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Deadspin | Fresh off play-in win, Suns take on top-seeded Thunder  Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) celebrates after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   The Phoenix Suns come into their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with some momentum after knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the play-in finale Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.  The Thunder haven’t played in a week heading into Sunday’s Game 1 of the series in Oklahoma City.  After letting a big lead slip away in the play-in opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Suns bounced back with a 111-96 home win over the Warriors.  Jalen Green was one of the biggest factors in Phoenix advancing, with 36 points in Friday’s victory.  “They’re going to come in, play hard, play their game, but I think if we bring the same energy that we brought (Friday night) and getting stops, playing defense, getting out and running, we can use that to our advantage,” Green said, looking forward to facing Oklahoma City. “It should be a good series.”  The Thunder are looking to become the first team since Golden State in 2017-18 to repeat as champions.  “It’s an opportunity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think just going through last year and realizing that’s so far down the line. So many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals clinching game. … So many things have to go our way that aren’t in our control and so many things we have to control that are hard to control at this level for a long period of time for us to have that opportunity.”  Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren said there’s value in having the experience, but that his team can’t take any team lightly.  “You have to try to carry over the experiences that you learn from, but you can’t carry over the result, because the result means absolutely nothing,” Holmgren said. “If you’re sitting here in the playoffs saying, ‘Oh, we won last year,’ that’s not going to win you a playoff series or a game or get a stop on a possession.”   The series features two of the best defenses in the league.  The Thunder had the NBA’s best defensive rating, allowing just 106.5 points per 100 possessions during the regular season while the Suns were ninth at 112.9.  In Friday’s win, Phoenix scored 30 points off Golden State turnovers to help fuel the win, while Oklahoma City led the league with 22.0 points per game off turnovers during the season. The Thunder also limited opponents to just 14.7 points per game off turnovers, second-best in the NBA.  The Thunder won three of the five regular-season matchups between the teams, with Phoenix being one of just three teams to hand Oklahoma City multiple losses this season.  The teams closed the regular season against each other, though that game — a 32-point Suns win — will bear little resemblance to Sunday’s matchup.  With their playoff/play-in positions set, both teams sat most of their starters, with the Thunder’s only regular starter to play being Luguentz Dort.  Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Mark Williams (foot soreness) for Friday’s win.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Fresh #playin #win #Suns #topseeded #Thunder

Deadspin | Fresh off play-in win, Suns take on top-seeded Thunder
Deadspin | Fresh off play-in win, Suns take on top-seeded Thunder  Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) celebrates after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   The Phoenix Suns come into their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with some momentum after knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the play-in finale Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.  The Thunder haven’t played in a week heading into Sunday’s Game 1 of the series in Oklahoma City.  After letting a big lead slip away in the play-in opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Suns bounced back with a 111-96 home win over the Warriors.  Jalen Green was one of the biggest factors in Phoenix advancing, with 36 points in Friday’s victory.  “They’re going to come in, play hard, play their game, but I think if we bring the same energy that we brought (Friday night) and getting stops, playing defense, getting out and running, we can use that to our advantage,” Green said, looking forward to facing Oklahoma City. “It should be a good series.”  The Thunder are looking to become the first team since Golden State in 2017-18 to repeat as champions.  “It’s an opportunity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think just going through last year and realizing that’s so far down the line. So many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals clinching game. … So many things have to go our way that aren’t in our control and so many things we have to control that are hard to control at this level for a long period of time for us to have that opportunity.”  Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren said there’s value in having the experience, but that his team can’t take any team lightly.  “You have to try to carry over the experiences that you learn from, but you can’t carry over the result, because the result means absolutely nothing,” Holmgren said. “If you’re sitting here in the playoffs saying, ‘Oh, we won last year,’ that’s not going to win you a playoff series or a game or get a stop on a possession.”   The series features two of the best defenses in the league.  The Thunder had the NBA’s best defensive rating, allowing just 106.5 points per 100 possessions during the regular season while the Suns were ninth at 112.9.  In Friday’s win, Phoenix scored 30 points off Golden State turnovers to help fuel the win, while Oklahoma City led the league with 22.0 points per game off turnovers during the season. The Thunder also limited opponents to just 14.7 points per game off turnovers, second-best in the NBA.  The Thunder won three of the five regular-season matchups between the teams, with Phoenix being one of just three teams to hand Oklahoma City multiple losses this season.  The teams closed the regular season against each other, though that game — a 32-point Suns win — will bear little resemblance to Sunday’s matchup.  With their playoff/play-in positions set, both teams sat most of their starters, with the Thunder’s only regular starter to play being Luguentz Dort.  Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Mark Williams (foot soreness) for Friday’s win.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Fresh #playin #win #Suns #topseeded #ThunderApr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) celebrates after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Suns come into their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with some momentum after knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the play-in finale Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

The Thunder haven’t played in a week heading into Sunday’s Game 1 of the series in Oklahoma City.

