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Stuttgart Open: Andreeva stuns Swiatek, sets up semifinal against top seed Rybakina Top seed Elena Rybakina saved two match points against unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez to advance to the semifinals of the WTA Stuttgart tournament on Friday where she will meet Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.Rybakina, the 2024 Stuttgart winner, needed three hours to get past Fernandez 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), saving two match points in the final-set tiebreak.Earlier Andreeva rallied past two-time Stuttgart champion Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.“Especially in the beginning there was a lot of frustration. I was just going downhill. The serve was not going,” Rybakina said.“Somehow I found the fight in me and a couple of points were important in the second set. And somehow I started finding this momentum.”Swiatek has won four of her six Grand Slams on the French Open clay and was considered among the favourites but struggled against the energetic Russian.The Pole capitalised on some clumsy baseline errors from her opponent to win the opening set but Andreeva converted a crucial break point to take the second set.Swiatek ran out to a two-game lead in the deciding set but Andreeva broke back twice to take the initiative, and the match.The 18-year-old rising star also eliminated defending champion Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the tournament.“She’s won so many tournaments I can’t even count how many Slams she’s won… she’s a past winner of this tournament as well,” Andreeva said.“I was telling myself: ‘No matter what’s happening, I have to keep fighting and keep believing. I can win from any score.”Published on Apr 18, 2026 #Stuttgart #Open #Andreeva #stuns #Swiatek #sets #semifinal #top #seed #Rybakina

Stuttgart Open: Andreeva stuns Swiatek, sets up semifinal against top seed Rybakina

Top seed Elena Rybakina saved two match points against unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez to advance to the semifinals of the WTA Stuttgart tournament on Friday where she will meet Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Rybakina, the 2024 Stuttgart winner, needed three hours to get past Fernandez 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), saving two match points in the final-set tiebreak.

Earlier Andreeva rallied past two-time Stuttgart champion Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“Especially in the beginning there was a lot of frustration. I was just going downhill. The serve was not going,” Rybakina said.

“Somehow I found the fight in me and a couple of points were important in the second set. And somehow I started finding this momentum.”

Swiatek has won four of her six Grand Slams on the French Open clay and was considered among the favourites but struggled against the energetic Russian.

The Pole capitalised on some clumsy baseline errors from her opponent to win the opening set but Andreeva converted a crucial break point to take the second set.

Swiatek ran out to a two-game lead in the deciding set but Andreeva broke back twice to take the initiative, and the match.

The 18-year-old rising star also eliminated defending champion Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the tournament.

“She’s won so many tournaments I can’t even count how many Slams she’s won… she’s a past winner of this tournament as well,” Andreeva said.

“I was telling myself: ‘No matter what’s happening, I have to keep fighting and keep believing. I can win from any score.”

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Stuttgart #Open #Andreeva #stuns #Swiatek #sets #semifinal #top #seed #Rybakina

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Top seed Elena Rybakina saved two match points against unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez to advance to the semifinals of the WTA Stuttgart tournament on Friday where she will meet Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Rybakina, the 2024 Stuttgart winner, needed three hours to get past Fernandez 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), saving two match points in the final-set tiebreak.

Earlier Andreeva rallied past two-time Stuttgart champion Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“Especially in the beginning there was a lot of frustration. I was just going downhill. The serve was not going,” Rybakina said.

“Somehow I found the fight in me and a couple of points were important in the second set. And somehow I started finding this momentum.”

Swiatek has won four of her six Grand Slams on the French Open clay and was considered among the favourites but struggled against the energetic Russian.

The Pole capitalised on some clumsy baseline errors from her opponent to win the opening set but Andreeva converted a crucial break point to take the second set.

Swiatek ran out to a two-game lead in the deciding set but Andreeva broke back twice to take the initiative, and the match.

The 18-year-old rising star also eliminated defending champion Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the tournament.

“She’s won so many tournaments I can’t even count how many Slams she’s won… she’s a past winner of this tournament as well,” Andreeva said.

“I was telling myself: ‘No matter what’s happening, I have to keep fighting and keep believing. I can win from any score.”

