NEW DELHI: The monkey was finally off Sanju Samson’s shoulders. Emotions ran high for the wicketkeeper-batter as teammates surrounded him with high-fives, hugs, and celebrations. Samson, however, looked calm and content, flashing a big smile after playing a key role in Chennai Super Kings’ first win of IPL 2026.Samson, who managed scores of 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s first three matches, roared back in style with a magnificent century to guide his team to a 23-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday, finally opening their account after three straight defeats.The batter, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season, delivered his first major contribution in CSK colours after early struggles. He had entered the IPL with high expectations, having hit three half-centuries in India’s T20 World Cup triumph at home in March.Samson’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, along with Ayush Mhatre’s 59 off 36, powered CSK to a commanding 212 for 2. The duo stitched together a 113-run stand for the second wicket. In response, Delhi Capitals faltered against a brilliant spell from Jamie Overton, who picked up 4 for 18 as they were bowled out for 189.“Really means a lot. The trust they showed, it was very responsible. Luckily everything came off nicely. It never felt like a different franchise. People are so nice. We had a meeting of 50 seconds today even after losing three matches,” Sanju Samson said after being named Player of the Match.“I have failed a lot. Mind gets a bit here and there. I need to know what my basics are. It’s about doing the basics right. We did some good sessions with the support staff,” he added.Samson was the chief architect of CSK’s memorable night at Chepauk. Asked to bat first, he registered his first big knock in a CSK jersey and shared a dominant partnership with Mhatre, who showcased his growing maturity in a vital stand of 113 runs in just over 11 overs.It was Samson’s fourth IPL hundred and his first for CSK, as well as the first century of the IPL 2026 season. The knock was crucial in restoring belief among the CSK faithful, especially after a poor start to the campaign.“It was very important to have great partnerships. Ayush has shown so much maturity. (On his celebration) That was for Fleming, I know how challenging it can be. I just wanted to dedicate this to him,” he said.
LAS VEGAS — For a fleeting 20 minutes, it looked like the return of Cale Makar might actually be the answer.
The spark. The jolt. The lifeline the Colorado Avalanche desperately needed to salvage a series that has spiralled into something bordering on surreal.
Instead, it became the cruelest tease of all.
Because after a 3–0 first‑period burst that had the Presidents’ Trophy winners looking every bit like the powerhouse they were supposed to be, a nine‑minute collapse to open the second period somehow has them staring down a 3–0 series deficit they have absolutely no answers for.
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And the knockout blow didn’t come from the returning superstar in burgundy.
It came from the one in gold.
Makar’s return was supposed to be the story. And early on, it was. He played more minutes than anyone on the ice in the opening frame, looking like the same dynamic, downhill‑attacking force who tilts the ice in every rink he steps onto.
“It felt like it took me a little bit to get back in the rhythm, but overall the body felt great,” said Makar, who missed the first two games of the Western Conference Final with an upper-body injury.
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“I wish I could have done a little bit more. Definitely was a passenger for a bit tonight,”
Because 19 seconds into the second period, the building shook.
Mark Stone, playing his first game since May 8, parked himself at the side of the net and redirected a gorgeous Mitch Marner feed past Scott Wedgewood with a power-play kick starter.
T‑Mobile Arena roared back to life, and the Golden Knights, who have looked downright unstoppable since John Tortorella took over, fed off it instantly.
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They’re now 18‑4‑1 under him. And if you think that’s a coincidence, coach Tortorella would like a word.
“This is a game where we showed some (guts),” said Tortorella, basking in the glow of a 5-3 comeback win that will ultimately be remembered for burying the Avalanche.
“This team, in the short time that I’ve been with them, has shown me nothing but (fearlessness). They’re not afraid. It’s something we’ve tried to stress, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. I think they just have an uncanny ability to stay together.”
Stone’s goal was the spark. William Karlsson’s first of the playoffs was the accelerant. And then came the moment that sucked the oxygen out of the Avalanche bench.
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With eight minutes left in the period, Nathan MacKinnon stepped in front of a Shea Theodore blast and took it flush off the right kneecap. He crumpled instantly, stayed down for half a minute, then hobbled off in visible agony.
As he hung his head on the bench, trying to process the pain, the crowd erupted less than a minute later — this time for Keegan Kolesar’s tying goal. Tie game.
