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Deadspin | Slumping Jackets, Wings meet with playoff spot within reach Nov 22, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wingsat Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images A pair of struggling Eastern Conference teams in desperate need of a win will square off in Detroit on Tuesday night. The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost six straight games while the Detroit Red Wings have dropped six of their last eight. Both clubs are trying to revive their fading playoff hopes. Columbus (38-27-12, 88 points) lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Saturday. The frustrated Blue Jackets held a team meeting following the defeat. “I’ll just keep our conversation in here because we’re a better team than what we’ve shown and just talked about it,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We’re not eliminated. We’re still in it and I believe in this group. I believe we can get it done and it’s just doing it. “I mean, we did it for two months. The last two weeks obviously haven’t gone our way, but it’s in the room and it’s on us to just pull it out and get it done.” Columbus’ offense has stalled during the slide, scoring a total of 10 goals. “We create the second most chances on the forecheck in the entire league,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. “Yet we want to get inside the blue line and make cute little plays against good teams that aren’t working. And they’re not working. So, I have to get after them. They’ve got to change their mindset.” Werenski believes the team needs a singular mindset on Tuesday. “We can’t worry about what other teams do or whoever we have after Detroit,” he said. “Our focus just has to be on Detroit, and after that we’ll figure it out.” The Red Wings (40-29-8, 88 points) rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to tie Minnesota on Sunday. But Patrick Kane, who scored the tying goal, took a damaging tripping penalty which led to Kirill Kaprisov’s game-winner for the Wild with 1:51 remaining. “We get the comeback and take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. Minnesota built its lead by scoring four goals in the second period with the first one coming 18 seconds after the opening faceoff. “Fifteen seconds in we win a draw and we’re getting scored on because we’re lollygagging around and don’t advance the puck,” McLellan said. “Now it’s in our net. Our team right now, as soon as it doesn’t go our way, we crumble for a while, then we pick ourselves up from the mat but it’s too late. We did it again (Sunday). A pattern.” Detroit has five games remaining and might need to win them all to end a nine-year playoff drought. “(We need to) play like we did in the third period more of the game,” Red Wings center J.T. Compher said. “We gave ourselves a chance. If we start better, it makes a little easier on us. The way we played in the third, we have to play for the rest of the games remaining.” Detroit won its first meeting with Columbus this season on Alex DeBrincat’s overtime goal on Nov. 22. The Blue Jackets pulled out a 6-5 shootout victory in the second matchup on Dec. 4. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Slumping #Jackets #Wings #meet #playoff #spot #reach

Deadspin | Slumping Jackets, Wings meet with playoff spot within reach
Deadspin | Slumping Jackets, Wings meet with playoff spot within reach Nov 22, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wingsat Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images A pair of struggling Eastern Conference teams in desperate need of a win will square off in Detroit on Tuesday night. The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost six straight games while the Detroit Red Wings have dropped six of their last eight. Both clubs are trying to revive their fading playoff hopes. Columbus (38-27-12, 88 points) lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Saturday. The frustrated Blue Jackets held a team meeting following the defeat. “I’ll just keep our conversation in here because we’re a better team than what we’ve shown and just talked about it,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We’re not eliminated. We’re still in it and I believe in this group. I believe we can get it done and it’s just doing it. “I mean, we did it for two months. The last two weeks obviously haven’t gone our way, but it’s in the room and it’s on us to just pull it out and get it done.” Columbus’ offense has stalled during the slide, scoring a total of 10 goals. “We create the second most chances on the forecheck in the entire league,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. “Yet we want to get inside the blue line and make cute little plays against good teams that aren’t working. And they’re not working. So, I have to get after them. They’ve got to change their mindset.” Werenski believes the team needs a singular mindset on Tuesday. “We can’t worry about what other teams do or whoever we have after Detroit,” he said. “Our focus just has to be on Detroit, and after that we’ll figure it out.” The Red Wings (40-29-8, 88 points) rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to tie Minnesota on Sunday. But Patrick Kane, who scored the tying goal, took a damaging tripping penalty which led to Kirill Kaprisov’s game-winner for the Wild with 1:51 remaining. “We get the comeback and take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. Minnesota built its lead by scoring four goals in the second period with the first one coming 18 seconds after the opening faceoff. “Fifteen seconds in we win a draw and we’re getting scored on because we’re lollygagging around and don’t advance the puck,” McLellan said. “Now it’s in our net. Our team right now, as soon as it doesn’t go our way, we crumble for a while, then we pick ourselves up from the mat but it’s too late. We did it again (Sunday). A pattern.” Detroit has five games remaining and might need to win them all to end a nine-year playoff drought. “(We need to) play like we did in the third period more of the game,” Red Wings center J.T. Compher said. “We gave ourselves a chance. If we start better, it makes a little easier on us. The way we played in the third, we have to play for the rest of the games remaining.” Detroit won its first meeting with Columbus this season on Alex DeBrincat’s overtime goal on Nov. 22. The Blue Jackets pulled out a 6-5 shootout victory in the second matchup on Dec. 4. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Slumping #Jackets #Wings #meet #playoff #spot #reachNov 22, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wingsat Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

