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Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year  The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been around since 1983, and in that time, ​no player has ever received 100 per cent of the ‌first-place votes for the award.Victor Wembanyama is now the ​first.The San Antonio Spurs superstar centre ⁠received 100 first-place votes out of a possible 100 to unanimously win the prestigious award, the NBA announced on Monday.“I’m super, ‌super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first ‌ever unanimous,” he said on NBC Sports ‌Network.Wembanyama, ⁠a candidate for Most Valuable Player, led ⁠the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season in becoming the youngest player to ever earn the award (22 ​years, 98 days).The two-time ‌All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while chipping in a steal per game for a Spurs team that compiled the second-best ‌record in the league (62-20) and also ranked No. ​3 in the league in defensive rating.Wembanyama secured 500 points in the voting and ⁠joined fellow Spur legend David Robinson in becoming the only two players since 1991-92 to win the award within ‌their first three seasons.That continues a remarkable tradition: a league-high four different Spurs players have now won the award a combined five times: Alvin Robertson (1986), Robinson, Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016) and Wembanyama.The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting with 239 ‌points (76 second-place votes), while the Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson finished ​third with 60 points (nine second-place votes). The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert (41 points) and the Raptors’ Scottie ⁠Barnes (21 points) rounded out the top five.“He changes the game ⁠so much,” Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter marveled Sunday after Wembanyama’s dominant effort in San ‌Antonio’s playoff-opening 111-98 victory over Portland. Wembanyama set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff ​debut, adding two blocks on the defensive end for good measure.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #Victor #Wembanyama #unanimously #named #NBA #Defensive #Player #Year

Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been around since 1983, and in that time, ​no player has ever received 100 per cent of the ‌first-place votes for the award.

Victor Wembanyama is now the ​first.

The San Antonio Spurs superstar centre ⁠received 100 first-place votes out of a possible 100 to unanimously win the prestigious award, the NBA announced on Monday.

“I’m super, ‌super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first ‌ever unanimous,” he said on NBC Sports ‌Network.

Wembanyama, ⁠a candidate for Most Valuable Player, led ⁠the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season in becoming the youngest player to ever earn the award (22 ​years, 98 days).

The two-time ‌All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while chipping in a steal per game for a Spurs team that compiled the second-best ‌record in the league (62-20) and also ranked No. ​3 in the league in defensive rating.

Wembanyama secured 500 points in the voting and ⁠joined fellow Spur legend David Robinson in becoming the only two players since 1991-92 to win the award within ‌their first three seasons.

That continues a remarkable tradition: a league-high four different Spurs players have now won the award a combined five times: Alvin Robertson (1986), Robinson, Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016) and Wembanyama.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting with 239 ‌points (76 second-place votes), while the Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson finished ​third with 60 points (nine second-place votes). The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert (41 points) and the Raptors’ Scottie ⁠Barnes (21 points) rounded out the top five.

“He changes the game ⁠so much,” Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter marveled Sunday after Wembanyama’s dominant effort in San ‌Antonio’s playoff-opening 111-98 victory over Portland. Wembanyama set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff ​debut, adding two blocks on the defensive end for good measure.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Victor #Wembanyama #unanimously #named #NBA #Defensive #Player #Year

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been around since 1983, and in that time, ​no player has ever received 100 per cent of the ‌first-place votes for the award.

Victor Wembanyama is now the ​first.

The San Antonio Spurs superstar centre ⁠received 100 first-place votes out of a possible 100 to unanimously win the prestigious award, the NBA announced on Monday.

“I’m super, ‌super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first ‌ever unanimous,” he said on NBC Sports ‌Network.

Wembanyama, ⁠a candidate for Most Valuable Player, led ⁠the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season in becoming the youngest player to ever earn the award (22 ​years, 98 days).

The two-time ‌All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while chipping in a steal per game for a Spurs team that compiled the second-best ‌record in the league (62-20) and also ranked No. ​3 in the league in defensive rating.

Wembanyama secured 500 points in the voting and ⁠joined fellow Spur legend David Robinson in becoming the only two players since 1991-92 to win the award within ‌their first three seasons.

That continues a remarkable tradition: a league-high four different Spurs players have now won the award a combined five times: Alvin Robertson (1986), Robinson, Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016) and Wembanyama.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting with 239 ‌points (76 second-place votes), while the Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson finished ​third with 60 points (nine second-place votes). The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert (41 points) and the Raptors’ Scottie ⁠Barnes (21 points) rounded out the top five.

