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Deadspin | Rapids rout Dynamo behind brace from newcomer Kosi Thompson  Apr 11, 2026; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Houston Dynamo FC defender Felipe Andrade (36) battles for the ball with Colorado Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio (12) and midfielder Wayne Frederick (13) in the first half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Kosi Thompson scored two goals in his Colorado debut on Saturday night to help lead the Rapids to a 6-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in Commerce City, Colo.  Thompson, who was traded from Toronto FC on March 26, made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring his first two goals of the season. Rafael Navarro also scored a pair of goals and Josh Atencio added another for the Rapids (4-3-0, 12 points), who improved to 3-0-0 at home.   Lawrence Ennali netted the only Houston goal before second-half stoppage time, as the visitors couldn’t capitalize on 18 shots, eight of them on goal. The Dynamo (2-4-0, 6 points) dropped their third consecutive match after winning two of three to begin the season.  Colorado struck first just five minutes in when Thompson scored on his first run in a Rapids uniform. Dante Sealy sent a cross through the box which leaked out to Thompson, who fired in his first goal since 2023.  The Rapids doubled their early advantage in the 17th minute when Thompson’s steal in Houston territory led to Atencio’s first goal of the season.  Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen made three of his six saves in the opening half to help preserve Colorado’s two-goal halftime edge.   At the 53-minute mark, Thompson’s second goal extended the lead to 3-0. Rebounding a deflection from Houston’s Diadie Samassekou in the box, Thompson fired in another right-footed attempt that snuck by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (three saves).  The Dynamo finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute, as Guilherme Santos assisted on Ennali’s second goal of the year.  Colorado answered just four minutes later, though, when Navarro netted his team-leading fourth goal of the year. Houston’s deficit was pushed to four in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Felipe Andrade’s own goal made it 5-1.  Santos scored two minutes later for Houston before Colorado’s late-game offense continued. After Hector Herrera’s foul, Navarro scored a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to punctuate the lopsided outing.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rapids #rout #Dynamo #brace #newcomer #Kosi #Thompson

Deadspin | Rapids rout Dynamo behind brace from newcomer Kosi Thompson
Deadspin | Rapids rout Dynamo behind brace from newcomer Kosi Thompson  Apr 11, 2026; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Houston Dynamo FC defender Felipe Andrade (36) battles for the ball with Colorado Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio (12) and midfielder Wayne Frederick (13) in the first half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Kosi Thompson scored two goals in his Colorado debut on Saturday night to help lead the Rapids to a 6-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in Commerce City, Colo.  Thompson, who was traded from Toronto FC on March 26, made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring his first two goals of the season. Rafael Navarro also scored a pair of goals and Josh Atencio added another for the Rapids (4-3-0, 12 points), who improved to 3-0-0 at home.   Lawrence Ennali netted the only Houston goal before second-half stoppage time, as the visitors couldn’t capitalize on 18 shots, eight of them on goal. The Dynamo (2-4-0, 6 points) dropped their third consecutive match after winning two of three to begin the season.  Colorado struck first just five minutes in when Thompson scored on his first run in a Rapids uniform. Dante Sealy sent a cross through the box which leaked out to Thompson, who fired in his first goal since 2023.  The Rapids doubled their early advantage in the 17th minute when Thompson’s steal in Houston territory led to Atencio’s first goal of the season.  Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen made three of his six saves in the opening half to help preserve Colorado’s two-goal halftime edge.   At the 53-minute mark, Thompson’s second goal extended the lead to 3-0. Rebounding a deflection from Houston’s Diadie Samassekou in the box, Thompson fired in another right-footed attempt that snuck by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (three saves).  The Dynamo finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute, as Guilherme Santos assisted on Ennali’s second goal of the year.  Colorado answered just four minutes later, though, when Navarro netted his team-leading fourth goal of the year. Houston’s deficit was pushed to four in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Felipe Andrade’s own goal made it 5-1.  Santos scored two minutes later for Houston before Colorado’s late-game offense continued. After Hector Herrera’s foul, Navarro scored a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to punctuate the lopsided outing.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rapids #rout #Dynamo #brace #newcomer #Kosi #ThompsonApr 11, 2026; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Houston Dynamo FC defender Felipe Andrade (36) battles for the ball with Colorado Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio (12) and midfielder Wayne Frederick (13) in the first half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Kosi Thompson scored two goals in his Colorado debut on Saturday night to help lead the Rapids to a 6-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in Commerce City, Colo.

