UCLA women’s basketball went from underdog to national champion behind an ultimate team effort PHOENIX — With under four minutes left to go in the 2026 NCAA women’s national championship game, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice were subbed out of the game, headed to their bench and hugged their head coach Cori Close. Seconds later, senior Gabriela Jaquez hits a 3-point shot to give the Bruins a 79-45 lead. Jaquez then heads to the bench to be subbed out, waves her hands in the air to pump up the UCLA crowd and braces for a hug with Close. The UCLA student section was yelling “MVP, MVP.” In a matchup where heading into the game, they were considered the underdogs, facing a South Carolina team making its fifth national championship appearance since 2017, the Bruins looked like everything but that on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona.UCLA made history on Sunday afternoon at Mortgage Matchup Center, winning its first national championship in program history for the NCAA Tournament era. The Bruins won an AIAW national championship back in 1978, lead by notable women’s basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale.From the first whistle, UCLA looked like a focused team on a mission. The Bruins were quick with pace, aggressive on defense and making shots. The Gamecocks on the other hand had a horrible night shooting. At halftime, South Carolina shot 26 percent from the field and 1-for-8 from the 3-point line. The Gamecocks finished the game going 18-for-62 from the field and 2-for-15 from the arc.“UCLA had a lot to do with it,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said about her team’s shooting woes. “I didn’t think we had to play perfect basketball, but we had to play better basketball. We had to make shots, create offense for our defense. We had to be better defensively, actually pushing them off their spots. I think they got to where they needed to go. We didn’t apply enough pressure for us to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Because you can have a good defensive possession, but give up an offensive rebound, that’s just really deflating.”Despite glimpses of full-court press and switching to zone defense, South Carolina never found a spark and the shots never fell. The Gamecocks were also out-rebounded 49-37 and had 12 less points in the paint compared to UCLA’s 40. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, UCLA was up by 20 points, and heading into the fourth quarter the Bruins led 61-32.“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year. You make adjustments. You use that experience as a learning lesson and you come back sharper and you increase your chances of winning. From last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year. They were so close. They’ve had the experience to do that. They took advantage of it,” Staley said.The Bruins finished the season with a 37-1 overall record, which marks the most wins in a single season for the program. They also finished the season on a 31-game win streak, marking the longest in program history.“The confidence we came out with, we knew we were going to win. When we play together, no one can stop us,” Betts said. “No one cares about stats when you have a ring around your finger.”Last season, Close’s squad lost in the Final Four to eventual national champions UConn, 85-51. Heading into the Final Four games, head coach Close said on Thursday that she didn’t celebrate enough last season and all their accomplishments, but she can today.All five of the Bruins starters scored in double digits figures, and were lead by Jaquez who finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Angela Dugalic came off the bench contributing with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.. Betts won Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament.“We said all year our selflessness and work ethic would fuel us all season,” Close said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.UCLA will lose some key pieces from this championship team, with at least four players predicted to be WNBA draft picks. But for now they celebrate, at least until the transfer portal opens tomorrow.“We had a feeling this was our time, and this is our year,” said Rice in the postgame press conference.For South Carolina, Staley said postgame that this loss can drive her team for next year.“Losing in the national championship game the way we lost, I guess that will be the thing that really drives us,” Staley said. “You need something to drive you throughout the really hard times and the challenging times, and also the good times.” #UCLA #womens #basketball #underdog #national #champion #ultimate #team #effort

