Deadspin | Injury-depleted Timberwolves seek to eliminate Nuggets in Game 5 Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games. The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State. Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks. Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance. “I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.” Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey. “Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.” It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry. “I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup. The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon. Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised. “It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.” Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons. “We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #Game

Deadspin | Injury-depleted Timberwolves seek to eliminate Nuggets in Game 5
Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State.

Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks.

Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance.

“I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.”

Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey.

“Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.”

It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry.

“I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup.

The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon.

Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised.

“It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.”

Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons.

“We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #Game

Sports news April 26, 2026

Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets entered this postseason with hopes of a deep run. Instead, they are in danger of bowing out in five games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame two significant injuries to win Game 4, 112-96, on Saturday night and can close out the series in Denver on Monday night. The Nuggets are on the brink of a first-round exit for the first time since 2022 when they were swept by Golden State.

Minnesota prevailed in Game 4 despite losing two key players to injuries. Starter Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles just 79 seconds into the win. Then, All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee late in the second quarter and didn’t return. ESPN reported Sunday that Edwards will miss multiple weeks.

Without DiVincenzo and Edwards, the Timberwolves had enough to overcome Denver in the second half Saturday night, led by Ayo Dosunmu’s unexpected 43-point performance.

“I saw some guys get sad seeing both of those guys go down,” Dosunmu said. “I just wanted to help bring us together.”

Dosunmu will get many more opportunities to shine in Game 5. So will Jaden McDaniels, whose meaningless layup in the final seconds of Game 4 drew the wrath of Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP confronted McDaniels in front of the Minnesota bench, gave him a shove and McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey.

“Clock still be running,” McDaniels said after the game. “So, I’m going to go score.”

It sparked a few more shoves, led to ejections for Jokic and Julius Randle and added more fuel to an already heated playoff rivalry.

“I don’t regret it, because he scored after everybody stopped playing,” Jokic said of his reaction to the layup.

The Nuggets will need that fire to stay alive in Game 5. Denver has been out of sync since the Timberwolves rallied from down 19 early in Game 2 to even the series. The Nuggets are also dealing with significant injuries to Peyton Watson, who has yet to play in the series, and Aaron Gordon.

Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf injury and was limited to 23 minutes Saturday night. He was lacking explosiveness and was clearly compromised.

“It was unfair for me to keep him out there,” Denver coach David Adelman said of Gordon. “I felt like he was really laboring in the first half. We’re going to have to decide (on his status) for Game 5.”

Gordon played through a hamstring injury that affected him in last year’s playoffs, but the Nuggets were able to extend eventual champion Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round. Denver has a deeper roster this year but is facing extinction in a year it felt could end with a second title in four seasons.

“We have got to show some fight in Game 5,” Christian Braun said. “And I know we will. We are going to show up. We are going to play well. We are going to guard. We are going to be physical. We are going to rebound. It’s not over.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Injurydepleted #Timberwolves #seek #eliminate #Nuggets #Game

4 Years Later, Netflix’s Best True Crime Thriller Is Back in the Top 10, and There’s a Catch

#Deadspin #Veteran #Rangers #RHP #Jacob #deGrom #invokes #notrade #clause">

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Jul 26, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws to the plate against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom will remain with the team after utilizing the no-trade clause in his contract, according to reports by The Athletic and MLB.com.

The team approached the two-time Cy Young winner about waiving his no-trade clause for a trade deadline deal that would send him to a contending team. The Atlanta Braves were mentioned frequently in reports that listed potential deGrom suitors.

However, deGrom, who has full approval on any trades during the five-year, $185 million contract he signed in December 2022, expressed that he’ll remain with the Rangers.

“I want to be here,” deGrom told reporters. “I believe in this group. … I signed here to help this team win a World Series. In 2023, the team was able to do that. I want to be part of that in the future.”

deGrom did not pitch for the Rangers during their 2023 postseason run to the franchise’s first World Series triumph. He made six starts at the season’s outset, but sustained a right elbow injury on April 28 that kept him off major league mounds until September 2024.

deGrom, who is under contract with Texas through the 2027 season, is 7-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 21 starts this season. He earned his fifth career All-Star nod last season and won consecutive Cy Young Awards in 2018-19 with the New York Mets. He also boasts the best ERA (2.67) among all active starting pitchers.

The 38-year-old has a career 103-72 record over 269 starts across 13 seasons, with 1,986 strikeouts and 374 walks over 1,653 1/3 innings.

The Athletic also reported that Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and shortstop Corey Seager could also be available for trades.

Eovaldi (10-9, 4.31 ERA this season) would have to waive his full no-trade clause. Seager (10 homers and 25 RBIs in 54 games this season), who just returned from a month on the injured list, has eight teams he can block a trade with, per his contract.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Veteran #Rangers #RHP #Jacob #deGrom #invokes #notrade #clause">Deadspin | Veteran Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom invokes no-trade clause

Jul 26, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws to the plate against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom will remain with the team after utilizing the no-trade clause in his contract, according to reports by The Athletic and MLB.com.

