Kolkata Knight Riders will be eager for their spinners to rediscover form against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a clash of two batting-heavy sides on Thursday.The match begins a crucial home stretch for KKR, with three games in seven days before a long break due to assembly polls. With four away fixtures to follow, building momentum at Eden Gardens — where they have won 54 of 95 matches — is vital.
Watch
IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane backs KKR’s young pace attack after loss
KKR’s campaign has been hampered by a weakened bowling unit. Injuries to Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, Matheesha Pathirana’s absence, and Cameron Green’s limited role have reduced their depth. However, the bigger concern is spin, with Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy struggling in the opener.SRH are in a similar spot after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite a strong top order, their bowling looks vulnerable without Pat Cummins, placing added pressure on both departments to deliver.
Five players to watch in KKR vs SRH
Abhishek Sharma (SRH)The World No. 1 batter is enduring a torrid time since the start of the T20 World Cup 2026, and it has continued in IPL 2026. Despite a triumphant campaign for India, Abhishek was heavily scrutinised for his dismal showing, even though he scored a 52 in the final. In the opening match of the new IPL season, the left-handed opener failed to fire and was out for 7 off 8 balls. SRH posted 201, but RCB chased it down in just 15.4 overs. The explosive batter will be looking to turn around his fortunes against KKR at Eden. The 25-year-old is now in his eighth season with SRH, and the team will be hoping for another 400-plus season from their star batter after achieving a similar feat in the last two seasons.Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)India’s X-factor in the T20I bowling setup, Varun Chakravarthy also had a below-par T20 World Cup despite finishing as joint highest wicket-taker with teammate Jasprit Bumrah. Most of his wickets came in the early stages of the tournament, with his performances in must-win games not up to the mark. He is now under the scanner again in IPL 2026, as the premier KKR spinner returned dismal figures of 0 for 48 in the high-scoring opener against MI at Wankhede. Varun had three consecutive good seasons for KKR, and the team will be looking to him again for crucial breakthroughs in their first home game.Ishan Kishan (SRH)Ishan Kishan has been the talk of the town in recent months. One of the stars of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Ishan is now leading SRH in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins. Continuing his rich vein of form from the World Cup, he started IPL 2026 with a gritty 80 off 38 balls against RCB. Even though his team was beaten comprehensively, Ishan remains a force to reckon with. He will be looking for another big knock on the high-scoring Eden pitch against KKR.Aniket Verma (SRH)Young middle-order batter Aniket Verma showcased his power-hitting in SRH’s season opener against RCB. The 24-year-old smashed four sixes and three fours in his 18-ball 43 late charge to take SRH to a competitive 201/9. Even though the total proved insufficient, Aniket’s power game caught attention. After a decent debut season last year, the youngster will be aiming for another strong campaign.Angkrish Raghuvanshi (KKR)The young keeper-batter was in his element in KKR’s opener, smashing 51 off 29 balls against MI. KKR posted 220/4 at Wankhede, but it was chased down with ease. The 21-year-old will be looking for another good outing this time at home. In his third season with KKR, Raghuvanshi will be aiming for a breakthrough year.
Chris Sabin celebrates his win during SmackDown at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., on March 20, 2026.(Craig Melvin/WWE)
The Ultimate X match would have high-wire ropes above the ring with pillars on the sides. In order for a wrestler to win the match, they would have to climb the pillar, make their way across the rope and grab the prize that hung in the middle. The match would often feature the X-Division’s highflyers and provided some heart-stopping moments.
The King of the Mountain match was essentially a reverse ladder match that included a penalty box for those who were pinned – which is also featured in the Iron Survivor Challenge that takes place during WWE NXT events. Each wrestler begins as ineligible to win and the only way to be eligible is to score a pinfall or a submission.
The only way to win the match is to hang the title belt on the top, retrieving it from the official to do so. Jeff Jarrett won the match three times in TNA. The men’s match hasn’t been seen since 2016. A women’s match took place in 2022 for the Knockouts World Championship.
