Seven-time Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray retires as one of the most decorated doubles players in the world. Here’s a look back at his 2007 and 2017 mixed doubles triumphs on Centre Court.
NEW DELHI: It was a worrying moment for Rishabh Pant and Lucknow Super Giants early in their IPL clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, as the skipper was forced to walk off the field after a painful blow to his elbow.Pant had just come in to bat and struggled to get going against Josh Hazlewood. In fact, he faced three consecutive dot balls, unable to properly connect with the pace and bounce. The pressure was building, and things quickly got worse.
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Riyan Parag on RR’s loss vs SRH, pitch & ‘baseless comparisons’
On the first delivery of the fifth over, Pant went for an aggressive shot across the line but missed completely. The very next ball saw him attempt another big hit, only to be beaten again by Hazlewood’s pace. Then came the crucial moment, a short delivery that struck Pant painfully on his left elbow. Replays later confirmed the impact, and it was clear he was in serious discomfort.Almost immediately, the physio rushed onto the field as Pant winced in pain. He tried to carry on but was visibly struggling. In an emotional moment, Hazlewood walked up to him and gave him a reassuring pat on the back as Pant decided to leave the field. He looked close to tears while walking off, highlighting how much pain he was in.With Pant unable to continue, Nicholas Pooran came in as the replacement batter. The sudden change disrupted LSG’s momentum, especially after they had already lost Aiden Markram earlier in the innings.It turned into a tough phase for LSG, with Pant’s injury becoming the biggest talking point of the early overs.
A Minnesota Vikings defensive back jogs onto the field ahead of a defensive series during NFC Wild Card action on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The moment captures the intensity of postseason play as Minnesota’s secondary prepares to handle explosive threats in a tightly contested playoff matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Outside of draft speculation — there’s a lot of that — the Minnesota Vikings news cycle (actual news) has been quiet over the last couple of weeks. The franchise snapped that streak on Tuesday, formally locking in defensive tackle Jalen Redmond on an exclusive rights free-agent tender.
Minnesota kept a rising defensive lineman in the fold for 2026.
Redmond isn’t going anywhere, and although no one thought he would, his presence is official on the Vikings’ 2026 roster.
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A Cheap Deal With Bigger Value for Minnesota
Redmond will hope to build on two consecutive breakout seasons.
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond lines up across from the Los Angeles Rams offensive front during the NFC wild card playoff battle, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, settling into his stance before the snap as Minnesota’s defensive line fights for leverage in a tense postseason matchup with momentum swinging on each possession. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Redmond Makes It Official
Everyone knew that Redmond would return to Minnesota in 2026, so Tuesday served as a formality. NBC Sports‘Charean Williams wrote, “Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond signed his exclusive rights free agent tender on Tuesday, according to the NFL’s transactions report. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Panthers out of Oklahoma in 2023.”
“Redmond went on the physically unable to perform list during his first training camp, and the Panthers cut him. Redmond played with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL in 2024, and then caught on with the Vikings that summer.”
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While Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave left the Vikings last month, Redmond is back.
The 2025 Output
Former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah desperately needed a successful player evaluation, and Redmond’s performance provided just that two years ago.
Following a 2022 draft that yielded limited impact and a 2023 class heavily reliant on Jordan Addison, Redmond offered the front office something more dependable: a scouting victory that consistently materialized on Sundays.
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He maintained that momentum into 2025, delivering consistent production as his role expanded and his impact became increasingly noticeable. Vikings fans have witnessed this progression before — a defender who subtly begins influencing games before ultimately commanding leaguewide attention.
Redmond earned a 72.7 Pro Football Focus grade and recorded six sacks from the interior, ranking 11th among NFL defensive tackles last season. Furthermore, he led all defensive tackles in pass deflections, disrupting opposing offenses on the regular.
While Redmond may not yet be a nationally recognized name, he’s not far away from Pro Bowl consideration.
A Long-Term Deal Soon?
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Redmond will earn just over a million bucks in 2026, leaps and bounds the best steal-of-a-deal on the Vikings’ roster. He’s also eligible for an extension at any time, and in the past, Minnesota’s brass has reached such agreements before the 11th hour.
The Vikings can acknowledge Redmond’s magnificent performance sometime this spring or summer, handing him a large extension. Or, as the club has all the contractual leverage, it could, in theory, wait until the 2027 offseason. When the time comes, Redmond can reasonably ask for $15 million to $20 million per season.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) reacts quickly to a loose football during preseason action, Aug. 24, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, diving to secure the fumble against the Eagles and giving Minnesota an early defensive spark with a momentum-shifting takeaway in the opening quarter. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports.