After letting a big lead slip away in the play-in opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Suns bounced back with a 111-96 home win over the Warriors.

Jalen Green was one of the biggest factors in Phoenix advancing, with 36 points in Friday’s victory.

“They’re going to come in, play hard, play their game, but I think if we bring the same energy that we brought (Friday night) and getting stops, playing defense, getting out and running, we can use that to our advantage,” Green said, looking forward to facing Oklahoma City. “It should be a good series.”

The Thunder are looking to become the first team since Golden State in 2017-18 to repeat as champions.

“It’s an opportunity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think just going through last year and realizing that’s so far down the line. So many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals clinching game. … So many things have to go our way that aren’t in our control and so many things we have to control that are hard to control at this level for a long period of time for us to have that opportunity.”

Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren said there’s value in having the experience, but that his team can’t take any team lightly.


“You have to try to carry over the experiences that you learn from, but you can’t carry over the result, because the result means absolutely nothing,” Holmgren said. “If you’re sitting here in the playoffs saying, ‘Oh, we won last year,’ that’s not going to win you a playoff series or a game or get a stop on a possession.”

The series features two of the best defenses in the league.

The Thunder had the NBA’s best defensive rating, allowing just 106.5 points per 100 possessions during the regular season while the Suns were ninth at 112.9.

In Friday’s win, Phoenix scored 30 points off Golden State turnovers to help fuel the win, while Oklahoma City led the league with 22.0 points per game off turnovers during the season. The Thunder also limited opponents to just 14.7 points per game off turnovers, second-best in the NBA.

The Thunder won three of the five regular-season matchups between the teams, with Phoenix being one of just three teams to hand Oklahoma City multiple losses this season.

The teams closed the regular season against each other, though that game — a 32-point Suns win — will bear little resemblance to Sunday’s matchup.

With their playoff/play-in positions set, both teams sat most of their starters, with the Thunder’s only regular starter to play being Luguentz Dort.

Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Mark Williams (foot soreness) for Friday’s win.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fresh #playin #win #Suns #topseeded #Thunder

Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) celebrates after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Suns come into their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with some momentum after knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the play-in finale Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

The Thunder haven’t played in a week heading into Sunday’s Game 1 of the series in Oklahoma City.

After letting a big lead slip away in the play-in opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Suns bounced back with a 111-96 home win over the Warriors.

Jalen Green was one of the biggest factors in Phoenix advancing, with 36 points in Friday’s victory.

“They’re going to come in, play hard, play their game, but I think if we bring the same energy that we brought (Friday night) and getting stops, playing defense, getting out and running, we can use that to our advantage,” Green said, looking forward to facing Oklahoma City. “It should be a good series.”

The Thunder are looking to become the first team since Golden State in 2017-18 to repeat as champions.

“It’s an opportunity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think just going through last year and realizing that’s so far down the line. So many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals clinching game. … So many things have to go our way that aren’t in our control and so many things we have to control that are hard to control at this level for a long period of time for us to have that opportunity.”

Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren said there’s value in having the experience, but that his team can’t take any team lightly.

“You have to try to carry over the experiences that you learn from, but you can’t carry over the result, because the result means absolutely nothing,” Holmgren said. “If you’re sitting here in the playoffs saying, ‘Oh, we won last year,’ that’s not going to win you a playoff series or a game or get a stop on a possession.”

The series features two of the best defenses in the league.

The Thunder had the NBA’s best defensive rating, allowing just 106.5 points per 100 possessions during the regular season while the Suns were ninth at 112.9.

In Friday’s win, Phoenix scored 30 points off Golden State turnovers to help fuel the win, while Oklahoma City led the league with 22.0 points per game off turnovers during the season. The Thunder also limited opponents to just 14.7 points per game off turnovers, second-best in the NBA.

The Thunder won three of the five regular-season matchups between the teams, with Phoenix being one of just three teams to hand Oklahoma City multiple losses this season.