MacKinnon spent the rest of the night unsure if he should be out there, playing sparingly in a desperate attempt to stop the momentum before Tomas Hertl undressed Sam Malinski and lifted a backhand in to score the eventual game winner eight minutes into the third.
“It’s tough,” said Makar of MacKinnon’s injury.
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“He sells out for a shot block. Unfortunately it’s because of a bad turnover from us. Shouldn’t happen.”
As far as Makar goes, he did everything he could. His skating, his poise, his blue‑line manipulation — all of it was there, as he recorded three shots on goal in a game-high 27 minutes of ice time.
But, as the coach reiterated, “You get a nine‑minute stretch that costs you the hockey game.”
And that’s the story of this series. Colorado hasn’t been outclassed for 60 minutes. They’ve been undone in pockets — five minutes here, nine minutes there — and against a team this opportunistic, that’s fatal.
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Bednar wasn’t ready to sugarcoat anything when asked about resiliency as they look to save their season Tuesday.
“We’re not there yet, I don’t know,” he said of the mood following the team’s first first loss of the season after holding a multi-goal lead.
“Everyone’s down in the dumps right now and that’s what the next 36 hours are for, to get our team back and make sure our focus is in the right place. It seems like a tough hill to climb too, obviously especially against a tough team like Vegas.”
He’s right. With MacKinnon banged up, with Valeri Nichushkin injured, with a goalie change inevitable, and with their confidence shaken, the Avalanche look like a team searching for something that isn’t there.
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When push comes to shove, the Avalanche don’t have any answers.
The Golden Knights do. They have Stone. They have swagger. They have Tortorella. And they have a 3–0 stranglehold on a series that feels, for all intents and purposes, over.
Regis Le Bris expressed his pride as Sunderland secured a spot in next season’s Europa League by beating Chelsea 2-1.
Trai Hume opened the scoring before Malo Gusto’s own goal early in the second half doubled the Black Cats’ advantage.
Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea but they had Wesley Fofana sent off just after the hour mark and Sunderland held on for the three points.
Victory at the Stadium of Light along with other results ensured the Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League standings, capping off a remarkable return to the top flight.
Asked about his emotions, Le Bris said: “Proud. I’m proud of the lads, proud of the atmosphere in the stadium, the connection we had once again today to create something special.
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“We had to win. I think we were really focused.
“The way we wanted to play this game, showed good control, scored when it was on and finally the last part of the game was well-managed with maturity.”
Victory comes one year to the day since Sunderland were promoted with a Championship play-off final triumph over Sheffield United at Wembley and Le Bris believes a strong finish this term is the “continuity” of their journey.
“It’s different, Wembley was fantastic as well, a special place in English football,” he said.
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“Here today, it’s the continuity of our journey and the journey is really special because we feel the alignment in the club with our fans and finally it’s a tribute to our collective work and it’s really nice.”
Looking ahead to the prospect of playing in the Europa League, Le Bris added: “It’s hard to realise at the minute.
“It’s going to be a new challenge, but we don’t want to set a limit.
“We know it’s going to be tough in the Premier League, first of all, because the second season is hard as well.
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“Let’s start with this idea to be strong in the Premier League. After that we’ll have the Europa League which is another challenge, another story, we’ll see.”
Calum McFarlane believes Chelsea should be finishing “a lot higher up”.
Defeat on Wearside ended a flat campaign for the Blues, who had started the day in eighth but slipped to 10th.
The game was McFarlane’s last before Xabi Alonso takes over on July 1 and he said: “A disappointing end to the season.
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“We should be finishing a lot higher up the league – for me, with this group of players, the talent we have, we should be in the Champions League.
“We haven’t been, we’ve been too inconsistent at times this year.
“The feeling in the dressing room is obviously of disappointment. We wanted to win today and make the best of a bad situation and get into the Europa League.
“We didn’t get the performance we wanted or the result. The message to the fans, we’re as disappointed as them, we’re gutted we couldn’t do it for them.
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“They’ve been brilliant this year, they’ve really supported us, especially in the last couple of weeks when we’ve needed to win games.
“Unfortunately we’ve let them down today, we weren’t able to put the performance in that they deserve.”
