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Deadspin | Stephon Castle’s fifth career triple-double helps Spurs beat 76ers  Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   Stephon Castle produced his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the host Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Monday.  The Spurs played the second half without star center Victor Wembanyama, who sat out with a left rib contusion suffered in a second-quarter collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.  San Antonio (60-19) has now won 12 of its past 13 outings after having an 11-game winning streak snapped in Denver on Sunday. The Spurs are still alive for the top seed in the West and in the league but would have to win their remaining three games (all at home) and have top-ranked Oklahoma City lose three of its final four contests to attain that goal.  Wembanyama and Dylan Harper added 17 points each for San Antonio, with De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson hitting for 13 apiece and Luke Kornet scoring 10.  The 76ers (43-36) dropped their second straight game and slipped to seventh place in the East.  Joel Embiid’s 34 points and 12 rebounds paced the 76ers, who also got 16 points from George, 15 from Tyrese Maxey and 14 by VJ Edgecombe.   The Spurs led by seven points at halftime after a physical first half that saw plenty of fur flying. One that was the worse for the wear was Wembanyama, who went to the locker room twice in the second quarter but finished the half on the floor.  Even without Wembanyama, San Antonio built its lead to as many as 11 points in third quarter before a late 76ers rally, capped by a reverse layup by Maxey with 50 seconds left, culled the deficit to 87-85.  San Antonio scored the final five points of the third period and then 10 of the first 14 in the fourth to extend its advantage to 13 points. The 76ers got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.  The Spurs led 29-28 after a physical first quarter. San Antonio eventually expanded its lead to as many as eight points before a George free throw with 16.2 seconds to play forced the Spurs to settle for a 62-55 advantage at the break.  Embiid led all scorers in the first half with 20 points, while George added 13 for Philadelphia. Wembanyama’s 17 points paced the Spurs before halftime as Castle amassed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stephon #Castles #career #tripledouble #helps #Spurs #beat #76ers

Deadspin | Stephon Castle’s fifth career triple-double helps Spurs beat 76ers
Deadspin | Stephon Castle’s fifth career triple-double helps Spurs beat 76ers  Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   Stephon Castle produced his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the host Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Monday.  The Spurs played the second half without star center Victor Wembanyama, who sat out with a left rib contusion suffered in a second-quarter collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.  San Antonio (60-19) has now won 12 of its past 13 outings after having an 11-game winning streak snapped in Denver on Sunday. The Spurs are still alive for the top seed in the West and in the league but would have to win their remaining three games (all at home) and have top-ranked Oklahoma City lose three of its final four contests to attain that goal.  Wembanyama and Dylan Harper added 17 points each for San Antonio, with De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson hitting for 13 apiece and Luke Kornet scoring 10.  The 76ers (43-36) dropped their second straight game and slipped to seventh place in the East.  Joel Embiid’s 34 points and 12 rebounds paced the 76ers, who also got 16 points from George, 15 from Tyrese Maxey and 14 by VJ Edgecombe.   The Spurs led by seven points at halftime after a physical first half that saw plenty of fur flying. One that was the worse for the wear was Wembanyama, who went to the locker room twice in the second quarter but finished the half on the floor.  Even without Wembanyama, San Antonio built its lead to as many as 11 points in third quarter before a late 76ers rally, capped by a reverse layup by Maxey with 50 seconds left, culled the deficit to 87-85.  San Antonio scored the final five points of the third period and then 10 of the first 14 in the fourth to extend its advantage to 13 points. The 76ers got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.  The Spurs led 29-28 after a physical first quarter. San Antonio eventually expanded its lead to as many as eight points before a George free throw with 16.2 seconds to play forced the Spurs to settle for a 62-55 advantage at the break.  Embiid led all scorers in the first half with 20 points, while George added 13 for Philadelphia. Wembanyama’s 17 points paced the Spurs before halftime as Castle amassed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stephon #Castles #career #tripledouble #helps #Spurs #beat #76ersApr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Stephon Castle produced his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the host Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Monday.

The Spurs played the second half without star center Victor Wembanyama, who sat out with a left rib contusion suffered in a second-quarter collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.