UCLA women’s basketball went from underdog to national champion behind an ultimate team effort
PHOENIX — With under four minutes left to go in the 2026 NCAA women’s national championship game, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice were subbed out of the game, headed to their bench and hugged their head coach Cori Close. Seconds later, senior Gabriela Jaquez hits a 3-point shot to give the Bruins a 79-45 lead. Jaquez then heads to the bench to be subbed out, waves her hands in the air to pump up the UCLA crowd and braces for a hug with Close. The UCLA student section was yelling “MVP, MVP.” In a matchup where heading into the game, they were considered the underdogs, facing a South Carolina team making its fifth national championship appearance since 2017, the Bruins looked like everything but that on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona.
UCLA made history on Sunday afternoon at Mortgage Matchup Center, winning its first national championship in program history for the NCAA Tournament era. The Bruins won an AIAW national championship back in 1978, lead by notable women’s basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale.
From the first whistle, UCLA looked like a focused team on a mission. The Bruins were quick with pace, aggressive on defense and making shots. The Gamecocks on the other hand had a horrible night shooting. At halftime, South Carolina shot 26 percent from the field and 1-for-8 from the 3-point line. The Gamecocks finished the game going 18-for-62 from the field and 2-for-15 from the arc.
“UCLA had a lot to do with it,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said about her team’s shooting woes. “I didn’t think we had to play perfect basketball, but we had to play better basketball. We had to make shots, create offense for our defense. We had to be better defensively, actually pushing them off their spots. I think they got to where they needed to go. We didn’t apply enough pressure for us to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Because you can have a good defensive possession, but give up an offensive rebound, that’s just really deflating.”
Despite glimpses of full-court press and switching to zone defense, South Carolina never found a spark and the shots never fell. The Gamecocks were also out-rebounded 49-37 and had 12 less points in the paint compared to UCLA’s 40. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, UCLA was up by 20 points, and heading into the fourth quarter the Bruins led 61-32.
“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year. You make adjustments. You use that experience as a learning lesson and you come back sharper and you increase your chances of winning. From last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year. They were so close. They’ve had the experience to do that. They took advantage of it,” Staley said.
The Bruins finished the season with a 37-1 overall record, which marks the most wins in a single season for the program. They also finished the season on a 31-game win streak, marking the longest in program history.
“The confidence we came out with, we knew we were going to win. When we play together, no one can stop us,” Betts said. “No one cares about stats when you have a ring around your finger.”
Last season, Close’s squad lost in the Final Four to eventual national champions UConn, 85-51. Heading into the Final Four games, head coach Close said on Thursday that she didn’t celebrate enough last season and all their accomplishments, but she can today.
All five of the Bruins starters scored in double digits figures, and were lead by Jaquez who finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Angela Dugalic came off the bench contributing with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.. Betts won Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament.
“We said all year our selflessness and work ethic would fuel us all season,” Close said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.
UCLA will lose some key pieces from this championship team, with at least four players predicted to be WNBA draft picks. But for now they celebrate, at least until the transfer portal opens tomorrow.
“We had a feeling this was our time, and this is our year,” said Rice in the postgame press conference.
For South Carolina, Staley said postgame that this loss can drive her team for next year.
“Losing in the national championship game the way we lost, I guess that will be the thing that really drives us,” Staley said. “You need something to drive you throughout the really hard times and the challenging times, and also the good times.”
#UCLA #womens #basketball #underdog #national #champion #ultimate #team #effort

Sports news Women's College Basketball April 5, 2026

PHOENIX — With under four minutes left to go in the 2026 NCAA women’s national championship game, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice were subbed out of the game, headed to their bench and hugged their head coach Cori Close. Seconds later, senior Gabriela Jaquez hits a 3-point shot to give the Bruins a 79-45 lead. Jaquez then heads to the bench to be subbed out, waves her hands in the air to pump up the UCLA crowd and braces for a hug with Close. The UCLA student section was yelling “MVP, MVP.” In a matchup where heading into the game, they were considered the underdogs, facing a South Carolina team making its fifth national championship appearance since 2017, the Bruins looked like everything but that on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona.

UCLA made history on Sunday afternoon at Mortgage Matchup Center, winning its first national championship in program history for the NCAA Tournament era. The Bruins won an AIAW national championship back in 1978, lead by notable women’s basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale.

From the first whistle, UCLA looked like a focused team on a mission. The Bruins were quick with pace, aggressive on defense and making shots. The Gamecocks on the other hand had a horrible night shooting. At halftime, South Carolina shot 26 percent from the field and 1-for-8 from the 3-point line. The Gamecocks finished the game going 18-for-62 from the field and 2-for-15 from the arc.

“UCLA had a lot to do with it,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said about her team’s shooting woes. “I didn’t think we had to play perfect basketball, but we had to play better basketball. We had to make shots, create offense for our defense. We had to be better defensively, actually pushing them off their spots. I think they got to where they needed to go. We didn’t apply enough pressure for us to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Because you can have a good defensive possession, but give up an offensive rebound, that’s just really deflating.”

Despite glimpses of full-court press and switching to zone defense, South Carolina never found a spark and the shots never fell. The Gamecocks were also out-rebounded 49-37 and had 12 less points in the paint compared to UCLA’s 40. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, UCLA was up by 20 points, and heading into the fourth quarter the Bruins led 61-32.

“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year. You make adjustments. You use that experience as a learning lesson and you come back sharper and you increase your chances of winning. From last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year. They were so close. They’ve had the experience to do that. They took advantage of it,” Staley said.