Alex Shelley enters the ring during SmackDown at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, on Aug. 8, 2025.(Michael Marques/WWE)
WWE’s partnership with TNA could provide that opportunity for WWE to incorporate the match types into their own plans. Fox News Digital asked former TNA stars – current WWE wrestlers – Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley if they would like to see that happen one day.
Shelley said a King of the Mountain match could be a “good idea.”
“Man, I’ve never thought about King of the Mountain,” he said. “I think that’s a good idea. I love King of the Mountain.”
Advertisement
Sabin added, however, he wouldn’t want to be a part of anymore Ultimate X matches.
“Myself, I would like to take my name of the hat for Ultimate X matches because I lost count of how many I’ve done – north of 20. So, I’ve done plenty of those,” he told Fox News Digital. “Had my fill of those matches.”
WWE has already produced some interesting matches of their own in recent years, including the aforementioned Iron Survivor Challenge and the Underground Match, which is its own take on the BloodSport style matches.
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin enter the arena during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025.(Craig Melvin/WWE)
An image of Cucurella getting his hair cut was posted on X prior to kick-off, accompanied by the caption: “[Cole] Palmer and Joao Pedro both injured tonight. There’s your exclusive.”
The post was then hastily removed and the account has since been deleted.
Both Palmer and Joao Pedro were absent from the clash at the Amex Stadium, which saw a spineless Chelsea side slump to a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Seagulls.
Marc Cucurella’s barber appears to leak Chelsea’s team news on X before hastily deleting the post (X)
Liam Rosenior has already been forced to deal with team news leaks during his Chelsea reign, with details on his line-up being revealed to French media ahead of both his side’s Champions League last-16 legs with PSG.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened, it won’t be the last time,” he said.
“I’m not talking in terms of me, I’m talking about any team or any club. These things happen. It’s disappointing, but I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Rosenior was left furious as his team were dismantled by Brighton, suffering their fifth straight loss in the Premier League without scoring goal – their worst run of form in 114 years.
“It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game,” Rosenior said. “Unacceptable in attitude. I keep coming out and defending the players but that’s indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels we lost, the lack of intensity in the team.
Advertisement
“Something needs to change drastically right now. We need to look in the mirror. I need to look in the mirror but I can’t keep coming out here defending some of the things we are seeing.
Liam Rosenior laid into his players after Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton (Reuters)
“We lost 80 per cent of duels. We didn’t win a header. Two of the goals came when we can head the ball, the basics of football, and we don’t. At any level, if you make those errors, you’re not going to win games of football.
“I haven’t criticised them up until now. I’ve defended them. They have deserved that. But I will tell the truth. I always come out here and tell the truth. And I blame myself as well. It’s not just blaming the players. I’m part of that process.”
The Chelsea manager’s future is now in doubt, with the club’s hierarchy holding a meeting on Wednesday over whether to end his time at the club just four months after his appointment.
A Clemson Tigers helmet rests on the sideline bench at BB&T Field, on Oct 6, 2018 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sitting unattended during game action against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as players remained on the field in the middle of a competitive ACC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have nine picks between now and Saturday evening, but everyone cares about the first one at the moment. Accordingly, we’re here to publish our 1st-Round prognostication for the Vikings, and in 2026, that’s defensive tackle Peter Woods, whether via trade or remaining at the No. 18 spot.
Woods gives Minnesota juice inside.
Interim general manager Rob Brzeznski could reasonably pick about 10 different players, and no one would be too befuddled, but for the official forecast, we say Woods.
Advertisement
Woods Fits the Vikings’ Long-Term Defensive Plan
The Clemson DT could marry “best player available” and roster need.
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) stands on the field during pregame warmups as he prepares for a high-profile matchup, showcasing his size and presence along the defensive front on Aug. 31, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta before Clemson faced Georgia in a nationally watched season opener. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
The Main Case for Woods
Brian Flores presumably has more control over the defensive personnel now that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no longer employed, and when he ran the Miami Dolphins, his very first draft pick seven years ago was Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle.