San Antonio (60-19) has now won 12 of its past 13 outings after having an 11-game winning streak snapped in Denver on Sunday. The Spurs are still alive for the top seed in the West and in the league but would have to win their remaining three games (all at home) and have top-ranked Oklahoma City lose three of its final four contests to attain that goal.

Wembanyama and Dylan Harper added 17 points each for San Antonio, with De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson hitting for 13 apiece and Luke Kornet scoring 10.

The 76ers (43-36) dropped their second straight game and slipped to seventh place in the East.


Joel Embiid’s 34 points and 12 rebounds paced the 76ers, who also got 16 points from George, 15 from Tyrese Maxey and 14 by VJ Edgecombe.

The Spurs led by seven points at halftime after a physical first half that saw plenty of fur flying. One that was the worse for the wear was Wembanyama, who went to the locker room twice in the second quarter but finished the half on the floor.

Even without Wembanyama, San Antonio built its lead to as many as 11 points in third quarter before a late 76ers rally, capped by a reverse layup by Maxey with 50 seconds left, culled the deficit to 87-85.

San Antonio scored the final five points of the third period and then 10 of the first 14 in the fourth to extend its advantage to 13 points. The 76ers got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

The Spurs led 29-28 after a physical first quarter. San Antonio eventually expanded its lead to as many as eight points before a George free throw with 16.2 seconds to play forced the Spurs to settle for a 62-55 advantage at the break.

Embiid led all scorers in the first half with 20 points, while George added 13 for Philadelphia. Wembanyama’s 17 points paced the Spurs before halftime as Castle amassed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stephon #Castles #career #tripledouble #helps #Spurs #beat #76ers

Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Stephon Castle produced his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the host Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Monday.

The Spurs played the second half without star center Victor Wembanyama, who sat out with a left rib contusion suffered in a second-quarter collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.

San Antonio (60-19) has now won 12 of its past 13 outings after having an 11-game winning streak snapped in Denver on Sunday. The Spurs are still alive for the top seed in the West and in the league but would have to win their remaining three games (all at home) and have top-ranked Oklahoma City lose three of its final four contests to attain that goal.

Wembanyama and Dylan Harper added 17 points each for San Antonio, with De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson hitting for 13 apiece and Luke Kornet scoring 10.

The 76ers (43-36) dropped their second straight game and slipped to seventh place in the East.

Joel Embiid’s 34 points and 12 rebounds paced the 76ers, who also got 16 points from George, 15 from Tyrese Maxey and 14 by VJ Edgecombe.

The Spurs led by seven points at halftime after a physical first half that saw plenty of fur flying. One that was the worse for the wear was Wembanyama, who went to the locker room twice in the second quarter but finished the half on the floor.

Even without Wembanyama, San Antonio built its lead to as many as 11 points in third quarter before a late 76ers rally, capped by a reverse layup by Maxey with 50 seconds left, culled the deficit to 87-85.

San Antonio scored the final five points of the third period and then 10 of the first 14 in the fourth to extend its advantage to 13 points. The 76ers got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

The Spurs led 29-28 after a physical first quarter. San Antonio eventually expanded its lead to as many as eight points before a George free throw with 16.2 seconds to play forced the Spurs to settle for a 62-55 advantage at the break.

Embiid led all scorers in the first half with 20 points, while George added 13 for Philadelphia. Wembanyama’s 17 points paced the Spurs before halftime as Castle amassed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.