Published on Apr 18, 2026

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#Stuttgart #Open #Andreeva #stuns #Swiatek #sets #semifinal #top #seed #Rybakina

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Deadspin | Rivalry continues as Nuggets host Timberwolves for Game 1 <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-900/28376975.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28376975.jpg" alt="NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) passes the ball in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Denver slugged its way past Minnesota in 2023 on its way to the NBA title. The Timberwolves derailed a Nuggets repeat with a Game 7 upset in 2024.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Act III of this sometimes-bitter rivalry kicks off Saturday afternoon when No. 3 Denver hosts No. 6 Minnesota for Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Since the calendar turned to 2023 the teams have played 28 times, including the playoffs, and each has won 14 games. The Timberwolves dominated the four regular-season matchups in 2024-25 but the Nuggets took three of the four meetings this season, including an overtime thriller on Christmas night.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>And there is star power, most notably from Minnesota’s outspoken guard Anthony Edwards and Denver’s more muted triple-double machine Nikola Jokic. Both are expected to play at a high level so the outcome could come down to the supporting cast and injuries.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>For the Timberwolves, Edwards and Jaden McDaniels have missed time with knee injuries and Naz Reid, one of the many who will try to stop Jokic, has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Nuggets have gotten healthier after a season full of injuries. Aaron Gordon played just 36 games due to multiple hamstring injuries and Christian Braun, who will draw the primary assignment on Edwards, was limited to 54 games because of an ankle sprain. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Peyton Watson missed 25 of the last 30 games with a hamstring strain, and Spencer Jones missed the last two weeks of the season with the same injury. </p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The status for both for Game 1 is unclear, with head coach David Adelman’s latest update coming Wednesday when he told reporters, “Peyton and Spence both practiced, not contact, all non-contact stuff. Spence did more yesterday, as far as his player development, they look good, but neither guy’s clear as of yet. My hope is they’ll play in Game 1. If not, we’ll play the group that is healthy.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>Edwards averaged 30.3 points in three games against Denver this season. Jokic, who averaged a triple-double for the second straight season (27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists), feasted on Minnesota. In four games against the Timberwolves, he averaged 35.8 points, 15 rebounds and 11.3 assists.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>Minnesota, like every other team, will make containing Jokic a priority. But it won’t be easy.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Probably gotta call God and talk to him for a little bit and ask him for a few favors,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said of guarding Jokic. “It’s going to be a tough matchup. He’s an incredible player.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Jokic leads the NBA’s top-ranked offense that averaged 122.1 points a game and 125 against Minnesota. The Timberwolves gave up an average of 114.6 points this season, which was 12th in the league.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Denver retooled its roster in the offseason for another run at a championship. The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, and the salary relief led to signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. and trading for Jokic’s backup, Jonas Valanciunas.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Brown was on the 2023 team that beat the Timberwolves in the first round and, despite winning in five games, called it the hardest series on the road to the title.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Denver is expecting another tough one in 2026, and the sense of urgency is there.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“To win a championship, you need the guys to step up at the right moment. If it is not your night one game, it’s OK because the next one is coming soon,” Jokic said. “I think we need everybody on our roster. Everybody needs to step up.”</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Rivalry #continues #Nuggets #host #Timberwolves #Game

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Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems. The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series. Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park. Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games. “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.” Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday. Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times. Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced. The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons. “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him. “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.” The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox. Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics. Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #lossAug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.

The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.

Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.

Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”

Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.

Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.


Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.

The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.

“For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.

“My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”

The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.

Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.

Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss">Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems. The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series. Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park. Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games. “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.” Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday. Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times. Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced. The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons. “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him. “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.” The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox. Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics. Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match info:

Date: August 7-9, 2026

Time: 10 am start

Venue: NCC Ground, Colombo

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

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

Published on Aug 08, 2026

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

Published on Aug 08, 2026

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

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

Updated : Aug 08, 2026 12:35 IST

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match info:

Date: August 7-9, 2026

Time: 10 am start

Venue: NCC Ground, Colombo

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

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

  • Match resumes

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

    2:30 to 2:50 PM second session

    2:50 to 3:10 PM Tea

    3:10 to 5:28 PM third session

  • IND 67/1

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

  • IND 67/1 – Rain stops play

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

  • IND 50/1

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

  • Rahul, Padikkal at the crease

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

  • Early setback

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

  • Sri Lanka declares

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

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

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

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

  • Welcome!

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

Published on Aug 08, 2026

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

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