In the final days of one of the longest seasons in Vancouver Canucks history, it’s like the players suddenly don’t want it to end.
For the second time in California in less than 24 hours, the Canucks were fully invested and engaged Sunday and beat a team with everything to play for in the playoff race, denying the Anaheim Ducks a chance to clinch their first Stanley Cup tournament berth in eight years by winning 4-3 in overtime.
The Canucks delivered a severe blow to the San Jose Sharks’ wild-card playoff hopes on Saturday by winning 4-3 in a shootout in Northern California.
The Ducks and Sharks, who will likely miss the playoffs for a seventh straight year, are the rebuilds frequently trumpeted as blueprints for the genre and teams the Canucks should try to emulate. But Vancouver, at the embryonic stage of its own rebuild, set back both opponents.
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Marco Rossi’s power-play one-timer with 10 seconds left in overtime blasted the Canucks to victory in Anaheim after Beckett Sennecke, part of the Ducks’ new young core, turned the puck over in his own zone, which led to Chris Kreider’s slash on Drew O’Connor at 2:53 of the extra session.
After the Canucks rallied three times to win in San Jose, forcing overtime on Teddy Blueger’s goal late in regulation time, Vancouver blew a 3-1 lead in the third period against Anaheim.
Canuck Brock Boeser forced John Carlson into a turnover and brilliantly finished a shorthanded breakaway at 4:28 to put the National Hockey League’s worst team up by two goals. But Cutter Gauthier fired through Vancouver goalie Nikita Tolopilo on the same power play 37 seconds later. And at 6:56, Leo Carlsson tied it 3-3 by flipping a rebound through a sprawling Tolopilo after Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek’s rim-around took an unlucky bounce and caromed straight to Kreider in the slot.
But with Anaheim fans chanting “We want the playoffs! We want the playoffs!”, the Canucks survived the rest of the Ducks’ third-period surge before Vancouver’s sizzling power play won it in OT. Losing the bonus point left the Ducks tied with the Edmonton Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division (but third on the tie-breaker), one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights. Each team has two games remaining.
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As impressive as the resilience the Canucks displayed after losing their lead with 13 minutes to go in regulation, their start was at least as encouraging as their finish.
Facing a rested, hungry Ducks team 19 hours after beating the Sharks about 600 kilometres away, the Canucks were physically and emotionally engaged from puck drop.
Blueger went back at tough Anaheim defenceman Radko Gudas for his heavy hit on Vancouver rookie Liam Ohgren on the second shift, then challenged and fought him later in the period despite being overmatched. Even Gudas was impressed, helping Blueger up off the ice after the tilt.
Defenceman Elias Pettersson (Junior) didn’t shy away from Alex Killorn in a scrum. And as the game got rough, Canucks enforcer Curtis Douglas won a fight against Jeffrey Viel.
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Importantly, even after Gauthier opened scoring for Anaheim just 3:41 into the game, five seconds after Blueger’s initial cross-checking penalty ended, the Canucks responded with goals by Douglas at 10:49 and Jake DeBrusk, on a power-play shot-pass from Rossi, at 14:37 to build a road lead Vancouver held until the third period.
With their first consecutive victories since December, the Canucks are playing like a team that doesn’t want the season to end. Or, at least, a team that doesn’t want it to end despairingly, without any positivity heading into a long summer.
“Yeah, they’re really fighting,” Foote told reporters in Anaheim before the game. “It’s a great group. They’re getting better and better, they’re working at it. You can almost feel the room, the energy, something shifted the last month or so and especially the last, you know, 10 days. I know they don’t want it to end.”
As exuberantly joyful as Douglas was at scoring his first NHL goal, it was difficult to tell after he swept in a loose puck at 10:49 who was the happiest Canuck on the ice. That’s how excited teammates were for the 26-year-old who spent five years in the minors before changing NHL teams twice this season on waivers.
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Aatu Raty wouldn’t let go of the six-foot-nine winger during the group hug in the corner, and Pettersson looked like he wanted to wrestle him. It was a special moment for Douglas, a point-per-game player at the end of his junior career, who grew up in Oakville, Ont., not dreaming of fighting in the NHL but scoring goals.
Analyst Dave Tomlinson smartly pointed out on Sportsnet’s broadcast that all six Canucks on the ice for the goal — Douglas, Raty, Pettersson, Tolopilo, Ty Mueller and Kirill Kudryavtsev — were in the American Hockey League last season.
Playing his first NHL game this year, and the third of his career, defence callup Kudryavtsev earned his first NHL point by shooting from the point, the shot bouncing to Douglas off Raty. Kudryavtsev, 22, finished plus-one in 14:17 of ice time, with a 6-2 shots advantage at five-on-five and expected-goals-for of 77.8 per cent.
No team successfully rebuilds without veterans to help teach the kids, and the Canucks should seriously consider re-signing both Douglas and Blueger before they leave as unrestricted free agents this summer. Games like Sunday’s illustrate why leadership and toughness remain such important elements with so many young players in the lineup.
