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NBA Playoffs: LeBron fails to deliver as Lakers lose to Rockets; Wembanyama triumphant on Spurs return  Houston Rockets routed Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 on Sunday to stay alive in the NBA playoffs, while Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return to put San Antonio Spurs on the brink of advancing.Amen Thompson scored 23 points to fuel the Rockets, who bounced back from a crushing overtime loss on Friday to cut the deficit in their best-of-seven Western Conference series to 3-1.The Spurs and Boston Celtics took commanding 3-1 leads in their series, the former rallying from 19 points down to beat the Trail Blazers 114-93 in Portland and the latter thrashing the 76ers 128-96 in Philadelphia.In Toronto, the Raptors edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 to level their series at two games apiece.Denied a sweep in Houston, the Lakers can still finish off the Rockets when they host game five on Wednesday.The Rockets, still without star Kevin Durant, harried the Lakers into 24 turnovers, yielding 30 Houston points.Four-time NBA champion LeBron James made just two of nine attempts from the floor on the way to 10 points. He handed out nine assists but made eight turnovers.With the Lakers still missing their top scorers in injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, centre Deandre Ayton led the side with 19 points and 10 rebounds.But they were already down by 19 when he was ejected in the third quarter after catching Rockets centre Alperen Sengun in the head with his forearm.Tari Eason added 20 points, and Sengun scored 19 for the Rockets, who are trying to become the first NBA team to rally from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.In Portland, Wembanyama returned after missing one game because of a concussion and scored 27 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals and a whopping seven blocked shots.“I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously,” said Wembanyama, named the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and in the running for Most Valuable Player.Celtics spoil Embiid’s returnSan Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 28 points, and the Spurs out-scored the Trail Blazers 73-35 in the second half.They’ll try to clinch the series when they host game five on Tuesday.The Celtics spoiled the return of 76ers star Joel Embiid, who played his first game since having an emergency appendectomy on April 9.Payton Pritchard scored 32 points off the bench, and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points with seven rebounds and 11 assists for the Celtics, who led by 16 points after one quarter and by double digits the rest of the way.Embiid led the 76ers with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but Philadelphia couldn’t counter the Celtics’ rain of 24 three-pointers.In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram scored 23 points apiece as the Raptors held off the Cavaliers despite making just four of 30 from three-point range.The Raptors trailed by five with 2:10 left to play but powered to the lead with a 9-0 scoring burst and held on.Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points to lead the Cavs, and James Harden added 19, but Mitchell missed two attempts in the final 30 seconds as Barnes made six free throws down the stretch to seal it.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #NBA #Playoffs #LeBron #fails #deliver #Lakers #lose #Rockets #Wembanyama #triumphant #Spurs #return

NBA Playoffs: LeBron fails to deliver as Lakers lose to Rockets; Wembanyama triumphant on Spurs return

Houston Rockets routed Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 on Sunday to stay alive in the NBA playoffs, while Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return to put San Antonio Spurs on the brink of advancing.

Amen Thompson scored 23 points to fuel the Rockets, who bounced back from a crushing overtime loss on Friday to cut the deficit in their best-of-seven Western Conference series to 3-1.

The Spurs and Boston Celtics took commanding 3-1 leads in their series, the former rallying from 19 points down to beat the Trail Blazers 114-93 in Portland and the latter thrashing the 76ers 128-96 in Philadelphia.

In Toronto, the Raptors edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 to level their series at two games apiece.

Denied a sweep in Houston, the Lakers can still finish off the Rockets when they host game five on Wednesday.

The Rockets, still without star Kevin Durant, harried the Lakers into 24 turnovers, yielding 30 Houston points.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James made just two of nine attempts from the floor on the way to 10 points. He handed out nine assists but made eight turnovers.

With the Lakers still missing their top scorers in injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, centre Deandre Ayton led the side with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

But they were already down by 19 when he was ejected in the third quarter after catching Rockets centre Alperen Sengun in the head with his forearm.

Tari Eason added 20 points, and Sengun scored 19 for the Rockets, who are trying to become the first NBA team to rally from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.

In Portland, Wembanyama returned after missing one game because of a concussion and scored 27 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals and a whopping seven blocked shots.

“I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously,” said Wembanyama, named the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and in the running for Most Valuable Player.

Celtics spoil Embiid’s return

San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 28 points, and the Spurs out-scored the Trail Blazers 73-35 in the second half.

They’ll try to clinch the series when they host game five on Tuesday.

The Celtics spoiled the return of 76ers star Joel Embiid, who played his first game since having an emergency appendectomy on April 9.

Payton Pritchard scored 32 points off the bench, and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points with seven rebounds and 11 assists for the Celtics, who led by 16 points after one quarter and by double digits the rest of the way.

Embiid led the 76ers with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but Philadelphia couldn’t counter the Celtics’ rain of 24 three-pointers.

In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram scored 23 points apiece as the Raptors held off the Cavaliers despite making just four of 30 from three-point range.

