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Howe provides Guimaraes update ahead of Newcastle United vs Bournemouth Premier League clash Newcastle United may be boosted by the return of captain Bruno Guimaraes after a two-month absence due ​to a hamstring injury when it hosts Bournemouth in the Premier League ‌on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe said.Guimaraes, who is ​Newcastle’s top-scorer in the Premier League this ⁠season with nine goals, has been pushing to come back as soon as possible, Howe told reporters on Friday.“The medical team are trying ‌to hold him back … I say hold him back, there’s always that tug because the player is ‌desperate to play and I love that with Bruno,” ‌the ⁠manager said. “I’ll make a decision based on what I ⁠see in training today, but there is a chance.”Brazil midfielder Guimaraes played a key role for his country during the World Cup qualifiers, and the ​injury saw him miss ‌this year’s friendlies against France and Croatia ahead of the tournament starting in June.However, the 28-year-old’s form before his injury has sparked media speculation of a potential move to Real ‌Madrid or Manchester United in the close season.Newcastle’s ​England forward Anthony Gordon, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, has also been ⁠linked with several clubs, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal.ALSO READ | Aston Villa sets up all-English Europa League semifinal against Nottingham ForestBut Howe said he wanted players fully committed to the club and ‌Newcastle’s future despite the transfer talk around them.“The biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training … I won’t play a player if I don’t think they are 100% committed to the club and its future. I’m not talking about Anthony here, I’m talking generally across the board,” he ‌said.“When they’re high profile, like the ones we have here, they’re in ​the news all the time for lots of different reasons.“It comes with the territory. You have to ⁠adjust and adapt to it, you have to understand to it, ⁠and try to play to your best level with the noise around you.“I don’t think you get to ‌this level without the ability to do that. I don’t think any player can use that as an excuse ​towards lower performances. The lads internally aren’t.”Published on Apr 17, 2026 #Howe #Guimaraes #update #ahead #Newcastle #United #Bournemouth #Premier #League #clash

Howe provides Guimaraes update ahead of Newcastle United vs Bournemouth Premier League clash

Newcastle United may be boosted by the return of captain Bruno Guimaraes after a two-month absence due ​to a hamstring injury when it hosts Bournemouth in the Premier League ‌on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe said.

Guimaraes, who is ​Newcastle’s top-scorer in the Premier League this ⁠season with nine goals, has been pushing to come back as soon as possible, Howe told reporters on Friday.

“The medical team are trying ‌to hold him back … I say hold him back, there’s always that tug because the player is ‌desperate to play and I love that with Bruno,” ‌the ⁠manager said. “I’ll make a decision based on what I ⁠see in training today, but there is a chance.”

Brazil midfielder Guimaraes played a key role for his country during the World Cup qualifiers, and the ​injury saw him miss ‌this year’s friendlies against France and Croatia ahead of the tournament starting in June.

However, the 28-year-old’s form before his injury has sparked media speculation of a potential move to Real ‌Madrid or Manchester United in the close season.

Newcastle’s ​England forward Anthony Gordon, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, has also been ⁠linked with several clubs, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal.

ALSO READ | Aston Villa sets up all-English Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest

But Howe said he wanted players fully committed to the club and ‌Newcastle’s future despite the transfer talk around them.

“The biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training … I won’t play a player if I don’t think they are 100% committed to the club and its future. I’m not talking about Anthony here, I’m talking generally across the board,” he ‌said.

“When they’re high profile, like the ones we have here, they’re in ​the news all the time for lots of different reasons.

“It comes with the territory. You have to ⁠adjust and adapt to it, you have to understand to it, ⁠and try to play to your best level with the noise around you.

“I don’t think you get to ‌this level without the ability to do that. I don’t think any player can use that as an excuse ​towards lower performances. The lads internally aren’t.”

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Howe #Guimaraes #update #ahead #Newcastle #United #Bournemouth #Premier #League #clash

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Newcastle United may be boosted by the return of captain Bruno Guimaraes after a two-month absence due ​to a hamstring injury when it hosts Bournemouth in the Premier League ‌on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe said.