Our Janik Eckardt on Redmond, “Because Redmond has just two accrued NFL seasons, he was an exclusive rights free agent rather than, for example, Ivan Pace, who was a restricted free agent. The difference is that restricted free agents generally can negotiate with other teams and the franchise can match.”
“An exclusive rights free agent can’t listen to other offers if he’s tendered. Redmond staying around has been the expected outcome. He’s now signed through the 2027 season and would be a restricted free agent next year. The Vikings could hand him a long-term extension. Redmond was a key piece in the middle of Brian Flores’ defensive line as a true disruptor in his second season with the Vikings.”
Dollars to donuts, Redmond might’ve been the Vikings’ second-best player in 2025 next to Justin Jefferson.
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“Initially coming into the league as an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, he failed to qualify for their 53-man roster and took the long road over the UFL. That’s where the Vikings spotted his talent and brought him in for their training camp in 2024,” Eckardt continued.
“It was not the first time his football career was delayed. In college at Oklahoma, blood clots cost him some time and later, he opted out during COVID for the same reason. Despite excellent preseason play in 2024, he was initially stashed on the practice squad.”
The Evolving DT Situation Next to Redmond
Meanwhile, Minnesota will likely add more DT talent over the next month after offloading the aforementioned Allen and Hargrave this offseason, a pair who logged over 1,300 defensive snaps in 2025.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Jalen Redmond (61) and Alex Williams (99) go through positional drills at training camp, Jul. 29, 2025, at the team’s facility in Eagan, working through repetitions as coaches evaluate depth and competition along the defensive front ahead of preseason roster decisions. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
From the draft, names like Peter Woods (Clemson), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Caleb Banks (Florida), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Christen Miller (Georgia), and Domonique Orange (Iowa State) have activated fans’ mock-draft radar.
And from free agency, Christian Wilkins and D.J. Reader remain available.
RCB vs LSG Live Score, IPL 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Krunal Pandya has given Royal Challengers Bengaluru their second wicket against Lucknow Super Giants as he dismissed Mitchell Marsh for 40.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen goes through pregame warmups ahead of kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep. 29, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The moment captures Thielen preparing on the field as he readies for game action in a regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
Do you miss Adam Thielen yet? He’s been gone from the NFL for about three months, but he could soon be back — as an announcer or analyst.
Thielen’s post-playing future may be pointing toward TV.
The Minnesota Vikings legend is attending “NFL Broadcast Bootcamp,” meaning he’ll probably find a spot as a media member before too long.
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A Media Role Could Be Next for the Former Vikings Star
Thielen took a step toward that path last week in Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) reacts following a late-game sequence in the fourth quarter, Dec. 28, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, showing visible frustration as the Steelers battle the Browns in a tightly contested matchup with playoff implications hanging over the final possessions. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.
Thielen Eyes Broadcasting
Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield reported Thielen’s next career path this week, noting, “Last month, the Vikings organization celebrated the amazing careers of C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen. This month, Thielen took a baby step toward what could wind up being a focus in his life after football. Thielen was one of 24 players who got “suited and booted” for the NFL’s annual broadcasting and media workshop in Los Angeles last week.”
“Thielen was picked from a pool of 90 applicants, and he participated alongside the likes of LB Demario Davis and WR Brandin Cooks. Alumni of the workshop include All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, as well as Super Bowl Champions Jason McCourty and Jason Kelce. Thielen sounded hesitant about a career in media during his retirement ceremony, alluding to the frequent traveling, but he stated his desire to be involved with the game in whatever is next.”
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Given Thielen’s reputation for determination and results, this thing might be a shoo-in.
The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur describes Broadcast Bootcamp: “It’s tough to get a spot at the workshop, which was first held in 2007. There were 90 applicants for 24 spots in this year’s program. Each player was asked to answer questions to make sure this is something he is serious about and then asked to submit reels.”
“Some players sent in old interviews at their lockers. They were told this was their chance to be their own content creator and their reels should reflect what they want to do in the space. After the reels were screened, players were ranked 1-90, with no clear-cut criteria.”
The Playing Career with Vikings
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Thielen’s Vikings stats speak for themselves: 542 catches, 6,751 yards, and 55 touchdowns in Minnesota. The numbers place him among the franchise’s all-time greats, ranking him third in receiving touchdowns, fourth in receptions, and fifth in receiving yards.