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: The New York Knicks huddle up during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks are now just one win away from eliminating the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 121-108 Game 3 victory. New York now leads the series 3-0 and continues to be completely in control.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 30 points, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also stepped up in another strong team performance.
The Knicks were faster and more aggressive throughout the night, constantly punishing Cleveland’s mistakes and turning defense into easy points.
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Meanwhile, the Cavaliers struggled to find rhythm offensively and never truly looked comfortable for long stretches of the game.
New York is now just one win away from reaching its first NBA Finals since 1999.
Here’s our rest-of-season Top 300. Expect this space to be updated every Monday. Players are ranked for 5×5 mixed leagues using a one-catcher format. I include the mixed-league disclaimer because I do reward upside, particularly past the top 200 or so.
⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason and much more.
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 overall ranks
**Updated May 25**
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I added the preseason Top 300 rankings to the list this week, just as sort of a two-month progress report. To date, 54 players in the original rankings have been swapped out for newcomers.
– I was always too optimistic about Schwellenbach’s return from elbow surgery, apparently. He’s resumed tossing, but it sounds like he won’t even be back on the mound for another three weeks, suggesting that mid-August return is probably the best-case scenario now. … I can’t believe I reintroduced Manzardo to the rankings last week only for Stephen Vogt to bench him against three of the next five righties (and both lefties, of course) the Guardians faced. Manzardo is batting .278/.350/.574 with an even more impressive .406 xwOBA this month. But, then, the Guardians are obviously doing just fine without him.
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– Cristopher Sánchez overtakes Paul Skenes as the No. 1 starter this week. Sánchez’s velocity was down just a little initially, and he didn’t dominate last month, but he’s had a May for the ages, with his 32 scoreless innings and 36 strikeouts. His K rate has jumped from 20 percent in 2024 and 26 percent last season to 29 percent now, and he’s done without losing anything off his stellar groundball rate. I’m still pretty sure Skenes will be fine, but his velocity is down one mph from last year and his mediocre 25.6 percent CSW is really quite stunning. He ranks 56th of the 76 qualified starters in that category, right in between Matthew Liberatore and Colin Rea.
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– While I didn’t want to, I did have to drop Luke Keaschall from 102nd to 167th this week. He’s losing playing time on a Twins team that’s already sent down Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis. And it probably doesn’t help matters that Lewis is already gunning for a quick return. I think things will turn around for Keaschall if the Twins stick with him, but it’d be hard to blame them for swapping him out for a spell. His lack of defensive value makes his offensive struggles much more difficult to deal with.
– Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell would all be top-200 guys for me as regulars, but the current playing time situation in Milwaukee isn’t great. I’d love to have Vaughn back in the 150s, but he sat against three straight righties last week before Mitchell missed a couple of games with a back issue. Someone will eventually get hurt again and clarifying matters for a time, but I don’t much like it right now.
– Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones is another guy I’d like to have higher, but this talk about maybe starting him off in the pen seems like a real threat. If it’s about not taking either Bubba Chandler or Carmen Mlodzinski out of the rotation, I don’t get that at all. I do think Chandler will get better, but his 16 percent walk rate is awful and he’s not really making up for it with a 22 percent strikeout rate. Mlodzinski has been nice, but his ceiling as a starter is limited, and even with him having allowed just two homers on 11 barrels, his ERA is an unremarkable 3.96. Jones has ace-type ability and he’s been stretched out to the point that he threw 76 pitches last time out. I don’t see how it would make any sense to put him in the pen now.
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– With his 1.13 ERA through 32 innings, Antonio Senzatela becomes the first Rockies pitcher to make the top 300 this year. It’s probably a temporary thing, since he might be as likely as anyone in the league to get traded, and it might happen well before the deadline. For now, though, he looks like an increasingly decent bet for saves in Colorado’s pen.
May 18 Notes
Falling off: Kris Bubic (205th), Heliot Ramos (217th), Ryan O’Hearn (222nd), Clay Holmes (223rd), Chad Patrick (262nd), Dylan Beavers (264th), Royce Lewis (270th), Matt Wallner (275th), Giancarlo Stanton (285th), Robert Suarez (290th), Pierce Johnson (297th), Jac Caglianone (298th), Dennis Santana (299th)
– O’Hearn, Suarez, and Caglianone are all part of the next 10, along with Ryan Zeferjahn, Jake McCarthy, Connor Prielipp, Emilio Pagán and Jordan Lawlar.
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– For the first time since putting out my preseason rankings in mid-January, there is a change in the top three, as Shohei Ohtani (DH only) drops behind Bobby Witt Jr. I hesitated to make the move a couple of weeks ago after Ohtani got back to stealing bases, but since it looks like him being held out of the lineup when he pitches is turning into a regular thing, down one spot he goes. I might also put Ronald Acuña Jr. ahead of him if Acuña comes back strong from his hamstring injury.
– Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drops one spot this week, but I still don’t see any reason to go much lower. His exit velocity numbers are down some, but his bat speed is just fine and he’s not striking out. I’d be more concerned if his groundball rate was spiking, but he’s slightly better than his career average there. The power production will come, and the Blue Jays’ lineup still should take a significant step forward when Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger get healthy and George Springer figures things out. Springer has been another disappointment, but again, his bat speed has held up nicely, he’s pulling the ball in the air and his strikeout rate is fine.
– Munetaka Murakami’s home run barrage has really overshadowed what Miguel Vargas is doing in Chicago, but Vargas, pretty incredibly, is currently 10th in the majors with a .407 xwOBA. His average bat speed has jumped from 70.6 mph last year (25th percentile) to 73.7 mph this year (69th percentile) and he hasn’t sacrificed any contact to make that happen. In fact, his contract numbers are largely improved. His exit velocity numbers, aside him 16 percent barrel rate, are still pretty average, and he’s still having big BABIP troubles; he’s at .240 right now, which is only slightly better than his career mark of .233. That’s keeping me from ranking him in the top 100 for now, but he is up to No. 123 this week.
– I did make room for Colt Emerson at the very bottom of the list, but I don’t think he’s ready to be particularly useful in mixed leagues at age 20. It also doesn’t help that he’s in a tough situation for hitters in Seattle. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do, but Emerson was striking out 27 percent of the time in Triple-A and it’s probably going to be a couple of years before he settles in as a 20-homer guy.
May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) moves the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND — Jalen Brunson is a three-time All-Star and one of the premier point guards in the sport. He now stands one win away from becoming a Big Apple basketball legend.
The New York Knicks lead the Eastern Conference finals over the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0, giving them an opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals with a road victory on Monday night.
The Knicks have won a franchise-record 10 consecutive playoff games by an average of 22.5 points. If they make it 11 straight, Brunson will accomplish a goal that he has had “since I signed” with New York in 2022.
“Jalen is the MVP,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “He’s an MVP candidate and he continues to do what he has to do night after night.”
Brunson has averaged 29.0 points and 8.7 assists in the first three games while playing a series-high 128 minutes. The eighth-year pro added another accolade Sunday, when he was named to the All-NBA second team, along with Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers.
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His focus, though, is all on Game 4 — and potentially beyond — as third-seeded New York seeks its first East crown since 1999.
“I don’t want to consider us peaking at this moment,” said Brunson, whose 27.8 scoring average ranks third in the league this postseason. “But I haven’t really had the time to wonder where we are as a team. All I focus on is how can we get better from the day before.”
Shooting guard Mikal Bridges has also taken his game to a new level during the Knicks’ playoff run, averaging 19.1 points and shooting 69.1% from the field and 47.6% on 3-pointers over his last eight games.
The league’s active ironman has made Cleveland pay when it double-teams Brunson or center Karl-Anthony Towns, making 27 of 38 field goal attempts (71.1%) and averaging 19.7 points in the series.
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“I’m so close with a lot of guys on this team,” Bridges said. “Just them being there and knowing that I want to play better. And especially to help the team win. They want that too.”
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers just want to win, period, and avoid being swept in a series for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. That also was the last time they advanced to the East finals until this season.
Cleveland squandered a 22-point lead in the final 7:52 of regulation in Game 1, then collapsed in overtime for a 115-104 loss. The Cavs haven’t recovered from it, dropping Game 2 by a 109-93 margin and never leading in a 121-108 defeat in Game 3.
