Deadspin | NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday. Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2. Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring). Pistons 116, Magic 109 Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals. The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain. Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120 Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins
Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Pistons 116, Magic 109

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Sports news April 30, 2026

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Pistons 116, Magic 109

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

–Field Level Media

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Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros <div id="content-body-70923455" itemprop="articleBody">Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/potapova-vs-pliskova-madrid-open-quarterfinals-match-highlights-scores-lucky-loser-makes-history/article70923242.ece" target="_self">Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal</a>“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to be pretty good,” Fils said.Published on Apr 30, 2026</div> #Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

Cricket Australia board weighing alternatives after BBL privatisation plans blocked <div id="content-body-70923517" itemprop="articleBody">Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday it is considering alternatives to its privatisation plan for the Big Bash League (BBL) after failing to ‌achieve consensus with state members.CA had set a mid-April deadline for the nation’s ⁠six member states to indicate their support to sell 49 per cent stakes in most BBL teams and 100 per cent of ‌one team each in Victoria and New South Wales.New South Wales rejected CA’s ‌proposal while Queensland deferred its decision, saying ‌it ⁠needed more information.“Given CA does not ⁠currently have full alignment on the proposed next step with our members, some alternative options are being considered that require additional analysis and ‌consideration with States, and that work is underway,” CA said in a statement.“Australian cricket remains united on the need to grow and continue ‌investment in all aspects of the game and CA thanks the state associations and players for their engagement and collaboration ⁠in this project.”The lack of consensus is a major blow for CA Chairman Mike Baird and ‌CEO Todd Greenberg, who spearheaded the privatisation push following a review by Boston Consulting Group last year.CA had hoped to raise up to A$600 million ($427 million) to future-proof the sport, boost its finances and improve Australia’s competitiveness in ‌T20 cricket.CA reported a net deficit of A$11.3 million for the 2024-25 financial year despite a hike in revenue from hosting the lucrative ⁠Border-Gavaskar series against powerhouse India.Despite the potential for ⁠a major capital boost, influential cricket figures in Australia voiced opposition to opening the ‌league to private money, saying it could mean a damaging loss of control for the game’s local custodians.Published on Apr 30, 2026</div> #Cricket #Australia #board #weighing #alternatives #BBL #privatisation #plans #blocked

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.

Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.

While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.

“So hopefully we will make that.”

HARROWING EXIT

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.

Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.

Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.

She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.

“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”

Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.

Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.

“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournamentsPrior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.“So hopefully we will make that.”HARROWING EXITSince the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition

mwasimuddin125 0

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.
“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.
“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”
READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.
While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.
“So hopefully we will make that.”
HARROWING EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.
Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments