Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks get by Knicks again to take 2-1 series lead Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top. A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired. Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns. Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104 Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points. James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each. Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96 Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves. Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #Knicks #series #lead

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks get by Knicks again to take 2-1 series lead
Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.

A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.

Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.

James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each.

Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96

Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.

Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #Knicks #series #lead

Sports news April 24, 2026

Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.

A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.

Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.

James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each.

Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96

Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.

Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: MI coach Jayawardene clarifies concussion substitution of Shardul for Santner <div id="content-body-70900424" itemprop="articleBody">Mitchell Santner clutching his shoulder after completing a stunning catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma in the 17th over of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) innings was there for all to see.But when news emerged that Shardul Thakur had replaced Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase, it raised more than a few eyebrows.MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene was quick to clarify the sequence of events, stressing that the injury was not limited to the shoulder.“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back he felt dizziness, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable,” Jayawardene said after his side was annihilated at home by CSK.“So we took him for a scan in that situation, so we requested (a concussion sub). Obviously it’s at the match referee’s and umpire’s discretion, so they allowed Shardul.”According to playing conditions, a concussion substitute is permitted only as a like-for-like replacement if a player suffers a head injury during the course of a match.Santner, who also leads New Zealand in T20Is, had been seen on screen with an ice pack on his shoulder, prompting speculation. Jayawardene’s explanation, however, underlined that the primary concern was the head impact and subsequent dizziness.Adding a touch of humour to the situation, Jayawardene quipped about the perceived like-for-like nature of the replacement.“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting power is matched to Shardul Thakur, but it is what it is,” he said. “But hopefully it’s not too bad. Once he comes back, we will have a look at it.”Published on Apr 24, 2026</div> #IPL #coach #Jayawardene #clarifies #concussion #substitution #Shardul #Santner

Deadspin | New Rams QB Ty Simpson among biggest NFL draft surprises Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4 If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee. Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense. Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6 It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected. However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability. Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13 The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season. Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18 Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result. The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises

#Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises">

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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4

If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.

Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.

Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6

It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.

However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.

Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13

The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.

Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18

Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.

The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises">Deadspin | New Rams QB Ty Simpson among biggest NFL draft surprises

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4

If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.

Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.

Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6

It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.

However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.

Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13

The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.

Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18

Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.

The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises

Deadspin | Timberwolves shut down Nuggets, claim series advantage Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) talks with guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) during a free throw by the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves held the Denver Nuggets to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a 113-96 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, who scored 14 of the game’s first 18 points and never looked back. Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. The Nuggets’ season low for field-goal percentage in the regular season was 40.2%, which it posted three times. Denver’s 25.0% accuracy on 3-point tries, 8-for-32, was its fourth lowest of the season. After both teams reached triple figures in scoring in the first two games and McDaniels labeled all of the Nuggets defensively challenged, Minnesota set a defensive tone right from the opening tip of its first home game in the series. The Timberwolves’ defense was particularly impressive in the first half, limiting the Nuggets to 39 points and 3-for-15 success (20.0%) from behind the arc. Denver had only four points in the game’s first seven minutes, during which Minnesota built its first double-digit lead at 14-4. McDaniels had a three-point play on a dunk and two other interior hoops while singlehandedly outscoring the visitors 7-4 over the run. Minnesota went on to lead 25-11 by quarter’s end before going up by as many as 23 in the second period. The closest the Nuggets got in the second half was 12, that coming in the final two minutes. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert snatched a team-high 12 rebounds to go with 10 points. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 15 points apiece, with DiVincenzo adding a game-high seven assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. logged 11 points and Zeke Nnaji 10 off the bench for the Nuggets, who played without Aaron Gordon (tight left calf) and Peyton Watson (strained left hamstring). Denver was held under 100 points just twice during the regular season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Timberwolves #shut #Nuggets #claim #series #advantage

#Deadspin #Timberwolves #shut #Nuggets #claim #series #advantage">

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Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) talks with guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) during a free throw by the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves held the Denver Nuggets to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a 113-96 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis.

McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, who scored 14 of the game’s first 18 points and never looked back.

Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Nuggets’ season low for field-goal percentage in the regular season was 40.2%, which it posted three times. Denver’s 25.0% accuracy on 3-point tries, 8-for-32, was its fourth lowest of the season.

After both teams reached triple figures in scoring in the first two games and McDaniels labeled all of the Nuggets defensively challenged, Minnesota set a defensive tone right from the opening tip of its first home game in the series. The Timberwolves’ defense was particularly impressive in the first half, limiting the Nuggets to 39 points and 3-for-15 success (20.0%) from behind the arc.

Denver had only four points in the game’s first seven minutes, during which Minnesota built its first double-digit lead at 14-4. McDaniels had a three-point play on a dunk and two other interior hoops while singlehandedly outscoring the visitors 7-4 over the run.

Minnesota went on to lead 25-11 by quarter’s end before going up by as many as 23 in the second period. The closest the Nuggets got in the second half was 12, that coming in the final two minutes.

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert snatched a team-high 12 rebounds to go with 10 points. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 15 points apiece, with DiVincenzo adding a game-high seven assists.

Tim Hardaway Jr. logged 11 points and Zeke Nnaji 10 off the bench for the Nuggets, who played without Aaron Gordon (tight left calf) and Peyton Watson (strained left hamstring). Denver was held under 100 points just twice during the regular season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timberwolves #shut #Nuggets #claim #series #advantage">Deadspin | Timberwolves shut down Nuggets, claim series advantage

Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) talks with guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) during a free throw by the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves held the Denver Nuggets to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a 113-96 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis.

McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, who scored 14 of the game’s first 18 points and never looked back.

The Nuggets’ season low for field-goal percentage in the regular season was 40.2%, which it posted three times. Denver’s 25.0% accuracy on 3-point tries, 8-for-32, was its fourth lowest of the season.

After both teams reached triple figures in scoring in the first two games and McDaniels labeled all of the Nuggets defensively challenged, Minnesota set a defensive tone right from the opening tip of its first home game in the series. The Timberwolves’ defense was particularly impressive in the first half, limiting the Nuggets to 39 points and 3-for-15 success (20.0%) from behind the arc.

Denver had only four points in the game’s first seven minutes, during which Minnesota built its first double-digit lead at 14-4. McDaniels had a three-point play on a dunk and two other interior hoops while singlehandedly outscoring the visitors 7-4 over the run.

Minnesota went on to lead 25-11 by quarter’s end before going up by as many as 23 in the second period. The closest the Nuggets got in the second half was 12, that coming in the final two minutes.

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert snatched a team-high 12 rebounds to go with 10 points. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 15 points apiece, with DiVincenzo adding a game-high seven assists.

Tim Hardaway Jr. logged 11 points and Zeke Nnaji 10 off the bench for the Nuggets, who played without Aaron Gordon (tight left calf) and Peyton Watson (strained left hamstring). Denver was held under 100 points just twice during the regular season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timberwolves #shut #Nuggets #claim #series #advantage

Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick said the rapid turnover of managers in the Premier League ‌will not affect how he approaches the job and he ⁠remains focused on the bigger picture at the club rather than his own future.

Liam Rosenior’s ‌departure from Chelsea on Wednesday marked the 10th managerial casualty ‌in England’s top flight this season.

Carrick, ‌who ⁠took over at United in ⁠January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, said there was a balance to be struck between short-term success ‌and building for the future.

“There are two sides to it,” the 44-year-old told reporters on Thursday.

“There are instant results ‌and the next game being important, but there’s definitely a responsibility, our thinking of what the ⁠future looks like and the bigger picture.

“There are all sorts of what-ifs ‌in this world. Half full, half empty? I like to live my life in a positive way. I don’t think of what could go wrong, that doesn’t come into it. It’s ‌what can be achieved. What success looks like.”

United has impressed under Carrick, winning eight and drawing two of ⁠its 12 matches to sit third in ⁠the league. Six points from its remaining five games would secure ‌Champions League qualification after a two-year absence.

United next faces Brentford on Monday.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Carrick #keen #balance #shortterm #success #building #future">

Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the future Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick said the rapid turnover of managers in the Premier League ‌will not affect how he approaches the job and he ⁠remains focused on the bigger picture at the club rather than his own future.Liam Rosenior’s ‌departure from Chelsea on Wednesday marked the 10th managerial casualty ‌in England’s top flight this season.Carrick, ‌who ⁠took over at United in ⁠January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, said there was a balance to be struck between short-term success ‌and building for the future.“There are two sides to it,” the 44-year-old told reporters on Thursday.“There are instant results ‌and the next game being important, but there’s definitely a responsibility, our thinking of what the ⁠future looks like and the bigger picture.“There are all sorts of what-ifs ‌in this world. Half full, half empty? I like to live my life in a positive way. I don’t think of what could go wrong, that doesn’t come into it. It’s ‌what can be achieved. What success looks like.”United has impressed under Carrick, winning eight and drawing two of ⁠its 12 matches to sit third in ⁠the league. Six points from its remaining five games would secure ‌Champions League qualification after a two-year absence.United next faces Brentford on Monday.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Carrick #keen #balance #shortterm #success #building #future

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Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick said the rapid turnover of managers in the Premier League ‌will not affect how he approaches the job and he ⁠remains focused on the bigger picture at the club rather than his own future.
Liam Rosenior’s ‌departure from Chelsea on Wednesday marked the 10th managerial casualty ‌in England’s top flight this season.
Carrick, ‌who ⁠took over at United in ⁠January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, said there was a balance to be struck between short-term success ‌and building for the future.
“There are two sides to it,” the 44-year-old told reporters on Thursday.
“There are instant results ‌and the next game being important, but there’s definitely a responsibility, our thinking of what the ⁠future looks like and the bigger picture.
“There are all sorts of what-ifs ‌in this world. Half full, half empty? I like to live my life in a positive way. I don’t think of what could go wrong, that doesn’t come into it. It’s ‌what can be achieved. What success looks like.”
United has impressed under Carrick, winning eight and drawing two of ⁠its 12 matches to sit third in ⁠the league. Six points from its remaining five games would secure ‌Champions League qualification after a two-year absence.
United next faces Brentford on Monday.
Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Carrick #keen #balance #shortterm #success #building #future">Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the future

Liam Rosenior’s ‌departure from Chelsea on Wednesday marked the 10th managerial casualty ‌in England’s top flight this season.

Carrick, ‌who ⁠took over at United in ⁠January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, said there was a balance to be struck between short-term success ‌and building for the future.

“There are two sides to it,” the 44-year-old told reporters on Thursday.

“There are instant results ‌and the next game being important, but there’s definitely a responsibility, our thinking of what the ⁠future looks like and the bigger picture.

United next faces Brentford on Monday.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Carrick #keen #balance #shortterm #success #building #future

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