Guimaraes, who is ​Newcastle’s top-scorer in the Premier League this ⁠season with nine goals, has been pushing to come back as soon as possible, Howe told reporters on Friday.

“The medical team are trying ‌to hold him back … I say hold him back, there’s always that tug because the player is ‌desperate to play and I love that with Bruno,” ‌the ⁠manager said. “I’ll make a decision based on what I ⁠see in training today, but there is a chance.”

Brazil midfielder Guimaraes played a key role for his country during the World Cup qualifiers, and the ​injury saw him miss ‌this year’s friendlies against France and Croatia ahead of the tournament starting in June.

However, the 28-year-old’s form before his injury has sparked media speculation of a potential move to Real ‌Madrid or Manchester United in the close season.

Newcastle’s ​England forward Anthony Gordon, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, has also been ⁠linked with several clubs, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal.

ALSO READ | Aston Villa sets up all-English Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest

But Howe said he wanted players fully committed to the club and ‌Newcastle’s future despite the transfer talk around them.

“The biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training … I won’t play a player if I don’t think they are 100% committed to the club and its future. I’m not talking about Anthony here, I’m talking generally across the board,” he ‌said.

“When they’re high profile, like the ones we have here, they’re in ​the news all the time for lots of different reasons.

“It comes with the territory. You have to ⁠adjust and adapt to it, you have to understand to it, ⁠and try to play to your best level with the noise around you.

“I don’t think you get to ‌this level without the ability to do that. I don’t think any player can use that as an excuse ​towards lower performances. The lads internally aren’t.”

Published on Apr 17, 2026

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#Howe #Guimaraes #update #ahead #Newcastle #United #Bournemouth #Premier #League #clash

