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NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo hurt in Minnesota Timberwolves’ win  Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost for the Timberwolves, which lost two starters to injury.Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo injured his right leg on a non-contact play. Early reports indicated that he may have ruptured his Achilles tendon.Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with four points.Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-of-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8 of 22 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts.Thunder 121, Suns 109Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 42 points to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images via AFP
                            

                            Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images via AFP
                                                    The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player finished 15 of 18 from the floor with eight assists to give the Thunder a commanding 3-0 lead in its first-round Western Conference playoff series. Oklahoma City has won 11 consecutive first-round games. Playing without Jalen Williams, who suffered a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Game 2 win, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, while Jalen Green added 26. Devin Booker scored 16 points, but was held to 6-of-16 shooting from the floor.Knicks 114, Hawks 98Karl-Anthony Towns totalled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York beat host Atlanta and levelled its Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.ALSO READ: NBA Playoffs: Lakers rally for overtime win, 3-0 lead on RocketsTowns ensured that Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also that the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. Towns posted his fifth career triple-double in any game. He also notched the seventh postseason triple-double in New York’s history. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth career playoff double-double.CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 17 points but was held to three after halftime. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five threes, but the Hawks shot a poor 10 of 41 (24.4 per cent) from beyond the arc.Magic 113, Pistons 105Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane scored 25 points each as Orlando withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat visiting Detroit in Game 3 of its first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, which improved to 7-1 in its last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane went 7 of 9 from three-point range.Cade Cunningham scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons. Tobias Harris scored 23 points, Ausar Thompson had 17 and Duncan Robinson added 10.Published on Apr 26, 2026  #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Minnesota #Timberwolves #win

NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo hurt in Minnesota Timberwolves’ win

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost for the Timberwolves, which lost two starters to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo injured his right leg on a non-contact play. Early reports indicated that he may have ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with four points.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-of-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8 of 22 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts.

Thunder 121, Suns 109

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 42 points to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix.

NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo hurt in Minnesota Timberwolves’ win  Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost for the Timberwolves, which lost two starters to injury.Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo injured his right leg on a non-contact play. Early reports indicated that he may have ruptured his Achilles tendon.Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with four points.Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-of-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8 of 22 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts.Thunder 121, Suns 109Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 42 points to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images via AFP
                            

                            Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images via AFP
                                                    The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player finished 15 of 18 from the floor with eight assists to give the Thunder a commanding 3-0 lead in its first-round Western Conference playoff series. Oklahoma City has won 11 consecutive first-round games. Playing without Jalen Williams, who suffered a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Game 2 win, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, while Jalen Green added 26. Devin Booker scored 16 points, but was held to 6-of-16 shooting from the floor.Knicks 114, Hawks 98Karl-Anthony Towns totalled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York beat host Atlanta and levelled its Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.ALSO READ: NBA Playoffs: Lakers rally for overtime win, 3-0 lead on RocketsTowns ensured that Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also that the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. Towns posted his fifth career triple-double in any game. He also notched the seventh postseason triple-double in New York’s history. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth career playoff double-double.CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 17 points but was held to three after halftime. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five threes, but the Hawks shot a poor 10 of 41 (24.4 per cent) from beyond the arc.Magic 113, Pistons 105Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane scored 25 points each as Orlando withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat visiting Detroit in Game 3 of its first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, which improved to 7-1 in its last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane went 7 of 9 from three-point range.Cade Cunningham scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons. Tobias Harris scored 23 points, Ausar Thompson had 17 and Duncan Robinson added 10.Published on Apr 26, 2026  #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Minnesota #Timberwolves #win

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player finished 15 of 18 from the floor with eight assists to give the Thunder a commanding 3-0 lead in its first-round Western Conference playoff series. Oklahoma City has won 11 consecutive first-round games. Playing without Jalen Williams, who suffered a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Game 2 win, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, while Jalen Green added 26. Devin Booker scored 16 points, but was held to 6-of-16 shooting from the floor.

Knicks 114, Hawks 98

Karl-Anthony Towns totalled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York beat host Atlanta and levelled its Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.

ALSO READ: NBA Playoffs: Lakers rally for overtime win, 3-0 lead on Rockets

Towns ensured that Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also that the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. Towns posted his fifth career triple-double in any game. He also notched the seventh postseason triple-double in New York’s history. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth career playoff double-double.

CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 17 points but was held to three after halftime. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five threes, but the Hawks shot a poor 10 of 41 (24.4 per cent) from beyond the arc.

Magic 113, Pistons 105

Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane scored 25 points each as Orlando withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat visiting Detroit in Game 3 of its first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, which improved to 7-1 in its last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane went 7 of 9 from three-point range.