The Raptors trailed by five with 2:10 left to play but powered to the lead with a 9-0 scoring burst and held on.

Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points to lead the Cavs, and James Harden added 19, but Mitchell missed two attempts in the final 30 seconds as Barnes made six free throws down the stretch to seal it.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #LeBron #fails #deliver #Lakers #lose #Rockets #Wembanyama #triumphant #Spurs #return

Houston Rockets routed Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 on Sunday to stay alive in the NBA playoffs, while Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return to put San Antonio Spurs on the brink of advancing.

Amen Thompson scored 23 points to fuel the Rockets, who bounced back from a crushing overtime loss on Friday to cut the deficit in their best-of-seven Western Conference series to 3-1.

The Spurs and Boston Celtics took commanding 3-1 leads in their series, the former rallying from 19 points down to beat the Trail Blazers 114-93 in Portland and the latter thrashing the 76ers 128-96 in Philadelphia.

In Toronto, the Raptors edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 to level their series at two games apiece.

Denied a sweep in Houston, the Lakers can still finish off the Rockets when they host game five on Wednesday.

The Rockets, still without star Kevin Durant, harried the Lakers into 24 turnovers, yielding 30 Houston points.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James made just two of nine attempts from the floor on the way to 10 points. He handed out nine assists but made eight turnovers.

With the Lakers still missing their top scorers in injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, centre Deandre Ayton led the side with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

But they were already down by 19 when he was ejected in the third quarter after catching Rockets centre Alperen Sengun in the head with his forearm.

Tari Eason added 20 points, and Sengun scored 19 for the Rockets, who are trying to become the first NBA team to rally from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.

In Portland, Wembanyama returned after missing one game because of a concussion and scored 27 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals and a whopping seven blocked shots.

“I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously,” said Wembanyama, named the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and in the running for Most Valuable Player.

Celtics spoil Embiid’s return

San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 28 points, and the Spurs out-scored the Trail Blazers 73-35 in the second half.

They’ll try to clinch the series when they host game five on Tuesday.

The Celtics spoiled the return of 76ers star Joel Embiid, who played his first game since having an emergency appendectomy on April 9.

Payton Pritchard scored 32 points off the bench, and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points with seven rebounds and 11 assists for the Celtics, who led by 16 points after one quarter and by double digits the rest of the way.

Embiid led the 76ers with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but Philadelphia couldn’t counter the Celtics’ rain of 24 three-pointers.

In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram scored 23 points apiece as the Raptors held off the Cavaliers despite making just four of 30 from three-point range.

The Raptors trailed by five with 2:10 left to play but powered to the lead with a 9-0 scoring burst and held on.

Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points to lead the Cavs, and James Harden added 19, but Mitchell missed two attempts in the final 30 seconds as Barnes made six free throws down the stretch to seal it.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

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Deadspin | Thieves take down Heretics to win CDL Stage 3 Minor <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-900/23587826.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/23587826.jpg" alt="Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Los Angeles Thieves won a best-of-five semifinal match and then rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the grand final of the Call of Duty League Stage 3 Minor on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Los Angeles beat OpTic Texas 3-2 in the semis and met the Miami Heretics in the grand final later in the day. The Thieves lost two straight maps before ripping off three wins in a row to clinch the championship and the $20,000 reward.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>All 12 CDL teams competed in the tournament in a single-elimination bracket, seeded based on teams’ standing following Major 2. All matches were best-of-five until the best-of-seven grand final.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>On Sunday, the Thieves beat Texas 250-216 on Den Hardpoint and 6-2 on Gridlock Search and Destroy to get the semifinals started. OpTic answered back with a 3-2 win on Scar Overload and a 250-216 result on Colossus Hardpoint to force the winner-take-all fifth map. The Thieves sailed away, 6-2 on Fringe Search and Destroy.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Meanwhile, Miami swept FaZe Vegas 3-0 in the other semifinal match, taking Colossus Hardpoint 250-224, Fringe Search and Destroy 6-3 and Den Overload 4-3.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Thieves opened the grand final with a 250-199 triumph on Sake Hardpoint, before the Heretics prevailed 6-3 on Fringe Search and Destroy and moved ahead with a narrow 7-6 win on Exposure Overload.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>That’s when Los Angeles flipped the script as it won 250-161 on Colossus Hardpoint, 6-2 on Scar Search and Destroy and 5-2 on Scar Overload to put the tournament away.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Call of Duty League’s Stage 3 Minor prize pool</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>1. $20,000, 30 CDL points — Los Angeles Thieves</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>2. no money, 20 CDL points — Miami Heretics</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>3-4. no money, 10 CDL points — OpTic Texas, FaZe Vegas</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>5-8. no money, no CDL points — Toronto KOI, G2 Minnesota, Riyadh Falcons, Paris Gentle Mates</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>9-12. no money, no CDL points — Carolina Royal Ravens, Cloud9 New York, Vancouver Surge, Boston Breach</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Thieves #Heretics #win #CDL #Stage #Minor

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One Piece’s Official Final Villain Face Reveal Was Worth the Wait

The Delhi High Court directed the interim Executive Committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to expediate the process of amending its Constitution and bringing it in line with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and National Sports Governance Rules, 2026.