“He changes the game ⁠so much,” Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter marveled Sunday after Wembanyama’s dominant effort in San ‌Antonio’s playoff-opening 111-98 victory over Portland. Wembanyama set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff ​debut, adding two blocks on the defensive end for good measure.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

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Deadspin | Leon Draisaitl set to return as Oilers battle Ducks <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-900/28458023.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28458023.jpg" alt="NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Edmonton Oilers could be getting Leon Draisaitl back at just the right time.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Draisaitl practiced for a second straight day on Sunday heading into Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators on March 15 and missed the last 14 games of the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Draisaitl was well on his way to securing his fifth straight 100-point season before finishing with 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Draisaitl centered a line with Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen on Sunday, and was also on the first power-play unit.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“We’ll see how it feels (on Monday), and then, yeah, we’ll make a call from there,” Draisaitl said. “There’s lots of things that go into it. Again, it’s going to take a little bit of time, but I’m going to find my ways to contribute and try to get to my best as quick as I can.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Oilers took two out of three against the Ducks in the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>They combined for 11 goals in each of the first two meetings before the Oilers won 4-2 on March 28 in Edmonton. The victory came in the middle of a five-game winning streak that helped the Oilers leapfrog the Ducks for second place in the Pacific Division and earn them home-ice advantage for the series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“The push we had the last month or so, we’ve played a lot better,” Edmonton defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. “We had some big guys go down, and guys come in and fill those spots. The guys in here feel as good as they have all year, going into the playoffs, which absolutely can help our group.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>The Oilers are aware the Ducks have solid goaltending and high-end skill up front that prefers to to play at a fast pace.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“That’s not how we want to play,” Edmonton center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. “We want to play tight defensively, and make things really difficult for them and wait for our chances.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>While the Ducks haven’t been to the playoffs in eight years, they do have several veterans with playoff experience.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Alex Killorn won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020-21, John Carlson lifted the Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, Chris Kreider played in the Stanley Cup Finals with the New York Rangers in 2014, Mikael Granlund advanced to the Western Conference finals with the Dallas Stars last season, and Jacob Trouba has appeared in 73 playoff games during his career.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>And then there’s coach Joel Quenneville, who guided the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles from 2010-15.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“He calms you a little bit knowing he’s been there, and you can just see it on his face,” Ducks forward Troy Terry said. “He’s won a lot of hockey games, a lot of playoff hockey games. He’s won Cups, and just to see his excitement (at practice on Saturday). Like, you can tell. It’s like Christmas to him, just being able to game plan for one team and just the whole playoff format and the atmosphere. And just seeing him excited, it just shows you how this is what you really play hockey for.”</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Quenneville said he gets the most excited for the first game of the season and the first playoff game.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“The best part of winning the Cup is trying to win the Cup, so that starts when they drop the puck on the first game,” Quenneville said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Leon #Draisaitl #set #return #Oilers #battle #Ducks

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Deadspin | Masyn Winn powers Cardinals past Astros for extra-innings win <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-900/28767583.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28767583.jpg" alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 19, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) hits a single against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Masyn Winn, whose two-out single sparked a four-run uprising in the fifth inning, delivered a bases-clearing double in the top of the 10th that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-5 win over the host Houston Astros and a three-game interleague series sweep.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Winn plated Ivan Herrera, Jordan Walker and Ramon Urias by driving an 0-1 fastball from Houston left-hander Bryan King (0-1) into the left-field corner. Winn, a Houston-area native, finished 5-for-15 with seven RBIs in the series.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Astros countered the Cardinals’ four-run fifth by scoring three runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Yordan Alvarez ignited the comeback with his third home run of the series and 10th of the season, a solo shot off JoJo Romero before Jose Altuve singled and Christian Walker worked a 10-pitch walk. Isaac Paredes followed by snapping an 0-for-20 skid with a two-run single to right-center off Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien (3-0) that tied the game at 4-4.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Houston seized a 1-0 lead in the third against Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore when Taylor Trammell produced his first career triple with one out in the frame. Trammell scored when Carlos Correa lifted a sacrifice fly to Victor Scott II in shallow center, with Scott short-hopping his throw home off the mound.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>Liberatore allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>Astros starter Mike Burrows retired the first 14 batters he faced and had a two-strike count on Winn before the bottom suddenly fell out beneath him in the fifth. Winn bounced a 2-2 slider into left for the Cardinals’ first hit before Nathan Church walked and Pedro Pages reached on an infield single to Paredes at third that loaded the bases.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Scott tied the game with a bases-loaded walk that plated Winn, and JJ Wetherholt delivered a two-run single to right that scored Church and Pages and chased Burrows. Herrera greeted reliever Steven Okert with a single that capped the four-run rally.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Burrows allowed four runs on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. All three starters for the Astros in the series surrendered four earned runs.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Masyn #Winn #powers #Cardinals #Astros #extrainnings #win

Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever  Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images   The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.  The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.  “I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”  All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.  Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.   The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.  “We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”  Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #FeverJul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.

The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.

“I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”

All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.


Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.

The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.

“We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”

Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever">Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever  Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images   The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.  The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.  “I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”  All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.  Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.   The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.  “We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”  Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever

But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years.

#greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind">The greatest World Cup Final ever needs a deep rewind  This is simply incredible. After 120+ minutes of thrilling football, Argentina and France find themselves in a penalty shootout with the World Cup on the line. After going through a phenomenal group stage and thrilling knockout rounds throughout this tourney, it really doesn’t get any better than this.But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years.  #greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind

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