–Field Level Media

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Junior weightlifter Sairaj fails dope test after alleging conspiracy by coach <div id="content-body-70834682" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Junior Commonwealth Championships gold medal-winning weightlifter Sairaj Pardeshi has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a failed dope test, months after alleging a conspiracy to sabotage his career by a coach.</p><p>He has tested positive for “Metanolone”, a banned anabolic steroid that aids muscle building.</p><p>The 18-year-old from Maharashtra, who won a gold in the men’s 88kg junior category at the Commonwealth Championships last year, has alleged conspiracy behind the outcome.</p><p>He had written to the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) and the Sports Authority of India in October, claiming that a coach present at the national camp held a personal vendetta against him.</p><p>In an email dated October 24, 2025, Sairaj alleged that the coach, whose identity has been withheld by the weightlifter, instigated others to tamper with his food and water.</p><p>“The coach instigated my friends and some competitors to mix some drugs in my food or water bottle,” Sairaj wrote in the e-mail.</p><p>He further claimed that the coach had earlier threatened to “ruin” his career as well.</p><p>“After my Commonwealth Championships performance, I started gaining recognition. The coach wanted credit for my success despite not training me.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/khelo-india-youth-games-2025-day-9-wrap-highlights-results-medal-tally-scores/article69568724.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Khelo India Youth Games: Maharashtra’s Sairaj breaks weightlifting record</a></b></p><p>“Then some people heard the coach say ‘Sairaj is getting ahead, we need to bring him down somehow, mix something in his food’. This was in October,” he alleged.</p><p>Sairaj, who is part of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool, said he reported the matter immediately. A dope test conducted on October 26, two days after his complaint, returned negative.</p><p>However, in an out-of-competition test in December, Sairaj was found positive for “Metanolone” leading to a provisional ban. As a result, he wasn’t able to take part in the National Championships in February.</p><p>“I have undergone several dope tests and never failed before this. I was in Patiala from October to December and did not travel anywhere,” Sairaj said.</p><p>The IWLF has also conducted an inquiry, the findings of which are yet to be revealed.</p><p>“We have appealed that the athlete be allowed to compete at events which he is not allowed in provisional suspension,” Sairaj’s lawyer Munish Nagar said.</p><p>Hailing from Manmad in Maharashtra, Sairaj has been a consistent performer on the junior circuit.</p><p>At the Commonwealth Championship in Ahmedabad, he lifted a total of 348kg to clinch gold — a performance that would also have secured him the top spot in the senior category.</p><p>He had also won a bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Doha.</p><p>Sairaj was training in Patiala for two years after spending five years at the National Centre of Excellence in Chhtarpati Sambhajinagar.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #Junior #weightlifter #Sairaj #fails #dope #test #alleging #conspiracy #coach

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Favourite tag means nothing, says PSG’s Luis Enrique ahead of Liverpool clash <div id="content-body-70834883" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique ​has played down suggestions his side is favourite ⁠ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at home to out-of-form Liverpool.</p><p>The English champion, fifth in the Premier League, has suffered 15 ‌defeats across all competitions this season – its most in a single campaign since losing 18 matches in 2014-15.</p><p>PSG, ‌meanwhile, leads Ligue 1 and is well placed to ‌defend its Champions League crown. “It’s difficult to talk about ⁠Liverpool,” Enrique told reporters on Tuesday. “Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks very well about them.</p><p><b>READ</b> | <b><a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/champions-league/psg-vs-lens-postponed-may-13-lfp-champions-league-liverpool/article70788243.ece" target="_blank">PSG vs Lens postponed to May 13 as LFP prioritises Champions League and UEFA coefficient push</a></b></p><p>“My view is that it’s both the same team and a ​different team. Everyone is trying ‌to work out who the favourites are, but in this sort of match that means nothing. It will be tough for both teams.</p><p>“Showing that we’re still in the running ‌every year and playing against Liverpool is always a ​positive thing. We want to reach the semi-finals; we know how difficult it will be, but we’re ⁠very motivated.”</p><p>The tie is a repeat of last season’s round-of-16 meeting, when PSG knocked Liverpool out on penalties.</p><p>“Last year, everyone said ‌it was Liverpool, and PSG went through,” the Spaniard said.</p><p>This time, it will also see Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike come up against his former club.</p><p>The 23-year-old France international has enjoyed an impressive first season in England, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances.</p><p>Ekitike spent a brief ‌spell at PSG between 2023 and 2024 but found minutes hard to ​come by in a squad featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.</p><p>“After leaving here, he did very ⁠well in Germany and at Liverpool,” Luis Enrique added. “He’s now an ⁠international player and has made great progress. He was very young when he was here; he’s improved a ‌lot.”</p><p>Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz did not train with the squad on Monday due to injury, but French winger Bradley ​Barcola did following an ankle problem.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #Favourite #tag #means #PSGs #Luis #Enrique #ahead #Liverpool #clash

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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