A pair of struggling Eastern Conference teams in desperate need of a win will square off in Detroit on Tuesday night.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost six straight games while the Detroit Red Wings have dropped six of their last eight. Both clubs are trying to revive their fading playoff hopes.

Columbus (38-27-12, 88 points) lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Saturday. The frustrated Blue Jackets held a team meeting following the defeat.

“I’ll just keep our conversation in here because we’re a better team than what we’ve shown and just talked about it,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We’re not eliminated. We’re still in it and I believe in this group. I believe we can get it done and it’s just doing it.

“I mean, we did it for two months. The last two weeks obviously haven’t gone our way, but it’s in the room and it’s on us to just pull it out and get it done.”

Columbus’ offense has stalled during the slide, scoring a total of 10 goals.

“We create the second most chances on the forecheck in the entire league,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. “Yet we want to get inside the blue line and make cute little plays against good teams that aren’t working. And they’re not working. So, I have to get after them. They’ve got to change their mindset.”

Werenski believes the team needs a singular mindset on Tuesday.


“We can’t worry about what other teams do or whoever we have after Detroit,” he said. “Our focus just has to be on Detroit, and after that we’ll figure it out.”

The Red Wings (40-29-8, 88 points) rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to tie Minnesota on Sunday. But Patrick Kane, who scored the tying goal, took a damaging tripping penalty which led to Kirill Kaprisov’s game-winner for the Wild with 1:51 remaining.

“We get the comeback and take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said.

Minnesota built its lead by scoring four goals in the second period with the first one coming 18 seconds after the opening faceoff.

“Fifteen seconds in we win a draw and we’re getting scored on because we’re lollygagging around and don’t advance the puck,” McLellan said. “Now it’s in our net. Our team right now, as soon as it doesn’t go our way, we crumble for a while, then we pick ourselves up from the mat but it’s too late. We did it again (Sunday). A pattern.”

Detroit has five games remaining and might need to win them all to end a nine-year playoff drought.

“(We need to) play like we did in the third period more of the game,” Red Wings center J.T. Compher said. “We gave ourselves a chance. If we start better, it makes a little easier on us. The way we played in the third, we have to play for the rest of the games remaining.”

Detroit won its first meeting with Columbus this season on Alex DeBrincat’s overtime goal on Nov. 22. The Blue Jackets pulled out a 6-5 shootout victory in the second matchup on Dec. 4.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Slumping #Jackets #Wings #meet #playoff #spot #reach

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Nov 22, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wingsat Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

A pair of struggling Eastern Conference teams in desperate need of a win will square off in Detroit on Tuesday night.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost six straight games while the Detroit Red Wings have dropped six of their last eight. Both clubs are trying to revive their fading playoff hopes.

Columbus (38-27-12, 88 points) lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Saturday. The frustrated Blue Jackets held a team meeting following the defeat.

“I’ll just keep our conversation in here because we’re a better team than what we’ve shown and just talked about it,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We’re not eliminated. We’re still in it and I believe in this group. I believe we can get it done and it’s just doing it.

“I mean, we did it for two months. The last two weeks obviously haven’t gone our way, but it’s in the room and it’s on us to just pull it out and get it done.”

Columbus’ offense has stalled during the slide, scoring a total of 10 goals.

“We create the second most chances on the forecheck in the entire league,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. “Yet we want to get inside the blue line and make cute little plays against good teams that aren’t working. And they’re not working. So, I have to get after them. They’ve got to change their mindset.”

Werenski believes the team needs a singular mindset on Tuesday.

“We can’t worry about what other teams do or whoever we have after Detroit,” he said. “Our focus just has to be on Detroit, and after that we’ll figure it out.”

