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Doncic, Cunningham eligible for MVP award, NBA confirms Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham have been ruled eligible for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player race despite not meeting the 65-game minimum to enter the running for the honour, the league said Thursday.Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic and Detroit Pistons ace Cunningham both fell just short of playing in the required number of games to be eligible for the NBA’s end-of-season awards, with Cunningham playing in 63 games and Doncic in 64.But the duo will be part of the NBA’s tightly-contested MVP race after the league and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) ruled there were “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding each player.Cunningham’s regular season games tally was abbreviated after he suffered a collapsed lung in March which led to him missing 12 games. Doncic, who was sidelined for several games following a hamstring injury earlier this month after inspiring Lakers to a late-season resurgence, also missed two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.“The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Doncic, each player qualified for awards under the extraordinary circumstances provision in the CBA (collective bargaining agreement),” the NBA said in a statement.However, the league turned down a request from Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to be included in the awards picture. Edwards played in 60 games and filed a bid for inclusion under the same “extraordinary circumstances” rules.“Edwards’ challenge was denied and, as a result, he is not eligible for annual awards for the 2025-26 NBA regular season,” the NBA said.This season’s MVP race is regarded as one of the closest in years, with Doncic and Cunningham now amongst a pool of contenders led by Oklahoma City Thunder’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.Published on Apr 16, 2026 #Doncic #Cunningham #eligible #MVP #award #NBA #confirms

Doncic, Cunningham eligible for MVP award, NBA confirms

Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham have been ruled eligible for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player race despite not meeting the 65-game minimum to enter the running for the honour, the league said Thursday.

Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic and Detroit Pistons ace Cunningham both fell just short of playing in the required number of games to be eligible for the NBA’s end-of-season awards, with Cunningham playing in 63 games and Doncic in 64.

But the duo will be part of the NBA’s tightly-contested MVP race after the league and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) ruled there were “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding each player.

Cunningham’s regular season games tally was abbreviated after he suffered a collapsed lung in March which led to him missing 12 games. Doncic, who was sidelined for several games following a hamstring injury earlier this month after inspiring Lakers to a late-season resurgence, also missed two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.

“The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Doncic, each player qualified for awards under the extraordinary circumstances provision in the CBA (collective bargaining agreement),” the NBA said in a statement.

However, the league turned down a request from Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to be included in the awards picture. Edwards played in 60 games and filed a bid for inclusion under the same “extraordinary circumstances” rules.

“Edwards’ challenge was denied and, as a result, he is not eligible for annual awards for the 2025-26 NBA regular season,” the NBA said.

This season’s MVP race is regarded as one of the closest in years, with Doncic and Cunningham now amongst a pool of contenders led by Oklahoma City Thunder’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#Doncic #Cunningham #eligible #MVP #award #NBA #confirms

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Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham have been ruled eligible for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player race despite not meeting the 65-game minimum to enter the running for the honour, the league said Thursday.

Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic and Detroit Pistons ace Cunningham both fell just short of playing in the required number of games to be eligible for the NBA’s end-of-season awards, with Cunningham playing in 63 games and Doncic in 64.

But the duo will be part of the NBA’s tightly-contested MVP race after the league and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) ruled there were “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding each player.

Cunningham’s regular season games tally was abbreviated after he suffered a collapsed lung in March which led to him missing 12 games. Doncic, who was sidelined for several games following a hamstring injury earlier this month after inspiring Lakers to a late-season resurgence, also missed two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.

“The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Doncic, each player qualified for awards under the extraordinary circumstances provision in the CBA (collective bargaining agreement),” the NBA said in a statement.

However, the league turned down a request from Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to be included in the awards picture. Edwards played in 60 games and filed a bid for inclusion under the same “extraordinary circumstances” rules.

“Edwards’ challenge was denied and, as a result, he is not eligible for annual awards for the 2025-26 NBA regular season,” the NBA said.

