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Deadspin | Tigers’ Tarik Skubal heating up heading into finale vs. Brewers     Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   The weather is getting warmer, and so is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.  Including the postseason, Skubal racked up double-digit strikeouts in 12 starts last season.   The Detroit Tigers left-hander notched a season-high 10 strikeouts in Boston on Saturday during his last start, and he should have pristine weather conditions to employ his formidable arsenal against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.  Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s during the series finale in Detroit. Skubal hasn’t required big strikeout totals to be effective. He’s given up just one run in four of his five starts this season.  Skubal (3-2, 2.08 ERA) limited the Red Sox to one run and four hits in six innings despite pitching in 45-degree weather. He cruised through the first four innings but got into jams in the fifth and sixth, which increased his pitch count and prevented him from going deeper into the game, which Detroit won 4-1.  “He rarely misses like he did (Saturday) where he fell behind multiple batters in a row,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just thought he was in battle-mode. It looked like he was in control. He was missing bats and using his whole arsenal, and he won some big at-bats. That was the key for him. He stayed mentally into the game and didn’t get too frustrated with a few big misses.”  A nasty change-up helped him increase his strikeout total.  “The change-up performed better (Saturday),” Skubal said. “But I still think there is room for improvement. I need to be able to throw it in the zone and out of the zone when I need to. I need to execute pitches out of the zone early in counts to where those aren’t six- and seven-pitch at-bats and end them in three to four pitches.”   Skubal, who has won his past two starts this season, has been dominant in two career outings against the Brewers, holding them to one run in 13 2/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts.  Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) will be his mound opponent on Thursday. He’s coming off his best outing of the season, as he held Toronto to one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings a week ago in Milwaukee’s 2-1 victory.  “I think the biggest thing was keep the rhythm up,” Sproat said. “Just get the ball and go. Don’t think about anything else. Just attack, attack, attack, and I think we did a really good job of that (Thursday).”  Sproat, 25, still is looking for his first major league victory. He’s made eight appearances over the last two seasons, including six starts. Sproat, who has never faced the Tigers, got a mental boost in his last outing.  “Just that I’m capable,” he said. “Capable of going out there and making good pitches, getting a ground ball when needed. Giving it my all. That was the big word (Thursday). (Manager Pat Murphy) told me, ‘You’re more than capable,’ and hearing that from him is definitely a boost in confidence.”  The teams have split the first two games of the series. Detroit bounced back from a 12-4 drubbing on Tuesday with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who hit 31 homers last season, broke through with his first long ball this season.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Tigers #Tarik #Skubal #heating #heading #finale #Brewers

Deadspin | Tigers’ Tarik Skubal heating up heading into finale vs. Brewers
Deadspin | Tigers’ Tarik Skubal heating up heading into finale vs. Brewers     Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   The weather is getting warmer, and so is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.  Including the postseason, Skubal racked up double-digit strikeouts in 12 starts last season.   The Detroit Tigers left-hander notched a season-high 10 strikeouts in Boston on Saturday during his last start, and he should have pristine weather conditions to employ his formidable arsenal against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.  Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s during the series finale in Detroit. Skubal hasn’t required big strikeout totals to be effective. He’s given up just one run in four of his five starts this season.  Skubal (3-2, 2.08 ERA) limited the Red Sox to one run and four hits in six innings despite pitching in 45-degree weather. He cruised through the first four innings but got into jams in the fifth and sixth, which increased his pitch count and prevented him from going deeper into the game, which Detroit won 4-1.  “He rarely misses like he did (Saturday) where he fell behind multiple batters in a row,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just thought he was in battle-mode. It looked like he was in control. He was missing bats and using his whole arsenal, and he won some big at-bats. That was the key for him. He stayed mentally into the game and didn’t get too frustrated with a few big misses.”  A nasty change-up helped him increase his strikeout total.  “The change-up performed better (Saturday),” Skubal said. “But I still think there is room for improvement. I need to be able to throw it in the zone and out of the zone when I need to. I need to execute pitches out of the zone early in counts to where those aren’t six- and seven-pitch at-bats and end them in three to four pitches.”   Skubal, who has won his past two starts this season, has been dominant in two career outings against the Brewers, holding them to one run in 13 2/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts.  Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) will be his mound opponent on Thursday. He’s coming off his best outing of the season, as he held Toronto to one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings a week ago in Milwaukee’s 2-1 victory.  “I think the biggest thing was keep the rhythm up,” Sproat said. “Just get the ball and go. Don’t think about anything else. Just attack, attack, attack, and I think we did a really good job of that (Thursday).”  Sproat, 25, still is looking for his first major league victory. He’s made eight appearances over the last two seasons, including six starts. Sproat, who has never faced the Tigers, got a mental boost in his last outing.  “Just that I’m capable,” he said. “Capable of going out there and making good pitches, getting a ground ball when needed. Giving it my all. That was the big word (Thursday). (Manager Pat Murphy) told me, ‘You’re more than capable,’ and hearing that from him is definitely a boost in confidence.”  The teams have split the first two games of the series. Detroit bounced back from a 12-4 drubbing on Tuesday with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who hit 31 homers last season, broke through with his first long ball this season.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Tigers #Tarik #Skubal #heating #heading #finale #BrewersApr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The weather is getting warmer, and so is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Including the postseason, Skubal racked up double-digit strikeouts in 12 starts last season.