The Red Wings (40-29-8, 88 points) rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to tie Minnesota on Sunday. But Patrick Kane, who scored the tying goal, took a damaging tripping penalty which led to Kirill Kaprisov’s game-winner for the Wild with 1:51 remaining.

“We get the comeback and take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said.

Minnesota built its lead by scoring four goals in the second period with the first one coming 18 seconds after the opening faceoff.

“Fifteen seconds in we win a draw and we’re getting scored on because we’re lollygagging around and don’t advance the puck,” McLellan said. “Now it’s in our net. Our team right now, as soon as it doesn’t go our way, we crumble for a while, then we pick ourselves up from the mat but it’s too late. We did it again (Sunday). A pattern.”

Detroit has five games remaining and might need to win them all to end a nine-year playoff drought.

“(We need to) play like we did in the third period more of the game,” Red Wings center J.T. Compher said. “We gave ourselves a chance. If we start better, it makes a little easier on us. The way we played in the third, we have to play for the rest of the games remaining.”

Detroit won its first meeting with Columbus this season on Alex DeBrincat’s overtime goal on Nov. 22. The Blue Jackets pulled out a 6-5 shootout victory in the second matchup on Dec. 4.

–Field Level Media

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Serie A: Defending champion Napoli’s beats AC Milan to mount pressure on Inter <div id="content-body-70832850" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Napoli is still in the hunt to retain its Serie A title after it beat Scudetto rival AC Milan 1-0 on Monday.</p><p>Matteo Politano lashed home the only goal of the game with 11 minutes remaining in front of delighted fans in Naples as the host racked up a fifth straight win.</p><p>Napoli leapfrogged Milan into second place but still has a battle on its hands to deny Inter a 21st league crown as it sits seven points off the pace with seven matches remaining.</p><p>But Antonio Conte’s team was superior at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Politano’s second goal of the season decided a largely stodgy contest.</p><p>Milan now trails local rival Inter by nine points and will, in all likelihood, have to content itself with a return to the Champions League.</p><p>Napoli’s win came without Romelu Lukaku, who has incurred the wrath of the club hierarchy after staying in Belgium for treatment for a hip injury.</p><p>And Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund was then ruled out with a stomach bug, ending a run of 29 consecutive appearances, leaving winter signing Giovane to lead the line for the host.</p><p>Napoli fans’ pre-match display encouraged its team to go “all-in” on the title, but it was a poor game, not helped by Milan only being able to select star attackers Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic.</p><p>Giovane forced Maignan into the best save of the match in the 50th minute with a stinging drive from distance, and there was little more goalmouth action until Politano pounced on Koni De Winter’s weak-headed clearance with a powerful and decisive first-time finish.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Juve eyes Champions League</h4><p>Juventus moved to within a point of Serie A’s Champions League places with a 2-0 win over Genoa, as the top four battle continued to heat up.</p><p>Taking advantage of fourth-placed Como’s goalless draw at Udinese earlier in the day, Juve notched the three points in Turin thanks to Gleison Bremer’s fourth-minute header and a 17th-minute strike from the ever-reliable Weston McKennie.</p><p>American McKennie’s fine finish took his Serie A tally to five, equalling his best-ever haul in a single league season back in his first campaign with Juve in 2020-21.</p><p>But he showed no interest in that personal statistic when speaking with DAZN after the match, saying, “the important thing is getting into the Champions League”.</p><p>Home fans had to thank goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio for a superb double save, which stopped spirited Genoa from getting back into the game, first pawing away Aaron Martin’s penalty and then keeping out Vitinha’s volley.</p><p>Di Gregorio has had a tough second season at Juve, dropped from the first team in February following a series of clangers and was only in goal on Monday due to Mattia Perin being substituted at half-time with a calf injury.</p><p>“He has some good moments and some tough moments, but we always knew that he was a quality goalkeeper. He knew that his moment would come,” said Bremer.</p><p>Di Gregorio’s stops helped put some distance between fifth-placed Juve and Roma, which trails Spalletti’s team by three points in sixth after being thumped 5-2 at Inter on Sunday.</p><p>Juve is also four points ahead of Atalanta, 3-0 winner at Lecce, ahead of Saturday’s clash between the pair in Bergamo, with Como hosting Inter the following day.</p><p>Genoa suffered no real damage to its bid to avoid relegation as Daniele De Rossi’s team sits six points above Lecce, which is in the bottom three after a heavy defeat.</p><p>Lecce was booed off by disgruntled fans after a defeat which left the team level on 27 points with Cremonese, which sits just outside the drop zone thanks to its superior head-to-head record.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #Serie #Defending #champion #Napolis #beats #Milan #mount #pressure #Inter