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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Guardians’ Parker Messick loses no-hit bid in 9th vs. Orioles <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-900/28746473.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28746473.jpg" alt="MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Guardians" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles cat Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Guardians rookie Parker Messick carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before Leody Taveras led off with a single to begin a two-run rally, but Cleveland held on for a 4-2 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Messick (3-0), making his 11th major league appearance, only permitted two baserunners in the first eight frames on walks to Taylor Ward in the first and Taveras in the sixth. The left-hander tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked two.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Taveras hit a grounder to the left of second baseman Juan Brito, who dove but couldn’t keep the ball in the infield. Blaze Alexander followed with a single, chasing Messick after eight-plus innings. Cade Smith gave up two hits and allowed two inherited runners to score, but was credited with his fourth save.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and George Valera and Steven Kwan had RBI hits for the Guardians, who snapped a two-game skid in the opener of the four-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Tigers 10, Royals 9</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Colt Keith’s single capped a three-run, ninth-inning rally, allowing Detroit to stretch their winning streak to six games with a wild victory over visiting Kansas City.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Riley Greene’s two-run, two-out double tied the contest for the Tigers. Greene then scored on Keith’s single to right off Lucas Erceg (0-1). Greene had three hits and scored two runs, and Dillon Dingler had a two-run homer.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Royals erased a five-run deficit with a six-run seventh, and Vinnie Pasquantino’s solo homer made it 9-7 in the top of the ninth. Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer among four RBIs and Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, scored three runs and drove in another.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Giants 3, Reds 0</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Landen Roupp carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Jung Hoo Lee had three hits with an RBI and San Francisco snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over host Cincinnati.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>P.J. Higgins’ sixth inning single off Roupp (3-1) proved to be the only hit of the game for Cincinnati. Erik Miller struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first career save. San Francisco scored all of its runs in the seventh off hits from Matt Chapman, Lee and Casey Schmitt.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Cincinnati starter Chase Burns held the Giants to two hits over six shutout innings. Brock Burke (1-1) took the loss after allowing three unearned runs. Reds reliever Connor Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning for hitting Willy Adames in the thigh with a pitch. Benches cleared after a strikeout of Sal Stewart which ended the game got heated.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Angels 11, Yankees 4</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Mike Trout homered for the fourth straight game to cap a monster series at Yankee Stadium and help Los Angeles pull away from New York.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Trout hit five homers in the four-game series, becoming the fourth player to hit five homers in a series against the Yankees. The others were Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985) and George Bell (1990). Jo Adell added his fourth career grand slam in the eighth and former Yankee Oswald Peraza homered in the first, giving the Angels an American League-leading 32 home runs.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Aaron Judge homered in the first inning and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer to center in the third to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Ben Rice also homered, but the Yankees lost for the seventh time in nine games.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-17"> <p>Nationals 8, Pirates 7 (10 innings)</p> </section> <section id="section-18"> <p>James Wood had two hits, including a two-out go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning to lead Washington over host Pittsburgh.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Daylen Lile and Drew Millas also had two hits for the Nationals.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Jake Mangum led the Pirates with three of their 15 hits. Griffin, Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe and Nick Gonzales each had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who committed four errors.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>A sacrifice bunt by Joey Ortiz scored Garrett Mitchell for the go-ahead run as host Milwaukee edged Toronto.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>Milwaukee turned to small ball in the bottom of the seventh to claim the series win. Milwaukee used three straight bunts to take its first lead of the game. Mitchell led off the inning with a walk and a Greg Jones sacrifice bunt moved him to second base with one out.</p> </section><section id="section-24"> <p>David Hamilton laid down a bunt single and Milwaukee had runners on first and third. Ortiz’s bunt only dribbled a few feet in front of home plate, but it was enough to score Mitchell for a 2-1 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>Rays 5, White Sox 3</p> </section><section id="section-26"> <p>Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning after Junior Caminero hit a game-tying solo home run, propelling streaking Tampa Bay past host Chicago.</p> </section><section id="section-27"> <p>The Rays stretched their winning streak to six games, regrouping after Chicago’s Everson Pereira smacked a solo shot in the eighth to give the White Sox the lead. Yandy Diaz, Richie Palacios, Nick Fortes and Caminero had two hits apiece for the Rays.</p> </section><section id="section-28"> <p>Chase Meidroth and Pereira both had two hits for the White Sox, who stranded seven runners compared to 14 for Tampa Bay.</p> </section><section id="section-29"> <p>Rangers 9, Athletics 6</p> </section><section id="section-30"> <p>Joc Pederson stroked the tiebreaking single in a four-run ninth inning as Texas notched a victory over the host Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.</p> </section><section id="section-31"> <p>Josh Jung smacked a two-run homer among his three hits and Ezequiel Duran had two hits and two RBIs as the Rangers earned a split of the four-game series with their American League West rivals.</p> </section><section id="section-32"> <p>Nick Kurtz’s three-run double in the bottom of the eighth gave the Athletics the lead. Jacob Wilson had a two-run single for the Athletics while Shea Langeliers reached base five times on two hits and three walks. Lawrence Butler, Carlos Cortes, Kurtz and Wilson also had two hits for the A’s.</p> </section><section id="section-33"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Guardians #Parker #Messick #loses #nohit #bid #9th #Orioles

