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Deadspin | Collin Gillespie pours in 30 as Suns shoot past Trail Blazers

Deadspin | Collin Gillespie pours in 30 as Suns shoot past Trail Blazers

Feb 3, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers guard Blake Wesley (1) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Collin Gillespie scored a career-best 30 points, tied his high of eight 3-pointers and dished out 10 assists to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 130-125 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Grayson Allen made six treys and scored 24 points to help the Suns recover from a 19-point first-quarter deficit and win for the seventh time in 10 games.

Mark Williams also had 24 points and collected 12 rebounds, Jordan Goodwin recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high five steals off the bench and Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale added 11 points apiece.

Jerami Grant scored 23 points and Shaedon Sharpe added 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who lost their sixth straight game.

Portland’s Jrue Holiday had 15 points and six assists, Donovan Clingan registered 14 points and 15 rebounds, Robert Williams III had 14 points and eight boards off the bench and Toumani Camara scored 13 points.

Sidy Cissoko added 12 points and fellow reserve Blake Wesley put up 10 for the Trail Blazers, who were without All-Star Deni Avdija (back) for the second straight contest and seventh in the past 11.

Suns All-Star Devin Booker (ankle) missed his sixth straight game. Jalen Green (hip/hamstring) also sat out.

The Suns hit 20 of 41 (48.8%) from 3-point range and shot 51% from the field overall.

The Trail Blazers made 49.5% from the field, including 18 of 52 (34.6%) from behind the arc.

Portland trailed by 12 before making a late 12-4 push. Grant knocked down a 3-pointer to cap it and bring the Trail Blazers within 124-120 with 1:15 remaining.

However, Allen drilled a trey with 55.9 seconds left and Mark Williams slammed home a dunk with 25.4 seconds remaining to put Phoenix back up by nine, effectively closing it out.

Allen made four treys and Gillespie drained three during the third quarter when the Suns were 8 of 15 from long range.

The sharpshooting helped Phoenix turn a five-point halftime deficit into a 101-94 advantage. Goodwin drilled a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left to end the rush of treys.

Portland moved within three early in the fourth, but Ryan Dunn hit two 3-pointers in 26 seconds to give the Suns a 116-104 lead with 7:11 remaining.

Clingan had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the first half and Camara also scored 13 points as Portland held a 72-67 lead at the break. Gillespie recorded 14 first-half points for Phoenix.

Camara and Clingan each made three treys in the first quarter as the Trail Blazers built a 41-30 lead.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Bobby Witt Jr. finding his groove as streaking Royals face A’s      Apr 25, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images   The power bat of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was missing in action for the first 27 games of the Kansas City Royals’ season.  But suddenly, Witt has homered in back-to-back games, and he’ll look to continue the streak Wednesday night when the Royals visit the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.  Witt delivered a tie-breaking, three-run blast in the top of the 10th inning as the Royals beat the A’s 4-1 in Tuesday’s opener of the three-game series.  He went the opposite way, and the blast barely cleared the short wall in right center to help Kansas City win its season-best fourth straight game.  “Just trying to piece it at-bat by at-bat and day-by-day and just trying to enjoy every moment that we can,” Witt said. “We’re going out there playing the game we love.”  Things are certainly more enjoyable now with the Royals having won five of six games following an eight-game slide.  Plus, Witt showing signs of putting his power slump behind him is a pleasing element. The 25-year-old hit 105 homers over his first four seasons, twice hitting 30 or more.  “He’s going to hit homers. We know that,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the two-time All-Star, who has two home runs, 15 RBIs and a .289 batting average this season. “Just putting good swings on the ball more frequently is going to lead to that. He’s got unbelievable ability all around.”  Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez also homered for the second time in three games. He nearly had two home runs in the contest, but his other shot was a liner that wasn’t high enough to clear the wall. He was held to a single on that bid.  Shea Langeliers had three hits and Jacob Wilson had an RBI single on a frustrating night for the A’s, who left 14 runners on base.  “We’re not getting that hit we need to extend leads and have some margin for error,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “Tough loss. … We played a really good game except for offense. We just couldn’t get a hit.”   Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom injured his right shoulder and was a little woozy after he missed on a diving catch in the fifth. He was replaced prior to the top of the sixth.  “There’s not signs of a concussion right now,” Kotsay said, “but obviously that dive, if you watch it, he slammed down pretty hard, fully extended.”  Kansas City outfielder Jonathan India (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery on Tuesday, while first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (lower back tightness) exited in the sixth inning. The latter was hurt while grounding out.  Kansas City is scheduled to send Michael Wacha (2-1, 2.51 ERA) to the mound against the Athletics’ Luis Severino (1-2, 5.17) on Wednesday in a battle of right-handers.  Wacha lost last Wednesday in his most recent start, when he allowed season worsts of six runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 8-6 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles.  Wacha, 34, is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics.   Severino picked up his first victory of the season on Friday when he limited the Texas Rangers to one run and six hits over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-1 win.  Severino continues to struggle at Sutter Health Park and is 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA in two starts there this season. Overall, he is 2-10 with a 6.15 ERA in 17 starts at the ballpark since joining the A’s prior to the 2025 campaign.  Severino, 32, is 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #finding #groove #streaking #Royals #faceApr 25, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The power bat of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was missing in action for the first 27 games of the Kansas City Royals’ season.

