Deadspin | Raptors hope long-range scoring punch continues against Kings

Deadspin | Raptors hope long-range scoring punch continues against Kings

Jan 20, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) shoots a three-pointer against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Two teams that found themselves on opposite ends of high-scoring affairs Tuesday night get no break in the schedule when the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings complete back-to-backs with a head-to-head matchup Wednesday night in the California capital.

Unfazed by the league’s worst 3-point shooting percentage entering the game (33.6%), the Raptors rode a brilliant scoring night from Immanuel Quickley and 21-for-34 accuracy from deep to race past the Golden State Warriors 145-127 in San Francisco on Tuesday night.

Ninety miles to the northeast, the Kings watched the visiting Miami Heat put on a long-range shooting display, making 21 of 42, in a 130-117 triumph in Sacramento.

Both the Raptors and Kings were able to spread the minutes rather widely on the first night of the back-to-back, with Toronto using all 12 available players and Sacramento playing 10 for at least 19 minutes each.

Mission accomplished, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic noted.

“We are at the end of January and we know what those dog days look like before the All-Star break,” he expressed to the media in San Francisco. “We’re trying to be very conscientious about minutes and usage of our guys in those games before All-Star.”

Three Raptors played 34 or more minutes against the Warriors, in large part because they were putting on an entertaining show.

Quickley matched his career high with 40 points in 34 minutes, Scottie Barnes chipped in with 26 points in 39 minutes, and Brandon Ingram had 22 points to show for his 36 minutes as the trio combined to shoot 31-for-48. Toronto scorched Golden State with 59.3% shooting overall and 61.8% accuracy on 3-pointers.

Barnes also found time to dish off a game-high 11 assists in the type of performance that had Rajakovic conjuring up memories of Wilt Chamberlain.

“When I look back at NBA history and see that Wilt Chamberlain was averaging 48.1 minutes in one season and playing all the overtimes, I’m a little bit jealous of those old times,” he admitted. “But the game is different nowadays, and definitely we have that in mind. I’m thinking about Scottie’s usage quite a bit.

“I don’t know if there’s another player in the history of the game that one night plays point guard, the other night he’s a wing, and the fourth night he’s playing (center). Just not for one or two possessions, but it’s a main role in the game, and Scottie’s doing that for us and he’s outstanding trying to manage all of those different roles.”

Interestingly, Kings coach Doug Christie found himself, after Sacramento’s second straight home loss, defending his decision to keep one of his top players, Zach LaVine, on the bench for 17 of the second half’s 24 minutes.

“We’re trying to find a rhythm and find a group that is stopping people at the same time,” Christie explained to reporters afterward. “We didn’t have a problem scoring tonight. We need to stop somebody.”

LaVine finished with 18 points in 22 minutes. Domantas Sabonis, in his third game after a 27-game absence due to a knee injury, got just 17 minutes, keeping the door open for his participation on a second straight night.

Sabonis had six points and 10 rebounds in his stint, which was shorter than either of his previous two comeback games, when he played 21 and 20 minutes.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Raptors #hope #longrange #scoring #punch #continues #Kings

#KKR #IPL #Rinku #Anukul #Knight #Riders #win #spinners #shine">KKR vs RR, IPL 2026: Rinku, Anukul take Knight Riders to first win after spinners shine  Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh, left, and Anukul Roy took the side home in a tense chase.
                                                   | Photo Credit: AP
                                              