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Deadspin | Blue Jays adjust bullpen in advance of series against Dodgers Mar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Josh Fleming (35) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-hander Josh Fleming from Triple-A Buffalo to give the bullpen a fresh arm in advance of a much-anticipated three-game home series that starts Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Austin Voth for assignment. Fleming, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, started his only game at Buffalo and gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings while throwing 57 pitches. He can provide length out of the bullpen with Toronto set to start Max Scherzer in the opening game of the series. Fleming, 29, did not pitch in the major leagues last season but from 2020-24, he was 20-14 with a 4.77 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays (2020-23) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024). Voth, 33, gave up one run over 2 2/3 innings of his lone appearance for the Blue Jays on Sunday. He is 17-19 with a 4.69 ERA in 208 appearances (39 starts) over eight major league seasons with four different clubs. The Blue Jays enter the World Series rematch on a four-game losing streak after they were swept in a three-game road series by the Chicago White Sox. The bullpen received heavy usage in the series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #adjust #bullpen #advance #series #DodgersMar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Josh Fleming (35) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-hander Josh Fleming from Triple-A Buffalo to give the bullpen a fresh arm in advance of a much-anticipated three-game home series that starts Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Austin Voth for assignment.

Fleming, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, started his only game at Buffalo and gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings while throwing 57 pitches. He can provide length out of the bullpen with Toronto set to start Max Scherzer in the opening game of the series.


Fleming, 29, did not pitch in the major leagues last season but from 2020-24, he was 20-14 with a 4.77 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays (2020-23) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024).

Voth, 33, gave up one run over 2 2/3 innings of his lone appearance for the Blue Jays on Sunday. He is 17-19 with a 4.69 ERA in 208 appearances (39 starts) over eight major league seasons with four different clubs.

The Blue Jays enter the World Series rematch on a four-game losing streak after they were swept in a three-game road series by the Chicago White Sox. The bullpen received heavy usage in the series.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jays #adjust #bullpen #advance #series #Dodgers">Deadspin | Blue Jays adjust bullpen in advance of series against Dodgers Mar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Josh Fleming (35) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-hander Josh Fleming from Triple-A Buffalo to give the bullpen a fresh arm in advance of a much-anticipated three-game home series that starts Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Austin Voth for assignment. Fleming, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, started his only game at Buffalo and gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings while throwing 57 pitches. He can provide length out of the bullpen with Toronto set to start Max Scherzer in the opening game of the series. Fleming, 29, did not pitch in the major leagues last season but from 2020-24, he was 20-14 with a 4.77 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays (2020-23) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024). Voth, 33, gave up one run over 2 2/3 innings of his lone appearance for the Blue Jays on Sunday. He is 17-19 with a 4.69 ERA in 208 appearances (39 starts) over eight major league seasons with four different clubs. The Blue Jays enter the World Series rematch on a four-game losing streak after they were swept in a three-game road series by the Chicago White Sox. The bullpen received heavy usage in the series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #adjust #bullpen #advance #series #Dodgers

NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.

The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.

Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.

The ‌winner of the final will receive a $500,000 grand prize.

“These athletes are innovators, and DUNKMAN is going to give them ‌a global stage, real stakes, and ​a chance to build careers doing what they love,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.

READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA season

The events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.

TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.

A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league">Shaq to launch professional dunk league NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.The ‌winner of the final will receive a 0,000 grand prize.“These athletes are innovators, and DUNKMAN is going to give them ‌a global stage, real stakes, and ​a chance to build careers doing what they love,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA seasonThe events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.Published on Apr 07, 2026 #Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league

Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA season

The events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.

TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.

A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league">Shaq to launch professional dunk league

NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.

The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.

Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.

The ‌winner of the final will receive a $500,000 grand prize.

“These athletes are innovators, and DUNKMAN is going to give them ‌a global stage, real stakes, and ​a chance to build careers doing what they love,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.

READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA season

The events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.

TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.

