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Magic crush Hornets, tap into the team everyone expected just in time

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Go back and look at all the NBA preseason predictions. Just about everyone had the Orlando Magic being a top-four team in the East and a legitimate threat to win the conference. They had the star duo of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. They had the defense. The depth. They made the big trade for Desmond Bane, sending four first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in a clear signal that they, too, believed this was their chance to rise in a wide-open East. 

It did not exactly go according to plan. 

Orlando struggled all year to establish any sustainable momentum. Injuries hit them pretty hard. Jalen Suggs (to whom Orlando’s lineup successes are highly connected) and Wagner combined to miss 73 games. But it was more than that. The team was just off

Banchero became a punching bag for his inefficiency and dumb decisions, even though the numbers were remarkably similar to past seasons. As expectations rise, so does frustration, and even when Banchero had solid stretches, the Magic were still a blah team. 

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They wound up in the Play-In Tournament and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 7-8 game, largely in the same uninspiring fashion they displayed all season. It made it seem like Friday night’s do-or-die game vs. the Charlotte Hornets was a forgone conclusion. The Magic would lose, slink into the offseason, fire Jamahl Mosley and start looking at potential trades for Banchero. 

That also did not go according to plan. 

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Instead, the Magic obliterated the Hornets, who showed up expecting to put on their usual circus act, only to realize the Magic were there for a demolition derby. 

It was the version of the Magic that everyone expected to see from the start this season, especially with the physical, at times straight-jacket, defense. Banchero was superb with 25 points, taking and making efficient shots and making quick decisions to get downhill and finish with force. 

And again …

And again …

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And when Charlotte managed to cut the drive off, he did this:

This was superstar stuff from Banchero, who was hesitant in all the wrong ways on Wednesday against Philly but isn’t exactly new to playing like this in the biggest games. He averaged 29-8-4 on 44% 3-point shooting against the Celtics in the playoffs last year, and he has averaged 28 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals on 41.8% 3-point shooting across 12 career playoff games. 

Is this version of the Magic a threat to the Pistons?

There’s no saying this will carry over against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round. But there’s also no saying it won’t. Again, this is the team the Magic were supposed to be all along. Banchero has had sustained stretches of this kind of play. He’s a superstar-level talent. Bane has been good all season. Wagner is rounding back into form. Suggs is a beast. This is about as talented as a No. 8 seed team can be in the Eastern Conference, and they are facing something of a mirror-image opponent in the Pistons. 

Both teams smother you with physical defense that is officiated way more leniently in the playoffs; this stands to be an absolute street-fight series. Both teams struggle to shoot. The Magic don’t have a creator like Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, but you could make a case that Orlando’s big three of Banchero, Wagner and Bane represent more star power than Cunningham and Jalen Duren

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Both teams do the bulk of their damage inside. Nobody gets to the free-throw line more than the Magic, but the Pistons are close. Orlando is a good offensive rebounding team, but Detroit is better. Everything about a series like this screams slugfest, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it could be fun nonetheless. 

Can the Magic beat the Pistons? Probably not. When you have a whole season’s worth of evidence against a single game, go with the former. But don’t completely rule out the Magic, who are not your typical No. 8 seed in terms of talent. 

If they bring the fight like they did Friday night, the team everyone expected to show up all season might actually stick around a little longer.

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NBA Playoffs Tip Off as 16 Teams begin Title Chase

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The NBA Playoffs are officially starting today with all 16 teams now set. After weeks of positioning and the final push through the Play-In, the focus of the teams is now on winning four series.

Action begins today, April 18, with Game 1s scheduled across the day. The Toronto Raptors face the Cleveland Cavaliers at 1:00 PM ET, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets at 3:30 PM ET. Later, the Atlanta Hawks take on the New York Knicks at 6:00 PM ET, before the Houston Rockets meet the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 PM ET.

In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Phoenix Suns, while the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets. The Denver Nuggets go up against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the San Antonio Spurs meet the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Over in the East, the Detroit Pistons face the Orlando Magic, the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Toronto Raptors, while the New York Knicks go head-to-head with the Atlanta Hawks. The Boston Celtics open against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Teams will need four wins to advance, and sixteen in total to lift the trophy

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Rublev battles back to reach first Final of the Season in Barcelona

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Andrey Rublev fought back from a set down to defeat Hamad Medjedovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 and book his place in the Barcelona final.