                  Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh, left, and Anukul Roy took the side home in a tense chase.
                                                   | Photo Credit: AP
                                            #KKR #IPL #Rinku #Anukul #Knight #Riders #win #spinners #shine
Deadspin | Skidding Mets make pitching change ahead of series finale vs. Cubs    Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tobias Myers throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   A year ago, New York Mets left-hander David Peterson was in the midst of a first-half breakout that helped him earn a spot on the National League All-Star team.  Now, Peterson has been scratched from his latest start as skidding New York looks for a spark.  The Mets will aim to end their longest losing streak in more than 20 years on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game series.  The Mets announced late Saturday that right-hander Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA) will start in place of Peterson, who reportedly is not injured. Right-hander Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA) will start for Chicago.  The Cubs handed the Mets their 10th straight loss Saturday afternoon, 4-2, after pinch-hitter Carson Kelly belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the sixth inning.  The skid is the longest for the Mets since they dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004. New York has been outscored 60-18 during the current streak and hasn’t led at the end of an inning since the first frame of an 11-6 loss to the Athletics on April 11 — a span of 62 innings.  The Mets, who have six new starters in their everyday lineup after parting ways with Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo over the winter, are 7-14 overall. It’s the worst 21-game start for the franchise since the 1983 team opened 6-15 on its way to finishing 68-94.  “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us; you’ve got to keep going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We haven’t been playing good baseball. That’s the bottom line.”  Peterson has been struggling since his first All-Star Game appearance. The southpaw is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts this year and 3-5 with a 6.35 ERA in his last 16 starts dating to July 20.  Myers, who hasn’t started since Aug. 9, has pitched at least 1 1/3 innings in each of his six games this year. He has thrown at least 30 pitches four times — including in his most recent appearance Wednesday, when he allowed one run over two innings in the Mets’ 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.   Kelly’s second career pinch-hit homer continued an impressive week for the Cubs, who have won four straight games.  Chicago’s streak of consecutive games with least 10 runs scored was snapped at three Saturday, but the Cubs have scored 51 runs in the last six games after scoring 59 in the first 14 games of the season.  The Cubs also have pitched well during their winning streak despite the loss of closer Daniel Palencia, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a strained left oblique.  Jameson Taillon gave up one run over six innings Saturday in the third straight quality start for the Cubs, whose relievers have a 3.17 ERA during the winning streak. The surge began Tuesday, when Colin Rea allowed three runs over six innings against Philadelphia as a bulk reliever.  Caleb Thielbar earned the first save of the streak Saturday when he struck out two in a perfect ninth. It was just the sixth career save for the 39-year-old Thielbar, who has made 422 big league appearances dating to 2013.    “This group, we’re always prepared,” Kelly said. “We’re always looking for that opportunity. Just as a group, we’re pulling for each other at all moments.”  Assad took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up nine runs over 4 1/3 innings as the Cubs fell to the Phillies 13-7.  Myers is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Cubs. Assad is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in four games (three starts) vs. the Mets.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Skidding #Mets #pitching #change #ahead #series #finale #CubsApr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tobias Myers throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A year ago, New York Mets left-hander David Peterson was in the midst of a first-half breakout that helped him earn a spot on the National League All-Star team.

Now, Peterson has been scratched from his latest start as skidding New York looks for a spark.

The Mets will aim to end their longest losing streak in more than 20 years on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game series.

The Mets announced late Saturday that right-hander Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA) will start in place of Peterson, who reportedly is not injured. Right-hander Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA) will start for Chicago.

The Cubs handed the Mets their 10th straight loss Saturday afternoon, 4-2, after pinch-hitter Carson Kelly belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the sixth inning.

The skid is the longest for the Mets since they dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004. New York has been outscored 60-18 during the current streak and hasn’t led at the end of an inning since the first frame of an 11-6 loss to the Athletics on April 11 — a span of 62 innings.

The Mets, who have six new starters in their everyday lineup after parting ways with Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo over the winter, are 7-14 overall. It’s the worst 21-game start for the franchise since the 1983 team opened 6-15 on its way to finishing 68-94.

“Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us; you’ve got to keep going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We haven’t been playing good baseball. That’s the bottom line.”

Peterson has been struggling since his first All-Star Game appearance. The southpaw is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts this year and 3-5 with a 6.35 ERA in his last 16 starts dating to July 20.


Myers, who hasn’t started since Aug. 9, has pitched at least 1 1/3 innings in each of his six games this year. He has thrown at least 30 pitches four times — including in his most recent appearance Wednesday, when he allowed one run over two innings in the Mets’ 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kelly’s second career pinch-hit homer continued an impressive week for the Cubs, who have won four straight games.