The Court said that a fresh election under the amended Constitution will have to be held on or before September 30, 2026.

The nudge was part of the interim order passed on June 18 in an appeal filed by the AITA, and players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, against the judgment delivered in late April which removed the stay on the results of the AITA election held in September 2024 and appointed Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal as the AITA administrator.

New power centre

The AITA contended that the original judgment, which arose out of a petition filed by Devvarman and Raja, did not find any illegality in the elections, and the appointment of an administrator in such a scenario was impermissible and had created a “parallel structure”.

The AITA also stated that tennis’ world governing body – the International Tennis Federation (ITF) – may construe this as “third-party interference” and derecognise it. The remuneration of ₹10 lakh per month for the administrator was termed “excessive, arbitrary and unaffordable”.

Devvarman and Raja, while welcoming the appointment of the administrator, had objected on the grounds that 2024 election was not held according to the law of the land then – the National Sports Code, 2011 – and the officials thus elected cannot be part of the interim management.

ITF query

The Union Sports Ministry told the Court that it does not support the appointment of the administrator and submitted that it had indeed received a letter on May 18 from the ITF seeking clarification.

The Ministry, however, stated that ITF recognised the temporary nature of the proceedings and that the world body would only act if the timelines in the original judgment aren’t adhered to.

Race against time

The Court has now asked the AITA to examine the draft amendments already proposed by the administrator and submit its suggestions and objections by June 25. The administrator, after hearing the AITA, should finalise the amendments by July 15.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the AITA should be convened by July 31 to ratify these amendments, and the whole process ought to culminate in an election by the end of September.

Interestingly, the Court clarified that state associations affiliated to the AITA can vote in the EGM and in the new AITA election “irrespective of whether they are compliant with the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules at the time of voting”. The state bodies are required to comply with the new rules on or before December 31.

The Court further said that any action at the EGM will be subject to the final outcome of the present case, and this would allay the concerns of Devvarman and Raja regarding the AITA not adopting the amendments proposed by the administrator.

Published on Jun 23, 2026

#Delhi #High #Court #directs #AITA #expediate #Constitutional #amendments #election">Delhi High Court directs AITA to expediate Constitutional amendments and election  The Delhi High Court directed the interim Executive Committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to expediate the process of amending its Constitution and bringing it in line with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and National Sports Governance Rules, 2026.The Court said that a fresh election under the amended Constitution will have to be held on or before September 30, 2026.The nudge was part of the interim order passed on June 18 in an appeal filed by the AITA, and players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, against the judgment delivered in late April which removed the stay on the results of the AITA election held in September 2024 and appointed Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal as the AITA administrator.New power centreThe AITA contended that the original judgment, which arose out of a petition filed by Devvarman and Raja, did not find any illegality in the elections, and the appointment of an administrator in such a scenario was impermissible and had created a “parallel structure”.The AITA also stated that tennis’ world governing body – the International Tennis Federation (ITF) – may construe this as “third-party interference” and derecognise it. The remuneration of ₹10 lakh per month for the administrator was termed “excessive, arbitrary and unaffordable”.Devvarman and Raja, while welcoming the appointment of the administrator, had objected on the grounds that 2024 election was not held according to the law of the land then – the National Sports Code, 2011 – and the officials thus elected cannot be part of the interim management.ITF queryThe Union Sports Ministry told the Court that it does not support the appointment of the administrator and submitted that it had indeed received a letter on May 18 from the ITF seeking clarification.The Ministry, however, stated that ITF recognised the temporary nature of the proceedings and that the world body would only act if the timelines in the original judgment aren’t adhered to.Race against timeThe Court has now asked the AITA to examine the draft amendments already proposed by the administrator and submit its suggestions and objections by June 25. The administrator, after hearing the AITA, should finalise the amendments by July 15.An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the AITA should be convened by July 31 to ratify these amendments, and the whole process ought to culminate in an election by the end of September.Interestingly, the Court clarified that state associations affiliated to the AITA can vote in the EGM and in the new AITA election “irrespective of whether they are compliant with the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules at the time of voting”. The state bodies are required to comply with the new rules on or before December 31.The Court further said that any action at the EGM will be subject to the final outcome of the present case, and this would allay the concerns of Devvarman and Raja regarding the AITA not adopting the amendments proposed by the administrator.Published on Jun 23, 2026  #Delhi #High #Court #directs #AITA #expediate #Constitutional #amendments #election

Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #tradeMay 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.

According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.

Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.

Randle, 31, is due to make $33.3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for $35.8 million for 2027-28.


The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.

Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.

He is signed for $23.3 million in 2026-27 and $21.1 million in 2027-28.

Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade">Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade

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