Cade Cunningham scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons. Tobias Harris scored 23 points, Ausar Thompson had 17 and Duncan Robinson added 10.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Minnesota #Timberwolves #win

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost for the Timberwolves, which lost two starters to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo injured his right leg on a non-contact play. Early reports indicated that he may have ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with four points.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-of-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8 of 22 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts.

Thunder 121, Suns 109

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 42 points to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP

lightbox-info

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Suns’ forward Dillon Brooks.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player finished 15 of 18 from the floor with eight assists to give the Thunder a commanding 3-0 lead in its first-round Western Conference playoff series. Oklahoma City has won 11 consecutive first-round games. Playing without Jalen Williams, who suffered a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Game 2 win, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, while Jalen Green added 26. Devin Booker scored 16 points, but was held to 6-of-16 shooting from the floor.

Knicks 114, Hawks 98

Karl-Anthony Towns totalled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York beat host Atlanta and levelled its Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.

ALSO READ: NBA Playoffs: Lakers rally for overtime win, 3-0 lead on Rockets

Towns ensured that Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also that the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. Towns posted his fifth career triple-double in any game. He also notched the seventh postseason triple-double in New York’s history. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth career playoff double-double.

CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 17 points but was held to three after halftime. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five threes, but the Hawks shot a poor 10 of 41 (24.4 per cent) from beyond the arc.

Magic 113, Pistons 105

Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane scored 25 points each as Orlando withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat visiting Detroit in Game 3 of its first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, which improved to 7-1 in its last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane went 7 of 9 from three-point range.

Cade Cunningham scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons. Tobias Harris scored 23 points, Ausar Thompson had 17 and Duncan Robinson added 10.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

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Deadspin | T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries <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-900/28814785.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28814785.jpg" alt="NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) defends against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost to the Timberwolves, who lost two starters due to injury.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards leaped to try to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left leg, and he quickly dropped to the court and clutched his knee.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Team officials helped Edwards to his feet and he placed his arms around their shoulders. He put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo headed toward the locker room after he injured his right leg on a non-contact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot to pursue a loose ball and fell to the hardwood, and he grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8-for-22 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Dosunmu took over in his teammates’ absence. He helped Minnesota outscore Denver 62-42 in the second half to take a commanding lead in the series.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Nuggets led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu helped Minnesota take charge. He made a pair of free throws as Minnesota finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to grab an 82-78 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>In the fourth quarter, Dosunmu continued to assert himself. He hit a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to increase the Timberwolves’ lead to 95-82 with 7:53 to go.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Denver struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and Jokic took exception to a layup by Jaden McDaniels with 2.1 seconds left. Jokic and Randle were ejected in the closing seconds after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Twolves #beat #Nuggets #lose #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #injuries

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Deadspin | In-form Chicago routs lowly Kansas City with 2nd-half barrage <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-900/28814530.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28814530.jpg" alt="MLS: Sporting Kansas City at Chicago Fire FC" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 25, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC midfielder Philip Zinckernagel (11) and Sporting Kansas City defender Jansen Miller (15) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Philip Zinckernagel and Hugo Cuypers each scored a pair of second-half goals for the Chicago Fire, who romped past visiting Sporting Kansas City 5-0 on Saturday evening.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Maren Haile-Selassie also scored as Chicago extended its unbeaten streak to five matches (4-0-1) in MLS play. The Fire (5-2-2, 17 points) also kept their fifth clean sheet of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Sporting KC (1-7-1, 4 points) dropped their fifth straight league match and was shut out for the third consecutive match across all competitions. </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Zinckernagel opened the scoring in the 51st minute during a chaotic sequence.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>After the Fire were awarded a penalty thanks to an SKC handball inside the box, Cuypers’ kick from the spot was denied by SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp. The resulting rebound eventually deflected off a Kansas City player during a scramble in front of the goal and was touched over the line by Zinckernagel to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Zinckernagel completed his brace in the 65th minute, taking a pass from Haile-Selassie, creating space for himself and launching the ball past a lunging Pulskamp to double the Fire’s advantage. He now has four goals this season.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Cuypers continued his blistering run of form with two second-half goals of his own, running his team-high total to eight and extending his scoring streak to six matches. In the 73rd minute, he scored off a feed from Zinckernagel to make it 3-0 before completing the scoring in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Haile-Selassie scored Chicago’s other goal, his second of the season, in the 79th minute.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Chicago held Kansas City to one shot on goal on the evening. Pulskamp faced seven Fire shots but stopped just two of them.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The Fire scored their most goals in a match since a 5-3 win at Inter Miami on September 30, 2025.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Sporting Kansas City has been outscored 21-3 in their last six matches across all competitions.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Inform #Chicago #routs #lowly #Kansas #City #2ndhalf #barrage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

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

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