Chicago’s streak of consecutive games with least 10 runs scored was snapped at three Saturday, but the Cubs have scored 51 runs in the last six games after scoring 59 in the first 14 games of the season.

The Cubs also have pitched well during their winning streak despite the loss of closer Daniel Palencia, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a strained left oblique.

Jameson Taillon gave up one run over six innings Saturday in the third straight quality start for the Cubs, whose relievers have a 3.17 ERA during the winning streak. The surge began Tuesday, when Colin Rea allowed three runs over six innings against Philadelphia as a bulk reliever.

Caleb Thielbar earned the first save of the streak Saturday when he struck out two in a perfect ninth. It was just the sixth career save for the 39-year-old Thielbar, who has made 422 big league appearances dating to 2013.

“This group, we’re always prepared,” Kelly said. “We’re always looking for that opportunity. Just as a group, we’re pulling for each other at all moments.”

Assad took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up nine runs over 4 1/3 innings as the Cubs fell to the Phillies 13-7.

Myers is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Cubs. Assad is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in four games (three starts) vs. the Mets.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Skidding #Mets #pitching #change #ahead #series #finale #Cubs">Deadspin | Skidding Mets make pitching change ahead of series finale vs. Cubs    Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tobias Myers throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   A year ago, New York Mets left-hander David Peterson was in the midst of a first-half breakout that helped him earn a spot on the National League All-Star team.  Now, Peterson has been scratched from his latest start as skidding New York looks for a spark.  The Mets will aim to end their longest losing streak in more than 20 years on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game series.  The Mets announced late Saturday that right-hander Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA) will start in place of Peterson, who reportedly is not injured. Right-hander Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA) will start for Chicago.  The Cubs handed the Mets their 10th straight loss Saturday afternoon, 4-2, after pinch-hitter Carson Kelly belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the sixth inning.  The skid is the longest for the Mets since they dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004. New York has been outscored 60-18 during the current streak and hasn’t led at the end of an inning since the first frame of an 11-6 loss to the Athletics on April 11 — a span of 62 innings.  The Mets, who have six new starters in their everyday lineup after parting ways with Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo over the winter, are 7-14 overall. It’s the worst 21-game start for the franchise since the 1983 team opened 6-15 on its way to finishing 68-94.  “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us; you’ve got to keep going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We haven’t been playing good baseball. That’s the bottom line.”  Peterson has been struggling since his first All-Star Game appearance. The southpaw is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts this year and 3-5 with a 6.35 ERA in his last 16 starts dating to July 20.  Myers, who hasn’t started since Aug. 9, has pitched at least 1 1/3 innings in each of his six games this year. He has thrown at least 30 pitches four times — including in his most recent appearance Wednesday, when he allowed one run over two innings in the Mets’ 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.   Kelly’s second career pinch-hit homer continued an impressive week for the Cubs, who have won four straight games.  Chicago’s streak of consecutive games with least 10 runs scored was snapped at three Saturday, but the Cubs have scored 51 runs in the last six games after scoring 59 in the first 14 games of the season.  The Cubs also have pitched well during their winning streak despite the loss of closer Daniel Palencia, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a strained left oblique.  Jameson Taillon gave up one run over six innings Saturday in the third straight quality start for the Cubs, whose relievers have a 3.17 ERA during the winning streak. The surge began Tuesday, when Colin Rea allowed three runs over six innings against Philadelphia as a bulk reliever.  Caleb Thielbar earned the first save of the streak Saturday when he struck out two in a perfect ninth. It was just the sixth career save for the 39-year-old Thielbar, who has made 422 big league appearances dating to 2013.    “This group, we’re always prepared,” Kelly said. “We’re always looking for that opportunity. Just as a group, we’re pulling for each other at all moments.”  Assad took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up nine runs over 4 1/3 innings as the Cubs fell to the Phillies 13-7.  Myers is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Cubs. Assad is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in four games (three starts) vs. the Mets.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Skidding #Mets #pitching #change #ahead #series #finale #Cubs

Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.

Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.

The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.

Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart.

Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

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Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.

Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.

The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.

Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.

She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open">Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

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