Deadspin | Clippers, Trail Blazers duke it out for No. 8 seed Mar 31, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) shoots the ball against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference play-in round hits the home stretch on Friday when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Los Angeles Clippers for a crucial showdown. Los Angeles (41-39) heads into its final two games of the regular season with a one-game lead over Portland (40-40) for eighth place in the West. The Clippers overtook the Blazers thanks to Portland’s back-to-back losses at Denver and San Antonio on Monday and Wednesday. However, Los Angeles was unable to take a critical two-game lead, falling Wednesday against NBA-leading and reigning league champion Oklahoma City 128-110. The Clippers won two straight heading into Wednesday’s contest, routing Sacramento and Dallas to rebound from losses to Portland and San Antonio. Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said revisiting the 114-104 setback against the Blazers on March 31 is vital ahead of Friday’s rematch. “Understanding how they beat us last time (is essential),” Lue said. “They were really physical. I thought they came in with the mindset that that was a big game for them, so we’ve got to come in with the same mindset on Friday from the start — not easing into the game. We’ve got to be physical from the start.” Blazers coach Tiago Splitter expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, calling Friday the team’s “most important game.” Replicating its effort from the last encounter will be key, beginning with the physicality Lue referenced. Portland dominated the glass during the meeting in Inglewood, Calif., outrebounding Los Angeles 48-30. Deni Avdija’s 11 boards led the Blazers, while Toumani Camara grabbed four of his seven rebounds on the offensive glass in a contest that saw Portland with a 32-14 advantage for second-chance points. Camara, a 2024-25 All-Defensive Team honoree, is again a catalyst for the Blazers on that side of the ball. He comes into Friday’s game a week removed from drawing his 100th offensive foul of the season, setting a single-season NBA record. Camara has also been a contributor to the Portland offense in recent outings, scoring 17-plus points in each of the last five contests. His 13.5 points per game supplement team-leaders Avdija’s 24 points per game and 16.3 from veteran guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday scored 30 points in Portland’s March 31 win at Los Angeles. “Come out and keep fighting. Execute the best as possible,” Holiday told reporters about the team’s focus heading into the final two games. “Just do what we’ve been doing. We know how important each game is.” The Clippers come into Portland with Kawhi Leonard setting the pace at 28 points per game. Darius Garland, averaging 20.4 points per game since his trade to Los Angeles from Cleveland, missed Wednesday’s contest with a toe injury. Another key midseason addition, Bennedict Mathurin, will look to get back on track after scoring just 10 or fewer in four of the last five outings. Mathurin was held to four points in the last encounter with the Blazers. “Everybody here is on the same page,” Mathurin said. “It’s one game (to potentially determine the No. 8 seed). So, we’ve got to go out there and play as hard as we can.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Clippers #Trail #Blazers #duke #seed

Deadspin | Clippers, Trail Blazers duke it out for No. 8 seed
Mar 31, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) shoots the ball against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference play-in round hits the home stretch on Friday when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Los Angeles Clippers for a crucial showdown.

Los Angeles (41-39) heads into its final two games of the regular season with a one-game lead over Portland (40-40) for eighth place in the West. The Clippers overtook the Blazers thanks to Portland’s back-to-back losses at Denver and San Antonio on Monday and Wednesday.

However, Los Angeles was unable to take a critical two-game lead, falling Wednesday against NBA-leading and reigning league champion Oklahoma City 128-110.

The Clippers won two straight heading into Wednesday’s contest, routing Sacramento and Dallas to rebound from losses to Portland and San Antonio. Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said revisiting the 114-104 setback against the Blazers on March 31 is vital ahead of Friday’s rematch.

“Understanding how they beat us last time (is essential),” Lue said. “They were really physical. I thought they came in with the mindset that that was a big game for them, so we’ve got to come in with the same mindset on Friday from the start — not easing into the game. We’ve got to be physical from the start.”

Blazers coach Tiago Splitter expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, calling Friday the team’s “most important game.” Replicating its effort from the last encounter will be key, beginning with the physicality Lue referenced.

Portland dominated the glass during the meeting in Inglewood, Calif., outrebounding Los Angeles 48-30. Deni Avdija’s 11 boards led the Blazers, while Toumani Camara grabbed four of his seven rebounds on the offensive glass in a contest that saw Portland with a 32-14 advantage for second-chance points.

Camara, a 2024-25 All-Defensive Team honoree, is again a catalyst for the Blazers on that side of the ball. He comes into Friday’s game a week removed from drawing his 100th offensive foul of the season, setting a single-season NBA record.

Camara has also been a contributor to the Portland offense in recent outings, scoring 17-plus points in each of the last five contests. His 13.5 points per game supplement team-leaders Avdija’s 24 points per game and 16.3 from veteran guard Jrue Holiday.