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NBA Playoffs teams ranked by their 2026 championship chances <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It feels like the difference between the NBA’s regular season and playoffs becomes more stark every year. While high-scoring games and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1108433/nba-anti-tanking-proposals-bad-no-good-trades-picks-lottery-hate-it">tanking talk</a> dominated the national discourse over the league’s 82-game slog, there was quietly a fascinating championship race bubbling beneath the surface. There are several viable contenders in both conferences this season, and if the play-in tournament is any indication, the product is going to be so much more competitive and engaging than the regular season ever was.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the playoffs as the favorites to win it all, and they’re fighting against the recent history of the league to do it. No team has won back-to-back championships since Kevin Durant was on the Golden State Warriors back in 2017 and 2018. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1110576/nba-awards-picks-mvp-rookie-coach-of-the-year-roy-dpoy-all-nbateams">OKC has the likely MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> along with the league’s best defense, but occasional outside shooting woes and lingering injuries to co-star Jalen Williams make the Thunder vulnerable.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets are both dreaming of winning it all behindx their superstar big men Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. The race in the East is even more wide open with the top four teams in the playoff bracket all believing they have what it takes to reach the 2026 NBA Finals.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">With the playoffs about to get underway, let’s rank every team in the field by their championship chances. We’ll update this story with the two No. 8 seeds once those are decided in the final round of the play-in tournament.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">14. Portland Trail Blazers</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time in five years, and they have a strong foundation to continue growing for the future. Portland has a burgeoning star creator in Deni Avdija and a defense that ranked No. 3 in the league since the All-Star break. Avdija’s ability to take bumps on his drives to the rim and consistently get to the foul line gives this team a chance to generate consistent offense when everything else fails. Donovan Clingan feels like a star in the making for his rebounding and rim protection, but he’s about to have his hands full against Victor Wembanyama in the first round. I think Portland can take a game off the Spurs, but I’d be surprised with anything more than that.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s a shame that the Lakers will head into the offseason without knowing how good this team truly is. Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain and Austin Reaves’ oblique strain will decimate Los Angeles’ chances in the playoffs with both expected to miss the start of their first-round series against Houston, if not the entire thing. LeBron James is the focal point once again for the Lakers, but he just doesn’t have enough help to advance even if Houston can get caught in the mud offensively. I would have picked the Lakers to win this series with Doncic and Reaves healthy, but that’s not the case, so I have to go with the Rockets.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.446735" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTEyMTU="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="2328" data-pswp-width="3368" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 7: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against the Miami Heat during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269729209.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 7: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against the Miami Heat during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Raptors deserve a lot of credit for jumping from 30 wins to 46 wins on the back of an elite defense. Scottie Barnes has taken a real leap on both ends, the Brandon Ingram addition has worked out reasonably well, and the front office has hit the jackpot with some value free agent signings (Sandro Mamukelashvili) and second-round picks (Jamal Shead). The catch with Toronto’s turnaround is they still can’t beat a good team, with most of their wins coming by taking care of business against bottom-feeders. The Raptors at least know who they are as a team, which should work to their advantage in a first-round series against a new-look Cleveland team that’s still coming together after the trade deadline. I’d be surprised if Toronto wins a series, but they should keep things competitive if nothing else.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Joel Embiid’s health has haunted the 76ers on just about every playoff run of his career, and it’s happening again. Embiid is sidelined after having his appendix removed earlier this month, but Philly didn’t need him to earn the No. 7 seed in the East by beating the Magic in the play-in. Tyrese Maxey has had a special season, and he can take over any game in crunch-time even if the Boston Celtics have some ideal defenders to throw on him. Embiid miraculously returning to peak form would give Philly a chance in this series, but Boston still feels like a comfortable favorite to advance, even if it takes six games.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Hawks traded Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis ahead of the deadline, and suddenly morphed into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Since the deadline, Atlanta ranks No. 6 in the league in net-rating, outscoring opponents by 7.4 points per 100 possessions. The New York Knicks have more talent on paper, but the Hawks are playing such good ball on both ends that there’s a real chance for an upset. Atlanta has the bodies to throw at Jalen Brunson on the perimeter, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels getting the assignment most of the series. Alexander-Walker will also be counted on to produce offensively as he shares the creation burden with C.J. McCollum. The fun thing about the Hawks is that almost everyone in the lineup can attack off the dribble, and it should put a Knicks team with a couple weak links defensively in an uncomfortable position. I still like New York to advance, but it won’t be easy.