Sports

MLB roundup: Padres score 5 in 9th to edge Mariners, extend win streak to 7

Published

2 days ago

16 April 2026

MLB: Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres

Apr 15, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France, left, dumps a cooler over center fielder Jackson Merrill after he hit a walk-off double during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Jackson Merrill’s two-run double capped a five-run rally in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday night as the San Diego Padres stretched their winning streak to seven games with a wild 7-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Merrill lined a 2-2 fastball from reliever Jose A. Ferrer down the left field line. Luis Campusano scored the tying run and Ramon Laureano plated the winning run when Randy Arozarena wasn’t able to make a throw home as the ball slipped out of his hand.

The hit made a winner of Alek Jacob (1-0), who tossed two scoreless innings in his first major league outing of the year after being called up on Tuesday from Triple-A El Paso.

Mariners closer Andres Munoz (2-2) was charged with all five runs in the ninth. Luke Raley had a four-hit game that included a two-run homer.

Dodgers 8, Mets 2

Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in six innings, Dalton Rushing hit a grand slam and Los Angeles pulled off a series sweep with a victory over visiting New York, sending the Mets to their eighth consecutive loss.

Hyeseong Kim, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who improved to 10-2 since April 3 and 14-4 on the season. Ohtani (2-0) gave up one run, two hits and two walks on a rare pitching outing when he was not also used as a hitter. It was the first time Ohtani did not hit on the same day he pitched since May 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

MJ Melendez had two doubles with an RBI and Clay Holmes (2-2) gave up two runs over five innings for the Mets, who were held to three runs in the three-game series. Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr. and Brett Baty each went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts at the top of the New York order.

Yankees 5, Angels 4

Jose Caballero hit a game-ending two-run double with one out in the ninth inning as New York earned a victory over visiting Los Angeles.

The Yankees won for the second time in eight games after losing an early 3-0 lead built on an Aaron Judge homer and a two-run single from Trent Grisham. David Bednar (1-2) threw one scoreless inning for the win.

Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Logan O’Hoppe and Adam Frazier added solo shots for the Angels. Trout became the first visiting player to homer in three straight days at Yankee Stadium since Miguel Cabrera did so nearly 13 years ago. Jordan Romano (0-2) allowed the ninth-inning runs.

Diamondbacks 8, Orioles 5 (10 innings)

Adrian Del Castillo drilled a two-run home run in the 10th inning as part of his five-RBI outing, as Arizona won at Baltimore.

Del Castillo, who also had a two-run triple, matched his RBI total from his first six games of the season combined. Through nine innings, all nine players in Arizona’s batting order collected at least one hit, with Corbin Carroll singling twice.

Jeremiah Jackson homered and knocked in three runs for the Orioles. Starter Kyle Bradish lasted six innings. He was charged with four runs on eight hits in the longest of his four starts this season.

Pirates 2, Nationals 0

Carmen Mlodzinski pitched six shutout innings and led the host Pittsburgh to a three-hit shutout in a victory over Washington.

Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales each had RBI singles in the first inning. Mlodzinski (1-0) struck out five, walked two and gave up only two hits. Dennis Santana handled the ninth inning for his second save.

Nationals starter Jake Irvin (1-2) went five innings and gave up two runs on four hits.

Cardinals 5, Guardians 3

Dustin May tossed six strong innings, and Alec Burleson drove in two runs, fueling St. Louis to a victory over visiting Cleveland.

May (2-2) allowed one run on six hits with four strikeouts for St. Louis, which won the rubber match of the series. Nathan Church went 3-for-4 with an RBI double.

Bo Naylor drove in two runs for the Guardians, who lost for the fourth time in six games. Starter Slade Cecconi allowed one run on three hits in four innings. Connor Brogdon (2-2) relieved Cecconi and surrendered three runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Red Sox 9, Twins 5

Trevor Story hit a three-run home run and drove in five runs to help Boston avoid a three-game sweep with a win over Minnesota.

Boston starter Connelly Early (1-0) earned the win for holding the Twins to one run on two hits in six innings; he struck out five and walked two. Andruw Monasterio collected three hits for the Red Sox. Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each had two hits in the win.

Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3) allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in five innings. Austin Martin and Ryan Kreidler homered for Minnesota, which outscored Boston 19-6 in the first two games of the series.

Reds 8, Giants 3

Sal Stewart slugged a pair of three-run homers, Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz each hit solo shots, and Cincinnati beat San Francisco at home.

Stewart went deep for the second straight night and has seven homers to lead all rookies. Suarez went 3-for-4, and Spencer Steer had a pair of singles for Cincinnati, which has won three of its last four games.

Daniel Susac doubled in two runs and had two hits for San Francisco, which lost its fourth straight. Starter Tyler Mahle allowed eight runs and eight hits with five walks over four innings against his former team.

Cubs 11, Phillies 2

Nico Hoerner had a career-high five RBIs, and Shota Imanaga matched a personal best with 11 strikeouts, lifting Chicago to a victory over Philadelphia.

The Cubs finished with 15 hits to win the decisive contest of the three-game series and record a second straight victory for just the second time this season. Matt Shaw ripped a two-run double, and Dansby Swanson launched a solo homer to highlight their respective three-hit performances.

The power surge was more than enough for Imanaga (1-1), who overcame a leadoff homer by Trea Turner to shut down the Phillies. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits and one walk before exiting after six innings. Bryce Harper added a solo shot in the ninth inning for Philadelphia.

Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1

Chad Patrick and three relievers combined on a five-hitter, and Milwaukee rallied with two runs in the eighth inning to snap a six-game losing streak.

Toronto starter Dylan Cease was dominant, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking three in a 106-pitch outing. The Blue Jays took an early lead on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Sanchez to score Daulton Varsho.

The Brewers broke through for two runs in the eighth against right-hander Tyler Rogers (1-1). William Contreras delivered an RBI single, and Brice Turang’s groundout scored Sal Frelick.

Tigers 2, Royals 1

Wenceel Perez hit a go-ahead eighth-inning home run and host Detroit extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over Kansas City.

Perez’s first homer of the season made a winner of reliever Kyle Finnegan (1-0), who tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his fourth save. Jake Rogers drove in the other run for the Tigers. Gleyber Torres had a three-hit game.

Kyle Isbel’s RBI single accounted for the lone Royals run. Kansas City has scored two or fewer runs in 11 games this season.

Braves 6, Marlins 3

Bryce Elder threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Atlanta backed him up with three home runs to defeat visiting Miami in the decisive game of a three-game series.

Elder (2-1) allowed four hits and two walks and struck out seven. The Braves got solo home runs from Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley plus a two-run shot from Matt Olson. Raisel Iglesias struck out three while working a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save.

Liam Hicks hit a two-run homer for the Marlins. Chris Paddack (0-3) threw 4 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits.

Rays 8, White Sox 3

Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered to back five shutout innings from Jesse Scholtens and boost visiting Tampa Bay to a victory against Chicago.

The Rays stretched their winning streak to five games while sending the White Sox to their fourth loss in the past five. Scholtens (1-0) permitted one hit in a bulk-relief role.

Reese McGuire, who spent the first eight innings at catcher for Chicago, pitched a perfect ninth inning. He also went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sean Burke (0-2) yielded four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Athletics 6, Rangers 5

Shea Langeliers smashed a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning and Jacob Wilson hit a two-run shot one inning later to help the Athletics edge Texas in West Sacramento, Calif.

Tyler Soderstrom had an RBI double while reaching base three times and Denzel Clarke added a run-scoring single as the A’s won for the seventh time in eight games. Joel Kuhnel retired four straight hitters to register his third save of the season.

Jake Burger hit a three-run blast and Corey Seager belted a two-run homer for the Rangers, who lost for the second straight night after winning the opener of a four-game series.

Astros 3, Rockies 1

Spencer Arrighetti struck out 10 batters in his season debut and Yordan Alvarez slugged his seventh home run, as Houston claimed an interleague series victory against visiting Colorado.

Elevated to the taxi squad on Tuesday, Arrighetti (1-0) became the second starter to debut for the Astros in as many days. With Houston down three injured starters, Arrighetti followed Colton Gordon and joined the makeshift rotation after starting the season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Rockies left-hander Jose Quintana (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout over 3 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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Tottenham vs Brighton LIVE: Team news and updates from crunch Premier League clash

Published

10 minutes ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Sun’s out

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the visit of Brighton. (Getty Images)

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:34

Brighton bench change

Brighton’s starting XI may remain unchanged but there is one change on the bench – Matt O’Riley has taken Solly March’s seat.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:32

Can Maddison magic save Spurs?

Could Maddison’s return from a long-term knee injury be the difference that keeps Spurs up? Let’s see if he makes his first appearance of the season off the bench this evening.

Aside from that Xavi Simons has gotten the nod up front, while Rodrigo Bentancur is back in the midfield for the first time since January 7, while Kevin Danso replaces injured captain Cristian Romero at the back. The Argentine’s absence means Micky van de Ven will wear the armband.

Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have dropped to the bench.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:27

Brighton XI

Hurzerler, meanwhile, sticks with the same XI that won 2-0 away to Burnley last weekend.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:19

Tottenham XI

Four changes to the XI that lost away to Sunderland last weekend, plus the return of James Maddison to the bench for the home side.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:18

Sharp slide

Since then Spurs have won just four times and only once at home – a 2-0 against Brentford in December.

They have lost six of the eight on their own ground since, taking a league worst eight points from 17 matches in that period.

No wonder De Zerbi has already spoken about his team being bereft of confidence.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:15

Previous meeting

Quite a bit has happened since the reverse fixture back in September, when Albion led 2-0 after half an hour thanks to goals from Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari. Brennan Johnson, now of Crystal Palace, pulled one back before the break and Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal eight minutes from time earned Thomas Frank an away point.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:05

Half-time in the 3pms

Leeds are leading 2-0 at home to Wolves, whose relegation will finally be confirmed this evening if they lose at Elland Road and Tottenham win in N7. And in the other game Bournemouth are winning away 1-0 away to Newcastle United thanks to Marcus Tavernier’s strike.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 16:04

Brighton’s run in

Still in the hunt for Europe, Hurzerler’s team host Chelsea in midweek and then travel to Newcastle prior to welcoming Wolves to the Amex. A trip to Elland Road to meet Leeds follows before Michael Carrick brings Manchester United south on the final weekend.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 15:55

Spurs’ run in

After this Spurs visit bottom-placed Wolves and Champions League chasing Aston Villa before hosting Leeds, crossing London to take on Chelsea and a potential nerve-shredding last day visit of Everton to North London.

Alan Smith18 April 2026 15:45

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NBA Playoffs Tip Off as 16 Teams begin Title Chase

Published

24 minutes ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

NBA Playoffs Tip Off as 16 Teams begin Title Chase

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.

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

Published

38 minutes ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

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

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.

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

Published

52 minutes ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

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.

Click here to read the full press conference.

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.

“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)

“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

Published

1 hour ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

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.

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.

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

Published

1 hour ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

United Rugby Championship round 15

Stormers (10) 24

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

Connacht (7) 33

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

Published

2 hours ago

18 April 2026

NewsAdmin

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.

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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Broadcast schedule

(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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

(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?

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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2 hours ago

18 April 2026

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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.