Holiday scored 30 points in Portland’s March 31 win at Los Angeles.

“Come out and keep fighting. Execute the best as possible,” Holiday told reporters about the team’s focus heading into the final two games. “Just do what we’ve been doing. We know how important each game is.”

The Clippers come into Portland with Kawhi Leonard setting the pace at 28 points per game. Darius Garland, averaging 20.4 points per game since his trade to Los Angeles from Cleveland, missed Wednesday’s contest with a toe injury.

Another key midseason addition, Bennedict Mathurin, will look to get back on track after scoring just 10 or fewer in four of the last five outings. Mathurin was held to four points in the last encounter with the Blazers.

“Everybody here is on the same page,” Mathurin said. “It’s one game (to potentially determine the No. 8 seed). So, we’ve got to go out there and play as hard as we can.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Clippers #Trail #Blazers #duke #seed

Sports news April 10, 2026

Mar 31, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) shoots the ball against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference play-in round hits the home stretch on Friday when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Los Angeles Clippers for a crucial showdown.

Los Angeles (41-39) heads into its final two games of the regular season with a one-game lead over Portland (40-40) for eighth place in the West. The Clippers overtook the Blazers thanks to Portland’s back-to-back losses at Denver and San Antonio on Monday and Wednesday.

However, Los Angeles was unable to take a critical two-game lead, falling Wednesday against NBA-leading and reigning league champion Oklahoma City 128-110.

The Clippers won two straight heading into Wednesday’s contest, routing Sacramento and Dallas to rebound from losses to Portland and San Antonio. Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said revisiting the 114-104 setback against the Blazers on March 31 is vital ahead of Friday’s rematch.

“Understanding how they beat us last time (is essential),” Lue said. “They were really physical. I thought they came in with the mindset that that was a big game for them, so we’ve got to come in with the same mindset on Friday from the start — not easing into the game. We’ve got to be physical from the start.”

Blazers coach Tiago Splitter expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, calling Friday the team’s “most important game.” Replicating its effort from the last encounter will be key, beginning with the physicality Lue referenced.

Portland dominated the glass during the meeting in Inglewood, Calif., outrebounding Los Angeles 48-30. Deni Avdija’s 11 boards led the Blazers, while Toumani Camara grabbed four of his seven rebounds on the offensive glass in a contest that saw Portland with a 32-14 advantage for second-chance points.

Camara, a 2024-25 All-Defensive Team honoree, is again a catalyst for the Blazers on that side of the ball. He comes into Friday’s game a week removed from drawing his 100th offensive foul of the season, setting a single-season NBA record.

Camara has also been a contributor to the Portland offense in recent outings, scoring 17-plus points in each of the last five contests. His 13.5 points per game supplement team-leaders Avdija’s 24 points per game and 16.3 from veteran guard Jrue Holiday.

Holiday scored 30 points in Portland’s March 31 win at Los Angeles.

“Come out and keep fighting. Execute the best as possible,” Holiday told reporters about the team’s focus heading into the final two games. “Just do what we’ve been doing. We know how important each game is.”

The Clippers come into Portland with Kawhi Leonard setting the pace at 28 points per game. Darius Garland, averaging 20.4 points per game since his trade to Los Angeles from Cleveland, missed Wednesday’s contest with a toe injury.

Another key midseason addition, Bennedict Mathurin, will look to get back on track after scoring just 10 or fewer in four of the last five outings. Mathurin was held to four points in the last encounter with the Blazers.

“Everybody here is on the same page,” Mathurin said. “It’s one game (to potentially determine the No. 8 seed). So, we’ve got to go out there and play as hard as we can.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Clippers #Trail #Blazers #duke #seed

VIDEO | From Dhoni dreams to IPL reality: Mukul Choudhary finishes it for LSG <div id="content-body-70846363" itemprop="articleBody">Mukul Choudhary’s rise from a M.S. Dhoni-inspired dreamer to a match-winner has been rapid, but not accidental. At Eden Gardens on Thursday, the 21-year-old powered Lucknow Super Giants to a <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-2026-kkr-vs-lsg-game-result-match-report-mukul-choudhary-unbeaten-50-lucknow-super-giants/article70843903.ece" target="_self">last-ball, three-wicket win</a> over Kolkata Knight Riders with a stunning, unbeaten 54 off 27 balls.“I dedicate this to my father… I also always watch MS (Dhoni) sir, the way he finishes,” Mukul said, reflecting on the influence of Dhoni.That composure is built on routine. “Everyday I hit around 100-150 sixes… for the last five-six months, I’ve been practising a lot,” he revealed. His confidence in high-pressure finishes isn’t new either. Recalling a domestic game, he said: “25 runs were needed from the last over and five runs from the last ball… I got picked from that innings.”Against KKR, that belief resurfaced as he turned 128/7 into victory. “I never thought about the result, just wanted to take the match till the end… in the end it became clear that ‘yes I can do it’.”A key part of that clarity is mental discipline. “When there are many things going around, I want to sit down peacefully for five seconds and take 2-3 deep breaths, just watch the ball and play the ball.”Support from skipper Rishabh Pant has also been crucial. “Rishabh bhaiya told me that ‘don’t think so much, just do what you have been doing’.”Published on Apr 10, 2026</div> #VIDEO #Dhoni #dreams #IPL #reality #Mukul #Choudhary #finishes #LSG