A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league
Deadspin | Timberwolves need to reverse present course vs. lowly Pacers Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Minnesota coach Chris Finch admits the Timberwolves are “a million miles” away from where he’d like them to be — and where they ought to be at this stage of the season. Clinging to sixth position in the Western Conference — three games ahead of the seventh-place Phoenix Suns above the play-in cut — Minnesota (46-32) will be seeking to reverse a three-game slide with a victory over the host Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Wolves’ recent slump continued with a 122-108 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in Minneapolis on Sunday. Charlotte raced to a 29-21 lead after the first quarter, Minnesota responded to gain a 60-55 halftime lead, then the Hornets seized full control with a 34-19 third period. When asked whether the Timberwolves’ spirit is down, Finch was forthright. “For sure,” he said. “It feels like we’re a million miles away from the team that we can be and that we are. We’ve got to get that back with our connectiveness and our spirit. And we’ve got to have some guys just play better… We’ve got to make all the little plays, the gritty plays, just stay in it.” The Timberwolves’ cause has been hurt by the absence of two of their stars. Anthony Edwards, who didn’t play against Charlotte and has missed eight of Minnesota’s past 10 games with a right knee issue, has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game. Jaden McDaniels is week-to-week, having missed five straight with a left knee injury. Edwards leads the Wolves in scoring, averaging 28.9 points per game, while McDaniel’s 14.8 average ranks him third. “There are no excuse as to who’s in or out of the line-up right now,” veteran guard Mike Conley said. “We just feel like we should play a better brand of basketball regardless of who’s on the floor.” Indiana (18-60) has been dealing with a far deeper injury crisis all season to plummet, in the space of 12 months, from NBA Finals participants to being one game above the worst record in the league entering Monday. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam (ankle) and guard Ben Sheppard (hip) were the latest additions to the long list, missing the Pacers’ 117-108 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Siakam is out, while Sheppard is questionable. Indiana stuck with the Cavs for three quarters before being broken 27-17 in the fourth. Center Micah Potter celebrated his return to the starting lineup — and the announcement he and his wife Elle will be having a baby boy in September — by posting 21 points and 12 boards. Potter wore neutral colored shoes for pregame warmups before switching to blue sneakers to start the game for a gender reveal. “Congratulations to the Potters — it’s a boy,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He kept the drama going right up to the jump, with two pairs of sneakers out there … but it was pretty good. “I decided (game night) to make a switch (to start Potter ahead of Jay Huff), because this is a big deal. It’s really a momentous thing, having your first child. This is a little bit (of an) unusual way to announce it, but if we can help light up one of our guys and make it even more special, why not do it.” Indiana only had nine players in uniform– its top five scorers all missing — adding to its degree of difficulty in Cleveland. “All in all, I’m just real proud of the group,” Carlisle said. “To compete the way we did for three full quarters and a good chunk of the fourth, to have a lead and carry the lead for a long time, with the group that was available was a great effort by them.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Timberwolves #reverse #present #lowly #PacersApr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Minnesota coach Chris Finch admits the Timberwolves are “a million miles” away from where he’d like them to be — and where they ought to be at this stage of the season.

Clinging to sixth position in the Western Conference — three games ahead of the seventh-place Phoenix Suns above the play-in cut — Minnesota (46-32) will be seeking to reverse a three-game slide with a victory over the host Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

The Wolves’ recent slump continued with a 122-108 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Charlotte raced to a 29-21 lead after the first quarter, Minnesota responded to gain a 60-55 halftime lead, then the Hornets seized full control with a 34-19 third period.

When asked whether the Timberwolves’ spirit is down, Finch was forthright.

“For sure,” he said. “It feels like we’re a million miles away from the team that we can be and that we are. We’ve got to get that back with our connectiveness and our spirit. And we’ve got to have some guys just play better… We’ve got to make all the little plays, the gritty plays, just stay in it.”

The Timberwolves’ cause has been hurt by the absence of two of their stars.

Anthony Edwards, who didn’t play against Charlotte and has missed eight of Minnesota’s past 10 games with a right knee issue, has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game.

Jaden McDaniels is week-to-week, having missed five straight with a left knee injury.

Edwards leads the Wolves in scoring, averaging 28.9 points per game, while McDaniel’s 14.8 average ranks him third.


“There are no excuse as to who’s in or out of the line-up right now,” veteran guard Mike Conley said. “We just feel like we should play a better brand of basketball regardless of who’s on the floor.”