But suddenly, Witt has homered in back-to-back games, and he’ll look to continue the streak Wednesday night when the Royals visit the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.

Witt delivered a tie-breaking, three-run blast in the top of the 10th inning as the Royals beat the A’s 4-1 in Tuesday’s opener of the three-game series.

He went the opposite way, and the blast barely cleared the short wall in right center to help Kansas City win its season-best fourth straight game.

“Just trying to piece it at-bat by at-bat and day-by-day and just trying to enjoy every moment that we can,” Witt said. “We’re going out there playing the game we love.”

Things are certainly more enjoyable now with the Royals having won five of six games following an eight-game slide.

Plus, Witt showing signs of putting his power slump behind him is a pleasing element. The 25-year-old hit 105 homers over his first four seasons, twice hitting 30 or more.

“He’s going to hit homers. We know that,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the two-time All-Star, who has two home runs, 15 RBIs and a .289 batting average this season. “Just putting good swings on the ball more frequently is going to lead to that. He’s got unbelievable ability all around.”

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez also homered for the second time in three games. He nearly had two home runs in the contest, but his other shot was a liner that wasn’t high enough to clear the wall. He was held to a single on that bid.

Shea Langeliers had three hits and Jacob Wilson had an RBI single on a frustrating night for the A’s, who left 14 runners on base.


“We’re not getting that hit we need to extend leads and have some margin for error,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “Tough loss. … We played a really good game except for offense. We just couldn’t get a hit.”

Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom injured his right shoulder and was a little woozy after he missed on a diving catch in the fifth. He was replaced prior to the top of the sixth.

“There’s not signs of a concussion right now,” Kotsay said, “but obviously that dive, if you watch it, he slammed down pretty hard, fully extended.”

Kansas City outfielder Jonathan India (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery on Tuesday, while first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (lower back tightness) exited in the sixth inning. The latter was hurt while grounding out.

Kansas City is scheduled to send Michael Wacha (2-1, 2.51 ERA) to the mound against the Athletics’ Luis Severino (1-2, 5.17) on Wednesday in a battle of right-handers.

Wacha lost last Wednesday in his most recent start, when he allowed season worsts of six runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 8-6 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles.

Wacha, 34, is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics.

Severino picked up his first victory of the season on Friday when he limited the Texas Rangers to one run and six hits over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-1 win.

Severino continues to struggle at Sutter Health Park and is 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA in two starts there this season. Overall, he is 2-10 with a 6.15 ERA in 17 starts at the ballpark since joining the A’s prior to the 2025 campaign.

Severino, 32, is 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #finding #groove #streaking #Royals #face">Deadspin | Bobby Witt Jr. finding his groove as streaking Royals face A’s      Apr 25, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images   The power bat of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was missing in action for the first 27 games of the Kansas City Royals’ season.  But suddenly, Witt has homered in back-to-back games, and he’ll look to continue the streak Wednesday night when the Royals visit the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.  Witt delivered a tie-breaking, three-run blast in the top of the 10th inning as the Royals beat the A’s 4-1 in Tuesday’s opener of the three-game series.  He went the opposite way, and the blast barely cleared the short wall in right center to help Kansas City win its season-best fourth straight game.  “Just trying to piece it at-bat by at-bat and day-by-day and just trying to enjoy every moment that we can,” Witt said. “We’re going out there playing the game we love.”  Things are certainly more enjoyable now with the Royals having won five of six games following an eight-game slide.  Plus, Witt showing signs of putting his power slump behind him is a pleasing element. The 25-year-old hit 105 homers over his first four seasons, twice hitting 30 or more.  “He’s going to hit homers. We know that,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the two-time All-Star, who has two home runs, 15 RBIs and a .289 batting average this season. “Just putting good swings on the ball more frequently is going to lead to that. He’s got unbelievable ability all around.”  Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez also homered for the second time in three games. He nearly had two home runs in the contest, but his other shot was a liner that wasn’t high enough to clear the wall. He was held to a single on that bid.  Shea Langeliers had three hits and Jacob Wilson had an RBI single on a frustrating night for the A’s, who left 14 runners on base.  “We’re not getting that hit we need to extend leads and have some margin for error,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “Tough loss. … We played a really good game except for offense. We just couldn’t get a hit.”   Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom injured his right shoulder and was a little woozy after he missed on a diving catch in the fifth. He was replaced prior to the top of the sixth.  “There’s not signs of a concussion right now,” Kotsay said, “but obviously that dive, if you watch it, he slammed down pretty hard, fully extended.”  Kansas City outfielder Jonathan India (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery on Tuesday, while first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (lower back tightness) exited in the sixth inning. The latter was hurt while grounding out.  Kansas City is scheduled to send Michael Wacha (2-1, 2.51 ERA) to the mound against the Athletics’ Luis Severino (1-2, 5.17) on Wednesday in a battle of right-handers.  Wacha lost last Wednesday in his most recent start, when he allowed season worsts of six runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 8-6 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles.  Wacha, 34, is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics.   Severino picked up his first victory of the season on Friday when he limited the Texas Rangers to one run and six hits over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-1 win.  Severino continues to struggle at Sutter Health Park and is 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA in two starts there this season. Overall, he is 2-10 with a 6.15 ERA in 17 starts at the ballpark since joining the A’s prior to the 2025 campaign.  Severino, 32, is 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #finding #groove #streaking #Royals #face