Did Abbey & David Break Up? ‘Love on the Spectrum’ Couple Update

#Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial">

Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol treatment plan, Argentine media reported.Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his knees.”Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.“The first image shocked me because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, El Clarin reported.Published on May 01, 2026 #Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial

mwasimuddin125 0

A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol treatment plan, Argentine media reported.
Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.
“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his knees.”
Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.
“The first image shocked me because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.
Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.
The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.
The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.
Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, El Clarin reported.
Published on May 01, 2026

#Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial">Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial

A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol treatment plan, Argentine media reported.

Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.

“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his knees.”

Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.

“The first image shocked me because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.

Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.

The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.

The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.

Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, El Clarin reported.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial

Deadspin | Short-handed Wolves pull away from Nuggets, seal series in Game 6 Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) dribbles the ball past Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the first half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Elevated into the starting lineup of a heavily depleted backcourt, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a career-playoff-high 24 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves close out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis. The sixth-seeded Timberwolves advance to face the second-seeded Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday in San Antonio. Minnesota was already down All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards (knee) and his starting perimeter counterpart, Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), when Ayo Dosunmu was announced as a scratch shortly before tipoff of Game 6. Dosunmu, a hero in Game 4 with 43 points, was held out on Thursday due to a calf injury. Veteran Kyle Anderson was also crossed off the Minnesota lineup on Thursday because of an illness, contributing to a rash of absences that necessitated Shannon — who did not play in the first three games of the series — entering the starting lineup. He stepped up, capping his 9-of-20 performance shooting from the field with a crucial three-point play that ignited a game-ending 8-1 run for the Timberwolves. With Minnesota nursing a 100-97 lead, Shannon penetrated into the lane and scored against contact from Jamal Murray with a scooping layup. He made the subsequent free throw with 1:43 to go. After Cameron Johnson split a pair of free throws on the other end, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels — who scored a game-high 32 points — connected on a pull-up mid-range jumper. McDaniels’ shot served as a backbreaker for third-seeded Denver, with the crowd erupting as the Timberwolves opened up an eight-point lead with 1:07 left. The bucket put an exclamation mark on a dominant final five minutes in which the Timberwolves did not allow the Nuggets a made field goal. Denver trailed much of the way and never led in the second half but remained within a single-digit-point margin until the final minute. Nikola Jokic helped keep the Nuggets within striking distance, finishing with team highs in points (28), assists (10) and rebounds (nine). Johnson added 27 points and shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range, but the Nuggets struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Murray was limited to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the floor. The same aggressive Minnesota defense that kept Murray in check frustrated Jokic in the second half, boiling over when he got into a shoving match with Timberwolves reserve guard Jaylen Clark early in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid pushed Jokic from behind, resulting in all three players receiving technical fouls. Jokic remained in the lineup despite a chorus of “kick him out” chants from the home crowd. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Shorthanded #Wolves #pull #Nuggets #seal #series #Game

#Deadspin #Shorthanded #Wolves #pull #Nuggets #seal #series #Game">

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Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) dribbles the ball past Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the first half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Elevated into the starting lineup of a heavily depleted backcourt, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a career-playoff-high 24 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves close out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis.

The sixth-seeded Timberwolves advance to face the second-seeded Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday in San Antonio.

Minnesota was already down All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards (knee) and his starting perimeter counterpart, Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), when Ayo Dosunmu was announced as a scratch shortly before tipoff of Game 6. Dosunmu, a hero in Game 4 with 43 points, was held out on Thursday due to a calf injury.

Veteran Kyle Anderson was also crossed off the Minnesota lineup on Thursday because of an illness, contributing to a rash of absences that necessitated Shannon — who did not play in the first three games of the series — entering the starting lineup.

He stepped up, capping his 9-of-20 performance shooting from the field with a crucial three-point play that ignited a game-ending 8-1 run for the Timberwolves.