Indiana (18-60) has been dealing with a far deeper injury crisis all season to plummet, in the space of 12 months, from NBA Finals participants to being one game above the worst record in the league entering Monday.

All-Star forward Pascal Siakam (ankle) and guard Ben Sheppard (hip) were the latest additions to the long list, missing the Pacers’ 117-108 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Siakam is out, while Sheppard is questionable.

Indiana stuck with the Cavs for three quarters before being broken 27-17 in the fourth.

Center Micah Potter celebrated his return to the starting lineup — and the announcement he and his wife Elle will be having a baby boy in September — by posting 21 points and 12 boards.

Potter wore neutral colored shoes for pregame warmups before switching to blue sneakers to start the game for a gender reveal.

“Congratulations to the Potters — it’s a boy,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He kept the drama going right up to the jump, with two pairs of sneakers out there … but it was pretty good.

“I decided (game night) to make a switch (to start Potter ahead of Jay Huff), because this is a big deal. It’s really a momentous thing, having your first child. This is a little bit (of an) unusual way to announce it, but if we can help light up one of our guys and make it even more special, why not do it.”

Indiana only had nine players in uniform– its top five scorers all missing — adding to its degree of difficulty in Cleveland.

“All in all, I’m just real proud of the group,” Carlisle said. “To compete the way we did for three full quarters and a good chunk of the fourth, to have a lead and carry the lead for a long time, with the group that was available was a great effort by them.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timberwolves #reverse #present #lowly #Pacers">Deadspin | Timberwolves need to reverse present course vs. lowly Pacers Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Minnesota coach Chris Finch admits the Timberwolves are “a million miles” away from where he’d like them to be — and where they ought to be at this stage of the season. Clinging to sixth position in the Western Conference — three games ahead of the seventh-place Phoenix Suns above the play-in cut — Minnesota (46-32) will be seeking to reverse a three-game slide with a victory over the host Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Wolves’ recent slump continued with a 122-108 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in Minneapolis on Sunday. Charlotte raced to a 29-21 lead after the first quarter, Minnesota responded to gain a 60-55 halftime lead, then the Hornets seized full control with a 34-19 third period. When asked whether the Timberwolves’ spirit is down, Finch was forthright. “For sure,” he said. “It feels like we’re a million miles away from the team that we can be and that we are. We’ve got to get that back with our connectiveness and our spirit. And we’ve got to have some guys just play better… We’ve got to make all the little plays, the gritty plays, just stay in it.” The Timberwolves’ cause has been hurt by the absence of two of their stars. Anthony Edwards, who didn’t play against Charlotte and has missed eight of Minnesota’s past 10 games with a right knee issue, has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game. Jaden McDaniels is week-to-week, having missed five straight with a left knee injury. Edwards leads the Wolves in scoring, averaging 28.9 points per game, while McDaniel’s 14.8 average ranks him third. “There are no excuse as to who’s in or out of the line-up right now,” veteran guard Mike Conley said. “We just feel like we should play a better brand of basketball regardless of who’s on the floor.” Indiana (18-60) has been dealing with a far deeper injury crisis all season to plummet, in the space of 12 months, from NBA Finals participants to being one game above the worst record in the league entering Monday. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam (ankle) and guard Ben Sheppard (hip) were the latest additions to the long list, missing the Pacers’ 117-108 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Siakam is out, while Sheppard is questionable. Indiana stuck with the Cavs for three quarters before being broken 27-17 in the fourth. Center Micah Potter celebrated his return to the starting lineup — and the announcement he and his wife Elle will be having a baby boy in September — by posting 21 points and 12 boards. Potter wore neutral colored shoes for pregame warmups before switching to blue sneakers to start the game for a gender reveal. “Congratulations to the Potters — it’s a boy,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He kept the drama going right up to the jump, with two pairs of sneakers out there … but it was pretty good. “I decided (game night) to make a switch (to start Potter ahead of Jay Huff), because this is a big deal. It’s really a momentous thing, having your first child. This is a little bit (of an) unusual way to announce it, but if we can help light up one of our guys and make it even more special, why not do it.” Indiana only had nine players in uniform– its top five scorers all missing — adding to its degree of difficulty in Cleveland. “All in all, I’m just real proud of the group,” Carlisle said. “To compete the way we did for three full quarters and a good chunk of the fourth, to have a lead and carry the lead for a long time, with the group that was available was a great effort by them.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Timberwolves #reverse #present #lowly #Pacers

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