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Deadspin | Rays take down White Sox for 5th straight victory Apr 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Cole Sulser (71) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered to back five shutout innings from Jesse Scholtens and boost the visiting Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Tampa Bay stretched its winning streak to five games while sending Chicago to its fourth loss in the past five. The White Sox avoided their fourth shutout of the season with three runs in the ninth. Scholtens, who pitched for the White Sox in 2023, benefited from the run support in a bulk relief effort. The right-hander improved to 1-0 with five innings of one-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts. DeLuca helped put things out of reach with a pinch-hit three-run home run against White Sox reliever Tyler Gilbert. Yandy Diaz delivered an RBI double one batter earlier. Rays opener Cole Sulser scattered three hits, one walk and one strikeout in two scoreless innings. Making his major league debut, Chicago second baseman Sam Antonacci singled to right field against Sulser to lead off the second inning. The White Sox added two hits in the inning but didn’t score. Caminero smacked a solo home run against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the third. Tampa Bay widened its lead with a pair of fifth-inning runs on a Caminero groundout and Jonathan Aranda double. Fraley led off the sixth with a solo homer. Burke (0-2) faced two more batters before leaving the game. He spaced four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. McGuire, who spent the first eight innings at catcher for Chicago, needed just nine pitches to work a perfect ninth. He contributed an RBI single against Ian Seymour in the ninth among his two hits. Munetaka Murakami singled and walked twice for the White Sox. The game started after a delay of approximately 12 minutes as National Anthem performer Gerald Chaney experienced a medical emergency. Chaney was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation and treatment and is “doing well,” the White Sox announced. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #White #Sox #5th #straight #victory

Deadspin | Rays take down White Sox for 5th straight victory
Deadspin | Rays take down White Sox for 5th straight victory Apr 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Cole Sulser (71) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered to back five shutout innings from Jesse Scholtens and boost the visiting Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Tampa Bay stretched its winning streak to five games while sending Chicago to its fourth loss in the past five. The White Sox avoided their fourth shutout of the season with three runs in the ninth. Scholtens, who pitched for the White Sox in 2023, benefited from the run support in a bulk relief effort. The right-hander improved to 1-0 with five innings of one-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts. DeLuca helped put things out of reach with a pinch-hit three-run home run against White Sox reliever Tyler Gilbert. Yandy Diaz delivered an RBI double one batter earlier. Rays opener Cole Sulser scattered three hits, one walk and one strikeout in two scoreless innings. Making his major league debut, Chicago second baseman Sam Antonacci singled to right field against Sulser to lead off the second inning. The White Sox added two hits in the inning but didn’t score. Caminero smacked a solo home run against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the third. Tampa Bay widened its lead with a pair of fifth-inning runs on a Caminero groundout and Jonathan Aranda double. Fraley led off the sixth with a solo homer. Burke (0-2) faced two more batters before leaving the game. He spaced four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. McGuire, who spent the first eight innings at catcher for Chicago, needed just nine pitches to work a perfect ninth. He contributed an RBI single against Ian Seymour in the ninth among his two hits. Munetaka Murakami singled and walked twice for the White Sox. The game started after a delay of approximately 12 minutes as National Anthem performer Gerald Chaney experienced a medical emergency. Chaney was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation and treatment and is “doing well,” the White Sox announced. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #White #Sox #5th #straight #victoryApr 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Cole Sulser (71) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered to back five shutout innings from Jesse Scholtens and boost the visiting Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay stretched its winning streak to five games while sending Chicago to its fourth loss in the past five. The White Sox avoided their fourth shutout of the season with three runs in the ninth.

Scholtens, who pitched for the White Sox in 2023, benefited from the run support in a bulk relief effort. The right-hander improved to 1-0 with five innings of one-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts.

DeLuca helped put things out of reach with a pinch-hit three-run home run against White Sox reliever Tyler Gilbert. Yandy Diaz delivered an RBI double one batter earlier.

Rays opener Cole Sulser scattered three hits, one walk and one strikeout in two scoreless innings. Making his major league debut, Chicago second baseman Sam Antonacci singled to right field against Sulser to lead off the second inning. The White Sox added two hits in the inning but didn’t score.


Caminero smacked a solo home run against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the third.

Tampa Bay widened its lead with a pair of fifth-inning runs on a Caminero groundout and Jonathan Aranda double. Fraley led off the sixth with a solo homer. Burke (0-2) faced two more batters before leaving the game. He spaced four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

McGuire, who spent the first eight innings at catcher for Chicago, needed just nine pitches to work a perfect ninth. He contributed an RBI single against Ian Seymour in the ninth among his two hits.

Munetaka Murakami singled and walked twice for the White Sox.

The game started after a delay of approximately 12 minutes as National Anthem performer Gerald Chaney experienced a medical emergency. Chaney was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation and treatment and is “doing well,” the White Sox announced.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rays #White #Sox #5th #straight #victory

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Apr 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Cole Sulser (71) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered to back five shutout innings from Jesse Scholtens and boost the visiting Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay stretched its winning streak to five games while sending Chicago to its fourth loss in the past five. The White Sox avoided their fourth shutout of the season with three runs in the ninth.

Scholtens, who pitched for the White Sox in 2023, benefited from the run support in a bulk relief effort. The right-hander improved to 1-0 with five innings of one-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts.

DeLuca helped put things out of reach with a pinch-hit three-run home run against White Sox reliever Tyler Gilbert. Yandy Diaz delivered an RBI double one batter earlier.

Rays opener Cole Sulser scattered three hits, one walk and one strikeout in two scoreless innings. Making his major league debut, Chicago second baseman Sam Antonacci singled to right field against Sulser to lead off the second inning. The White Sox added two hits in the inning but didn’t score.

Caminero smacked a solo home run against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the third.

Tampa Bay widened its lead with a pair of fifth-inning runs on a Caminero groundout and Jonathan Aranda double. Fraley led off the sixth with a solo homer. Burke (0-2) faced two more batters before leaving the game. He spaced four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

McGuire, who spent the first eight innings at catcher for Chicago, needed just nine pitches to work a perfect ninth. He contributed an RBI single against Ian Seymour in the ninth among his two hits.

Munetaka Murakami singled and walked twice for the White Sox.

The game started after a delay of approximately 12 minutes as National Anthem performer Gerald Chaney experienced a medical emergency. Chaney was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation and treatment and is “doing well,” the White Sox announced.

–Field Level Media

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Indian sports wrap, April 16: Joshna, Chotrani advance in Hamburg Open <div id="content-body-70867940" itemprop="articleBody"><h4 class="sub_head">SQUASH</h4><p><b>Joshna, Chotrani advance in Hamburg Open</b></p><p>Veteran Joshna Chinappa and Veer Chotrani advanced in the Hamburg Open squash, while compatriots Velavan Senthilkumar and Tanvi Khanna bowed out in the opening round.</p><p>Former women’s world No. 10 Joshna eased past local challenger Saskia Beinhard 11-4, 11-5, 11-4, while men’s world No. 47 Chotrani beat Spain’s Ivan Perez 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 in the PSA Bronze-level event.</p><p>Men’s fifth seed Abhay Singh, who moved up to a career-best world ranking of 22 this week, and Ramit Tandon, the seventh seed, received first-round byes.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> OTHER INDIAN RESULTS </h5><p> Men: R Tsukue (Jpn) bt V Senthilkumar 11-4, 11-9, 14-12; Women: Hannah Craig (Irl) bt Tanvi Khanna 11-5, 11-7, 13-11. </p></div><p><i>-PTI</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 16, 2026</p></div> #Indian #sports #wrap #April #Joshna #Chotrani #advance #Hamburg #Open

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Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.

With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.

The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen to stay in hunt for title Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.More to follow…Published on Jun 03, 2026 #Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. How the Patriots could win this tradeConsidering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking. #Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.

Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.

She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.

And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).

Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success

Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.

Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.

But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.

The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.

“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”

Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings.

#32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players">32-year-old WNBA guard has been one of the league’s best players Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings. #32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players

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