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Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6 Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant. According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle. ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21. If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt. Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6
Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6 Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant. According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle. ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21. If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt. Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #GameApr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.


ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

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Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.

ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.

–Field Level Media

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Barcelona can clinch second straight La Liga title this weekend if Madrid slips against Espanyol <div id="content-body-70924459" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Barcelona could clinch a second straight La Liga title this weekend if it beats Osasuna and Real Madrid drops points against Espanyol.</p><p>Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games left. If Hansi Flick’s side wins at Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also beat Espanyol on Sunday to keep the title race alive for at least one more round.</p><p>If everything goes Barcelona’s way, it will host Real Madrid in the Clasico in the following round as the newly crowned champion.</p><p>Flick is on the cusp of a third major title in two years at Barcelona, including the 2025 Copa del Rey, while Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy.</p><p>Barcelona has been running away with the domestic title race. It has won nine straight matches in La Liga, with its only recent setback coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.</p><p>However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy outing in Pamplona.</p><p>Ninth-placed Osasuna has lost only twice at El Sadar this season and is unbeaten in its last 10 home matches.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/ashley-young-announces-retirement-end-of-season-england-club-career-highlights-premier-league-titles/article70924217.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ashley Young to retire at the end of the season</a></b></p><p>Madrid, meanwhile, has won only one of its last six matches across all competitions as it limps towards the end of a disappointing season. Xabi Alonso has already been dismissed and, barring a drastic turn of events, Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to leave in the off-season.</p><p>Espanyol has been in an even deeper rut than Madrid.</p><p>It was fifth at the start of 2026 but is yet to win this year, enduring a 16-match winless run that has dragged it into the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.</p><p>Atletico Madrid plays at Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visits Arsenal next week, with its Champions League semifinal finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 30, 2026</p></div> #Barcelona #clinch #straight #Liga #title #weekend #Madrid #slips #Espanyol

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Saudi Arabia to end LIV Golf funding this year: reports <div id="content-body-70923097" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund will stop financing LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, throwing the future of the breakaway tour into serious doubt, US media reported Wednesday.</p><p>LIV Golf, founded in 2022 as a main rival to the PGA Tour, plans to inform staff and players on Thursday that the Saudi Public Investment Fund will no longer bankroll the circuit beyond this summer, the Wall Street Journal said.</p><p>The league, which spent billions of Saudi dollars to lure many of the world’s top players including Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, will “evaluate strategic alternatives” to continue operating, CNBC reported.</p><p>Both the Wall Street Journal and CNBC cited multiple anonymous sources. LIV Golf did not comment when repeatedly contacted by AFP.</p><p>Reports first emerged earlier this month that the breakaway tour was on the verge of collapse due to the possible withdrawal of Saudi financing.</p><p>LIV’s deep-pocketed backers in Riyadh were rumoured to have cooled on the extravagantly expensive project, which has reportedly cost them over $5 billion so far.</p><p>LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil refuted the reports, vowing to continue the season “full throttle,” though he conceded the league would “probably” have to raise money going forward.</p><p>A collapse of LIV Golf could jeopardize the careers and earnings of its star players.</p><p>The likes of DeChambeau defected from the PGA Tour in acrimonious circumstances, and may face severe penalties if they try to return.</p><p>“There were rules, and they were broken,” PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp told the Journal this week. “With rules comes accountability.”</p><p>LIV Golf this week postponed its planned June tournament in New Orleans on Tuesday, with officials saying they hope to reschedule an event for later this year.</p><p>LIV’s next tournament is set for May 7-10 at Trump National in suburban Washington.</p><p>Its final scheduled tournament this season is set to take place in Indianapolis from August 20-23.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 30, 2026</p></div> #Saudi #Arabia #LIV #Golf #funding #year #reports