The Bruins finished the season with a 37-1 overall record, which marks the most wins in a single season for the program. They also finished the season on a 31-game win streak, marking the longest in program history.

“The confidence we came out with, we knew we were going to win. When we play together, no one can stop us,” Betts said. “No one cares about stats when you have a ring around your finger.”

Last season, Close’s squad lost in the Final Four to eventual national champions UConn, 85-51. Heading into the Final Four games, head coach Close said on Thursday that she didn’t celebrate enough last season and all their accomplishments, but she can today.

All five of the Bruins starters scored in double digits figures, and were lead by Jaquez who finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Angela Dugalic came off the bench contributing with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.. Betts won Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament.

“We said all year our selflessness and work ethic would fuel us all season,” Close said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.

UCLA will lose some key pieces from this championship team, with at least four players predicted to be WNBA draft picks. But for now they celebrate, at least until the transfer portal opens tomorrow.

“We had a feeling this was our time, and this is our year,” said Rice in the postgame press conference.

For South Carolina, Staley said postgame that this loss can drive her team for next year.

“Losing in the national championship game the way we lost, I guess that will be the thing that really drives us,” Staley said. “You need something to drive you throughout the really hard times and the challenging times, and also the good times.”

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#UCLA #womens #basketball #underdog #national #champion #ultimate #team #effort

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U.S. revokes legal residence status of former Iranian Guard leader Soleimani’s family, takes them into ICE custody<div id=""> <p>The niece and grand-niece of deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani were arrested Friday night after their lawful U.S. permanent resident status was terminated.</p><p>The State Department <a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/04/secretary-rubio-revokes-green-cards-of-foreign-nationals-with-ties-to-iranian-terror-regime/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Saturday in a statement that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Soleimani Afshar promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East, and denounced America as the “Great Satan,” all while “enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles,” the statement said. </p><p>“As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.</p><p>The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Soleimani Afshar’s 2019 asylum claim was “fraudulent,” citing at least four trips back to Iran after being issued a green card. Her husband has also been barred from entering the U.S., the State Department said. The government is now moving to strip them of their green cards and ultimately deport them, DHS said.</p><figure class="embed embed--type-image is-image embed--float-none embed--size-medium"> <span class="img embedcontent"><img src="https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2026/04/04/c4e149c8-4719-466e-a2fc-64ee3651fc7f/thumbnail/620x413/c12072b6e92a6b32ca8127fd466be156/gettyimages-2269156158.jpg#" alt="LEBANON-IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR " height="413" width="620" class=" lazyload" srcset="https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2026/04/04/c4e149c8-4719-466e-a2fc-64ee3651fc7f/thumbnail/620x413/c12072b6e92a6b32ca8127fd466be156/gettyimages-2269156158.jpg 1x, https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2026/04/04/c4e149c8-4719-466e-a2fc-64ee3651fc7f/thumbnail/1240x826/49bb6aa45b8701bb0244525ade2ec7ed/gettyimages-2269156158.jpg 2x" loading="lazy"/></span> <figcaption class="embedcaption-container"> <span class="embedcaption">A sign depicting President Trump, with the caption “you will not erase our memory” in Arabic, is displayed before a memorial depicting Qasem Soleimani, the slain commander of the “Quds Force” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.</span> <span class="embedcredit"> AFP via Getty Images </span> </figcaption> </figure> <p>“It is a privilege to be granted a green card to live in the United States of America. If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the U.S., the green card will be revoked,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. </p><p>Iranian military leader <span class="link"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qassem-soleimani-commander-dies-head-of-irans-elite-military-force-dead-in-baghdad-air-strike-2020-01-02/" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=""> Soleimani</a></span> died in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. He was the architect of Iran’s regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran’s theocracy.</p><p>Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani’s popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing over his help in arming militants with penetrating roadside bombs that killed and maimed U.S. troops.</p> <p>A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran’s most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.</p><p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani, and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Top Iranian security official <span class="link"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-offers-10-million-reward-information-iran-leaders/" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http="">Ali Larijani</a></span> was killed in an airstrike last month. His daughter and husband are no longer in the country.</p><p>“The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes,” Rubio said in a statement on <a href="https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2040444536455942315" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X</a>.</p><p>Rubio invoked the same rarely used powers last year to justify the detention and deportation of several pro-Palestinian activists with legal status, including Columbia University student <span class="link"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mahmoud-khalil-can-travel-speak-event-fights-deportation-case/" target="_blank" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http="">Mahmoud Khalil</a></span>. Those efforts have been hindered by federal court lawsuits that allege Rubio’s determinations penalized the activists’ free speech.</p> <p>Shortly after the announcement of their arrest, far-right influencer Laura Loomer said on <a href="https://x.com/lauraloomer/status/2031097032513847377?s=46" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a> that she had reported Soleimani’s niece to the State Department.</p> <section class="contentbody--footer"> <p class="contentmeta--contributors"> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/team/camilo-montoya-galvez/" class="bylineauthorlink" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http="">Camilo Montoya-Galvez</a> contributed to this report. </p> </section>  <aside class="component list recirculation component--type-recirculation component--type-recirculation-collection"> <div class="componentitem-recirc-block"> <p> <h3 class="componenttitle">Go deeper with The Free Press</h3> </p> </div> </aside> <section class="contentbody--footer">  <section class="contenttags"> <p class="contenttagslabel">In:</p> </section> </section> </div>#U.S #revokes #legal #residence #status #Iranian #Guard #leader #Soleimanis #family #takes #ICE #custodyIran