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Rockets felt like they would be toast in the first round of the playoffs for most of the second half of the season, but a strong closing kick plus a favorable matchup against a Lakers team missing its two best players gives Houston a reason to believe. The Rockets aren’t the same team without injured starters Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet, but there’s still a pathway to advancing here. Kevin Durant has put up an All-NBA caliber year at age-37, and he’s again going to have to carry the offense for long stretches in this series. Alperen Sengun is a workhorse in the middle who should have his way with Deandre Ayton. Amen Thompson could be a breakout candidate with elite defense and transition scoring, but there are questions about his halfcourt offense. It’s hard to believe we’re getting another KD vs. LeBron series in 2026 — it would just be a lot more fun if everyone else around them was healthy.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">8. Minnesota Timberwolves</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Wolves vs. Nuggets might be the best rivalry in the NBA at this point as the two teams prepare for their third playoff series in four years. The Wolves remain something of a mystery even after 82-games with recent injuries to Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the trade deadline acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu, and the integration of Bones Hyland into a real rotation piece. Minnesota is still an elite defensive team with Rudy Gobert on the floor, posting a 109.4 defensive rating in his minutes that would have ranked third in the league. Of course, Nikola Jokic poses unique problems even for the league’s best defenders, and it feels like Minnesota’s only real chance is if it’s offense reaches levels it hasn’t hit during the regular season. Edwards will have to play at his best level to give Minnesota a chance, but the Wolves also need Julius Randle to repeat his inspired playoff run last year, and for Dosunmu and Naz Reid to stay hot as shooters. It feels like a long-shot the Wolves can win this series, but it’s hard to discount them after back-to-back conference finals trips.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.5" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTEyMTY="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="4432" data-pswp-width="6648" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate a dunk by Mitchell during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena on February 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2261995098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate a dunk by Mitchell during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena on February 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Cavs traded Darius Garland for James Harden at the deadline to become bigger, tougher, and more durable for the playoffs. Harden turned in another All-NBA caliber season at age-36, but it’s hard to trust him in the playoffs after so many high profile failures. Cleveland’s biggest issue is that the team just hasn’t really been healthy all season, but it finally seems like they should have all their key pieces for this run. Harden has helped take Jarrett Allen’s offense to the next level, and their pick-and-roll combination could determine Cleveland’s offensive ceiling just as much as Donovan Mitchell’s shot-making. The Cavs’ defense has been a little spotty, and keeping Toronto in check in transition will be a good gauge of their overall level. It feels like the Cavs could be in for more changes if they go bust on this run (a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1101513/lebron-james-retirement-tour-cavaliers-free-agency-2026">LeBron reunion</a>, anyone?), but there’s still significant upside here if it all comes together.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Knicks have tons of talent, but often leave their fans wanting a little bit more. <a href="https://x.com/UofBasketball/status/2044036682366808129">The starting lineup has essentially played teams even for two years</a>, and that’s not good enough given the cap space and future assets devoted to that grouping. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns should be a deadly pick-and-roll combination, and they’ve started to look a bit more in-tune to end the season. Miles McBride is back from injury and offers some sorely needed shot-making upside and lineup versatility. Mitchell Robinson always feels like an injury waiting to happen, but his offensive rebounding is dominant and can change a series. I want to see how the Knicks can defend against Atlanta’s transition offense and unpredictable pick-and-roll combinations. I want to see if Brunson and KAT can stay on the floor defensively together in the game’s biggest moments. The Knicks can absolutely win the East, but it feels like they should have been the favorite given preseason expectations, and I can’t confidently say that’s the case.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Pistons’ worst-to-first story is absolutely incredible. Two years ago, Detroit won 14 games. This season? 60 games and the No. 1 seed in the East. Cade Cunningham is back from a collapsed lung, and should be ready to carry this team in tough moments. The star point guard has a lot on his plate because Detroit just doesn’t have much shooting or halfcourt creation around him. The Pistons spent the regular season developing the league’s deepest bench, and players like Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed are about to be in the spotlight for big minutes. Jaren Duren needs to prove his offensive explosion can translate to playoff settings, while the wing combination of Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland must prove they are ready for primetime so early in their careers. Detroit’s model of an elite defense and a superstar guard worked pretty well for the Thunder in their championship run last season. A lack of trust in the offense is the one thing holding me back from picking Detroit to make the Finals, but they have as good a chance as anyone in the East.