The team approached the two-time Cy Young winner about waiving his no-trade clause for a trade deadline deal that would send him to a contending team. The Atlanta Braves were mentioned frequently in reports that listed potential deGrom suitors.

However, deGrom, who has full approval on any trades during the five-year, $185 million contract he signed in December 2022, expressed that he’ll remain with the Rangers.

“I want to be here,” deGrom told reporters. “I believe in this group. … I signed here to help this team win a World Series. In 2023, the team was able to do that. I want to be part of that in the future.”

deGrom did not pitch for the Rangers during their 2023 postseason run to the franchise’s first World Series triumph. He made six starts at the season’s outset, but sustained a right elbow injury on April 28 that kept him off major league mounds until September 2024.

deGrom, who is under contract with Texas through the 2027 season, is 7-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 21 starts this season. He earned his fifth career All-Star nod last season and won consecutive Cy Young Awards in 2018-19 with the New York Mets. He also boasts the best ERA (2.67) among all active starting pitchers.

The 38-year-old has a career 103-72 record over 269 starts across 13 seasons, with 1,986 strikeouts and 374 walks over 1,653 1/3 innings.

The Athletic also reported that Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and shortstop Corey Seager could also be available for trades.

Eovaldi (10-9, 4.31 ERA this season) would have to waive his full no-trade clause. Seager (10 homers and 25 RBIs in 54 games this season), who just returned from a month on the injured list, has eight teams he can block a trade with, per his contract.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Veteran #Rangers #RHP #Jacob #deGrom #invokes #notrade #clause

BEREA, OHIO – MAY 27: Mike Hall Jr. #51 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after being injured during the Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Workouts at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It is officially injury season in the NFL. Just as fans around the league get their first glimpse of the new team, the players who make up that team start to fall by the wayside. There is no silver bullet solution to keeping players healthy and on the field, for the most part it really just comes down to luck. But that doesn’t make it feel any better.

The one place that organizations and coaching staffs do have some control is over the preseason playing time. It’s been a constant evolution and a good amount of contradiction. As the league adds another preseason game, starters see less and less of the field during those games.

For the NFL Reacts survey this week we want to know what your theory of the case is in regards to preseason playing time. Should starting and key players be on the field as much as it takes to be in midseason form by Week 1? Should they be bubble wrapped for safe keeping until the games actually count? Maybe somewhere in between.

Get your vote in now and be on the lookout for results later this week.

mwasimuddin125 0

BEREA, OHIO – MAY 27: Mike Hall Jr. #51 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after being injured during the Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Workouts at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It is officially injury season in the NFL. Just as fans around the league get their first glimpse of the new team, the players who make up that team start to fall by the wayside. There is no silver bullet solution to keeping players healthy and on the field, for the most part it really just comes down to luck. But that doesn’t make it feel any better.

The one place that organizations and coaching staffs do have some control is over the preseason playing time. It’s been a constant evolution and a good amount of contradiction. As the league adds another preseason game, starters see less and less of the field during those games.

For the NFL Reacts survey this week we want to know what your theory of the case is in regards to preseason playing time. Should starting and key players be on the field as much as it takes to be in midseason form by Week 1? Should they be bubble wrapped for safe keeping until the games actually count? Maybe somewhere in between.

Get your vote in now and be on the lookout for results later this week.
Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys:
#NFL #Reacts #Balancing #play #time #preseason">NFL Reacts: Balancing play time in the preseason

BEREA, OHIO – MAY 27: Mike Hall Jr. #51 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after being injured during the Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Workouts at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It is officially injury season in the NFL. Just as fans around the league get their first glimpse of the new team, the players who make up that team start to fall by the wayside. There is no silver bullet solution to keeping players healthy and on the field, for the most part it really just comes down to luck. But that doesn’t make it feel any better.

The one place that organizations and coaching staffs do have some control is over the preseason playing time. It’s been a constant evolution and a good amount of contradiction. As the league adds another preseason game, starters see less and less of the field during those games.

For the NFL Reacts survey this week we want to know what your theory of the case is in regards to preseason playing time. Should starting and key players be on the field as much as it takes to be in midseason form by Week 1? Should they be bubble wrapped for safe keeping until the games actually count? Maybe somewhere in between.

Get your vote in now and be on the lookout for results later this week.
Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys:
#NFL #Reacts #Balancing #play #time #preseason

Alexandra Eala capped her giant-killing run at the Washington Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title.

Eala, ranked 28th, overpowered Pegula over the final two sets as play resumed in the final suspended after lengthy weather delays on Sunday.

“I feel so much love. My ‌first ⁠chance at a title knowing it won’t ⁠be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career,” Eala said on court. “I knew whatever happened after this match would have ‌already been a win for me.”

Playing in her second final, after a runner-up finish at Eastbourne last year, the 21-year-old left-hander produced a rock-solid service display and an impressive array of winners to deny third-ranked Pegula a 12th career title and a third this year.

ALL ABOARD THE EALA EXPRESS 🔥
Alexandra Eala secures her first ever WTA Tour title!#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/uSpxYxWqO5
— wta (@WTA) August 3, 2026

“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” world number three Pegula said.

“To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first ‌played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it’s not fun to play against but I think it’s amazing.”