Thompson, who was traded from Toronto FC on March 26, made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring his first two goals of the season. Rafael Navarro also scored a pair of goals and Josh Atencio added another for the Rapids (4-3-0, 12 points), who improved to 3-0-0 at home.

Lawrence Ennali netted the only Houston goal before second-half stoppage time, as the visitors couldn’t capitalize on 18 shots, eight of them on goal. The Dynamo (2-4-0, 6 points) dropped their third consecutive match after winning two of three to begin the season.

Colorado struck first just five minutes in when Thompson scored on his first run in a Rapids uniform. Dante Sealy sent a cross through the box which leaked out to Thompson, who fired in his first goal since 2023.

The Rapids doubled their early advantage in the 17th minute when Thompson’s steal in Houston territory led to Atencio’s first goal of the season.


Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen made three of his six saves in the opening half to help preserve Colorado’s two-goal halftime edge.

At the 53-minute mark, Thompson’s second goal extended the lead to 3-0. Rebounding a deflection from Houston’s Diadie Samassekou in the box, Thompson fired in another right-footed attempt that snuck by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (three saves).

The Dynamo finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute, as Guilherme Santos assisted on Ennali’s second goal of the year.

Colorado answered just four minutes later, though, when Navarro netted his team-leading fourth goal of the year. Houston’s deficit was pushed to four in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Felipe Andrade’s own goal made it 5-1.

Santos scored two minutes later for Houston before Colorado’s late-game offense continued. After Hector Herrera’s foul, Navarro scored a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to punctuate the lopsided outing.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rapids #rout #Dynamo #brace #newcomer #Kosi #Thompson

Apr 11, 2026; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Houston Dynamo FC defender Felipe Andrade (36) battles for the ball with Colorado Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio (12) and midfielder Wayne Frederick (13) in the first half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Kosi Thompson scored two goals in his Colorado debut on Saturday night to help lead the Rapids to a 6-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in Commerce City, Colo.

Thompson, who was traded from Toronto FC on March 26, made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring his first two goals of the season. Rafael Navarro also scored a pair of goals and Josh Atencio added another for the Rapids (4-3-0, 12 points), who improved to 3-0-0 at home.

Lawrence Ennali netted the only Houston goal before second-half stoppage time, as the visitors couldn’t capitalize on 18 shots, eight of them on goal. The Dynamo (2-4-0, 6 points) dropped their third consecutive match after winning two of three to begin the season.

Colorado struck first just five minutes in when Thompson scored on his first run in a Rapids uniform. Dante Sealy sent a cross through the box which leaked out to Thompson, who fired in his first goal since 2023.

The Rapids doubled their early advantage in the 17th minute when Thompson’s steal in Houston territory led to Atencio’s first goal of the season.

Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen made three of his six saves in the opening half to help preserve Colorado’s two-goal halftime edge.

At the 53-minute mark, Thompson’s second goal extended the lead to 3-0. Rebounding a deflection from Houston’s Diadie Samassekou in the box, Thompson fired in another right-footed attempt that snuck by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (three saves).

The Dynamo finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute, as Guilherme Santos assisted on Ennali’s second goal of the year.

Colorado answered just four minutes later, though, when Navarro netted his team-leading fourth goal of the year. Houston’s deficit was pushed to four in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Felipe Andrade’s own goal made it 5-1.