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In 23 games since the Olympic break — and since Rossi returned to the Canucks fully healthy — Vancouver is 18-for-55 on the power play (without a shorthanded goal against) for a success rate of 32.7 per cent that ranks second in the NHL during that time.
The power play was 4-for-7 on the weekend and a huge factor in both wins. But we were surprised not to see Jake DeBrusk used on either unit in overtime after he scored his fifth power-play goal in seven games in the first period. DeBrusk is fourth in the NHL this season with 18 PPGs.
When retiring Hockey Night in Canada reporter and After Hours host Scott Oake was invited into the Canucks’ dressing room before his final show Saturday in San Jose, the team gave him more than a jersey and an engraved silver puck. The Canucks are also making a $50,000 donation to the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre in Winnipeg.
Scott and Anne lost their son to addiction in 2011, then founded the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre for men in an effort to change how drug addiction is treated in Canada. A retired nurse, Anne Oake succumbed to cancer in 2021. The new treatment centre in her name will allow women who have children to seek help without fear of being separated from their kids.
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“It caught me completely by surprise, something I never expected,” Scott said Sunday night of the donation. “We appreciate every dollar we get, but we depend on significant donations like this, and it will help save lives. For the Canucks to do this, I’m really touched.”
He said construction on the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre begins in May and the 75-bed facility should be completed by the end of 2027.
Jofra Archer struck with the first ball of the second innings to equal a record held by Mohammed Shami during Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday.Opening the bowling for Rajasthan Royals, Archer bowled KKR opener Tim Seifert for a golden duck with the first delivery of KKR’s innings. With this, Archer now has five wickets on the first ball of an IPL innings, matching Shami’s record.He had also taken wickets on the opening ball in RR’s previous two matches — against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 13 — dismissing Phil Salt and Abhishek Sharma respectively.Wickets off the first ball of an IPL innings (most):
5 – Mohammed Shami
5 – Jofra Archer
Earlier, after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals chose to bat. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine combined to take five wickets and restricted RR to 155 for nine.It could have been worse for RR had KKR not conceded ground in the power play.Rajasthan made a strong start, reaching 63 without loss as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored at over 10 runs per over against the pace attack.The match changed after spin was introduced. Sooryavanshi hit Narine for a six off his second ball, but Narine followed it with five dot deliveries. Chakravarthy then dismissed Sooryavanshi with his fourth ball, completing his 200th T20 wicket. The batter was caught by Ramandeep Singh at deep midwicket.Rajasthan Royals slipped from a strong position to 118 for four in 15 overs, with the run rate dropping below eight.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II reacts after securing an interception in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the moment unfolding on Oct 1, 2023 in Indianapolis. The defensive play sparked energy for the Colts, though the game ultimately extended into overtime and ended in a narrow loss. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL draft will get cracking in four days, and with the event so close you can taste, we take one final look at the weekend rumor mill before showtime.
Minnesota has roster questions to solve, and the rumor mill keeps supplying new angles.
The Minnesota Vikings have a handful of roster needs in mid-April and nine picks to address them.
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Three Late-April Storylines for the Vikings’ Next Moves
The Purple Rumor Mill for Sunday, April 19th.
Elon punter Matt Yurk sets up for a kick during team action, continuing his development as a specialist during the fall campaign, with the sequence taking place during the 2025 season at Elon University. Yurk builds consistency and hang time while drawing attention as a potential NFL prospect for the 2026 draft cycle. Mandatory Credit: Brad Puckett-ElonPhoenix.com.
Rumor: Don’t rule out a rookie punter for the Vikings.
Punter chatter has stayed quiet since Minnesota signed Johnny Hekker in March, but the team will still put in its rookie homework.
NBC Sports’ Ryan Fowler tweeted Thursday, “The Minnesota Vikings will hold a private workout with Elon punter Jeff Yurk tomorrow morning, per source. The FCS’ all-time leader in yards per punt and a two-time first-team FCS All-American, Yurk averaged 58.6 yards per punt at Hula a few months back.”
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And there you have it. Minnesota provided a special teams clue for next Thursday’s draft. A punter is in play, even if the new guy might come from undrafted free agency.
Yurk likely won’t require a draft pick; he profiles as a post-draft addition through undrafted free agency. If Minnesota wants to stir competition at punter, Georgia’s Brett Thorson would enter the mix as the top prospect in the class. Some pundits expect Thorson to be picked in the middle rounds, believe it or not.
Rumor: The Vikings are a trade landing spot for cornerback Kenny Moore II.
Credible reporting suggested this week that the Indianapolis Colts would trade Moore II, and it didn’t take long for Minnesota to make the cut as a possible landing spot, courtesy of SI.com‘s Albert Breer.