The teams closed the regular season against each other, though that game — a 32-point Suns win — will bear little resemblance to Sunday’s matchup.

With their playoff/play-in positions set, both teams sat most of their starters, with the Thunder’s only regular starter to play being Luguentz Dort.

Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Mark Williams (foot soreness) for Friday’s win.

–Field Level Media

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Manchester United beats Chelsea 1-0, takes a big step towards Champions League qualification <div id="content-body-70879991" itemprop="articleBody"><p>A 43rd-minute strike from Matheus Cunha earned ​Manchester United a 1-0 victory at Chelsea on ‌Saturday, as it took a big step towards ​Champions League football next season.</p><p>Cunha fired ⁠home from a pinpoint Bruno Fernandes cross with United’s first shot on target.</p><p>“I feel three points closer (to ‌Champions League), we have another game that we have to win,” player of ‌the match Fernandes told <i>TNT Sports</i>. “We know ‌we ⁠need points to get that place ⁠secured and we will do everything possible to be as quick as possible,”</p><p>Michael Carrick’s boys resisted waves of Chelsea ​attacks with the ‌home side hitting the woodwork three times through Estevao, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana.</p><p>Chelsea’s failure to find the net despite attempting 21 shots ‌to United’s four condemned it to its fourth Premier League defeat in a row without scoring and opened up ⁠a 10-point gap between the sides.</p><p>Chelsea enjoyed nearly 60 per cent possession and had 40 touches in the ‌opposition box to United’s 10 but the visitor’s scratch defensive partnership of Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui held firm.</p><p>United rose to 58 points in the Premier League ahead of Aston Villa on 55 and Liverpool on 52. ‌Chelsea remained sixth but with its chances of reaching ​the Champions League places severely dented.</p><p>Beleaguered Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior said he still ⁠believed the side could make the top five by ⁠the end of the season.</p><p>“It is about results and we haven’t got a ‌result today we should have. The small things add up but we have to ​keep working hard,” Rosenior said.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 19, 2026</p></div> #Manchester #United #beats #Chelsea #takes #big #step #Champions #League #qualification

Deadspin | Padres halt Angels’ scorching offense, even series  Apr 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) runs after hitting a RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim.    Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.    Adrian Morejon (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief while Miller pitched around a leadoff single by Yoan Moncada and a walk to Vaughn Grissom in the ninth to extend his scoreless streak to 31 2/3 innings dating back to Aug. 6, 2025.    Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning start for Los Angeles.  Kikuchi allowed four hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, striking out eight.     The Angels, who entered the contest having hit 16 home runs while scoring 49 runs in their previous six games, managed just two hits over 5 2/3 innings against San Diego starter German Marquez.  However, they nearly took a 1-0 lead in the second. Moncada led off the inning with a deep drive to right-center that Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill made a highlight-reel grab on, reaching above the fence to deny Moncada of a home run. It was the third time this season that Merrill robbed a batter of a home run.    The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning against Zeferjahn, who walked Fermin and Cronenworth on eight straight balls to open the inning. Laureano then grounded a single to center to drive in Fermin, and Tatis followed with a slow roller into shallow right to drive in Cronenworth.    Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth on Schanuel’s single, driving in Logan O’Hoppe who had singled and advanced to second on a single by Adam Frazier.    San Diego then added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Laureano followed by an RBI single from Tatis.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Padres #halt #Angels #scorching #offense #seriesApr 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) runs after hitting a RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim.

Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.

Adrian Morejon (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief while Miller pitched around a leadoff single by Yoan Moncada and a walk to Vaughn Grissom in the ninth to extend his scoreless streak to 31 2/3 innings dating back to Aug. 6, 2025.

Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning start for Los Angeles.

Kikuchi allowed four hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, striking out eight.


The Angels, who entered the contest having hit 16 home runs while scoring 49 runs in their previous six games, managed just two hits over 5 2/3 innings against San Diego starter German Marquez.

However, they nearly took a 1-0 lead in the second. Moncada led off the inning with a deep drive to right-center that Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill made a highlight-reel grab on, reaching above the fence to deny Moncada of a home run. It was the third time this season that Merrill robbed a batter of a home run.

The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning against Zeferjahn, who walked Fermin and Cronenworth on eight straight balls to open the inning. Laureano then grounded a single to center to drive in Fermin, and Tatis followed with a slow roller into shallow right to drive in Cronenworth.

Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth on Schanuel’s single, driving in Logan O’Hoppe who had singled and advanced to second on a single by Adam Frazier.

San Diego then added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Laureano followed by an RBI single from Tatis.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Padres #halt #Angels #scorching #offense #series">Deadspin | Padres halt Angels’ scorching offense, even series  Apr 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) runs after hitting a RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim.    Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.    Adrian Morejon (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief while Miller pitched around a leadoff single by Yoan Moncada and a walk to Vaughn Grissom in the ninth to extend his scoreless streak to 31 2/3 innings dating back to Aug. 6, 2025.    Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning start for Los Angeles.  Kikuchi allowed four hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, striking out eight.     The Angels, who entered the contest having hit 16 home runs while scoring 49 runs in their previous six games, managed just two hits over 5 2/3 innings against San Diego starter German Marquez.  However, they nearly took a 1-0 lead in the second. Moncada led off the inning with a deep drive to right-center that Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill made a highlight-reel grab on, reaching above the fence to deny Moncada of a home run. It was the third time this season that Merrill robbed a batter of a home run.    The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning against Zeferjahn, who walked Fermin and Cronenworth on eight straight balls to open the inning. Laureano then grounded a single to center to drive in Fermin, and Tatis followed with a slow roller into shallow right to drive in Cronenworth.    Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth on Schanuel’s single, driving in Logan O’Hoppe who had singled and advanced to second on a single by Adam Frazier.    San Diego then added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Laureano followed by an RBI single from Tatis.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Padres #halt #Angels #scorching #offense #series

Chennai Super Kings has been dealt a blow after young batter Ayush Mhatre sustained a hamstring tear during the team’s 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 Indian Premier League.

Batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the injury post-match, suggesting the in-form No. 3 could be sidelined for a significant period.

Mhatre, who made a quick 20 off 13 balls, once again gave CSK early momentum before pulling up while attempting a second run with Ruturaj Gaikwad. He clutched his left hamstring and needed on-field treatment.

Though he continued briefly, he struggled to run and was eventually dismissed, caught by Heinrich Klaasen off Nitish Kumar Reddy. Mhatre had to be helped off the field, unable to walk unaided.

“Obviously it is a hamstring tear,” Hussey told reporters after the match. “Don’t know how bad it is. We’ll scan him probably tomorrow or the next day. I’m not sure, but yes, it looks pretty bad. Unfortunately, he’s going to be a big loss because he has been in nice touch. He is an exciting young talent, but it is going to give someone else an opportunity, so that’s exciting as well. We have got some really good players that haven’t gotten an opportunity, so it’s going to be exciting for one of those guys.”

“As much as we are really disappointed to lose Ayush, I don’t know for how long, but it’s exciting for a new player to come in and get a chance,” he added.

Urvil Patel is among the leading candidates to step in as a replacement.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#CSK #Batting #Coach #Michael #Hussey #Worrying #Update #Ayush #Mhatre #Hamstring #Tear">CSK Batting Coach Michael Hussey Gives Worrying Update on Ayush Mhatre Hamstring Tear  Chennai Super Kings has been dealt a blow after young batter Ayush Mhatre sustained a hamstring tear during the team’s 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 Indian Premier League.Batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the injury post-match, suggesting the in-form No. 3 could be sidelined for a significant period.Mhatre, who made a quick 20 off 13 balls, once again gave CSK early momentum before pulling up while attempting a second run with Ruturaj Gaikwad. He clutched his left hamstring and needed on-field treatment.Though he continued briefly, he struggled to run and was eventually dismissed, caught by Heinrich Klaasen off Nitish Kumar Reddy. Mhatre had to be helped off the field, unable to walk unaided.“Obviously it is a hamstring tear,” Hussey told reporters after the match. “Don’t know how bad it is. We’ll scan him probably tomorrow or the next day. I’m not sure, but yes, it looks pretty bad. Unfortunately, he’s going to be a big loss because he has been in nice touch. He is an exciting young talent, but it is going to give someone else an opportunity, so that’s exciting as well. We have got some really good players that haven’t gotten an opportunity, so it’s going to be exciting for one of those guys.”“As much as we are really disappointed to lose Ayush, I don’t know for how long, but it’s exciting for a new player to come in and get a chance,” he added.Urvil Patel is among the leading candidates to step in as a replacement.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #CSK #Batting #Coach #Michael #Hussey #Worrying #Update #Ayush #Mhatre #Hamstring #Tear

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