Santos scored two minutes later for Houston before Colorado’s late-game offense continued. After Hector Herrera’s foul, Navarro scored a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to punctuate the lopsided outing.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Rapids #rout #Dynamo #brace #newcomer #Kosi #Thompson

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Giannis tried to have it both ways, and the Bucks paid for it <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest attempt at saying he doesn’t want to play for the Milwaukee Bucks anymore — without actually saying it, so he doesn’t look bad — could be what finally, mercifully gets his long, ugly, ongoing divorce from the franchise over the finish line.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">His fear of becoming the “bad guy” by requesting the trade he’s so clearly been longing for has only prolonged this inevitable split and convinced the Bucks to bleed assets in the process. Now, as their ship sinks, they’re realizing that they offloaded all of their lifeboats to cut weight because Antetokounmpo wanted to sail faster.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">While Giannis is not solely to blame for this, it’s impossible to argue that his impatience and constant holding his team’s feet to the fire didn’t contribute. Let’s take a trip back to 2021.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Months after Milwaukee captured its first title in 50 years, Antetokounmpo publicly cast doubt on his future with the Bucks, for no discernible reason at all, during an <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/giannis-antetokounmpo-athlete-of-the-year-2021">interview with GQ Magazine’s Zach Baron.</a></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did,” he told Baron. “It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Huh? Less than half a year after winning a title, you’re already thinking about leaving??</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us—for now [with a five-year supermax extension through the 2025 season],” he added. “In two years, that might change. I’m being totally honest with you. I’m always honest.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Giannis critics — and at this point, even Bucks fans — might argue that sometimes he’s a little <em>too</em> honest. After a second-round exit in 2022 and a devastating first-round upset at the hands of the Miami Heat in 2023 raised tensions further, Giannis memorably went on a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mXGSjnUvSM">long rant about how sports don’t ever feature failure</a>, but it was his next public comments that were more notable: The star issued another public warning to the Bucks, once again hinting at an eventual departure during a September 2023 appearance on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x6zCD7NpeQ"><em>48 Minutes Podcast.</em></a></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“So as I said, if the Milwaukee Bucks are on the same page for the rest of my career, great. If not, I have to win. I have to win. And I think the city and people will understand it… I have to do whatever it takes for me to win. And if there’s a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien, I have to take that better situation.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The message echoed what he’d <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/sports/basketball/giannis-antetokounmpo-milwaukee-bucks-contract.html?smid=tw-share">told <em>The New York Times</em></a> a month prior<em>.</em></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“But at the end of the day, being a winner, it’s over that goal,” he said. “Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Just talking about wanting to win championships would be one thing, but his constant flirting with a trade request elsewhere to do so pushed Milwaukee into desperation mode.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">General Manager Jon Horst and the rest of the front office, with their collective palms profusely sweating, made the following moves in response to appease their perpetually noncomittal star, despite injuries being the driving force behind the team’s previous playoff shortcomings:</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><ul class="duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1"><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>May 4, 2023: </strong>Fired Head Coach Mike Budenholzer </span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>June 5, 2023: </strong>Hired Adrian Griffin as head coach (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4557575/2023/05/27/adrian-griffin-bucks-coach/">Who Giannis endorsed over Nick Nurse and Kenny Atkinson</a>)</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>September 27, 2023: </strong>Traded Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, and three first-round picks for Damian Lillard</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>December, 2023: </strong>Brought Doc Rivers in as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5222650/2024/01/23/bucks-adrian-griffin-firing-why-doc-rivers/">coaching advisor</a> for Griffin</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>January 23, 2024: </strong><a href="https://wisportsheroics.com/milwaukee-bucks-adrian-griffin-giannis-antetokounmpo/">Fired Griffin after 44 games</a> (31-13)</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>January 27, 2024: </strong><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5288376/2024/02/21/giannis-antetokounmpo-interview-bucks-nba-damian-lillard-doc-rivers/">Hired Rivers</a> as head coach and went 17-19 for the rest of the season</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>February 6, 2025: </strong>Traded Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, and a 2028 first-round pick to the Wizards for Kyle Kuzma</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>July 6, 2025:</strong> Waived and stretched Damian Lillard to clear cap space used to sign Myles Turner</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>February 8, 2026: </strong>Signed Cam Thomas</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup"><strong>March 23, 2026: </strong>Waived Cam Thomas</span></li></ul></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s not a player’s job to understand how roster construction works, even if they’re openly imploring the team to make moves. Milwaukee’s front office still did all of the above on purpose, and none of it worked. That means they deserve blame too, but now, after years of giving up assets to try and undo the mistakes they made while trying to fix previous mistakes, there isn’t anything left for them to do. They have no control over their own draft picks until 2030 (with no first-rounder at all in 2029) and will have to settle for the less-favorable in three consecutive pick swaps while also working with $20 million in dead cap for the next five seasons thanks to their rush to waive Lillard.