s 95th Grandmaster in landmark week for Indian chess The week has offered back-to-back reasons for celebration in the chess fraternity. R. Vaishali secured qualification for the FIDE Women’s World Championship, A. S. Sharvaanica won the FIDE Under-12 Rapid title, and on Sunday, there was another milestone as Aronyak Ghosh became India’s 95th Grandmaster, achieving his final norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026.The Kolkata native scored 7.0 out of 9 to finish tied for first place.The achievement has been a long time coming for the National Rapid champion, who earned his first GM norm at the Sants Open in 2023 and followed it up with his second at the Annemasse Masters in 2024.ALSO READ: A. S. Sharvaanica crowned FIDE World Rapid Under-12 Girls’ ChampionAronyak also qualified for the FIDE World Cup 2025, where he beat Poland’s Mateusz Bartel in the first round before losing to Levon Aronian.He is currently ranked 401 in the world, with a standard rating of 2533.Published on Apr 19, 2026 #Aronyak #Ghosh #Indias #95th #Grandmaster #landmark #week #Indian #chess

A. S. Sharvaanica crowned FIDE World Rapid Under-12 Girls’ Champion

Aronyak also qualified for the FIDE World Cup 2025, where he beat Poland’s Mateusz Bartel in the first round before losing to Levon Aronian.

He is currently ranked 401 in the world, with a standard rating of 2533.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Aronyak #Ghosh #Indias #95th #Grandmaster #landmark #week #Indian #chess">Aronyak Ghosh becomes India’s 95th Grandmaster in landmark week for Indian chess

The week has offered back-to-back reasons for celebration in the chess fraternity. R. Vaishali secured qualification for the FIDE Women’s World Championship, A. S. Sharvaanica won the FIDE Under-12 Rapid title, and on Sunday, there was another milestone as Aronyak Ghosh became India’s 95th Grandmaster, achieving his final norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026.

The Kolkata native scored 7.0 out of 9 to finish tied for first place.

The achievement has been a long time coming for the National Rapid champion, who earned his first GM norm at the Sants Open in 2023 and followed it up with his second at the Annemasse Masters in 2024.

ALSO READ: A. S. Sharvaanica crowned FIDE World Rapid Under-12 Girls’ Champion

Aronyak also qualified for the FIDE World Cup 2025, where he beat Poland’s Mateusz Bartel in the first round before losing to Levon Aronian.

He is currently ranked 401 in the world, with a standard rating of 2533.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Aronyak #Ghosh #Indias #95th #Grandmaster #landmark #week #Indian #chess
Deadspin | Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants Apr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep. Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk. PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season. Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one. The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score. The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out. Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer. The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Curtis #Mead #Keibert #Ruiz #Nationals #tame #GiantsApr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk.

PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season.

Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.


San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score.

The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out.

Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer.

The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Curtis #Mead #Keibert #Ruiz #Nationals #tame #Giants">Deadspin | Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants Apr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep. Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk. PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season. Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one. The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score. The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out. Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer. The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Curtis #Mead #Keibert #Ruiz #Nationals #tame #Giants

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