After losing the opening set, Rublev responded strongly, adjusting his game against an opponent who started aggressively. He went on to take control of the match, dropping just four games across the final two sets to seal the win.

This is his first final of the season and his first appearance in a Barcelona final, having lost just one set throughout the tournament so far.

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After the match, Rublev was relaxed when asked about the importance of potentially winning the title.

“I don’t know. Of course I don’t mind of course I would like to. If it happens it happens. If it doesn’t happen we keep working, what can I do? Not much to say I don’t know”

With his level improving on clay, Rublev heads into the final with momentum and a chance to turn his strong week into a title.

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What Spalletti told Juventus’ Italian players after World Cup flop

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Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti addressed Italian players in the dressing room after the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off elimination: ‘He knew what we were going through,’ said Manuel Locatelli.

Juventus midfielder Locatelli held a press conference on Saturday to comment on his contract extension until 2030.

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Click here to read the full press conference.

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The Italian midfielder also answered a question about his coach Spalletti, who was appointed at the end of October and has recently signed a new deal until 2028.

Locatelli was part of the Italy squad last month, alongside his Juventus teammates Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Gatti.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

“The weeks after the penalty [against Sassuolo] and the missed World Cup were better,” he said.

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“The coach immediately spoke to us Italians and said he was sorry. He knew what we were going through. He knows what it means to represent the national team.

“But he told us we had to put it behind us right away. The thing about football is that the next match gives you the chance to react, and we tried to do that.

“I think with the national team, we didn’t know each other very well, even on a personal level. When he [Spalletti] arrived, I made myself fully available,” continued Locatelli.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy interact after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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“When he arrived, he spoke to me in his office on the first day, and what he said was very meaningful. He knew I had become important for Juventus, he asked different things of me, and I’m at his disposal. The nice thing is that he showed trust in me right away.”

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

Spalletti had been the Italy coach from 2023 until last June, when he was sacked after a 3-0 defeat against Norway in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers.

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Usyk reveals the one reason he will no longer chase third Tyson Fury fight

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Oleksandr Usyk has revealed why he may no longer pursue a third instalment of his enthralling rivalry with Tyson Fury.

Usyk handed Fury the first and second defeats of his professional career, simultaneously claiming the Briton’s WBC heavyweight world title to become the first undisputed four-belt champion in the history of the division.

Shortly afterwards, Fury retired from the sport for a fifth occasion, but made a successful comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov this month following a 16-month lay-off, calling for both a clash with Anthony Joshua and Usyk during the aftermath.

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Along with Fury voicing his intentions to face Usyk for a third time, the Ukrainian has also previously named ‘The Gypsy King’ on his three-fight pre-retirement plan.

Yet, in an interview with Daily Mail Boxing, Usyk revealed that he may no longer target a third triumph over Fury, instead hoping to help Joshua overcome his bitter rival in their long-awaited grudge match.

“My plan has not changed, I have three fights. But, now I understand that Tyson has not signed [for a fight] with ‘AJ’.

“If ‘AJ’ and ‘Greedy’ [Fury] sign contract, I just stay back, ‘okay, [you are fighting each other instead], because I want to help AJ beat Tyson Fury.”

Joshua is set to make his ring return in July as part of a two-fight deal that will see him fight Fury later in the year should he win. The pair of British sporting icons will likely have a rematch if the contest is competitive.

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Meanwhile, Usyk will attempt to defend his WBC heavyweight world title against Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on Saturday, May 23.

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Connacht comeback stuns Stormers in Cape Town

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United Rugby Championship round 15

Stormers (10) 24

Tries: Roos, Mchunu, Feinberg-Mngomezulu Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Connacht (7) 33

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Tries: Hurley-Langton, Boyle, Devine, B Murphy, Naughton Cons: Gilbert 4

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Connacht scored three tries in the final 16 minutes to stun the high-flying Stormers in a United Rugby Championship thriller in Cape Town and boost their hopes of making the end-of-season play-offs.

Stuart Lancaster’s side scored five tries in their bonus-point win to bounce back from their elimination from the European Challenge Cup at the hands of Montpellier last weekend and make it six URC wins in a row.

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The Stormers lost Deon Fourie to a yellow card in just the third minute and Connacht capitalised within a few minutes as flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton went over in the corner despite the attempts of three Stormers defenders.

The try was awarded after a lengthy consultation with the television match official [TMO], who adjudged that the Connacht player had not been in touch before grounding the ball. Sam Gilbert added the extras.

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The hosts – who began the day four points off leaders Glasgow – responded well eight minutes later when Evan Roos exploited a gap in the Connacht defence and raced through to score behind the posts.

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Having converted Roos’ try, Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s penalty on the stroke of half time, after the Irish province were penalised at the scrum, gave his side a three-point lead at the interval.

Ntuthuko Mchunu went over for Stormers’ third try eight minutes into the second half and soon after Paul Boyle barged over from close range for the visitors, both tries converted.

Mngomezulu added the South African side’s third try but Connacht centre John Devine replied immediately when he powered over at the other end.

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With 10 minutes remaining, the away side edged ahead 26-24 thanks to a converted score from Ben Murphy.

Shayne Bolton picked up a loose ball and offloaded to the scrum-half, who sprinted away to touch down under the posts.

Sean Naughton’s intercept try extended the advantage, with Gilbert’s fourth successful kick ensuring a nine-point winning margin and Connacht’s sixth consecutive URC win.

Line-ups

Stormers: Gelant; Willemse, Nel (capt), du Plessis, Zas; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Reinach; Mchunu, Ntubeni, Porthen; Smith, Schickerling; Fourie, Dixon, Roos.

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Replacements: Venter, Kebble, Fouche, van Heerden, Theunissen, de Villiers, Ungerer, Simelane.

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Connacht: Gilbert; West, J Devine, Forde, Bolton; Naughton, B Murphy; Bohan, Heffernan, Illo; O’Connor, D Murray; Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen

Replacements: Victory, Dooley, Aungier, J Murphy, Boyle, Reilly, Carty, Gavin

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NBA Western Conference playoffs burning questions: How do juggernauts fare?

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For as much as the conversation heading into the season was dominated by the notion that the West would be a bloodbath, it became apparent over the course of the year that the “stronger” conference is a glaring example of the haves and the have-nots.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, to begin their title defence, started the season 24-1 and looked somehow better than they did last season; the San Antonio Spurs, behind a supernatural stretch from Victor Wembanyama, went 30-4 over the final two-and-a-half months of the season; and the Denver Nuggets finished the year with a 122.6 offensive rating, the second-best in NBA history.

Those three teams established themselves as a tier above the rest, but the only certainty come playoff time is that nothing is certain. Luka Doncic could return from his Eurotrip to carry the Lakers through the loaded West, and Kevin Durant could find the fountain of youth. Shoot, maybe even Jalen Green can keep his Play-In Tournament rhythm going and give the Thunder a hard time.

Anything is possible this time of year, and regardless of the assumed separation between those top-tier title contenders and the rest of the pack, who claws their way to the NBA Finals is anyone’s guess.

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So with the first round rearing its head and the best players in the world raring to go, here are some burning questions for every first-round series in the Western Conference.

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(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns

Season series: Thunder win 3-2
Nov. 28: Thunder 123, Suns 119
Dec. 10: Thunder 138, Suns 89
Jan. 4: Suns 108, Thunder 105
Feb. 11: Thunder 136, Suns 109
April 12: Suns 135, Thunder 103

Series Schedule:
All times ET

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Game 1: Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m.
Game 2: Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m.
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Saturday, April 25, 3:30 p.m.
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Monday, April 27
*Game 5: Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Wednesday, April 29
*Game 6: Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Friday, May 1
*Game 7: Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Sunday, May 3

One Burning Question for the series: How do the Thunder set the tone as their title defence gets going?

Following their 24-1 start to the season, prognosticators were weighing the odds that the Thunder could usurp the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best regular-season record of all time. While they cooled off from that historic pace, their status as the team to beat in the NBA never wavered. Sporting the seventh-best offence and the best defensive rating, it would take a herculean effort for anyone to stop them from their date with destiny.