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The only way to replenish those assets is by trading a star, like Giannis, for a plethora of picks and young players. It was always going to be the reality for Milwaukee. Now, in a multi-year attempt to avoid ruining his reputation with Bucks fans, Antetokounmpo has stranded them on a sinking ship… and ironically <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-polls/64054/milwaukee-nba-poll-giannis-antetokounmpo-injury-league-investigation-doc-rivers">ended up with many fans sick of him anyway</a>, the very thing his tortured will-he-or-wont-he PR strategy seemed intended to avoid.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">His unwillingness to choose between loyalty and the pursuit of winning has motivated the Bucks to do anything and everything to prolong their championship window — a window that’s been closed for years due to Antetokounmpo’s unavailability come playoff time in 2023 and 2024, and now permanently shut due to their desperation to reopen it just a sliver, with the team responding like they forgot their keys at the office and decided to burn down their house in response.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Even this year, he tried to save face when he reiterated to the Bucks for a few months before the Feb. 5 trade deadline that <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48412620/inside-fractured-relationship-giannis-antetokounmpo-milwaukee-bucks">he was prepared to be moved</a>. According to NBA insider and <a href="https://x.com/RunItBackFDTV/status/2042615414711091490">personal enemy of Doc Rivers</a>, Shams Charania, while Giannis declined to publicize a trade request, he made it clear to all parties involved behind the scenes that he felt both sides needed to move on immediately, as the franchise was not in position to compete.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Giannis has wanted to handle this professionally by being very up front with the team,” one source with direct knowledge of the situation told Charania. “This could have been a happy resolution but instead might end up being a nasty breakup.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It would’ve been a happy resolution for Giannis, who would’ve left to greener pastures, but not for the Bucks, whose lack of any future assets is a result of the long list of attempts to appease their disgruntled Finals MVP — who was playing games before even signing his first contract extension.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Both that, and the one inked in 2023 reportedly came with a handshake agreement that the Bucks would accommodate any desired trade destinations whenever Giannis would hypothetically decide to leave, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48412620/inside-fractured-relationship-giannis-antetokounmpo-milwaukee-bucks">an April 7 report from Charania.</a> It was an early indication that Milwaukee was going to have <em>earn </em>his loyalty.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Bucks were so deprived of picks and young players to use in trades because of their willingness to include half of them to bring in Holiday in 2020, who they later attached the remaining picks to trade for Lillard, who they then waived, stretched, and set their hypothetical home ablaze to enable their final offering to Antetokounmpo — Turner, who falls firmly in the “what does he even do?” category.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Milwaukee’s decision to cut Lillard and sign Turner out of sheer panic should tell you exactly how hamstrung they are in terms of assets. They have Antetokounmpo’s non-comital demeanor to thank for a lot of that.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">That would all be bad enough, but even now, as the Bucks try and salvage something from this disaster of this injury-riddled, trade-drama-marred season, Giannis is standing in the way.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Antetokounmpo has wanted nothing more than to suit up and help them win games now that Milwaukee is eliminated from playoff contention and trying to shrink the window in which their lesser-pick-swap with the New Orleans Pelicans falls this spring. In doing so, he was willing to not only risk lessening the Bucks’ lottery odds, but also risk another injury, which could discourage trade suitors from offering the best possible return when the market for his services opens (presumably this summer).</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face,” Antetokounmpo told reporters ahead of the April 3 matchup against the Boston Celtics. “I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game. I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“So, I don’t know where the relationship goes from there.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But it’s hard not to find all of this incredibly disingenuous, and poorly considered at that. Giannis clearly doesn’t care about where the relationship is going. He already knows. It’s over. It’s been over for a while. Giannis only cares if he looks good as he’s being flown away from the submerged S.S Fiserv. And in his years-long, hackneyed attempt to avoid looking like the bad guy, he made that perception unavoidable.</p></div></div> #Giannis #ways #Bucks #paid

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FIDE Candidates 2026 Women’s section: Vaishali stumbles against Zhu Jiner; title-race wide open <div id="content-body-70853894" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Grandmaster R. Vaishali succumbed to time pressure as a series of inaccuracies cost her full points in a defeat to Zhu Jiner, who joined her atop the women’s section after Round 12 on Sunday.</p><p>The game began with a Caro-Kann Defence, with Vaishali, playing White, opting for an aggressive approach and advancing her h-pawn early.</p><p>In the middlegame, Vaishali played 27. d5, blowing open the centre and turning the contest into a tactical race. She followed it up with Qh7 and Qh8 on moves 31 and 33, paralysing Zhu’s back rank and forcing the knight to f8, with the position appearing completely winning for the Indian.</p><p>However, as the clock ticked down, Zhu promoted to a second queen with 38. g1=Q+. Vaishali needed to find a precise sequence of checks to force mate or secure a draw, but missed a key safety square for her king. Instead of stabilising, she allowed Zhu to gain tempo, and the Chinese Grandmaster eventually forced her resignation.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #FIDE #Candidates #Womens #section #Vaishali #stumbles #Zhu #Jiner #titlerace #wide #open

Deadspin | Rookie Parker Messick dominant as Guardians shut out Braves  Apr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) walks off the field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   Parker Messick continued the impressive start to his career by tossing 6 2/3 strong innings Saturday night, earning the win as the Cleveland Guardians beat the host Atlanta Braves 6-0 in the middle contest of a three-game interleague series.  Jose Ramirez homered in the first for the Guardians, who have won three of four. Five players had a hit apiece for the Braves, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.  Messick (2-0) gave up four hits and walked two while striking out five. The Braves built their lone threat against the left-hander in the fifth, when Ronald Acuna Jr. tripled with two outs before Messick struck out Drake Baldwin.  The 25-year-old rookie lowered his ERA this season to 0.51 and dropped his career ERA to 2.04 in 10 starts dating back to last year.  Right-hander Connor Brogdon got the final out of the seventh before Erik Sabrowski threw a perfect eighth and Shawn Armstrong struck out two in a one-hit ninth to complete the Guardians’ first shutout victory of the season.  The Braves were blanked for the first time this year.   Cleveland’s Rhys Hoskins had an RBI groundout in the sixth and Chase DeLauter laced a run-scoring double in the eighth before Cleveland added three insurance runs in the ninth in unusual fashion.  Steven Kwan walked with two outs and stole second base, took third when catcher Jonah Heim couldn’t find the ball in the dirt and scored when Heim’s throw to third sailed into left field. Angel Martinez and Ramirez walked, then Daniel Schneemann then hit a two-run single.  Ramirez and Martinez had two hits apiece. Ramirez swiped a pair of bases while Martinez also had a theft.  Atlanta starter Martin Perez (0-1) took the hard-luck loss after allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings. The 35-year-old left-hander, who is pitching for his seventh big league team, lowered his ERA to 3.14 in three games (two starts).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rookie #Parker #Messick #dominant #Guardians #shut #BravesApr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) walks off the field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Parker Messick continued the impressive start to his career by tossing 6 2/3 strong innings Saturday night, earning the win as the Cleveland Guardians beat the host Atlanta Braves 6-0 in the middle contest of a three-game interleague series.