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Instead of winning the opener on Sam Merrill’s wide-open 3-point attempt, the Cavaliers have looked exhausted since his shot bounced off the rim. Cleveland has played every other day since April 29; playing the maximum seven games in its first two series has clearly taken a physical toll.
“We know if you lose, you’re done, but we’ve got to let that thing go and go play,” Merrill said. “Obviously, let’s make the adjustments and clean up what we need to. And let’s go play with full belief that we’re going to get a win.”
Shooting guard Mitchell has done his part, averaging 26.0 points and 39.3 minutes, but point guard James Harden has yet to play well against New York. “The Beard” is shooting just 41.3% from the field and is making a dismal 22.7% of his 3-point tries.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is contemplating a lineup change to spark his club by moving small forward Dean Wade to the bench, but there is no obvious replacement as Merrill and Max Strus are only making a combined 29.3% of their field goal attempts.
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No NBA team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
“They’re the more energetic team and we’re a count, maybe two counts, behind at times,” Atkinson said. “We’re missing shots and transition breakdowns are getting them going.
KELOWNA, British Columbia — Liam Lefebvre scored his second goal of the game at 5:28 of overtime to give the Chicoutimi Sagueneens a 3-2 victory over the host Kelowna Rockets on Sunday night in the Memorial Cup.
In the three-on-three tiebreaker, Lefebvre took a pass from Nathan Lecompte in the left circle and fired a one-timer past goalie Josh Banini.
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Sagueneens rebounded a night after an opening 5-3 loss to the Western Hockey League champion Everett Silvertips.
Anton Linde also scored for Chicoutimi. Lucas Beckman stopped 27 shots.
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Tij Iginla and Mazden Leslie scored for Kelowna, and Banini made 26 saves. The 19-year-old Iginla, the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, was drafted sixth overall by Utah in 2024.
On Friday night, Kelowna fell 5-0 to the Ontario Hockey League champion Kitchener Rangers to open the four-team tournament.
After Linde gave Chicoutimi a 2-1 lead on a tip with 5:59 left in the third, Leslie tied it with 4:10 remaining. A long rebound came to Leslie on the right side of the goal and he was able to chip it in.
Lefebvre opened the scoring for Chicoutimi on a breakaway with 5:22 left in the first period, flipping a backhander into the top netting. Iginla tied it at 6:29 of the second with a shot from the left circle.
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On Monday night, Everett will face Kitchener. The Silvertips are trying to become the fourth U.S. franchise to win the event, following Portland in 1983 and 1998, Spokane in 1991 and 2008 and Saginaw in 2024.
In the final round-robin games, Kitchener will play Chicoutimi on Tuesday night, and Kelowna will face Everett on Wednesday night.
iDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) makes a catch to score a touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have added many rookies to their roster, including not only the nine draft picks but also a host of undrafted players. I want to look at which of these Vikings rookies have surprise potential in 2026 and could achieve more than is suggested.
Unsung Newcomers Could Crash the Conversation
For this exercise, I’m not looking at any of the draftees selected on the first two days of the draft. The likes of Caleb Banks and Jake Golday should be expected to have some impact in their rookie seasons.
I’m looking for a Day 3 pick who can step up early in his career, something the Vikings have had very little success with in recent years. Or — an undrafted rookie that comes from nowhere like Ivan Pace did a couple of years back. The chances of an undrafted rookie breaking onto the scene are slim; some have already been released, but Pace proved it’s not impossible.
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1. Demond Claiborne (RB)
The Vikings selected Demond Claiborne with the 198th overall pick, and he can add some juice to a solid, if unspectacular, Vikings rushing attack. Aaron Jones is in the twilight of his career, and Jordan Mason is a good downhill runner, but Claiborne doesn’t see his path to playing time in Minnesota blocked by a Christian McCaffrey or Kenneth Walker.
Nov 16, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Demond Claiborne (1) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Power Echols (23) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Claiborne gives the Vikings a twitched-up runner with quick feet who can find gaps and generate big chunk plays. The Vikings’ rushing attack lacks that, and while I wouldn’t expect him to start the season ahead of either Mason or Jones. He can create opportunities for himself, and when they arise, he needs to seize them. There is a place for his style of runner in the Vikings offense if he can take it.