Standing in their way are the Phoenix Suns, who lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the play-in, but reasserted themselves with a beatdown of the Golden State Warriors to secure their spot. While the Suns have been a good story, moving on from Durant and enjoying strong campaigns from their cast of misfit toys — 20.2 points per game from Dillon Brooks and some clutch showings from Jalen Green — a showdown against the class of the NBA feels like too high a mountain to climb.

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The Thunder opened their Finals run last year with a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, and while a couple of those games came down to the wire, was there doubt in anyone’s mind that OKC would come through in the end? If the Thunder can make quick work of this series and save their strength for the battles to come, it bodes well for a run at being the first back-to-back champion since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers

Season series: Spurs win 2-1
Nov. 26, 2025: Spurs 115, Trail Blazers 102
Jan. 3, 2026: Trail Blazers 115, Spurs 110
April 8, 2026: Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101

Game 1: Portland at San Antonio | Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m.
Game 2: Portland at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 21, 8 p.m.
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland | Friday, April 24, 10:30 ET
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland | Sunday, April 26, 3:30 ET
*Game 5: Portland at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 28
*Game 6: San Antonio at Portland | Thursday, April 30
*Game 7: Portland at San Antonio | Saturday, May 2

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One Burning Question for the series: How does Victor Wembanyama look in his first taste of playoff action?

It’s about time the world witnesses Wembanyama on the biggest stage. After a couple years of injury management and strategic losing, the Spurs are finally ready to compete in the era of the alien.

No one has appeared to enjoy the competition more than Wembanyama, who elevated the All-Star Game with his effort and has shown genuine emotion in every win or loss this season. It’s good to have a superstar who cares and wears it on his sleeve. Those emotions should be more present than ever under the bright lights of the post-season, and his play — already at an MVP level — could reach new heights.

The 22-year-old had a stellar campaign, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game, but did so playing the fewest minutes per game, 29.2, of his young career. His per-36 numbers are ridiculous, reaching 30.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.8 blocks, and it feels unlikely he plays any less than that throughout the post-season. His hunger is undeniable, and there’s no better stage to show it off than this one.

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Pair his prowess with the growth of 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, the steady guard play of De’Aaron Fox, the three-point shooting of Devin Vassell, Julian Chamagnie and Keldon Johnson, and the late-season rise of second-overall pick Dylan Harper, and the Spurs could cut the Thunder dynasty short as they force their own window open.

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Season Series: Nuggets win 3-1
Oct. 27, 2025: Nuggets 127, Timberwolves 114
Nov. 15, 2025: Nuggets 123, Timberwolves 112
Dec. 25, 2025: Nuggets 142, Timberwolves 138 (OT)
March 1, 2026: Timberwolves 117, Nuggets 108

Game 1: Minnesota at Denver | Saturday, April 18, 3:30 p.m.
Game 2: Minnesota at Denver | Monday, April 20, 10:30 p.m.
Game 3: Denver at Minnesota | Thursday, April 23, 9:30 p.m.
Game 4: Denver at Minnesota | Saturday, April 25, 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Minnesota at Denver | Monday, April 27
*Game 6: Denver at Minnesota | Thursday, April 30
*Game 7: Minnesota at Denver | Saturday, May 2

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One Burning Question for the series: After career-best regular season, can playoff Jamal Murray take another leap?

At long last, Kitchener’s finest had himself an all-star-worthy regular season. Jamal Murray, in his age-28 campaign, looked like the best version of himself, averaging 25.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 48.3 per cent from the field and an eye-watering 43.5 per cent from three-point range. That three-point shooting mark was the highest in the league among players to shoot at least six per game.

But the best thing about Murray is his ability to take his game to another level come playoff time, best evidenced by the Nuggets’ championship run in 2023, when the Canadian scored 26.1 per game throughout the playoffs and looked like one of the best players in the world in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers, averaging 32.5 a night.

Minnesota is certainly no slouch, however, as the side possesses the eighth-best defence in the NBA, spearheaded by point-of-attack nightmare Jaden McDaniels, who will surely be matched up with Murray throughout the series. The T-Wolves also have a big-game riser of their own in Anthony Edwards, who is the last person in the NBA to duck any sort of smoke. After bringing his side to the Western Conference Finals in two straight seasons, Edwards and the T-Wolves surely won’t be satisfied with a first-round exit.