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Deadspin | WTA roundup: Alexandra Eala stuns Elena Rybakina in Berlin Mar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) celebrates after match point against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Wild card Alexandra Eala of the Philippines stunned No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday in the second round of the Berlin Tennis Open. Rybakina is the reigning Australian Open champion and won Wimbledon in 2022. She opened the match by taking a 4-1 lead, but Eala broke Rybakina’s usually strong serve twice to take the opening set. Unseeded American Madison Keys defeated Czech No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals. In Thursday’s other matches, Czech eighth seed Linda Noskova defeated Diane Parry of France 6-2, 6-2, and sixth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina beat Germany’s Eva Lys, 6-3, 6-2. Lexus Nottingham Open Fifth-seeded American Ann Li charged past Taylah Preston of Australia 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 16 in the WTA 250 event in the United Kingdom. Czech fourth seed Marie Bouzkova won 31 of 38 first-service points (81.6%) to take out home favorite Hannah Klugman of Great Britain 7-5, 6-2. In other Round of 16 matches Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic defeated American Caty McNally 6-4, 7-6 (3), and Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic eliminated Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Alexandra #Eala #stuns #Elena #Rybakina #BerlinMar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) celebrates after match point against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Wild card Alexandra Eala of the Philippines stunned No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday in the second round of the Berlin Tennis Open.

Rybakina is the reigning Australian Open champion and won Wimbledon in 2022. She opened the match by taking a 4-1 lead, but Eala broke Rybakina’s usually strong serve twice to take the opening set.

Unseeded American Madison Keys defeated Czech No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals. In Thursday’s other matches, Czech eighth seed Linda Noskova defeated Diane Parry of France 6-2, 6-2, and sixth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina beat Germany’s Eva Lys, 6-3, 6-2.


Lexus Nottingham Open

Fifth-seeded American Ann Li charged past Taylah Preston of Australia 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 16 in the WTA 250 event in the United Kingdom.

Czech fourth seed Marie Bouzkova won 31 of 38 first-service points (81.6%) to take out home favorite Hannah Klugman of Great Britain 7-5, 6-2.

In other Round of 16 matches Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic defeated American Caty McNally 6-4, 7-6 (3), and Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic eliminated Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Alexandra #Eala #stuns #Elena #Rybakina #Berlin">Deadspin | WTA roundup: Alexandra Eala stuns Elena Rybakina in Berlin Mar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) celebrates after match point against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Wild card Alexandra Eala of the Philippines stunned No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday in the second round of the Berlin Tennis Open. Rybakina is the reigning Australian Open champion and won Wimbledon in 2022. She opened the match by taking a 4-1 lead, but Eala broke Rybakina’s usually strong serve twice to take the opening set. Unseeded American Madison Keys defeated Czech No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals. In Thursday’s other matches, Czech eighth seed Linda Noskova defeated Diane Parry of France 6-2, 6-2, and sixth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina beat Germany’s Eva Lys, 6-3, 6-2. Lexus Nottingham Open Fifth-seeded American Ann Li charged past Taylah Preston of Australia 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 16 in the WTA 250 event in the United Kingdom. Czech fourth seed Marie Bouzkova won 31 of 38 first-service points (81.6%) to take out home favorite Hannah Klugman of Great Britain 7-5, 6-2. In other Round of 16 matches Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic defeated American Caty McNally 6-4, 7-6 (3), and Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic eliminated Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Alexandra #Eala #stuns #Elena #Rybakina #Berlin

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained">World Cup 2026: Third-place standings, tiebreakers explained The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.Starting with the size of the field.For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.World Cup third-place standingsHere are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out. #World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained">World Cup 2026: Third-place standings, tiebreakers explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.

Starting with the size of the field.

For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.

That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.

To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.

Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.

World Cup third-place standings

Here are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.

Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.

How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?

Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:

If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained

The Messi family has confirmed that Lionel Messi’s father Jorge is currently ‘going through a health situation’ and that he is progressing favourably under medical supervision.

“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.

At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing,’ said the statement.

Lionel Messi ensured that Argentina’s World Cup defense got off to a winning start by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. He was visibly emotional after scoring the opening goal, and later said that he was crying for personal reasons unrelated to sport.

The statement also criticised misreporting of Jorge’s condition in the aftermath of the match, saying, “The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.

At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.”

Published on Jun 18, 2026

#Lionel #Messis #father #Jorge #health #situation #confirms #family">Lionel Messi’s father Jorge going through ‘health situation’, confirms family The Messi family has confirmed that Lionel Messi’s father Jorge is currently ‘going through a health situation’ and that he is progressing favourably under medical supervision.“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing,’ said the statement.Lionel Messi ensured that Argentina’s World Cup defense got off to a winning start by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. He was visibly emotional after scoring the opening goal, and later said that he was crying for personal reasons unrelated to sport.The statement also criticised misreporting of Jorge’s condition in the aftermath of the match, saying, “The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.”Published on Jun 18, 2026 #Lionel #Messis #father #Jorge #health #situation #confirms #family

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