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Raise your hand if you believed the Celtics would be in for a gap year as Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles. I’m ashamed to admit I thought so, too. Instead, the Celtics enter the playoffs as the Eastern Conference favorites, with Tatum back in the lineup and a young and more athletic supporting cast around him. Joe Mazzulla got the most out of the patchwork front court, and now Neemias Queta needs to cement his breakout season in the playoffs. Jaylen Brown’s career year will also be under the microscope on this run, as will the shot distribution between him and Tatum late in close games. Derrick White getting hot with his shot would change everything for Boston, but he’s still somehow an elite player even when his jumper is cold. Boston’s offense always hunts great shots, and the defense is even tougher with Tatum happy to do the dirty work. This isn’t the best Celtics team of the Jays era, but it’s still damn good, and maybe even the best in the East.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.500132" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTEyMTc="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="3781" data-pswp-width="5672" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270225661.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">NBAE via Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Spurs’ preseason win total was set at 44.5 games by Vegas. Instead, San Antonio won 62 games and forced some uncomfortable questions about whether Victor Wembanyama is already the best player in the world. The Spurs put the rest of the NBA on alert by beating defending champion Thunder three straight times in Dec., and they kept rolling from there. Wembanyama is a problem without a solution for opponents; there are times where I think he’s the most talented player in league history thanks to his 8-foot wingspan, elite speed and coordination, high motor, and burgeoning skill. San Antonio was widely expected to have shooting questions around their young French superstar, but that didn’t really matter much as Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Devin Vassell all hit at least 38 percent from deep. The spotlight will be on Stephon Castle to prove himself as a future All-Star, and there are some questions about how his physical two-way player translates without proven shooting ability. The Spurs finally put a good supporting cast around Wemby just as he reached a new level of dominance. This team is absolutely going to win championships eventually, but there are a couple veteran teams in front of them that I think will be hard to get past this year.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Nikola Jokic has been the best player in the world since the dawn of the 2020s, and this playoff run is shaping up to be a golden opportunity to continue adding to his legendary resume. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander feels like he’s finally started to pull away Jokic’s crown, and Wembanyama is coming for it if he doesn’t already have it. Jokic is simply too good of a player to retire with only one championship, and this is a real chance to win another one. The Nuggets improved their depth over the offseason, which came in handy as they were hit by a rash of injuries to key rotation pieces during the regular season. As the bench developed, Jamal Murray solidified his place as a worthy second banana by turning in the best season of his career. We’ve seen Murray have killer playoff runs before, and he feels primed for one this year. The health of Aaron Gordon and to a lesser extent Peyton Watson could determine Denver’s ceiling. If they can beat the Wolves, a potential second round matchup with the Spurs is looming, and the winner likely gets the Thunder. It’s an incredibly difficult road just to get to the Finals, but Denver has the offensive ceiling to do it. Will they defend enough? Will they stay healthy? Denver still has some questions to answer, but if it all comes together, it still has championship upside.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Thunder felt like a potential dynasty after winning the championship last season, and now the basketball world is about to see if they’re up for it. OKC’s championship defense is every bit as good as it was a year ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost feels unstoppable at this point: he’s slippery enough to get wherever he wants with his handle, long enough to shoot over anyone, and his knockdown touch on mid-range pull-ups is suddenly now extending beyond the three-point line. Every other piece on the Thunder plays their role to support SGA, and there are multiple members of this supporting cast destined for stardom in their own right. Chet Holmgren is an elite two-way big with excellent rim protection and the perimeter skill of a wing. Cason Wallace is growing into a lockdown defender, and Ajay Mitchell is developing into the supplementary ball handler OKC needs when Shai sits. The shooting can be a little bit spotty, and Jalen Williams missing most of the season to this point is certainly unnerving. It’s easy to forget that the Thunder really didn’t look all that dominant on their playoff run last season, getting the benefit of opponent injury luck in their two toughest series. Still, this defense will travel in any matchup, they won’t have to play Denver or San Antonio until the conference finals, and SGA really is tracking as an all-time great. The Thunder are good enough to break the NBA’s no repeats streak. It’s going to take a Herculean effort to stop them.</p></div></div> #NBA #Playoffs #teams #ranked #championship #chances