Jose Ramirez homered in the first for the Guardians, who have won three of four. Five players had a hit apiece for the Braves, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Messick (2-0) gave up four hits and walked two while striking out five. The Braves built their lone threat against the left-hander in the fifth, when Ronald Acuna Jr. tripled with two outs before Messick struck out Drake Baldwin.

The 25-year-old rookie lowered his ERA this season to 0.51 and dropped his career ERA to 2.04 in 10 starts dating back to last year.

Right-hander Connor Brogdon got the final out of the seventh before Erik Sabrowski threw a perfect eighth and Shawn Armstrong struck out two in a one-hit ninth to complete the Guardians’ first shutout victory of the season.


The Braves were blanked for the first time this year.

Cleveland’s Rhys Hoskins had an RBI groundout in the sixth and Chase DeLauter laced a run-scoring double in the eighth before Cleveland added three insurance runs in the ninth in unusual fashion.

Steven Kwan walked with two outs and stole second base, took third when catcher Jonah Heim couldn’t find the ball in the dirt and scored when Heim’s throw to third sailed into left field. Angel Martinez and Ramirez walked, then Daniel Schneemann then hit a two-run single.

Ramirez and Martinez had two hits apiece. Ramirez swiped a pair of bases while Martinez also had a theft.

Atlanta starter Martin Perez (0-1) took the hard-luck loss after allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings. The 35-year-old left-hander, who is pitching for his seventh big league team, lowered his ERA to 3.14 in three games (two starts).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rookie #Parker #Messick #dominant #Guardians #shut #Braves">Deadspin | Rookie Parker Messick dominant as Guardians shut out Braves  Apr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) walks off the field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   Parker Messick continued the impressive start to his career by tossing 6 2/3 strong innings Saturday night, earning the win as the Cleveland Guardians beat the host Atlanta Braves 6-0 in the middle contest of a three-game interleague series.  Jose Ramirez homered in the first for the Guardians, who have won three of four. Five players had a hit apiece for the Braves, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.  Messick (2-0) gave up four hits and walked two while striking out five. The Braves built their lone threat against the left-hander in the fifth, when Ronald Acuna Jr. tripled with two outs before Messick struck out Drake Baldwin.  The 25-year-old rookie lowered his ERA this season to 0.51 and dropped his career ERA to 2.04 in 10 starts dating back to last year.  Right-hander Connor Brogdon got the final out of the seventh before Erik Sabrowski threw a perfect eighth and Shawn Armstrong struck out two in a one-hit ninth to complete the Guardians’ first shutout victory of the season.  The Braves were blanked for the first time this year.   Cleveland’s Rhys Hoskins had an RBI groundout in the sixth and Chase DeLauter laced a run-scoring double in the eighth before Cleveland added three insurance runs in the ninth in unusual fashion.  Steven Kwan walked with two outs and stole second base, took third when catcher Jonah Heim couldn’t find the ball in the dirt and scored when Heim’s throw to third sailed into left field. Angel Martinez and Ramirez walked, then Daniel Schneemann then hit a two-run single.  Ramirez and Martinez had two hits apiece. Ramirez swiped a pair of bases while Martinez also had a theft.  Atlanta starter Martin Perez (0-1) took the hard-luck loss after allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings. The 35-year-old left-hander, who is pitching for his seventh big league team, lowered his ERA to 3.14 in three games (two starts).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rookie #Parker #Messick #dominant #Guardians #shut #Braves

Kieron Pollard was unequivocal in his assessment of Jasprit Bumrah. Addressing the media on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the batting coach insisted the franchise was not “looking too much” into Bumrah’s wicket-less run.

“When the time comes to get wickets, he’ll get wickets. If not, and he’s economical, we’ll accept that as well,” Pollard said, backing the spearhead to come good.

But as the two heavyweight team clashed at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, Bumrah’s lean patch continued. He returned figures of 0 for 35 in four overs (economy 8.75), the most economical among the six bowlers used, yet unable to provide the breakthroughs Mumbai Indians desperately needed as RCB piled up a daunting 240.