2. Charles Demmings (CB)
Minnesota landed a potential secondary steal in Charles Demmings with the 163rd overall pick. Demmings posted 99th-percentile vertical jump numbers at the combine and earned a 79.6 PFF grade with four interceptions in 2025. Coming from a small school and playing against lesser opponents, there is the doubt that comes with that, but the physical traits and athletic profile are there – 6’1 and 193 lbs with 32-inch arms and 10 1/8-inch hands.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash with a 1.55-second 10-yard split, while also posting a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump. Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores has shown a strong eye for defensive prospects, and this selection fits that approach. In a draft that felt like it was all about Flores, Demmings could prove to be the jewel in the crown if he can translate his skill set, which includes great ball-tracking ability in the air, to the NFL level.
3. Dillon Bell (WR)
My pick for the undrafted rookie that could become a surprise package is wide receiver Dillon Bell. There’s not a huge amount of room in the Vikings’ WR room, but Bell has a decent chunk of guaranteed money in his contract, which shows some belief from the Vikings. Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon at 6-foot and 210 lbs.
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Nov 22, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) shown on the field prior to the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
His route running isn’t great, but Bell averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a runner at Georgia and can be an intriguing option in the Vikings offense if used correctly – get the ball in his hands early and let him make things happen.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama wanted the ball for the final couple seconds of the first half. He got it, 65 feet from the basket.
He had three Oklahoma City defenders in front of him. He took three dribbles. He got three points.
And he made it look easy, too.
A swished three-pointer from the midcourt stripe to close the first half brought maybe the loudest roars of his night, but it was hardly the only moment in which Wembanyama was unstoppable in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.
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He got most of the fourth quarter off and still finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots as the Spurs beat the Thunder 103-82 to tie the West title series at two games apiece.
“The truth is that we had never been in this kind of situation before,” Wembanyama said. “It was our first deficit in a playoff series and we just responded. It was nothing amazing. It wasn’t magic. We just did what we needed to do.”
In other words, he wasn’t surprised. A 62-win team in the regular season — and a team that has now beaten Oklahoma City six times in nine opportunities this season — shouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore.
Game 5 is Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
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It was Wembanyama who pointed the finger of blame at himself following San Antonio’s loss in Game 3, saying that the Spurs were “going to see what we’re made of” in Game 4 and that he had to do more to get teammates involved.
He delivered on every level.
“I saw a lot and I’m not surprised,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I think our competitive response all year has been pretty good — and he’s been at the forefront of that more often than not. I think tonight, not speaking for him, he felt an obligation to set a tone for us in a variety of ways.”
Wembanyama had 11 points in the first quarter, 11 more on 10 shot attempts in the second quarter and capped all that with the beat-the-clock 3-pointer going into halftime.
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And on the other end, he might have been even better.
The unanimous Defensive Player of the Year — who was announced on Sunday night as a first-team All-NBA selection for the first time — led an effort that held Oklahoma City to a season-low in points and a season-high-tying 20 turnovers.
The Thunder had at least 108 points in every game in these playoffs entering Sunday.
“We’ve played 12 playoff games. When you play 12 playoff games, they’re not all going to be masterpieces,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “As much as you want to win, there’s nights where you just don’t have it for whatever reason.”
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On Sunday, that reason might have been Wembanyama. The Thunder were outscored by 29 points when he was on the floor. They shot 18 of 41 inside the paint, with Wembanyama a big reason for that, so more things got forced outside — where they shot 12 of 50.
He was asked how the Spurs bottled up the Thunder so well.
“I’m not going to get into details, but in general, being more disciplined and just trusting the game plan even more,” Wembanyama said.
There’s a flight for the Spurs to Oklahoma City on Monday for a game on Tuesday, and the winner of that contest will be one game away from the NBA Finals. It’s clear that Wembanyama knows that even after a big win, the job only gets tougher now.
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“The series is far from over,” Wembanyama said. “We’ve got six more wins before we can rest.”
Tottenham secured Premier League survival at the expense of West Ham on Sunday as Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah bade emotional farewells to English football. Spurs knew a draw against Everton would realistically keep them up as they had a two-point advantage over West Ham and a significantly superior goal difference. Joao Palhinha released the mounting pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just before half-time, poking home after his header thundered back off a post, before being mobbed by his teammates.