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Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.

The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.

The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.

Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.

Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.

Published on Jul 02, 2026

#World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping">World Champion archer Bernal banned for three years after steroid doping Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.Published on Jul 02, 2026 #World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping

Deadspin | Marlins attempt to recapture June success in series finale vs. Rockies Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again. Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver. Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday. “He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.” The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012. Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead. “Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.” McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine. McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning. “I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.” Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two. Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24. “He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.” Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits. Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts. Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday. Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games. Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #RockiesJun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again.

Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver.

Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday.

“He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.”

The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012.

Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead.

“Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.”

McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine.

McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning.


“I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.”

Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two.

Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24.

“He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.”

Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits.

Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts.

Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday.

Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games.

Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #Rockies">Deadspin | Marlins attempt to recapture June success in series finale vs. Rockies Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again. Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver. Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday. “He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.” The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012. Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead. “Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.” McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine. McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning. “I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.” Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two. Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24. “He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.” Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits. Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts. Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday. Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games. Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #Rockies

The United States is moving on to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 45th minute proved to be enough, as the United States knocked off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday night.

So, what is up next for the United States at the World Cup?

A match against Belgium, one of the top ten teams in the world prior to the start of the tournament. Belgium booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a dramatic, comeback win against Senegal, and now await the United States in the Round of 16.

Here’s what you need to know about Belgium ahead of Monday’s matchup.

Belgium’s run to the Round of 16

Belgium accomplished something we have not seen since, well, the United States during the 2010 World Cup.

Winning the group despite not winning either of their first two matches.

After a pair of punchless performances in group play – a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, with the lone goal an own goal from Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany – Belgium clinched the top spot in Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand, booking a match in the Round of 32 against Senegal.

In that match against New Zealand a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, the first in the 28th minute and the second in the 50th minute, were enough for Belgium to move on. But Rudi Garcia’s side added three more for good measure, as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Kevin De Bruyne all scored. De Bruyne’s strike, coming outside the box, was in particular a stunning moment.

Then came the match against Senegal in the Round of 32, which almost mirrored Belgium’s run to the knockout stage of the World Cup. The first 85 minutes or so were all Senegal, as the African side built a 2-0 lead and looked to be moving on to the Round of 16 themselves.

Everything then changed in the closing minutes of ordinary time.

First it was Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and pulled one back for Belgium in the 86th minute:

Then just minutes later Youri Tielemans somehow got to this ball into the box, and his header pulled Belgium level:

The match advanced to extra time, and in the second 15 minutes, it was again Tielemans calling for the ball in the box, only this time he was chopped down to the turf.

After a video review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans stepped to the spot, buried his shot, and all but sent Belgium through to the Round of 16:

Moments later that was official, as the final whistle blew.

The Napoli midfielder earned his 123rd cap for Belgium against Senegal, and his moment of brilliance against New Zealand illustrates what the former Manchester City player is capable of:

That goal, coming days ahead of his 35th birthday, was his 38th international goal for Belgium. He was also a critical piece for Belgium during the team’s run to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, as he finished the tournament with a goal and a pair of assists.

The imposing striker, used as more of a super sub at this point in his career, can still impact a match. Coming off the bench against Egypt in Belgium’s opening match of group play, his side equalized mere seconds after he came onto the pitch, with his presence in front impacting the flow of play.

And it was his goal against Senegal late in the match that pulled Belgium back into the contest:

Lukaku appeared in just five matches for Napoli this past year, scoring once, but seems to be nearing full fitness at this point in the World Cup. And that comes at a dangerous time for the United States defenders.

The midfielder was a key part of Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title, as he scored six goals and added six assists during the EPL season. His brace against New Zealand was a big reason Belgium won the group, and this goal highlights his skill and quality:

Not only do you see the lovely touch and turn, but the reaction skills to play the ball to his foot off the deflection and finish are top notch.

The Real Madrid keeper remains one of the best to ever do it.

While Thibaut Courtois may retire from the international stage following this World Cup, he remains a hulking presence in goal, his 6’7 frame sending shivers down the spine of many a striker. Courtois won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, recording 27 saves while keeping three clean sheets over seven matches, and conceding just six times.

While he has battled injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, he has conceded just twice ahead of the Round of 16.

He also set a new national record in the match against New Zealand, as it was his 18th World Cup tie for Belgium.