This season’s MVP race is regarded as one of the closest in years, with Doncic and Cunningham now amongst a pool of contenders led by Oklahoma City Thunder’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

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Deadspin | A’ja Wilson, Aces make history with reported supermax contract <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27353141.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27353141.jpg" alt="WNBA: Las Vegas-Championship Celebration" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Oct 17, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) celebrates during the 2025 WNBA Championship parade at Toshiba Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson reportedly made history on Wednesday, and she didn’t even step on the court.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Wilson re-signed with the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Aces. However, ESPN reported it was a three-year, $5 million supermax contract that is fully guaranteed and is the largest in WNBA history.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Aces president and general manager Vikki Fargas said. “Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.”</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Wilson, 29, has been with the Aces since they drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. The seven-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year guided Las Vegas to its third title in four seasons in 2025.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals in 40 games last season, earning her fourth MVP trophy.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>She has career averages of 21.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in 267 games (266 starts).</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Aja #Wilson #Aces #history #reported #supermax #contract

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#Russell #Wilson #Jets #NFL #signing #fan">Russell Wilson to the Jets is the NFL signing EVERY fan should want This is because the alternative is truly terrifying. If Russ doesn’t play for the Jets in 2026 he’s mulling over opportunities to take a TV job where he’d be an NFL analyst. If that doesn’t scare you, then you obviously haven’t watched enough Russ off the football field — because while he was an incredible quarterback, with a potential Hall of Fame resume, the man is the entertainment equivalent of wallpaper paste when he isn’t on the field.The role of “extremely boring man” has already been filled in broadcasting by Tom Brady, who is objectively horrible as an announcer — and we don’t need another one to fill the void. Just imagine turning on the game to be greeted with this.The choice is either the train wreck of being subjected to Wilson during Jets games in 2026, or the train wreck of Wilson being on multiple NFL broadcasts for multiple NFL teams throughout the season. It’s the football equivalent of the Trolley Problem, and I’m sorry Jets, but y’all have to be the sacrificial lamb on this one.Eventually it seems inevitable that we’re going to have to deal with Russell Wilson in the booth calling games, because every TV executive has no imagination outside of hiring every ex-player, regardless of whether they’re skilled in broadcasting or not. It’s how we’ve ended up in a world where Tom Brady calls NFL games, Kendrick Perkins is an NBA analyst, and P.K. Subban is dredged up in hockey — all of whom are terrible for different reasons.Let’s delay this process as much as possible. Go to the Jets, Russ. Try to get everything back on track for one more run. Who knows, maybe you can get everything clicking again, play for another five years, and cement yourself as a Hall of Fame player. Wilder things have happened, just look at Sam Darnold.You could be the reverse Darnold, Russ. The man who saves the Jets organization. You should definitely do that instead of taking a boring on analyst job where you have to sit in a studio all day and try to be entertaining. #Russell #Wilson #Jets #NFL #signing #fan

Deadspin | Lukas Dostal, Ducks shut down Knights, head home with series 1-1 May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) looks for a rebound behind defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the second period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Lukas Dostal made 22 saves while leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Las Vegas, evening their best-of-seven Western Conference second-round playoff series at one win each. Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins scored for the Ducks. The series now shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday. Mark Stone scored a late power-play goal and Carter Hart finished with 25 saves for Vegas, which lost in regulation at home to the Ducks for only the fourth time (16-4-1) in franchise history. Vegas killed off eight minutes of penalties in the first half of a scoreless opening period, including 1:37 of a 5-on-3 after Jack Eichel picked up a four-minute double minor for high-sticking Mikael Granlund. The Ducks, who scored on eight of their 16 power-plays chances while defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games in their first round matchup, have yet to score with the extra man in the series against the Golden Knights. Anaheim is now 0-for-9 on the power play. Anaheim took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period on Sennecke’s second goal of the playoffs. Jeffrey Viel picked up the primary assist, stealing the puck from Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak along the boards behind the net and then passing to Sennecke in the low slot. The Calder Trophy finalist for rookie of the year, who scored 23 goals in the regular-season, then chipped a shot past Hart’s glove side. The Ducks extended the lead to 2-0 at the 6:36 mark of the third period on Carlsson’s fourth goal of the playoffs. Troy Terry set up the score with a crossing pass from the left circle to Carlsson alone on the backdoor by the right post. Carlsson then roofed a wrist shot past Hart’s glove side. Vegas pulled Hart with four minutes remaining for an extra attacker and Harkins sealed the win with an empty-netter thirty seconds later, his first goal since New Year’s Eve against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Golden Knights spoiled Dostal’s shutout bid with just 5.6 seconds on to go when Stone redirected a Eichel shot from along the right boards for his third goal of the playoffs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lukas #Dostal #Ducks #shut #Knights #home #seriesMay 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) looks for a rebound behind defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the second period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Lukas Dostal made 22 saves while leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Las Vegas, evening their best-of-seven Western Conference second-round playoff series at one win each.

Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins scored for the Ducks.

The series now shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday.

Mark Stone scored a late power-play goal and Carter Hart finished with 25 saves for Vegas, which lost in regulation at home to the Ducks for only the fourth time (16-4-1) in franchise history.

Vegas killed off eight minutes of penalties in the first half of a scoreless opening period, including 1:37 of a 5-on-3 after Jack Eichel picked up a four-minute double minor for high-sticking Mikael Granlund.


The Ducks, who scored on eight of their 16 power-plays chances while defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games in their first round matchup, have yet to score with the extra man in the series against the Golden Knights. Anaheim is now 0-for-9 on the power play.

Anaheim took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period on Sennecke’s second goal of the playoffs. Jeffrey Viel picked up the primary assist, stealing the puck from Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak along the boards behind the net and then passing to Sennecke in the low slot. The Calder Trophy finalist for rookie of the year, who scored 23 goals in the regular-season, then chipped a shot past Hart’s glove side.

The Ducks extended the lead to 2-0 at the 6:36 mark of the third period on Carlsson’s fourth goal of the playoffs. Troy Terry set up the score with a crossing pass from the left circle to Carlsson alone on the backdoor by the right post. Carlsson then roofed a wrist shot past Hart’s glove side.

Vegas pulled Hart with four minutes remaining for an extra attacker and Harkins sealed the win with an empty-netter thirty seconds later, his first goal since New Year’s Eve against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Golden Knights spoiled Dostal’s shutout bid with just 5.6 seconds on to go when Stone redirected a Eichel shot from along the right boards for his third goal of the playoffs.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lukas #Dostal #Ducks #shut #Knights #home #series">Deadspin | Lukas Dostal, Ducks shut down Knights, head home with series 1-1 May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) looks for a rebound behind defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the second period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Lukas Dostal made 22 saves while leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Las Vegas, evening their best-of-seven Western Conference second-round playoff series at one win each. Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins scored for the Ducks. The series now shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday. Mark Stone scored a late power-play goal and Carter Hart finished with 25 saves for Vegas, which lost in regulation at home to the Ducks for only the fourth time (16-4-1) in franchise history. Vegas killed off eight minutes of penalties in the first half of a scoreless opening period, including 1:37 of a 5-on-3 after Jack Eichel picked up a four-minute double minor for high-sticking Mikael Granlund. The Ducks, who scored on eight of their 16 power-plays chances while defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games in their first round matchup, have yet to score with the extra man in the series against the Golden Knights. Anaheim is now 0-for-9 on the power play. Anaheim took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period on Sennecke’s second goal of the playoffs. Jeffrey Viel picked up the primary assist, stealing the puck from Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak along the boards behind the net and then passing to Sennecke in the low slot. The Calder Trophy finalist for rookie of the year, who scored 23 goals in the regular-season, then chipped a shot past Hart’s glove side. The Ducks extended the lead to 2-0 at the 6:36 mark of the third period on Carlsson’s fourth goal of the playoffs. Troy Terry set up the score with a crossing pass from the left circle to Carlsson alone on the backdoor by the right post. Carlsson then roofed a wrist shot past Hart’s glove side. Vegas pulled Hart with four minutes remaining for an extra attacker and Harkins sealed the win with an empty-netter thirty seconds later, his first goal since New Year’s Eve against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Golden Knights spoiled Dostal’s shutout bid with just 5.6 seconds on to go when Stone redirected a Eichel shot from along the right boards for his third goal of the playoffs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lukas #Dostal #Ducks #shut #Knights #home #series

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