However, his path to those achievements was unconventional. After earning a tryout with the Vikings in 2013, he transformed that opportunity into a decade-long career with his hometown team. By 2018, he had become one of the league’s premier receivers, quickly developing a rapport with Kirk Cousins and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most dependable targets.
His story continues to resonate with fans: small-town roots and a state-school background. He’s the quintessential Minnesota underdog. During his peak years, that underdog consistently earned Pro Bowl consideration, including two official Pro Bowl nods (2017, 2018).
A Disappointing Exit Strategy
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Of course, not all stories have spotless happy endings. The Vikings traded for Thielen last summer, a deal centered around a 4th-Round pick with the Carolina Panthers. The price felt steep at the time, and the feeling was vindicated. Thielen has clearly lost a step — hit a wall even — and Minnesota didn’t use him much on offense.
The drought wore on Thielen, so much so that he requested his release in November 2025, which the Vikings granted, and Thielen parleyed it into a contract with Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers.
Taylor Twellman, left, shares the tournament lead after two rounds while Adam Thielen, right, sits in fourth place, July 12, 2025, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course during the American Century Championship, as both athletes remain in contention entering the final round of the celebrity event. Mandatory Credit: Jim Krajewski/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Thielen caught 11 passes for 117 yards in five Steelers games before retiring, in addition to appearing in a blowout playoff loss against the Houston Texans. While time will obviously heal the wound, some fans considered Thielen’s demand for a release rather bizarre. Wasn’t the whole point of the summer trade to retire with the Vikings? Evidently not.
Thankfully, Thielen is so beloved that few will care about the Steelers chapters five years from now.
The Ben Leber Route
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Klefield also claimed that Thielen will do some work for the Vikings’ draft next week: “We also can advise to be on the lookout for Thielen to participate in a pre-draft show for Vikings Entertainment Network.”
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber watches from the sideline during an NFL International Series game, Oct. 5, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, observing the action between the Vikings and Browns as part of the league’s continued global expansion efforts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In that vein, he can follow in Leber’s footsteps. Leber played for the Vikings from 2006 to 2010, walking away after the Brett Favre years. By 2012, he had transitioned into a sideline radio personality and has remained in that role since.
Leber is active on social media, engages with fans, appears on folks’ podcasts, and is generally considered one of the most sensible Vikings-themed minds out there. If Thielen wants a blueprint, all he has to do is chat with Leber.
The UEFA Champions League returns with a blockbuster encounter as Bayern Munich host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their quarter-final clash. The German giants hold a narrow advantage after securing a 2-1 win in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern’s victory in Madrid, powered by goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane, ended a long winless streak against Real Madrid. However, Kylian Mbappe’s late goal has ensured that the tie remains finely balanced heading into the decisive second leg.
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Historically, Bayern Munich have been extremely strong in two-legged ties after winning the first leg away from home, progressing in the vast majority of such scenarios. They also come into this match in excellent domestic form, having registered a dominant 5-0 win over St Pauli, which has further strengthened their position at the top of the Bundesliga standings.
The Allianz Arena has been a fortress for Bayern this season. They have won all their home matches in Europe so far and boast an impressive record in Champions League games on home soil, losing just once in their last 28 outings. Their consistency at home will give them confidence as they aim to reach their first semi-final since their 2019-20 triumph.
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Real Madrid, on the other hand, are under pressure after a series of underwhelming performances in La Liga. Recent dropped points against Mallorca and Girona have dented their title hopes, leaving them trailing in the race. The team is also adjusting to life under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, and results have been inconsistent across competitions.
Despite these challenges, Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League cannot be overlooked. The Spanish side have a strong track record against German opposition in knockout ties and have consistently found ways to deliver in high-pressure European matches. They also have a solid recent record at the Allianz Arena, remaining unbeaten in their last few visits.
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With Bayern holding a slender lead and Real Madrid known for their resilience in Europe, this second leg promises to be an intense and closely fought battle, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Bayern Munich Team News
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Bayern Munich will be missing young winger Lennart Karl due to a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is also sidelined with a muscle problem. Harry Kane, however, is expected to be available despite experiencing some discomfort after the first leg, which led to him being an unused substitute in the recent match against St Pauli.
Kane has been in strong form against Real Madrid in the Champions League, contributing either a goal or an assist in each of his last four appearances against them. He has already scored 11 goals in this season’s tournament and is just one short of setting a new personal best in the competition.