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(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Season Series: Lakers win 2-1
Dec. 25, 2025: Rockets 119, Lakers 96
March 16, 2025: Lakers 100, Rockets 92
March 18, 2025: Lakers 124, Rockets 116

Game 1: Houston at Los Angeles | Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m.
Game 2: Houston at Los Angeles | Tuesday, April 21, 10:30 p.m.
Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston | Friday, April 24, 8 p.m.
Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston | Sunday, April 26, 9:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles | Wednesday, April 29
*Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston | Friday, May 1
*Game 7: Houston at Los Angeles | Sunday, May 3

One Burning Question for the series: Can LeBron James hold out long enough for Luka Doncic’s return?

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Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain couldn’t have come at a worse time for both him and the Lakers. In the 13 games prior to his injury on April 2, the Slovenian superstar was averaging an earth-shattering 39.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while leading his side to a 12-1 record, brushing aside doubts that this team could be a genuine force. While he’s had some time to heal up and get treated for the issue in Europe, hamstring problems tend to persist, hampering the movement of whoever’s unlucky enough to deal with them. Though it’s tough to bet on Luka returning to that run of form, the guard has been known to work miracles before.

What matters now for the Lakers is staying alive long enough for Doncic to give them a chance.

That duty falls on the shoulders of LeBron James, who will have to carry a roster perhaps worse than that of the 2018 Cavaliers, when he was flanked by J.R. Smith, a slow-footed Kevin Love, George Hill and a 36-year-old Jose Calderon, among others. It’s hard to see the current cast of Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard faring much better.

So what can a 41-year-old do? It’ll help that opposing old-guard superstar Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 1 after suffering a knee contusion in practice. But the Rockets are young and athletic, with players like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason more than willing to show James that the future is now, old man. If this series turns into a footrace, there may not be much James can do, but if the Lakers manage to hold steady at home, it’s anyone’s guess.

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RCB vs DC LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Axar Patel Battles Against Injury, Returns To Bat Despite Pain

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RCB vs DC Live Score, IPL 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Delhi Capitals have lost their fourth wicket in the chase of 176 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as Krunal Pandya dismissed KL Rahul for 57.

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NBA Playoffs Burning Questions

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NBA Playoffs Burning Questions

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Kildunne scores England opener in Scotland

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Watch the moment England’s Ellie Kildunne races down the left wing to score the opening try of the match against Scotland in the Six Nations.

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Naoya Inoue future mega fight with US pound for pound star moves one step closer

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Naoya Inoue is now far more likely to face a fellow pound-for-pound star, but must first take care of business against Junto Nakatani on May 2.

The pair will collide in an all-Japanese clash at the Tokyo Dome, with Inoue making the seventh defence of his undisputed super-bantamweight crown.

But despite entering their showdown as a clear favourite, many believe that three-weight world champion Nakatani represents his toughest test thus far.

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Like Inoue, the 28-year-old boasts an unbeaten record and comes off a successful, albeit hard-fought, super-bantamweight debut against Sebastian Hernandez in December.

While the result has been somewhat disputed, Nakatani ultimately claimed a unanimous decision victory on the undercard of Inoue’s one-sided title defence against David Picasso.

But while Nakatani has certainly earned his position at the top table, some would argue that Inoue is likely to encounter his most formidable foe elsewhere.

More specifically, a potential clash with unified super-flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has been widely discussed as one of boxing’s most mouth-watering matchups.

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It was also announced just yesterday that Rodriguez will face WBA bantamweight titlist Antonio Vargas on June 13, bidding to become a three-division world champion.

After that, ‘Bam’ and head coach Robert Garcia may target the Inoue fight at 122lbs, with Garcia having previously outlined his plan in an interview with Xicana Boxing.

“We could get the Inoue fight early next year, or maybe [at] the end of this year. So the fight will happen – I know it is going to happen.

“That’s a fight ‘Bam’ wants, too, but he also understands that we’re going to do our job, building him to get used to the 118 pounders.

“Then he’ll feel better to know that he’s ready for 122[lbs].”

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While Inoue represents his most lucrative and legacy-defining option, ‘Bam’ could equally decide to remain at 118lbs or drop back down for an undisputed title opportunity at 115lbs.

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