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo hurt in T-wolves’ win Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) position themselves for a rebound in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images 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. 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. 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 he might 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-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points. 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. Thunder 121, Suns 109 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff-career-high 42 points to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix. 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 their 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 victory, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points while Jalen Green added 26 points. Devin Booker scored 16 points, but was held to 6-of-16 shooting from the floor. Knicks 114, Hawks 98 Karl Anthony-Towns totaled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York earned a victory over host Atlanta and evened their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece. Towns ensured Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also ensured the series returns 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. 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 points after halftime. Nickell Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five 3s, but the Hawks were a dreadful 10 of 41 (24.4%) from behind the arc. Magic 113, Pistons 105 Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane scored 25 points apiece as Orlando withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat visiting Detroit in Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, who improved to 7-1 in their last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane was 7-for-9 from 3-point range. 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. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Twolves #win

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Twolves #win">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) position themselves for a rebound in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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.

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.

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 he might 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-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

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.

Thunder 121, Suns 109

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

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 their 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 victory, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.

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

Knicks 114, Hawks 98

Karl Anthony-Towns totaled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York earned a victory over host Atlanta and evened their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.

Towns ensured Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also ensured the series returns 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. 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 points after halftime. Nickell Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five 3s, but the Hawks were a dreadful 10 of 41 (24.4%) from behind the arc.

Magic 113, Pistons 105

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

Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, who improved to 7-1 in their last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane was 7-for-9 from 3-point range.

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.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Twolves #win">Deadspin | NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo hurt in T-wolves’ win

Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) position themselves for a rebound in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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.

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.

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 he might 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-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

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.

Thunder 121, Suns 109

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

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 their 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 victory, the Thunder leaned even more heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.

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

Knicks 114, Hawks 98

Karl Anthony-Towns totaled 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double as New York earned a victory over host Atlanta and evened their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.

Towns ensured Game 5 on Tuesday in New York will not be an elimination game for the Knicks and also ensured the series returns 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. 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 points after halftime. Nickell Alexander-Walker added 15 and hit five 3s, but the Hawks were a dreadful 10 of 41 (24.4%) from behind the arc.

Magic 113, Pistons 105

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

Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, who improved to 7-1 in their last eight home postseason games, including play-in tournament games. Bane was 7-for-9 from 3-point range.

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.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Anthony #Edwards #Donte #DiVincenzo #hurt #Twolves #win

Tottenham Hotspur will assess the fitness of Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons after both were forced ‌off in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a ⁠blow for manager Roberto De Zerbi as his side battle relegation.

Solanke was substituted in ‌the 40th minute with a muscular problem, while Simons was ‌replaced in the 63rd minute ‌after ⁠suffering a knee issue. ⁠Despite the setbacks, the 82nd-minute winner from Joao Palhinha secured Tottenham’s first league victory in 16 matches at ‌Molineux. Spurs remained 18th in the standings with 34 points from 34 games, two points from safety.

“Solanke ‌has a muscular injury. I don’t know what level of injury, and for Xavi it’s ⁠a problem of the knee, and we’re going to see in the ‌next days, Monday or Tuesday,” De Zerbi told reporters.

ALSO READ | Injured Salah to miss rest of Liverpool season, says Egypt national team director

“For Solanke, it’s not a big problem. I don’t know how many games we lose him, but I would ‌like to know the real situation of Xavi, because the knee is always different than the muscular injury.”