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In attack, Serge Gnabry is likely to return to the starting lineup after recovering from a minor knee issue and could feature alongside Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, with Jamal Musiala potentially dropping out. In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlovic is pushing for a place in the starting XI ahead of Leon Goretzka.
At the back, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano, and Josip Stanisic, all of whom were rested in the previous match, are expected to come back into the side. They are likely to join Konrad Laimer in defence, providing cover for veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
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Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is sidelined with a thigh injury, and Rodrygo, who remains out with an ACL problem. In addition, Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up his third booking of the tournament in the first leg, ruling him out of Wednesday’s clash.
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Kylian Mbappe, who leads the Champions League scoring charts this season with 14 goals in 10 matches and is closing in on the single-season record of 17, is also a slight doubt after suffering a facial injury against Girona. If he is cleared to play, he is expected to feature in attack alongside Vinicius Junior, with Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz competing for the remaining forward spot, while Gonzalo Garcia remains an option to lead the line.
In midfield, Real Madrid may turn to Eduardo Camavinga or youngster Thiago Pitarch Pinar to partner Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in Tchouameni’s absence. Defensively, a reshuffle is likely, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras all in contention to return to the starting XI.
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Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid probable starting eleven:
For the second straight year, the U.S. National Junior Team — part of the broader U.S. National Development Program, which launched in 2023 with a mission to identify, train, develop, fund and support the nation’s most promising young players — descended upon Scottsdale’s Desert Mountain in early March for the group’s spring practice session. Last year, I attended one of the sessions to get a feel for how the team operated. I came away impressed by the highly-organized and specific drills they practiced, and jumped at the chance to observe the team in action again this year.
Twenty members of the team’s 24-player roster were present for the multi-day practice session, and head coach Chris Zambri had the team undergo the same combine-style practice drills as before, which involves rotating between three separate practice areas and completing four different drills designed to sharpen putting skills, bunker shots and ball-striking.
How did Zambri land on this particular plan of attack for practice? Years of experience — and data collection.
Prior to his appointment as head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team, Zambri, a former pro himself, coached the men’s golf teams at both the University of Southern California and Pepperdine. While at USC, Zambri worked with a research scientist to identify the average length of putts that players were leaving themselves during a round. Using that data, Zambri created an “18-hole” exercise to simulate a round’s putts on the practice greens.
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A U.S. National Junior Team member studies a putt.
Jessica Marksbury
Putting: Simulate a round
At Desert Mountain, the players’ simulated putting rounds included practicing putts from two feet to 52 feet, putting out any misses and recording their scores. Zambri’s data is patented, but available on the Decade Golf app to the general public with a paid subscription. Every member of the U.S. Junior National Team has access to Decade Golf as well.
With these stats, not only can the juniors compare their scores among themselves, they can also compare them to the PGA Tour average. On this particular drill, a score of 29 equates to 0 strokes gained on the PGA Tour. Players can also analyze their speed by measuring how many inches long or short their putts end up.
Want to try this drill for yourself? If you’re a stat tracker, you can incorporate data from your own recent rounds for a truly personalized practice round. Or, there’s apps like Decade Golf.
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“The advice that I would give to the general public is to take a tape measure and actually calculate how far 12 inches is, 6 inches, 24 inches,” USNDP regional coach Mo Martin advised. “Because 20 inches is a lot smaller than a lot of people think.”
Bunker practice at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale.
Jessica Marksbury
Bunkers: Target proximity
For sand practice, the players hit 15 shots from the bunker to a “pin,” which was embodied by USNDP assistant coach Tiffany Joh, who changed locations for each shot. Every shot’s proximity to the target is measured in inches (with a maximum of 200 inches) and the three highest numbers are thrown out at the end. The remaining numbers are then added together for a total number. The lower the number, the better your bunker play.
On the driving range, players practiced accuracy and distance control.
Jessica Marksbury
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Driving range: Line test
In this test, players use a launch monitor set to a specific target to measure how far offline each shot is. The players hit 20 shots with the number of yards missed left or right added together for a total score.
Driving range: Random yardages
Once again, the players are tasked with hitting 20 shots, but this time, the random yardage test is meant to challenge players to hit a specific yardage with their scoring clubs — wedges to short irons — in an attempt to simulate an on-course experience.
The point of these drills, of course, is not only to help players improve but also to provide a baseline for that improvement. The tests are repeated in the fall, so players can compare results, as well as test themselves at home in between the team’s formal gatherings.