With Minnesota nursing a 100-97 lead, Shannon penetrated into the lane and scored against contact from Jamal Murray with a scooping layup. He made the subsequent free throw with 1:43 to go.

After Cameron Johnson split a pair of free throws on the other end, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels — who scored a game-high 32 points — connected on a pull-up mid-range jumper.

McDaniels’ shot served as a backbreaker for third-seeded Denver, with the crowd erupting as the Timberwolves opened up an eight-point lead with 1:07 left. The bucket put an exclamation mark on a dominant final five minutes in which the Timberwolves did not allow the Nuggets a made field goal.

Denver trailed much of the way and never led in the second half but remained within a single-digit-point margin until the final minute. Nikola Jokic helped keep the Nuggets within striking distance, finishing with team highs in points (28), assists (10) and rebounds (nine).

Johnson added 27 points and shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range, but the Nuggets struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Murray was limited to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the floor.

The same aggressive Minnesota defense that kept Murray in check frustrated Jokic in the second half, boiling over when he got into a shoving match with Timberwolves reserve guard Jaylen Clark early in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid pushed Jokic from behind, resulting in all three players receiving technical fouls.

Jokic remained in the lineup despite a chorus of “kick him out” chants from the home crowd.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Shorthanded #Wolves #pull #Nuggets #seal #series #Game">Deadspin | Short-handed Wolves pull away from Nuggets, seal series in Game 6

Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) dribbles the ball past Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the first half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Elevated into the starting lineup of a heavily depleted backcourt, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a career-playoff-high 24 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves close out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis.

The sixth-seeded Timberwolves advance to face the second-seeded Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday in San Antonio.

Minnesota was already down All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards (knee) and his starting perimeter counterpart, Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), when Ayo Dosunmu was announced as a scratch shortly before tipoff of Game 6. Dosunmu, a hero in Game 4 with 43 points, was held out on Thursday due to a calf injury.

Veteran Kyle Anderson was also crossed off the Minnesota lineup on Thursday because of an illness, contributing to a rash of absences that necessitated Shannon — who did not play in the first three games of the series — entering the starting lineup.

He stepped up, capping his 9-of-20 performance shooting from the field with a crucial three-point play that ignited a game-ending 8-1 run for the Timberwolves.

With Minnesota nursing a 100-97 lead, Shannon penetrated into the lane and scored against contact from Jamal Murray with a scooping layup. He made the subsequent free throw with 1:43 to go.

After Cameron Johnson split a pair of free throws on the other end, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels — who scored a game-high 32 points — connected on a pull-up mid-range jumper.

McDaniels’ shot served as a backbreaker for third-seeded Denver, with the crowd erupting as the Timberwolves opened up an eight-point lead with 1:07 left. The bucket put an exclamation mark on a dominant final five minutes in which the Timberwolves did not allow the Nuggets a made field goal.

Denver trailed much of the way and never led in the second half but remained within a single-digit-point margin until the final minute. Nikola Jokic helped keep the Nuggets within striking distance, finishing with team highs in points (28), assists (10) and rebounds (nine).

Johnson added 27 points and shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range, but the Nuggets struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Murray was limited to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the floor.

The same aggressive Minnesota defense that kept Murray in check frustrated Jokic in the second half, boiling over when he got into a shoving match with Timberwolves reserve guard Jaylen Clark early in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid pushed Jokic from behind, resulting in all three players receiving technical fouls.

Jokic remained in the lineup despite a chorus of “kick him out” chants from the home crowd.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Shorthanded #Wolves #pull #Nuggets #seal #series #Game

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said demand for tickets to the 2026 World Cup ‌had reached unprecedented levels, with 500 million requests already recorded ⁠for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“You’ve heard, there ‌were many discussions about the ticketing of the World Cup,” ‌Infantino said at the FIFA ‌Congress ⁠on Thursday. “We had 500 million ⁠ticket requests — 500 million ticket requests. In the last two World Cups together, we had 50 million ‌ticket requests. Here, 500 million.”

Infantino said FIFA had already sold the vast majority of tickets released so far.

“We’ve ‌sold 100 per cent of the inventory that we’ve put on the market, which is, more or ⁠less, 90% of the global inventory so far,” he said. “And of course, we ‌are always putting tickets on the market.”

Ticketing has emerged as a sensitive issue in the build-up to the tournament, with concerns raised about affordability and access for local ‌fans.

“There are expensive tickets, yes, but there are also affordable tickets,” Infantino added.

Football’s global governing body is expected ⁠to continue releasing batches of tickets ⁠in phases, a strategy designed to manage demand while maximising revenue ‌for what is set to be the most lucrative World Cup in history.

Published on May 01, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #million #tickets #requested #Infantino">