The scoreboard showed a match time of one hour and 45 minutes, but it took nearly 24 hours to complete.

Pegula had won the first set 6-4 and Eala was up 2-1 in the second on Sunday when officials postponed the finish until Monday after lengthy rain delays.

The pair had waited through a three-hour delay before starting, and once the match was halted it was another five hours before officials called a halt for the day.

That also saw the ATP final between 10th-ranked American Taylor Fritz and 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar postponed.

Pegula opened the action on Monday with a nervy service hold for 2-2.

But she could make no inroads on Eala’s serve and Eala broke Pegula in the 10th game to take the set and force a third.

The final set was all Eala, to the delight of a vocal contingent of supporters.

Eala had been enthusiastically cheered all week as she made her way to the final with wins over second-seeded Elina Svitolina, third-seeded former world number one Naomi Osaka and defending champion Leylah Fernandez.

Eala is now projected to rise to a career-high 20th in the world.

Published on Aug 03, 2026

#Washington #Open #Eala #creates #history #firstever #Filipino #player #win #WTA #Tour #title">

Washington Open 2026: Eala creates history, becomes first-ever Filipino player to win a WTA Tour title Alexandra Eala capped her giant-killing run at the Washington Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title.Eala, ranked 28th, overpowered Pegula over the final two sets as play resumed in the final suspended after lengthy weather delays on Sunday.“I feel so much love. My ‌first ⁠chance at a title knowing it won’t ⁠be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career,” Eala said on court. “I knew whatever happened after this match would have ‌already been a win for me.”Playing in her second final, after a runner-up finish at Eastbourne last year, the 21-year-old left-hander produced a rock-solid service display and an impressive array of winners to deny third-ranked Pegula a 12th career title and a third this year.ALL ABOARD THE EALA EXPRESS 🔥Alexandra Eala secures her first ever WTA Tour title!#MubadalaDCOpenpic.twitter.com/uSpxYxWqO5— wta (@WTA) August 3, 2026“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” world number three Pegula said.“To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first ‌played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it’s not fun to play against but I think it’s amazing.”The scoreboard showed a match time of one hour and 45 minutes, but it took nearly 24 hours to complete.Pegula had won the first set 6-4 and Eala was up 2-1 in the second on Sunday when officials postponed the finish until Monday after lengthy rain delays.The pair had waited through a three-hour delay before starting, and once the match was halted it was another five hours before officials called a halt for the day.That also saw the ATP final between 10th-ranked American Taylor Fritz and 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar postponed.Pegula opened the action on Monday with a nervy service hold for 2-2.But she could make no inroads on Eala’s serve and Eala broke Pegula in the 10th game to take the set and force a third.The final set was all Eala, to the delight of a vocal contingent of supporters.Eala had been enthusiastically cheered all week as she made her way to the final with wins over second-seeded Elina Svitolina, third-seeded former world number one Naomi Osaka and defending champion Leylah Fernandez.Eala is now projected to rise to a career-high 20th in the world.Published on Aug 03, 2026 #Washington #Open #Eala #creates #history #firstever #Filipino #player #win #WTA #Tour #title

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Alexandra Eala capped her giant-killing run at the Washington Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title.
Eala, ranked 28th, overpowered Pegula over the final two sets as play resumed in the final suspended after lengthy weather delays on Sunday.
“I feel so much love. My ‌first ⁠chance at a title knowing it won’t ⁠be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career,” Eala said on court. “I knew whatever happened after this match would have ‌already been a win for me.”
Playing in her second final, after a runner-up finish at Eastbourne last year, the 21-year-old left-hander produced a rock-solid service display and an impressive array of winners to deny third-ranked Pegula a 12th career title and a third this year.
ALL ABOARD THE EALA EXPRESS 🔥
Alexandra Eala secures her first ever WTA Tour title!#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/uSpxYxWqO5
— wta (@WTA) August 3, 2026
“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” world number three Pegula said.
“To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first ‌played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it’s not fun to play against but I think it’s amazing.”
The scoreboard showed a match time of one hour and 45 minutes, but it took nearly 24 hours to complete.
Pegula had won the first set 6-4 and Eala was up 2-1 in the second on Sunday when officials postponed the finish until Monday after lengthy rain delays.
The pair had waited through a three-hour delay before starting, and once the match was halted it was another five hours before officials called a halt for the day.
That also saw the ATP final between 10th-ranked American Taylor Fritz and 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar postponed.
Pegula opened the action on Monday with a nervy service hold for 2-2.
But she could make no inroads on Eala’s serve and Eala broke Pegula in the 10th game to take the set and force a third.
The final set was all Eala, to the delight of a vocal contingent of supporters.
Eala had been enthusiastically cheered all week as she made her way to the final with wins over second-seeded Elina Svitolina, third-seeded former world number one Naomi Osaka and defending champion Leylah Fernandez.
Eala is now projected to rise to a career-high 20th in the world.
Published on Aug 03, 2026

#Washington #Open #Eala #creates #history #firstever #Filipino #player #win #WTA #Tour #title">Washington Open 2026: Eala creates history, becomes first-ever Filipino player to win a WTA Tour title