“It’s an awesome practice tool,” said USNDP assistant manager Christopher Tanabe of the combine drills. “It’s one thing to just go to the range, work on your swing and hit balls, but like doing a test like this, especially when you’re so focused on getting on-line, it’s so intentional, you’re tired after. But it’s a good way to finish up a day on the range.”
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Ultimately, Zambri said he hopes the players can use the combine drills not only as a means of game improvement, but also as a measurement of true excellence.
The 2026 spring practice session included 20 of the U.S. National Junior Team’s 24 players.
Courtesy USGA
“We did this test for about 11 years, twice a week, with a bunch of really good players,” Zambri said of the combine’s development. “So, consequently, we figured out what really, really good is. And so it’s almost like a ladder of just trying to find your way towards that number eventually.
“We’re pretty much saying, close to the human level of excellence is a score of maybe X on one of these tests. And what are you getting? And that tells us right there, where’s the room for growth? How much room? Are we there? If we’re there, we can say, hey, no matter what happens, get over it quickly because you’re doing something really, really well.
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“On the other hand, we can say to other people, hey, you might want to try a few things. We’ve got to get this score down from 80 to 60, or 160 down to 120. A measuring stick is what I’m hoping for, to pass that along to them so that they go home and get better at it.”
For the best young players in the world — and the rest of us recreational players — here’s hoping these drills can help make this upcoming season of golf the best yet.
England women’s national team secured a major win over Spain women’s national team to move top of their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying group.
Lauren Hemp scored in the opening three minutes to give England an early lead at Wembley.
Spain came close through Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle, but created few clear chances.
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The second half opened up with chances at both ends.
Lauren James and Alessia Russo were unable to extend England’s lead, while Spain hit the woodwork through Olga Carmona and Vicky Lopez.
Late pressure followed, but Hampton made a save to preserve the lead.
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The result keeps England top of the group with three wins from three matches, putting them in control of qualification with only the group winner advancing automatically.
After the match, England manager Sarina Wiegman said:
“I think as a team against Spain you have to defend really well as their individual quality is so high.”
“If you don’t stay compact, like we did, then they find spaces to get behind and become more dangerous.”
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“Overall, we did that. We also had moments in the game where we went forward and created chances.”
“At the moment it’s a really good result and we’re really happy but we need to keep that significance by getting a result on Saturday against Iceland.”
England now face Iceland next, and another win would strengthen their position heading into the final round of qualifiers.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Olivia Miles (R) of TCU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (L) after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)
Olivia Miles is heading to the WNBA after being selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2026 draft.
The Lynx bring in one of the most polished guards in the class to bring control to their backcourt.
Miles earned her draft position after an impressive year with the TCU Horned Frogs, where she averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists across 38 games.
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She led the team to a 32-6 record, a second straight Big 12 title, and an Elite Eight run, while also being named Big 12 Player of the Year.
Miles leaves college as a three-time AP All-American, known for her vision, creativity, and ability to control the pace of a game.
She now joins a Lynx squad built with other experienced players like Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams.
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Speaking after being drafted, Miles said:
“It’s finally here, finally heard my name. This is what this was for.”
This pick gives Minnesota another key player as they push to stay among the league’s top teams.
The Washington Capitals’ 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in their final regular season game on Tuesday turned out to be a dead rubber for both teams after they were eliminated from the playoff race by the Philadelphia Flyers’ win on Monday. But for Capitals fans, it could well be the last time they see their star, Alex Ovechkin, take the ice.
The 40-year-old has yet to make a decision whether he will return to Washington’s lineup for next season, as his five-year, $47.5 million contract he signed in 2021 expires. After their final home game in Washington, which they won 3-0 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, Ovechkin stated he will decide in the offseason.
He maintained that stance during the postgame interviews on Tuesday.
“I hope it’s not my last game,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. So, we’ll see.”
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Ovechkin earned a point via an assist on Jakob Chychrun’s winning power-play goal. He had a chance to score in the dying stages of the game when Columbus had pulled the goalie for an extra attacker, but his shot from the right side missed the goal.
As he exited via the tunnel, Washington fans who had travelled to Ohio chanted his name in unison. The Russian professional put his hands together in gratitude and headed for the visiting locker room.
“How I said, I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Ovechkin said “The fans who came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice, you know? I could hear them cheering for me and screaming, ‘One more year.’ It’s important, shows lots of respect.”