Just a few miles away, at the London Stadium, Valentin Castellano, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson scored for West Ham in a 3-0 win against Leeds but it was too little, too late as a nervy Spurs held on to win 1-0.
“This day for us is much more than winning a game,” match-winner Palhinha told the BBC.
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“A lot of people depend (for) their lives on this club. It was a tough season but I think this season can help for the future. We can take a lot from it even if we didn’t reach the level Tottenham should.”
Spurs, the ninth-richest club in the world, have enjoyed a mini-revival in recent weeks under Roberto De Zerbi, who arrived in late March as the club’s third head coach of the season.
The Hammers, who were promoted to the English top division in 2012, will join Burnley and Wolves in the Championship next season.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, it was not in our hands,” West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo said to Sky Sports.
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“We did our part and we hoped for the best — it didn’t happen. We have to pass the sad moment that we are living.”
Pep farewell
Manchester City boss Guardiola took charge at the Etihad for the final time after a decade of almost unbroken success, with newly-crowned Europa League winners Aston Villa the visitors.
The Catalan on Friday confirmed reports that he was leaving the club after 10 years in charge, with six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his huge collection of silverware.
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A huge banner rippled over the heads of fans bearing a giant image of Guardiola, with the messages “Game Changer” and “History Maker”.
Antoine Semenyo gave the home side the lead but England’s Ollie Watkins scored twice to secure a 2-1 win and fourth spot in the table for Villa.
“In the next years, if you see me in the streets in the (United) States or Europe or somewhere and you are a Man City fan, come to me and hug me. I will need it,” Guardiola said in his post-match address to the crowd.
Elsewhere on a day of significant departures, Salah and Andy Robertson played their final game for Liverpool, who drew 1-1 against Brentford.
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Deposed champions Liverpool finished fifth in the table, joining Arsenal, City, Manchester United and Aston Villa in next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool’s coaching staff and players formed a guard of honour for a tearful Salah and Robertson before they were embraced by club greats Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush.
“I think I cried more than in my whole life,” Salah told Sky. “I’m not really an emotional guy. We (with Robertson) lived our youth here, sharing everything from the beginning to the end.
“We put this club back where it belongs.”
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There was a party atmosphere at Selhurst Park, where a much-changed Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy after beating Crystal Palace 2-1.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he had had doubts after three consecutive runners-up finishes as he chased the club’s first Premier League trophy since 2004.
“That was beautiful,” he said. “Look at the joy of all of the people, they have been waiting for this for so long.
“We have had difficult moments along the way but it is all worth it when you see that kind of reaction.”
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Ten-man Chelsea lost 2-1 at Sunderland, meaning that newly appointed boss Xabi Alonso will have no European football when he is at the helm next season.
Victory took Sunderland into the Europa League, alongside Bournemouth, while Brighton will be in the Conference League.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) reacts after a defensive play during the second half against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Murphy continued his strong season with another energetic performance in a key NFC North showdown as the Vikings battled Detroit late into the game. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season won’t start for 3.5 months, but in the meantime, it’s a fair juncture to size up the club’s best players. Kevin O’Connell’s team will hope to visit the postseason in 2026 after missing out on the fun in 2025 by one win.
Minnesota’s best players are ranked from No. 8 to No. 1 entering the heart of the offseason.
From a May 2026 perspective, here’s the pecking order of the team’s top players.
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Star Power Still Defines the Top of the Roster
The players are ranked from good to best (No. 1 = best player).
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) intercepts a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during fourth-quarter action on Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Murphy delivered a pivotal defensive play late in the contest, helping Minnesota maintain momentum as the Vikings battled Arizona in an important regular-season matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
8. Byron Murphy Jr. | CB
Murphy Jr.’s 2024 campaign was much more promising than his 2025 efforts. But that doesn’t mean he’d play poorly in 2025; he was just fantastic two seasons ago.
Because of his consistency, Murphy Jr. checks in at No. 8 on this list, narrowly edging Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and Eric Wilson. Opposing quarterbacks encountered a 78.2 passer rating allowed when targeting Murphy in 2025. That’s pretty excellent.
He’s connected to the budget through the end of 2027.