Meanwhile, Minnesota tossed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to the curb in March, signing no replacements from free agency. If the Vikings’ season started tonight, they’d play Jalen Redmond, Levi Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the middle of the defensive line. It is unclear if that’s enough oomph and experience.
Advertisement
Too, Minnesota has drafted offensive players in Round 1 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. It’s time for a defensive player.
Woods is gettable at pick No. 18 and possibly after a slight trade back. He’s also the top defensive tackle in the draft, per most pundits. So, we say Woods to Minnesota on Thursday night.
Dropping Allen and Hargrave Isn’t Nothing
During Adofo-Mensah’s final free agency, he added two starting defensive tackles: Allen and Hargrave. The excitement was palpable because, although not overly young, the two had plenty of experience and Hargrave had a Pro Bowl to his name. Then, the regular season played out, with each man playing decently but nowhere near the value of their contracts.
Advertisement
So, the Vikings kicked them out. Allen landed in Cincinnati and will play next to Sexy Dexter Lawrence. Hargrave picked the Green Bay Packers.
Combined, the pair played over 1,300 defensive snaps. It would just seem strange to hand those snaps to Rodriguez and Ingram-Dawkins. The Vikings would be gambling on “maybes.”
Therefore, the evidence points to a DT addition early in the draft. Remember: in 2023, Minnesota needed a wide receiver. It drafted Jordan Addison. In 2024, it needed a quarterback. J.J. McCarthy was the first pick. How about 2025? A guard was the most pressing need. Donovan Jackson joined the Vikings. If you don’t overcomplicate it, Woods to Minnesota make sense.
Time to End the Drought
Advertisement
The Vikings haven’t drafted an interior defensive lineman in the first three rounds of the draft since 2013. If you remember Sharfif Floyd, he was the last guy. Minnesota got away with this, mainly because Linval Joseph cooked for six seasons.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods (11) celebrates after bringing down Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10), flashing his interior pass-rush ability and energy following a key defensive play on Nov. 1, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson during an ACC matchup that highlighted his disruptive presence. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images.
Generally speaking, the Vikings and all other teams should take a swing at a promising DT at least once every five or eight years or so. In that regard, the purple team is overdue.
Draft Woods. End the drought. Complement the Vikings’ fantastic outside linebackers from the inside out.
Get to Know Woods
At 6’2″ and 300 pounds, Woods possesses surprising agility for his size. His exceptional 4.75-second forty-yard dash, especially notable for a defensive tackle, demonstrates a quick first step and impressive leverage when engaging opponents. His signature swipe move is particularly effective on film, allowing him to penetrate the backfield rapidly. Over his last two seasons at Clemson, he amassed 5 sacks and consistently disrupted plays.
Advertisement
The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Woods: “He locates the ball quickly, violently sheds blocks as a run defender, and uses his quick hands and feet to make plays in the backfield. He’s on the lighter side (298 pounds) with shorter arms (31 1/4 inches), and the latter shows up on tape. He can win with his hands and still get stuck on the block as a pass rusher.”
“He doesn’t get enough separation to locate the ball at times as a run defender. He gets washed down the line of scrimmage and needs to do a better job of getting vertical when defending zone runs. And he’s an inconsistent tackler. He has upside as a pass rusher, but he did not take the next step as one in 2025.”
For context, defensive tackles often take a few years to hit their groove — longer than players at other positions — so Woods may not be a total stud as a rookie. Give him time.
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) walks through the stadium before kickoff, focused and composed as he prepares for a rivalry matchup on Nov. 29, 2025, at Williams-Brice Stadium, with his size and build standing out among players during pregame arrivals ahead of Clemson’s regular-season finale. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images.
McShay continued, “His hands are powerful, and he has an effective push-pull move. He can advance his rush while remaining engaged when he stays low. Woods compares well with New England defensive tackle Milton Williams, who lacks ideal length and mass but wins with his hands and athletic ability.”
“He should compete for a starting role as a rookie. Woods compares well with New England defensive tackle Milton Williams, who lacks ideal length and mass but wins with his hands and athletic ability. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie.”
Advertisement
McShay also mock-drafted Woods to Minnesota on Wednesday in his final set of predictions.
Woods turned 21 last month.
If the Woods prediction is wrong, the Vikings will likely draft Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo), or Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) instead.
LPGA star Charley Hull resumes the quest for her first major title this week at the 2026 Chevron Championship. While Hull will be too busy playing to catch much action on TV, this week presents the type of golf she still enjoys watching.
However, the genre of golf male pros play most weeks on the PGA Tour is not the popular English pro’s cup of tea.
Hull revealed that she doesn’t “really watch golf” when she’s not competing and laid one specific reason she finds the modern pro game “boring” in her Chevron Championship press conference.
Charley Hull on modern golf: ‘It’s quite boring watching a birdiefest’
Hull, 30, has three LPGA wins in her career and is currently ranked No. 4 in the world. She turned pro way back in 2013, and in that time she’s seen pro golf change drastically.
Advertisement
Those changes hit the men’s game hardest, where increases in distance has turned every regular PGA Tour event into a “birdiefest,” as Hull described them on Tuesday.
The majors, on the other hand, have undergone less change. In both the men’s and women’s game, major courses typically feature treacherous setups meant to provide fierce challenges to the best players in the game.
Hull is expecting this week’s Chevron Championship to follow that tradition, requiring players to hit long irons into many greens. That’s exactly how Hull thinks it should be at a major, and why she doesn’t usually watch non-major golf on TV.
Advertisement
To put it more simply, she prefers watching pros “when they’re struggling.”
“I much prefer that. I think that’s the way golf should be. It’s way more interesting,” Hull said on Tuesday at the Chevron. “I don’t really watch golf, but when I watch the men’s golf I watch the majors and I enjoy it a lot more when they’re struggling on the golf course. I think it’s a lot more fun.”
She then put a finer point on her issue with the golf played at most pro golf tournaments, which, in her view of the PGA Tour, has turned into a driver-wedge game.
“It’s quite boring watching a birdiefest. All you see is hitting a long drive, hitting a wedge on the green and holing a putt,” Hull said.
Hull continued by saying she preferred the pro golf played decades ago, when it was more of an “art.”
“It’s nice to see golf be played as an art, like when they have to create shots,” she explained. “I much prefer that. That’s why I preferred golf 20, 30 years ago.”
Advertisement
Hull later revealed that “pretty much the only tournament I watch is the Masters or the men’s British Open. I find them pretty exciting to watch.”
Though Hull has never won a major, she’s come remarkably close several times. She finished T2 at the 2016 Chevron Championship, to go along with a T7 in 2014 and T6 in 2018. She also earned a T2 at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open and has twice finished runner-up at the AIG Women’s Open in 2023 and in 2025.
Delhi Capitals conceded their highest total of IPL 2026, 242 runs, powered by a sensational unbeaten 135 from Abhishek Sharma, who batted through the entire 20 overs. Following the defeat, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has criticised Axar Patel for bowling just two overs while allowing part-time Nitish Rana to complete his full quota during Delhi Capitals’ (DC) clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their strong run with a commanding 47-run win, driven by Abhishek’s 68-ball masterclass, which included 10 fours and 10 sixes. He was well supported by Travis Head (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* off 13), helping SRH post a daunting 242/2.
In reply, Delhi Capitals showed early promise through a partnership between KL Rahul (37) and Nitish Rana (57), but lost momentum after their dismissals. Eshan Malinga starred with the ball, picking up 4/32, as DC were restricted to 195/9.
Finch was openly critical of the decision, saying, “We’ve been sitting there scratching our heads, haven’t we? Your two Indian premier spin bowlers, Axar Patel, the skipper, and Kuldeep Yadav, bowled four overs between them. A part-time offspinner in Nitish Rana has wheeled out four overs. To me, that makes no sense,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
Advertisement
He further questioned Axar’s reluctance to bowl to left-handers, even after dismissing Travis Head, suggesting it reflects an issue with mindset.
“It’s the responsibility of your captain, your senior player, your retained player, your best bowler, an Indian bowler, he’s one of your core bowlers in the Indian cricket team. That’s no small bit. He’s a double World Cup winner. So the fact that he doesn’t trust himself to execute under pressure and to defend himself against any left handers, as soon as a left hander walks to the crease, not for me today, thanks. To me, that says more about his attitude towards it than anything else,” he added.
130440619
Advertisement
Advertisement
Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin also highlighted the overuse of part-time bowler Nitish Rana, while frontline spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowled just two overs each.
“In DC’s bowling attack, they have Axar Patel, Kuldeep, Lungi, Mukesh, and Natarajan. But the first player to complete his 4-over quota was Nitish Rana, and that’s where they lost the match. It has to be the biggest blunder so far,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.
Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton and his girlfriend took to a beach in Malibu, California, with images and videos from the same surfacing on the internet. The couple’s cozy moments, which were captured in the videos and images, broke the internet.
With the F1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled due to the conditions in the Middle East, the F1 drivers have the months of April to themselves. While Max Verstappen decided to race in the NLS, Hamilton has been spending time with his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian.
On April 21, 2026, images and videos of Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian on a beach in Malibu surfaced. The seven-time F1 champion gave the supermodel a surf lesson before the couple spent time on the beach and in the shallows.
Advertisement
The images included the couple standing on the shore, with Hamilton’s arm around the supermodel’s waist. A video of Hamilton giving his girlfriend a surf lesson also surfaced.
Another couple of images showed the couple sharing some pleasant moments together. The first one was of Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian hugging in the shallows, with the other one being an image of the Briton kissing his supermodel girlfriend.
As the images and clips surfaced, they spread like fire on the internet with multiple accounts sharing, reposting, and uploading them on various social media platforms, including X and Instagram. The images were reshared thousands of times with millions of views.
Advertisement
Image credits: X/ @TMZ and @TheSun
Kim Kardashian was spotted with Lewis Hamilton in Tokyo ahead of the Japanese GP. The supermodel also featured in his Instagram reel of him drifting through Tokyo. After the Japanese GP, the couple was spotted together at Coachella attending Justin Bieber’s performance.
Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian’s dating timeline: From Paris Hotel reports to Instagram hard launch
Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have known each other for over a decade and were first seen together at the GQ Men of the Year awards. Over the years, the Briton became a good friend and was even invited by the Kardashians to family events.
Earlier this year, after the Barcelona shakedown, Hamilton and Kim Kardashian were spotted getting out of the same car at a hotel in Paris, which gave birth to the dating rumors. This was followed by their appearance at Super Bowl LX, where they sat together in the VIP box.
Just before the 2026 F1 season began, Kim Kardashian and Hamilton were spotted in Arizona, enjoying a sunset. The seven-time F1 champion was recently seen in Tokyo with his girlfriend, and eventually hard-launched his relationship via an Instagram reel uploaded by him, captioned “TOKYO DRIFT VOL. III”.
VJ Edgecombe delivered a standout performance as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics in Game 2 to level the series at 1-1.
Edgecombe finished with over 30 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach those numbers in a playoff game. At 20 or younger, he is only the second player to do it, joining Magic Johnson. He is also the first rookie to hit those marks in the playoffs since Tim Duncan in 1998.
Alongside him, Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and nine assists, while Paul George contributed 19 points in the win.
Advertisement
The result sees Philadelphia respond after losing Game 1, taking a road win to bring the series level heading into the next game.
Manchester United are in the market for midfield additions this summer as they seek a replacement for outgoing veteran Casemiro and Bournemouth star Alex Scott is a man in demand
Manchester United are making transfer checks on Bournemouth’s Alex Scott over a potential summer move.
England midfielder Scott, 22, is catching admiring glances from a host of top clubs with United and Chelsea looking at him.
Advertisement
Scott got an England call-up in November but was dropped from the last squad in March but since then produced a man of the match display against United and scored the winner at Arsenal.
That has shown his determination and quality and that is why top clubs now see him as a big prospect for the future.
Clearly, Bournemouth will not want to lose one of their main assets but several scouts have watched him and Chelsea and United are keeping tabs.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter
United definitely want to strengthen their midfield this summer and Scott’s character and ability to run with the ball and get forward has really impressed.
United are likely to look at two top midfield signings as they target that department having spent big in the forward line last year.
They bought Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and now they are going through a clear plan to improve.
United have run the rule over Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton but they already have Kobbie Mainoo who is expected to sign a new deal.
Veteran midfielder Casemiro is expected to go so United still need two midfielders to ensure they build on this season.
While Scott is likely to be on a list of targets, the Bournemouth midfielder is catching the eye.
Advertisement
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Former Premier League champion Leicester will be playing in the third tier of English soccer next season.
Leicester, which sealed the unlikeliest title win of the Premier League era in 2016 at odds of 5,000-1, needed a victory Tuesday to maintain hope of avoiding relegation but drew 2-2 with Hull.
The midlands club, which also won the FA Cup in 2021 and played in England’s top flight last season, is second to last in the second-tier Championship.
In a statement to fans, Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said responsibility sat with him.
Advertisement
“There are no excuses,” he said. “We have experienced the highest highs and now the lowest lows, and the pain is shared by all of us. I am truly sorry for the disappointment we have caused.”
Relegation comes after Leicester was docked six points in February for breaching the English Football League’s financial rules when it earned promotion in the 2023-24 season. Earlier this month, it lost its bid to overturn that punishment, leaving it mired in the relegation zone.
It is a dramatic fall after Leicester’s fairytale-like title triumph 10 years ago.
It had spent the 2014-15 season battling relegation from the top flight and only an unlikely winning run in the final weeks of that campaign.
Advertisement
What followed was a remarkable title charge that saw it finish 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the standings.
In 142 years of existence, Leicester has played just one season in the third tier of English soccer. It won the League One title in 2008-09 and was promoted back to the Championship.
Slipping down English soccer’s pyramid is costly mainly because of the decreasing broadcast revenue.
In the 2023-24 season, League One clubs’ average total revenue was $12.2 million, which was about one-quarter of Championship clubs’ average revenue, according to Deloitte. The average revenue for Premier League clubs that season was $422 million.
Advertisement
“Our focus now is on what comes next. We will take the necessary decisions to move the club forward, working together to rebuild, improve, and restore the standards expected of Leicester City,” Srivaddhanaprabha said. “Our objective is clear – to respond strongly and compete to move this club forward again.
In early April, with just five games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that star guard Luka Doncic would be sidelined at least until the NBA playoffs.
Doncic’s setback was a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, an MRI confirmed. The reigning NBA scoring champion sustained the injury during an April 2 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers also entered the playoffs without another key member of their backcourt, Austin Reaves.
The shorthanded Lakers upset the Houston Rockets in the opening game of their first-round Western Conference series Saturday. Ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday, the Lakers reportedly received a clearer update on the health of at least one of their injured stars.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards in Los Angeles on March 30, 2026.(Ryan Sun/AP)
Reaves, who was diagnosed with an oblique strain, appears to be progressing toward a return later in the first-round series if it extends to six or seven games. If the Lakers advance sooner, he could be on track to return for the Western Conference semifinals.
According to ESPN, Reaves recently returned to the practice court for 1-on-1 drills. The 27-year-old will still need to progress to 2-on-3 and then 5-on-5 work before he can be cleared for playoff action, but he appears significantly further along than Doncic, who remains out indefinitely.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center on March 21, 2026.(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Doncic is unlikely to play in the first round, regardless of the series length. ESPN footage showed him on the practice court on Tuesday, though the six-time All-Star was not doing high-intensity work.
The Rockets, despite being widely favored in the opening round playoffs series, also contended with key injuries. Kevin Durant missed Game 1 with a knee contusion. He was cleared to play in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. shoots the ball against the Lakers during Game 1 in the NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on April 18, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login