The Manchester City forward has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, with a pair of assists to his credit, and was subbed off the pitch in the second half against Senegal. Doku also missed the match against Iraq due to a respiratory infection, and did briefly return home to be with his wife Shireen as the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Praise.

While he has yet to open his account in the 2026 World Cup, he remains a threat that the USMNT will have to monitor when he is on the pitch.

#United #States #play #World #Cup">Who does the United States play in the World Cup Round of 16? The United States is moving on to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 45th minute proved to be enough, as the United States knocked off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday night.So, what is up next for the United States at the World Cup?A match against Belgium, one of the top ten teams in the world prior to the start of the tournament. Belgium booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a dramatic, comeback win against Senegal, and now await the United States in the Round of 16.Here’s what you need to know about Belgium ahead of Monday’s matchup.Belgium’s run to the Round of 16Belgium accomplished something we have not seen since, well, the United States during the 2010 World Cup.Winning the group despite not winning either of their first two matches.After a pair of punchless performances in group play – a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, with the lone goal an own goal from Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany – Belgium clinched the top spot in Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand, booking a match in the Round of 32 against Senegal.In that match against New Zealand a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, the first in the 28th minute and the second in the 50th minute, were enough for Belgium to move on. But Rudi Garcia’s side added three more for good measure, as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Kevin De Bruyne all scored. De Bruyne’s strike, coming outside the box, was in particular a stunning moment.Then came the match against Senegal in the Round of 32, which almost mirrored Belgium’s run to the knockout stage of the World Cup. The first 85 minutes or so were all Senegal, as the African side built a 2-0 lead and looked to be moving on to the Round of 16 themselves.Everything then changed in the closing minutes of ordinary time.First it was Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and pulled one back for Belgium in the 86th minute:Then just minutes later Youri Tielemans somehow got to this ball into the box, and his header pulled Belgium level:The match advanced to extra time, and in the second 15 minutes, it was again Tielemans calling for the ball in the box, only this time he was chopped down to the turf.After a video review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans stepped to the spot, buried his shot, and all but sent Belgium through to the Round of 16:Moments later that was official, as the final whistle blew.The Napoli midfielder earned his 123rd cap for Belgium against Senegal, and his moment of brilliance against New Zealand illustrates what the former Manchester City player is capable of:That goal, coming days ahead of his 35th birthday, was his 38th international goal for Belgium. He was also a critical piece for Belgium during the team’s run to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, as he finished the tournament with a goal and a pair of assists.The imposing striker, used as more of a super sub at this point in his career, can still impact a match. Coming off the bench against Egypt in Belgium’s opening match of group play, his side equalized mere seconds after he came onto the pitch, with his presence in front impacting the flow of play.And it was his goal against Senegal late in the match that pulled Belgium back into the contest:Lukaku appeared in just five matches for Napoli this past year, scoring once, but seems to be nearing full fitness at this point in the World Cup. And that comes at a dangerous time for the United States defenders.The midfielder was a key part of Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title, as he scored six goals and added six assists during the EPL season. His brace against New Zealand was a big reason Belgium won the group, and this goal highlights his skill and quality:Not only do you see the lovely touch and turn, but the reaction skills to play the ball to his foot off the deflection and finish are top notch.The Real Madrid keeper remains one of the best to ever do it.While Thibaut Courtois may retire from the international stage following this World Cup, he remains a hulking presence in goal, his 6’7 frame sending shivers down the spine of many a striker. Courtois won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, recording 27 saves while keeping three clean sheets over seven matches, and conceding just six times.While he has battled injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, he has conceded just twice ahead of the Round of 16.He also set a new national record in the match against New Zealand, as it was his 18th World Cup tie for Belgium.The Manchester City forward has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, with a pair of assists to his credit, and was subbed off the pitch in the second half against Senegal. Doku also missed the match against Iraq due to a respiratory infection, and did briefly return home to be with his wife Shireen as the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Praise.While he has yet to open his account in the 2026 World Cup, he remains a threat that the USMNT will have to monitor when he is on the pitch. #United #States #play #World #Cup

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