Tottenham, which is facing the prospect of ⁠its first relegation from top-flight football since 1977, has four ‌games remaining and next travels to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Tottenhams #Zerbi #injury #update #Solanke #Simons">

Tottenham’s De Zerbi gives injury update on Solanke, Simons Tottenham Hotspur will assess the fitness of Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons after both were forced ‌off in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a ⁠blow for manager Roberto De Zerbi as his side battle relegation.Solanke was substituted in ‌the 40th minute with a muscular problem, while Simons was ‌replaced in the 63rd minute ‌after ⁠suffering a knee issue. ⁠Despite the setbacks, the 82nd-minute winner from Joao Palhinha secured Tottenham’s first league victory in 16 matches at ‌Molineux. Spurs remained 18th in the standings with 34 points from 34 games, two points from safety.“Solanke ‌has a muscular injury. I don’t know what level of injury, and for Xavi it’s ⁠a problem of the knee, and we’re going to see in the ‌next days, Monday or Tuesday,” De Zerbi told reporters.ALSO READ | Injured Salah to miss rest of Liverpool season, says Egypt national team director“For Solanke, it’s not a big problem. I don’t know how many games we lose him, but I would ‌like to know the real situation of Xavi, because the knee is always different than the muscular injury.”Tottenham, which is facing the prospect of ⁠its first relegation from top-flight football since 1977, has four ‌games remaining and next travels to Aston Villa on Sunday.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Tottenhams #Zerbi #injury #update #Solanke #Simons

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Tottenham Hotspur will assess the fitness of Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons after both were forced ‌off in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a ⁠blow for manager Roberto De Zerbi as his side battle relegation.
Solanke was substituted in ‌the 40th minute with a muscular problem, while Simons was ‌replaced in the 63rd minute ‌after ⁠suffering a knee issue. ⁠Despite the setbacks, the 82nd-minute winner from Joao Palhinha secured Tottenham’s first league victory in 16 matches at ‌Molineux. Spurs remained 18th in the standings with 34 points from 34 games, two points from safety.
“Solanke ‌has a muscular injury. I don’t know what level of injury, and for Xavi it’s ⁠a problem of the knee, and we’re going to see in the ‌next days, Monday or Tuesday,” De Zerbi told reporters.
ALSO READ | Injured Salah to miss rest of Liverpool season, says Egypt national team director
“For Solanke, it’s not a big problem. I don’t know how many games we lose him, but I would ‌like to know the real situation of Xavi, because the knee is always different than the muscular injury.”
Tottenham, which is facing the prospect of ⁠its first relegation from top-flight football since 1977, has four ‌games remaining and next travels to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Tottenhams #Zerbi #injury #update #Solanke #Simons">Tottenham’s De Zerbi gives injury update on Solanke, Simons

ALSO READ | Injured Salah to miss rest of Liverpool season, says Egypt national team director

Tottenham, which is facing the prospect of ⁠its first relegation from top-flight football since 1977, has four ‌games remaining and next travels to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Tottenhams #Zerbi #injury #update #Solanke #Simons

Deadspin | Sounders’ strong start helps extend unbeaten streak vs. Dallas Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders defender Alex Roldan (16), left, and Dallas FC midfielder Ran Binyamin (6) battle for the ball during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Jordan Morris had a goal and an assist as the Seattle Sounders defeated visiting FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night. Jesus Ferreira also scored and goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made five saves for the Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points), who extended their unbeaten streak in league play to six matches (5-0-1). Nolan Norris scored for Dallas (3-3-4, 13 points), which is winless in its past four (0-2-2). Goalie Michael Collodi made four saves, including one on a penalty kick. Dallas is 1-13-4 all-time at Lumen Field, with the lone victory coming in 2011. Dallas dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes, spending most of it in the Seattle end, but it was the Sounders who struck first. Jackson Ragen sent a long ball down the right wing to Morris. With Danny Musovski charging toward the net, Morris passed to Ferreira, who was trailing the play just inside the top of the 18-yard box. The former Dallas standout took a shot that deflected off defender Lalas Abubakar and past Collodi. The Sounders doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Hassani Dotson made a pass from his own side of midfield to Snyder Brunell, who took a couple of strides and sent a through ball to Morris for a breakaway. As Collodi charged toward him, Morris lifted a shot over the goalie with the outside of his right foot. Dallas pulled within 2-1 in the 40th minute. Santiago Moreno’s corner kick from the left wing found Norris outside the near post and he flicked a header into the far side netting for his first MLS goal. Ferreira had a chance for a brace on a penalty kick in the 54th minute, but Collodi made a diving save to his left. The penalty was awarded when Abubakar tripped Paul Rothrock near the end line on the left edge of the 18-yard box. Dallas played without its top two scorers in Petar Musa, who leads MLS with nine goals, and Logan Farrington, who were both left out of the lineup due to lower-body injuries. The Sounders were without midfielders Albert Rusnak (hamstring) and Cristian Roldan (concussion protocol). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sounders #strong #start #helps #extend #unbeaten #streak #Dallas