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7. Blake Cashman | ILB
Cashman’s importance for 2026 remains crystal clear, despite the arrival of Jake Golday. While the Vikings drafted Golday in Round 2 as a potential long-term off-ball linebacker option should Cashman depart in 2027, Cashman’s 2025 performance was nothing short of fantastic.
Last season, Cashman averaged an incredible 11.07 tackles per game. Projecting that pace over a full 17-game schedule would yield 188 tackles — a mark among the highest in NFL history. Though he missed four games, which dulled his final tally, his weekly impact was undeniable.
Moreover, he’s a near-perfect fit for Flores’s defense. The Eden Prairie native plays fast, finds the football, and injects the kind of disruptive bedlam Flores demands from his middle linebackers.
6. Jalen Redmond | DT
Minnesota’s top revelation over the last two seasons, Redmond is here to stay. He logged a 72.7 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025 after a 75.6 in 2024. Because he came from the UFL, many have expected Redmond to hit a wall eventually, and that just never happens.
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He accrued 6 sacks last year, which is fantastic for a defensive tackle, and he just gets better and better. In fact, he had a case for the Pro Bowl last year, though voters did not listen.
You can call Redmond the Vikings’ best or second-best defensive player with Jonathan Greenard no longer on the roster.
5. Kyler Murray | QB
Murray is the fifth-most accurate quarterback in NFL history, he’s faster than Justin Jefferson, and he can throw the ball 60-70 yards. His stock is low right now because the Arizona Cardinals — of all franchises — kicked him to the curb. That will leave him ultra-motivated to succeed in 2026.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sits in the front row as Jonathan Gannon is introduced as the franchise’s new head coach on Feb. 16, 2023, at the team training facility in Tempe, Arizona. Murray listened during the introductory news conference as Cardinals leadership outlined the organization’s vision and direction entering a new era for the franchise. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic.
He has a lot of “proving it” to do this season as the new quarterback of the Vikings, but based on his seven seasons in the league, he’s not a little-engine-that-could situation. The man has a better career EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, C.J. Stroud, and Trevor Lawrence.
4. Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB
Van Ginkel is the Vikings’ top outside linebacker. How? Why? Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles last month. While Dallas Turner offers high upside, Van Ginkel is the proven commodity: versatile, productive, and a trusted asset in Brian Flores’ defense.
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Crucially, he’s the linchpin holding the pass rush together. His ability to rush, drop, disguise, and execute the unique assignments vital to Flores’ system makes him invaluable. This versatility is even more critical now with Greenard’s departure and Turner’s promotion to a full-time starting role.
With Van Ginkel turning 31 this summer, the Vikings might consider an extension to retain one of their most reliable defenders beyond 2026. In two seasons, Van Ginkel has tabulated 18.2 sacks, 32 QB hits, 133 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns in Minnesota.
3. Brian O’Neill | RT
O’Neill embodies the quietly excellent player every team dreams of having at right tackle. His sturdy performance is evident in his PFF grades since 2018:
Through multiple roster eras, coaching staffs, quarterback changes, and offensive line rebuilds, O’Neill has almost never been part of the problem. Even when the Vikings struggled with offensive line issues during the Mike Zimmer years, he remained the sole steady presence.
Delivering strong seasons with remarkably few rough games, O’Neill can be expected to perform exceptionally well again in 2026 — because that’s simply his modus operandi.
2. Christian Darrisaw | LT
Darrisaw experienced his worst season as a pro in 2025, mainly because his ACL didn’t heal right. Minnesota put him back on the shelf in December and now hopes that he’ll be ready for Week 1.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) participates in a team practice session on Oct. 4, 2024, at The Grove in Watford, United Kingdom. Minnesota held the overseas workout while preparing for an international matchup, with Darrisaw working through drills alongside teammates as the Vikings adjusted to the unique environment ahead of the league’s global showcase. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
When healthy, Darrisaw is a Top 3 NFL left tackle. Some might argue that O’Neill deserves this spot, but at the peak of his powers, Darrisaw is a slightly better tackle than O’Neill. Not by much, but by a little.
Darrisaw is overdue for a monster year, and one of these seasons, he’ll pull down his first Pro Bowl honor. It’s overdue.
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1. Justin Jefferson | WR
We publish this list of best Vikings annually around this time on the calendar, and Jefferson has taken home the top prize five years running.
It’s a “no caption” needed situation.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
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