Formula One’s drivers on Thursday welcomed rules tweaks made on safety grounds, but warned that more was needed to improve the racing at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.

Speaking at an official news conference, most drivers said the changes made to the levels of ‘super-clipping’ and of battery power harvesting would reduce dangers, but have little overall effect on the spectacle in the sport’s new hybrid era.

While Aston Martin’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll lambasted the new formula as “fundamentally flawed” and a thousand times less fun than Formula Three, others took a more positive approach.

“The positive thing is that we had some nice meetings with F1 and the FIA and I think that’s probably a starting point for the future even if there is time for that or maybe I’m not here anymore,” said four-time champion Max Verstappen, who has struggled this season.

Verstappen had been a leading critic of this season’s changes, accusing F1 of losing its identity and suggested that he was contemplating his future if the sport did not take action to salvage its heritage as an all-out test of power and speed for drivers and machines.

“I really hope that the drivers give more input to the organisers in general because most drivers have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make F1 a good product, a fun product.”

ALSO READ | Miami GP start time could change due to thunderstorms forecast

“At the end of the day, it’s a very complex and political sport, but at least I think everyone has tried their best to do something — but, of course, it won’t change the world!”

The conflict has stemmed from this year’s introduction of the 50-50 split between use of battery power and traditional engine power in an attempt to create a greener sport.

Many drivers feel the sport needs more naturally aspirated power from an engine and less from the battery.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. “I’m curious to see how it feels and works on track now.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri said the collaboration had produced good changes, but added that he felt the chief problems could not be fixed without a fundamental overhaul of the hardware of the power units.

He said it was good that the rules had been tweaked to reduce the huge imbalance in performance and speed between cars that are using maximum power and those slowing to harvest and store battery power.

A crash in Japan involving Oliver Bearman of Haas, who escaped serious injury left many drivers worried about similar future accidents.

“After Olly’s crash, something needed to change and it is good that they listened to us,” said Piastri. “The tweaks are good, and sensible and well thought out so it is a positive thing, but let’s wait and see how it pans out from a safety point of view.”

Many drivers and observers had criticised the formula for producing artificial racing controlled by computers and the needs for management of battery power.