Alex Ovechkin, the leading scorer in NHL history, has 929 goals for the Capitals. In his 21-season career, he led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup win in 2018. He has 77 playoff goals, taking his combined total to 1,006 goals, just ten behind Wayne Gretzky.
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Alex Ovechkin to have discussions with Capitals management
The Capitals failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023. The dead rubber wasn’t ideal, but, according to Ovechkin, it helped the team’s gameplay.
“The season is over,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously, you don’t want to end like that, but it’s a learning process for young guys. … I think it’s on us and, obviously, last night was not a good scenario for us and for Columbus as well.”
Washington will be aware that they have a few changes to make if they are to regain their contendership next season. If they are without Ovechkin, replacing his production will be a big task for the management.
The 2004 first round pick said that he will have discussions with Spencer Carbery, general manager Chris Patrick, team president Brian MacLellan and owner Ted Leonsis after the end of season meetings.
“We’re going to stay a little bit in D.C.,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know when we’re going to fly, probably May, fly back home.”
If he doesn’t return to the ice again, Ovechkin would complete a full circle in the NHL. He made his debut as a 20-year-old in 2005, coincidentally against the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring two goals on that day.
Harry Hall was trying to will his way into two more Masters rounds. He had shot five over through two mentally exhausting days when, on Friday afternoon, he promised reporters, “It’s not over yet.” He felt he had a 50/50 chance of making the cut.
Hall did not have coin-flip odds, not even close. But that wasn’t the point. He had labored through the toughest test of his golfing life, looking and sounding completely broken after the first round, explaining how he needed two drivers in the bag, a new putter and irons he could spin better.
By the time he stepped down from the podium Friday, his wife was waiting for him with a big hug. She threw her arms around Harry’s side as he stared off into the distance. All I could think was, That man chose this profession, and, at this moment, the game is beating him.
The next time I thought about Harry Hall was Tuesday, as I turned my gaze to this week’s PGA Tour event in Hilton Head Island, S.C., the RBC Heritage. The remnants of all those missed cuts at Augusta showed themselves in who was grinding at Harbour Town — Hall among them.
The Englishman hit 266 shots on the range Monday, 46 more than anyone else, at least 50 of which were drivers. Some missing left, others right. His search was evident in the data, but you also could see it in the final question I asked of him in Augusta.
What are you fighting with the driver?
“Fighting to hit it where I’m looking,” he said.
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Only J.J. Spaun, Rickie Fowler and Andrew Novak joined Hall in the 200+ range balls department Monday. Fowler didn’t qualify for the Masters, Spaun missed the cut on the number and Novak, well, he walked up the 18th hole wondering if it was the last time he’d play in the tournament.
That’s the headspace pros can find themselves in at Augusta National. And before they’ve even have had a chance to absorb what happened, it’s on to Hilton Head and its $20 million purse.
As mind-numbing as it may be to be a regular PGA Tour TV viewer to have to tune in for more significant golf this weekend, my advice would be to view this week through a different lens. While Scottie Scheffler may walk away with the title (and tartan jacket) given the form he seems to be in, other players are thinking scary thoughts — and a more laidback week in Hilton Head might be just the warm embrace they need.
3 things I’m hearing…
1. Uber . . . Green?
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An Uber driver of mine last week told me he had the pleasure of picking up Nick Faldo and his wife a few weeks before the Masters. That meant he could make the drive down Magnolia Lane without ever getting an invite to play the course. Maybe we all should start driving Ubers in Augusta?
2. Koepka’s coming
As of this typing, Brooks Koepka is the first alternate for this week’s Signature Event in Hilton Head. That matters a lot because the only way he can qualify for these events is not via sponsor exemptions but by playing good golf. Koepka’s recent run of four top-20 finishes in his last five starts has earned him enough FedEx Cup points to be on the verge of playing his way back to the Tour’s top events. Is anyone surprised?
3. So bad it was good
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At the Masters, I often find myself spectating from where Rory McIlroy’s final tee shot ended up Sunday, on the edge of the 10th hole. It’s a fun spot. Most shots with that much spin clank around in the pine trees and can drop into all kinds of crazy lies. I’ve watched numerous players have to pitch out with 4-irons just to reach the 18th fairway. McIlroy’s first shot was so bad it gave him enough room to rip a 6-iron at the green, making for an easy bogey. But I keep thinking about an alternate universe in which he had to work a lot harder to make 5.
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