Against a star-studded batting unit, Mumbai’s bowlers were put under sustained pressure from the outset. Bumrah, often relied upon to break partnerships or stem the flow of runs, found himself operating in damage-control mode.

He began with a 10-run over, with Virat Kohli welcoming him with a deft boundary over short third. While he managed to keep things tight thereafter, the early opportunity to make an inroad slipped by.

Reintroduced in the sixth over, shortly after Mitchell Santner conceded 22 runs, Bumrah briefly restored control, giving away just six. It was a reminder of his discipline and control, even on a night when the margins were unforgiving.

However, wickets remained elusive. With Phil Salt and Kohli setting the tempo and attacking relentlessly, Mumbai Indians struggled to find a way through.

In his second spell, Bumrah delivered a tidy seven-run over, but the penultimate over tilted the balance again. Tim David took him on, striking a four and a six as Bumrah conceded 13 runs, a rare sight for a bowler who usually thrives at the death.

So far this season, Bumrah has conceded 123 runs in four matches without a wicket, an unusual stretch for a bowler of his calibre. The last time he endured a similar phase was back in 2014, when he went four matches without a breakthrough.

For Mumbai Indians, the concern is not just the lack of wickets, but the absence of those decisive interventions Bumrah has so often provided, the breakthroughs that halt momentum and shift matches.

The tournament, though, is still young. And the team would hope for Bumrah to rediscover his rhythm, because as history suggests, when Bumrah strikes, the balance often shifts with MI.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#RCB #IPL #Bumrahs #wicketless #run #strange #confrontation #Mumbai #Indians">MI vs RCB, IPL 2026 — Bumrah’s wicket-less run a strange confrontation for Mumbai Indians  Kieron Pollard was unequivocal in his assessment of Jasprit Bumrah. Addressing the media on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the batting coach insisted the franchise was not “looking too much” into Bumrah’s wicket-less run.“When the time comes to get wickets, he’ll get wickets. If not, and he’s economical, we’ll accept that as well,” Pollard said, backing the spearhead to come good.But as the two heavyweight team clashed at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, Bumrah’s lean patch continued. He returned figures of 0 for 35 in four overs (economy 8.75), the most economical among the six bowlers used, yet unable to provide the breakthroughs Mumbai Indians desperately needed as RCB piled up a daunting 240.Against a star-studded batting unit, Mumbai’s bowlers were put under sustained pressure from the outset. Bumrah, often relied upon to break partnerships or stem the flow of runs, found himself operating in damage-control mode.He began with a 10-run over, with Virat Kohli welcoming him with a deft boundary over short third. While he managed to keep things tight thereafter, the early opportunity to make an inroad slipped by.Reintroduced in the sixth over, shortly after Mitchell Santner conceded 22 runs, Bumrah briefly restored control, giving away just six. It was a reminder of his discipline and control, even on a night when the margins were unforgiving.However, wickets remained elusive. With Phil Salt and Kohli setting the tempo and attacking relentlessly, Mumbai Indians struggled to find a way through.In his second spell, Bumrah delivered a tidy seven-run over, but the penultimate over tilted the balance again. Tim David took him on, striking a four and a six as Bumrah conceded 13 runs, a rare sight for a bowler who usually thrives at the death.So far this season, Bumrah has conceded 123 runs in four matches without a wicket, an unusual stretch for a bowler of his calibre. The last time he endured a similar phase was back in 2014, when he went four matches without a breakthrough.For Mumbai Indians, the concern is not just the lack of wickets, but the absence of those decisive interventions Bumrah has so often provided, the breakthroughs that halt momentum and shift matches.The tournament, though, is still young. And the team would hope for Bumrah to rediscover his rhythm, because as history suggests, when Bumrah strikes, the balance often shifts with MI.Published on Apr 12, 2026  #RCB #IPL #Bumrahs #wicketless #run #strange #confrontation #Mumbai #Indians

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