Published on May 01, 2026

#drivers #rule #tweaks #change #needed">F1 drivers welcome rule tweaks, but say more change needed   Formula One’s drivers on Thursday welcomed rules tweaks made on safety grounds, but warned that more was needed to improve the racing at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.Speaking at an official news conference, most drivers said the changes made to the levels of ‘super-clipping’ and of battery power harvesting would reduce dangers, but have little overall effect on the spectacle in the sport’s new hybrid era.While Aston Martin’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll lambasted the new formula as “fundamentally flawed” and a thousand times less fun than Formula Three, others took a more positive approach.“The positive thing is that we had some nice meetings with F1 and the FIA and I think that’s probably a starting point for the future even if there is time for that or maybe I’m not here anymore,” said four-time champion Max Verstappen, who has struggled this season.Verstappen had been a leading critic of this season’s changes, accusing F1 of losing its identity and suggested that he was contemplating his future if the sport did not take action to salvage its heritage as an all-out test of power and speed for drivers and machines.“I really hope that the drivers give more input to the organisers in general because most drivers have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make F1 a good product, a fun product.”ALSO READ | Miami GP start time could change due to thunderstorms forecast“At the end of the day, it’s a very complex and political sport, but at least I think everyone has tried their best to do something — but, of course, it won’t change the world!”The conflict has stemmed from this year’s introduction of the 50-50 split between use of battery power and traditional engine power in an attempt to create a greener sport.Many drivers feel the sport needs more naturally aspirated power from an engine and less from the battery.“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. “I’m curious to see how it feels and works on track now.”McLaren’s Oscar Piastri said the collaboration had produced good changes, but added that he felt the chief problems could not be fixed without a fundamental overhaul of the hardware of the power units.He said it was good that the rules had been tweaked to reduce the huge imbalance in performance and speed between cars that are using maximum power and those slowing to harvest and store battery power.A crash in Japan involving Oliver Bearman of Haas, who escaped serious injury left many drivers worried about similar future accidents.“After Olly’s crash, something needed to change and it is good that they listened to us,” said Piastri. “The tweaks are good, and sensible and well thought out so it is a positive thing, but let’s wait and see how it pans out from a safety point of view.”Many drivers and observers had criticised the formula for producing artificial racing controlled by computers and the needs for management of battery power.Published on May 01, 2026  #drivers #rule #tweaks #change #needed

Miami GP start time could change due to thunderstorms forecast

“At the end of the day, it’s a very complex and political sport, but at least I think everyone has tried their best to do something — but, of course, it won’t change the world!”

The conflict has stemmed from this year’s introduction of the 50-50 split between use of battery power and traditional engine power in an attempt to create a greener sport.

Many drivers feel the sport needs more naturally aspirated power from an engine and less from the battery.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. “I’m curious to see how it feels and works on track now.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri said the collaboration had produced good changes, but added that he felt the chief problems could not be fixed without a fundamental overhaul of the hardware of the power units.

He said it was good that the rules had been tweaked to reduce the huge imbalance in performance and speed between cars that are using maximum power and those slowing to harvest and store battery power.

A crash in Japan involving Oliver Bearman of Haas, who escaped serious injury left many drivers worried about similar future accidents.

“After Olly’s crash, something needed to change and it is good that they listened to us,” said Piastri. “The tweaks are good, and sensible and well thought out so it is a positive thing, but let’s wait and see how it pans out from a safety point of view.”

Many drivers and observers had criticised the formula for producing artificial racing controlled by computers and the needs for management of battery power.

Published on May 01, 2026

#drivers #rule #tweaks #change #needed">F1 drivers welcome rule tweaks, but say more change needed 

Formula One’s drivers on Thursday welcomed rules tweaks made on safety grounds, but warned that more was needed to improve the racing at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.

Speaking at an official news conference, most drivers said the changes made to the levels of ‘super-clipping’ and of battery power harvesting would reduce dangers, but have little overall effect on the spectacle in the sport’s new hybrid era.

While Aston Martin’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll lambasted the new formula as “fundamentally flawed” and a thousand times less fun than Formula Three, others took a more positive approach.

“The positive thing is that we had some nice meetings with F1 and the FIA and I think that’s probably a starting point for the future even if there is time for that or maybe I’m not here anymore,” said four-time champion Max Verstappen, who has struggled this season.

Verstappen had been a leading critic of this season’s changes, accusing F1 of losing its identity and suggested that he was contemplating his future if the sport did not take action to salvage its heritage as an all-out test of power and speed for drivers and machines.

“I really hope that the drivers give more input to the organisers in general because most drivers have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make F1 a good product, a fun product.”

ALSO READ | Miami GP start time could change due to thunderstorms forecast

“At the end of the day, it’s a very complex and political sport, but at least I think everyone has tried their best to do something — but, of course, it won’t change the world!”

The conflict has stemmed from this year’s introduction of the 50-50 split between use of battery power and traditional engine power in an attempt to create a greener sport.

Many drivers feel the sport needs more naturally aspirated power from an engine and less from the battery.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. “I’m curious to see how it feels and works on track now.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri said the collaboration had produced good changes, but added that he felt the chief problems could not be fixed without a fundamental overhaul of the hardware of the power units.

He said it was good that the rules had been tweaked to reduce the huge imbalance in performance and speed between cars that are using maximum power and those slowing to harvest and store battery power.

A crash in Japan involving Oliver Bearman of Haas, who escaped serious injury left many drivers worried about similar future accidents.

“After Olly’s crash, something needed to change and it is good that they listened to us,” said Piastri. “The tweaks are good, and sensible and well thought out so it is a positive thing, but let’s wait and see how it pans out from a safety point of view.”

Many drivers and observers had criticised the formula for producing artificial racing controlled by computers and the needs for management of battery power.

Published on May 01, 2026

#drivers #rule #tweaks #change #needed

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