#Deadspin #Sounders #strong #start #helps #extend #unbeaten #streak #Dallas">

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Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders defender Alex Roldan (16), left, and Dallas FC midfielder Ran Binyamin (6) battle for the ball during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Jordan Morris had a goal and an assist as the Seattle Sounders defeated visiting FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night.

Jesus Ferreira also scored and goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made five saves for the Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points), who extended their unbeaten streak in league play to six matches (5-0-1).

Nolan Norris scored for Dallas (3-3-4, 13 points), which is winless in its past four (0-2-2). Goalie Michael Collodi made four saves, including one on a penalty kick.

Dallas is 1-13-4 all-time at Lumen Field, with the lone victory coming in 2011.

Dallas dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes, spending most of it in the Seattle end, but it was the Sounders who struck first.

Jackson Ragen sent a long ball down the right wing to Morris. With Danny Musovski charging toward the net, Morris passed to Ferreira, who was trailing the play just inside the top of the 18-yard box. The former Dallas standout took a shot that deflected off defender Lalas Abubakar and past Collodi.

The Sounders doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Hassani Dotson made a pass from his own side of midfield to Snyder Brunell, who took a couple of strides and sent a through ball to Morris for a breakaway. As Collodi charged toward him, Morris lifted a shot over the goalie with the outside of his right foot.

Dallas pulled within 2-1 in the 40th minute. Santiago Moreno’s corner kick from the left wing found Norris outside the near post and he flicked a header into the far side netting for his first MLS goal.

Ferreira had a chance for a brace on a penalty kick in the 54th minute, but Collodi made a diving save to his left. The penalty was awarded when Abubakar tripped Paul Rothrock near the end line on the left edge of the 18-yard box.

Dallas played without its top two scorers in Petar Musa, who leads MLS with nine goals, and Logan Farrington, who were both left out of the lineup due to lower-body injuries.

The Sounders were without midfielders Albert Rusnak (hamstring) and Cristian Roldan (concussion protocol).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sounders #strong #start #helps #extend #unbeaten #streak #Dallas">Deadspin | Sounders’ strong start helps extend unbeaten streak vs. Dallas

Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders defender Alex Roldan (16), left, and Dallas FC midfielder Ran Binyamin (6) battle for the ball during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Jordan Morris had a goal and an assist as the Seattle Sounders defeated visiting FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night.

Jesus Ferreira also scored and goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made five saves for the Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points), who extended their unbeaten streak in league play to six matches (5-0-1).

Nolan Norris scored for Dallas (3-3-4, 13 points), which is winless in its past four (0-2-2). Goalie Michael Collodi made four saves, including one on a penalty kick.

Dallas is 1-13-4 all-time at Lumen Field, with the lone victory coming in 2011.

Dallas dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes, spending most of it in the Seattle end, but it was the Sounders who struck first.

Jackson Ragen sent a long ball down the right wing to Morris. With Danny Musovski charging toward the net, Morris passed to Ferreira, who was trailing the play just inside the top of the 18-yard box. The former Dallas standout took a shot that deflected off defender Lalas Abubakar and past Collodi.

The Sounders doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Hassani Dotson made a pass from his own side of midfield to Snyder Brunell, who took a couple of strides and sent a through ball to Morris for a breakaway. As Collodi charged toward him, Morris lifted a shot over the goalie with the outside of his right foot.

Dallas pulled within 2-1 in the 40th minute. Santiago Moreno’s corner kick from the left wing found Norris outside the near post and he flicked a header into the far side netting for his first MLS goal.

Ferreira had a chance for a brace on a penalty kick in the 54th minute, but Collodi made a diving save to his left. The penalty was awarded when Abubakar tripped Paul Rothrock near the end line on the left edge of the 18-yard box.

Dallas played without its top two scorers in Petar Musa, who leads MLS with nine goals, and Logan Farrington, who were both left out of the lineup due to lower-body injuries.

The Sounders were without midfielders Albert Rusnak (hamstring) and Cristian Roldan (concussion protocol).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sounders #strong #start #helps #extend #unbeaten #streak #Dallas

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