The Detroit Tigers left-hander notched a season-high 10 strikeouts in Boston on Saturday during his last start, and he should have pristine weather conditions to employ his formidable arsenal against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s during the series finale in Detroit. Skubal hasn’t required big strikeout totals to be effective. He’s given up just one run in four of his five starts this season.

Skubal (3-2, 2.08 ERA) limited the Red Sox to one run and four hits in six innings despite pitching in 45-degree weather. He cruised through the first four innings but got into jams in the fifth and sixth, which increased his pitch count and prevented him from going deeper into the game, which Detroit won 4-1.

“He rarely misses like he did (Saturday) where he fell behind multiple batters in a row,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just thought he was in battle-mode. It looked like he was in control. He was missing bats and using his whole arsenal, and he won some big at-bats. That was the key for him. He stayed mentally into the game and didn’t get too frustrated with a few big misses.”

A nasty change-up helped him increase his strikeout total.


“The change-up performed better (Saturday),” Skubal said. “But I still think there is room for improvement. I need to be able to throw it in the zone and out of the zone when I need to. I need to execute pitches out of the zone early in counts to where those aren’t six- and seven-pitch at-bats and end them in three to four pitches.”

Skubal, who has won his past two starts this season, has been dominant in two career outings against the Brewers, holding them to one run in 13 2/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts.

Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) will be his mound opponent on Thursday. He’s coming off his best outing of the season, as he held Toronto to one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings a week ago in Milwaukee’s 2-1 victory.

“I think the biggest thing was keep the rhythm up,” Sproat said. “Just get the ball and go. Don’t think about anything else. Just attack, attack, attack, and I think we did a really good job of that (Thursday).”

Sproat, 25, still is looking for his first major league victory. He’s made eight appearances over the last two seasons, including six starts. Sproat, who has never faced the Tigers, got a mental boost in his last outing.

“Just that I’m capable,” he said. “Capable of going out there and making good pitches, getting a ground ball when needed. Giving it my all. That was the big word (Thursday). (Manager Pat Murphy) told me, ‘You’re more than capable,’ and hearing that from him is definitely a boost in confidence.”

The teams have split the first two games of the series. Detroit bounced back from a 12-4 drubbing on Tuesday with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who hit 31 homers last season, broke through with his first long ball this season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Tigers #Tarik #Skubal #heating #heading #finale #Brewers

Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The weather is getting warmer, and so is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Including the postseason, Skubal racked up double-digit strikeouts in 12 starts last season.

The Detroit Tigers left-hander notched a season-high 10 strikeouts in Boston on Saturday during his last start, and he should have pristine weather conditions to employ his formidable arsenal against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s during the series finale in Detroit. Skubal hasn’t required big strikeout totals to be effective. He’s given up just one run in four of his five starts this season.

Skubal (3-2, 2.08 ERA) limited the Red Sox to one run and four hits in six innings despite pitching in 45-degree weather. He cruised through the first four innings but got into jams in the fifth and sixth, which increased his pitch count and prevented him from going deeper into the game, which Detroit won 4-1.

“He rarely misses like he did (Saturday) where he fell behind multiple batters in a row,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just thought he was in battle-mode. It looked like he was in control. He was missing bats and using his whole arsenal, and he won some big at-bats. That was the key for him. He stayed mentally into the game and didn’t get too frustrated with a few big misses.”

A nasty change-up helped him increase his strikeout total.

“The change-up performed better (Saturday),” Skubal said. “But I still think there is room for improvement. I need to be able to throw it in the zone and out of the zone when I need to. I need to execute pitches out of the zone early in counts to where those aren’t six- and seven-pitch at-bats and end them in three to four pitches.”

Skubal, who has won his past two starts this season, has been dominant in two career outings against the Brewers, holding them to one run in 13 2/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts.

Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) will be his mound opponent on Thursday. He’s coming off his best outing of the season, as he held Toronto to one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings a week ago in Milwaukee’s 2-1 victory.

“I think the biggest thing was keep the rhythm up,” Sproat said. “Just get the ball and go. Don’t think about anything else. Just attack, attack, attack, and I think we did a really good job of that (Thursday).”

Sproat, 25, still is looking for his first major league victory. He’s made eight appearances over the last two seasons, including six starts. Sproat, who has never faced the Tigers, got a mental boost in his last outing.

“Just that I’m capable,” he said. “Capable of going out there and making good pitches, getting a ground ball when needed. Giving it my all. That was the big word (Thursday). (Manager Pat Murphy) told me, ‘You’re more than capable,’ and hearing that from him is definitely a boost in confidence.”

The teams have split the first two games of the series. Detroit bounced back from a 12-4 drubbing on Tuesday with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who hit 31 homers last season, broke through with his first long ball this season.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Tigers #Tarik #Skubal #heating #heading #finale #Brewers

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Gennings Dunker will be one of your favorite NFL draft selections <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There are a number of players who are going to have their lives changed throughout the course of this weekend and the 2026 NFL Draft and as time goes on the fans of the teams who selected them will come to learn all about their new crop of players.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There is a fanbase out there who is incredibly lucky as they are going to have Iowa’s Gennings Dunker on their team. Simply put, there is nobody like him in this year’s draft class.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Gennings took some time on the eve of the draft’s beginning to chat with SB Nation and noted that he cannot believe that this week is actually here. So much time, effort, energy, and sacrifice has gone into making Gennings an NFL player and soon enough he is going to have an NFL home.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Something else that Gennings has is a Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza by way of Casey’s. Gennings grew up visiting Casey’s regularly while growing up in Lena, Ill. and while at college in Iowa City, so this is a full-circle situation for him.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">When it comes to the NFL draft there are often players who have known all along that they were going to be a part of it and join the professional ranks of football. Some are destined for it at a young age.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Dunker is different in that respect. He said he is still floating just with knowing that he is going to make it to this level. He noted that he just assumed his life in football would be done after his time as a Hawkeye was complete.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Time will tell who ultimately gets to root for Gennings Dunker on Sundays a few months from now, but they would be best served to have a Casey’s Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza with Crispy Fries while they do so. That’s exactly what Gennings would want.</p></div> #Gennings #Dunker #favorite #NFL #draft #selections

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Mustafizur Rahman out of remaining PSL season after BCB withdraws NOC; Nahid Rana too ruled out <div id="content-body-70898903" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not be available for the rest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) withdrew his No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to injury concerns.</p><p>“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following the conclusion of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, the team’s medical staff has reviewed the condition of national team pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman,” the Body said on Thursday in a statement.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/bangladesh-vs-new-zealand-3rd-odi-highlights-series-win-ban-v-nz/article70897905.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bangladesh seals 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand</a></b></p><p>“It has been decided that the player will undergo an immediate scan to further assess his condition, after which he will commence a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCB Medical Team.”</p><p>“In this regard, the Board has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued to Mustafizur. He will therefore not be available to participate in the remainder of PSL 2026,” it added.</p><p>Mustafizur was playing for Lahore Qalandars and he’d taken six wickets in five matches this season, while Peshawar Zalmi’s Nahid took seven wickets in four matches.</p><p>BCB also announced that fast bowler Nahid Rana will not be released for the PSL “to allow him adequate time to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan next month”.</p><p>Bangladesh on Thursday clinched a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand after securing a 55-run victory over the Kiwis in ‌the third one-day international in Chattogram.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 23, 2026</p></div> #Mustafizur #Rahman #remaining #PSL #season #BCB #withdraws #NOC #Nahid #Rana #ruled

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA  Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.  #Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA

Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA
IND vs SL XI Day 2 LIVE Score: Catch the live scores, updates and highlights from the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, on Saturday.

Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST

India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI LIVE score, Tour match Day 2 updates: Rahul, Padikkal at crease, India 71/1; Match resumes after rain delay  
  IND vs SL XI Day 2 LIVE Score: Catch the live scores, updates and highlights from the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, on Saturday.
Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu 
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      MOORTHY RV
                                                                      
                        NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          MOORTHY RV
                                              elcome to Sportstar’s LIVE updates of Day 2 of the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.The Shubman Gill-led side will look to get accustomed to the conditions on offer ahead of the two-match Test series starting on August 15.Stay tuned for live updates from the three-day game. Match info:Date: August 7-9, 2026Time: 10 am startVenue: NCC Ground, ColomboIndia squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor BrarSri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha
				Match resumes
			The players are back on the field after the early lunch. The conditions seem to be clear. The new session timings will be: 2:30 to 2:50 PM second session2:50 to 3:10 PM Tea3:10 to 5:28 PM third session
				IND 67/1
			The weather has not cleared yet and the teams have decided to take an early lunch. 
				IND 67/1 – Rain stops play
			Despite losing Jaiswal early in the innings, India has got a good start with Padikkal and Rahul getting good starts. However, it has started to rain suddenly, and the players are going off the field. Could be a passing shower. 
				IND 50/1
			Devdutt Padikkal has got a good start. He has left a few angled in deliveries well and pounced on anything that’s too wide. Rahul, meanwhile, is focused on his defence – a crucial skill needed in the upcoming two Tests. 
				Rahul, Padikkal at the crease
			K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal will look to make the most of this opportunity and dig in on a pitch that’s proved to be pretty flat thus far. Jaiswal will be gutted with himself for not having cashed in on this surface.
				Early setback 
			India has been rocked early in the innings, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal getting caught at backward point off the second ball he faced. It was a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando and Jaiswal failed to keep the ball down!
				Sri Lanka declares
			Sri Lanka has delcared its first innings on 363/8. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar grab two wickets apiece. 
				Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1
			India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1Sri Lanka Cricket XI put up 363 for eight to end its first innings on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against India, which made a comeback in the last session.
				Welcome!
			Welcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates of the tour match between India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Published on Aug 08, 2026  #India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay

NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026. Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu | Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV

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NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026. Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu | Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV

elcome to Sportstar’s LIVE updates of Day 2 of the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.

The Shubman Gill-led side will look to get accustomed to the conditions on offer ahead of the two-match Test series starting on August 15.

Stay tuned for live updates from the three-day game. 

Match info:

Date: August 7-9, 2026

Time: 10 am start

Venue: NCC Ground, Colombo

India squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar

Sri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha

Published on Aug 08, 2026

#India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay">India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI LIVE score, Tour match Day 2 updates: Rahul, Padikkal at crease, India 71/1; Match resumes after rain delay  
  IND vs SL XI Day 2 LIVE Score: Catch the live scores, updates and highlights from the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, on Saturday.
Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu 
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      MOORTHY RV
                                                                      
                        NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          MOORTHY RV
                                              elcome to Sportstar’s LIVE updates of Day 2 of the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.The Shubman Gill-led side will look to get accustomed to the conditions on offer ahead of the two-match Test series starting on August 15.Stay tuned for live updates from the three-day game. Match info:Date: August 7-9, 2026Time: 10 am startVenue: NCC Ground, ColomboIndia squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor BrarSri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha
				Match resumes
			The players are back on the field after the early lunch. The conditions seem to be clear. The new session timings will be: 2:30 to 2:50 PM second session2:50 to 3:10 PM Tea3:10 to 5:28 PM third session
				IND 67/1
			The weather has not cleared yet and the teams have decided to take an early lunch. 
				IND 67/1 – Rain stops play
			Despite losing Jaiswal early in the innings, India has got a good start with Padikkal and Rahul getting good starts. However, it has started to rain suddenly, and the players are going off the field. Could be a passing shower. 
				IND 50/1
			Devdutt Padikkal has got a good start. He has left a few angled in deliveries well and pounced on anything that’s too wide. Rahul, meanwhile, is focused on his defence – a crucial skill needed in the upcoming two Tests. 
				Rahul, Padikkal at the crease
			K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal will look to make the most of this opportunity and dig in on a pitch that’s proved to be pretty flat thus far. Jaiswal will be gutted with himself for not having cashed in on this surface.
				Early setback 
			India has been rocked early in the innings, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal getting caught at backward point off the second ball he faced. It was a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando and Jaiswal failed to keep the ball down!
				Sri Lanka declares
			Sri Lanka has delcared its first innings on 363/8. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar grab two wickets apiece. 
				Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1
			India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1Sri Lanka Cricket XI put up 363 for eight to end its first innings on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against India, which made a comeback in the last session.
				Welcome!
			Welcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates of the tour match between India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Published on Aug 08, 2026  #India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay

Published on Aug 08, 2026

#India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay">India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI LIVE score, Tour match Day 2 updates: Rahul, Padikkal at crease, India 71/1; Match resumes after rain delay

IND vs SL XI Day 2 LIVE Score: Catch the live scores, updates and highlights from the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, on Saturday.

Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST

India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI LIVE score, Tour match Day 2 updates: Rahul, Padikkal at crease, India 71/1; Match resumes after rain delay  
  IND vs SL XI Day 2 LIVE Score: Catch the live scores, updates and highlights from the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, on Saturday.
Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu 
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      MOORTHY RV
                                                                      
                        NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026.
Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          MOORTHY RV
                                              elcome to Sportstar’s LIVE updates of Day 2 of the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.The Shubman Gill-led side will look to get accustomed to the conditions on offer ahead of the two-match Test series starting on August 15.Stay tuned for live updates from the three-day game. Match info:Date: August 7-9, 2026Time: 10 am startVenue: NCC Ground, ColomboIndia squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor BrarSri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha
				Match resumes
			The players are back on the field after the early lunch. The conditions seem to be clear. The new session timings will be: 2:30 to 2:50 PM second session2:50 to 3:10 PM Tea3:10 to 5:28 PM third session
				IND 67/1
			The weather has not cleared yet and the teams have decided to take an early lunch. 
				IND 67/1 – Rain stops play
			Despite losing Jaiswal early in the innings, India has got a good start with Padikkal and Rahul getting good starts. However, it has started to rain suddenly, and the players are going off the field. Could be a passing shower. 
				IND 50/1
			Devdutt Padikkal has got a good start. He has left a few angled in deliveries well and pounced on anything that’s too wide. Rahul, meanwhile, is focused on his defence – a crucial skill needed in the upcoming two Tests. 
				Rahul, Padikkal at the crease
			K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal will look to make the most of this opportunity and dig in on a pitch that’s proved to be pretty flat thus far. Jaiswal will be gutted with himself for not having cashed in on this surface.
				Early setback 
			India has been rocked early in the innings, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal getting caught at backward point off the second ball he faced. It was a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando and Jaiswal failed to keep the ball down!
				Sri Lanka declares
			Sri Lanka has delcared its first innings on 363/8. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar grab two wickets apiece. 
				Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1
			India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1Sri Lanka Cricket XI put up 363 for eight to end its first innings on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against India, which made a comeback in the last session.
				Welcome!
			Welcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates of the tour match between India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Published on Aug 08, 2026  #India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay

NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026. Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu | Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV

lightbox-info

NEW CHANDIGARH, 06/06/2026 — India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal seen in action on the first day of the cricket test match between India v Afghansitan held at New Chandigarh Stadium on June 06, 2026. Photo R V Moorthy / The Hindu | Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV

elcome to Sportstar’s LIVE updates of Day 2 of the Tour match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.

The Shubman Gill-led side will look to get accustomed to the conditions on offer ahead of the two-match Test series starting on August 15.

Stay tuned for live updates from the three-day game. 

Match info:

Date: August 7-9, 2026

Time: 10 am start

Venue: NCC Ground, Colombo

India squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar

Sri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha

  • Match resumes

    The players are back on the field after the early lunch. The conditions seem to be clear. The new session timings will be:

    2:30 to 2:50 PM second session

    2:50 to 3:10 PM Tea

    3:10 to 5:28 PM third session

  • IND 67/1

    The weather has not cleared yet and the teams have decided to take an early lunch. 

  • IND 67/1 – Rain stops play

    Despite losing Jaiswal early in the innings, India has got a good start with Padikkal and Rahul getting good starts. However, it has started to rain suddenly, and the players are going off the field. Could be a passing shower. 

  • IND 50/1

    Devdutt Padikkal has got a good start. He has left a few angled in deliveries well and pounced on anything that’s too wide. Rahul, meanwhile, is focused on his defence – a crucial skill needed in the upcoming two Tests. 

  • Rahul, Padikkal at the crease

    K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal will look to make the most of this opportunity and dig in on a pitch that’s proved to be pretty flat thus far. Jaiswal will be gutted with himself for not having cashed in on this surface.

  • Early setback

    India has been rocked early in the innings, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal getting caught at backward point off the second ball he faced. It was a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando and Jaiswal failed to keep the ball down!

  • Sri Lanka declares

    Sri Lanka has delcared its first innings on 363/8. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar grab two wickets apiece. 

  • Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1

    India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indian bowlers make comeback after poor first session on Day 1

    Sri Lanka Cricket XI put up 363 for eight to end its first innings on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against India, which made a comeback in the last session.

  • Welcome!

    Welcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates of the tour match between India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI. 

Published on Aug 08, 2026

#India #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #LIVE #score #Tour #match #Day #updates #Rahul #Padikkal #crease #India #Match #resumes #rain #delay

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