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Breer wrote, “As for potential landing spots, I think Dallas would be one, with the nickel being an important piece in new coordinator Christian Parker’s defense and the Cowboys having a hole after Jourdan Lewis’s departure to the Jaguars last year. The Vikings are another potential fit, with Moore’s versatility meshing, at least on paper, with how DC Brian Flores builds his defense.”
“Those teams being in the NFC should also make them likely suitors, assuming Indy would rather not help out a conference rival. Moore, who will turn 31 in August, is in a contract year, so that’ll drive down his value some. But if the price was a Day 3 pick on the higher end, and I had a need like Dallas and Minnesota, I’d probably do it.”
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II jumps the route and returns an interception for a touchdown during first-quarter action at Nissan Stadium, with the play unfolding on Sep 21, 2025 in Nashville. The defensive score sparks momentum early as Moore showcases instincts and playmaking ability against a division opponent. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Do the Vikings need Moore II? Not really — unless the plan leans into a much deeper cornerback room than last year’s thin setup.
Right now, the group includes Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Dwight McGlothern, and Zemaiah Vaughn. That unit could use a dependable CB4, but Moore II probably sits above that kind of role.
Rumor: Adam Thielen is eyeing the booth for his next career move.
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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.”
This sounds right up Thielen’s alley, truth be told.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen moves through pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for kickoff as the home crowd fills in, with the moment captured on Dec 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. The veteran receiver goes through routine drills ahead of a late-season matchup against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur on the details of 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.”
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Kleifield even teased Thielen doing some Vikings draft content next week.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks dunks against Dyson Daniels #5 and Gabe Vincent #4 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on April 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks made a good start to their playoff run, beating the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points and seven assists, setting the tone early with 22 of those points coming in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns took over after the break, finishing with 25 points, while OG Anunoby added 18. Josh Hart filled in everywhere, contributing 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The Knicks were sharper at the free throw line, outscoring Atlanta 25-12, and made better use of their depth. Their bench gave them energy and helped them maintain control.
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Defensively, New York tightened up as the game went on. The third quarter proved decisive, with the Knicks limiting the Hawks’ rhythm, forcing turnovers, and making scoring difficult. Even when Atlanta found success from three, they struggled to get consistent.
After the game, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder pointed out what his team needs to improve.
“The formula for us and our identity has been to run and move the ball… we need to do more of it.”
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Game 1 goes to the Knicks, who now have the early advantage as the series moves forward.
With needs on both sides of the ball, the Giants can now take care of the offense and defense with blue-chip prospects inside the top 10 of the draft later this week.
And that’s exactly what we have them doing in our new mock draft in the wake of the Lawrence trade with the Bengals.
“Staying at No. 5, the three players who seem to be most squarely on their radar are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and (Ohio State safety Caleb) Downs,” Raanan wrote.
Styles is a freak athlete with sideline-to-sideline speed and great length. He’s a strong tackler, good in run defense and has shown elite skills in coverage after posting an 87.4 Pro Football Focus grade in that area last season.
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The Ohio State product can wear the green dot and will be a leader in New York’s defense for a decade.
“I think Jordyn Tyson goes much higher than earlier expected,” ESPN’s Matt Miller said. “Teams are comfortable with the INJ history. Conversation for him starts at 5 but he’s off the board no later than 16.”
If not for his injury history, Tyson would likely be the undisputed No. 1 receiver in this class. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound pass-catcher can line up anywhere on the field, is a polished route-runner and can even block.
After losing Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, the Giants need another weapon for quarterback Jaxson Dart across from star wideout Malik Nabers. Not only would Tyson check that box, he could very well provide an upgrade over Robinson.
Round 2, Pick 37: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
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kayden mcdonald
The loss of Lawrence will leave a void in the middle of the Giants’ defense, hurting both the pass-rush and run defense. Making matters worse, New York was already weak upfront, even with Lawrence on the roster.
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While McDonald isn’t much of a pass-rusher, he showed improvement in that area last season with a career-high three sacks. He really shines as a run defender, with the Ohio State product posting the best PFF grade in the nation in run defense.
Once viewed as a first-round pick, the belief is most teams now have him with a second-round grade because of his lack of pass-rush prowess.
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That’s just fine for the Giants, as McDonald can provide the kind of boost to the run defense from Day 1 that New York needs.
The loss of Cor’Dale Flott leaves the Giants with a big void after the team failed to adequately address the position in free agency, leaving a potential starting duo of Paulson Adebo and uninspiring free-agent signing Greg Newsome outside.
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After taking a step back in 2024, Davis rebounded with a strong showing after he transferred to Washington. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound cornerback gave up a passer rating of just 50.6 in coverage, notched a personal bests two interceptions and he showed out in the run game with an impressive PFF grade of 81.8.
Davis can offer some competition for Newsome on the boundary, and it’s not crazy to think he could win that competition in Year 1.
Tournament: Bavarian International Tennis Championships
Round: Final
Venue: MTTC Iphitos e.V. tennis club in Munich, Germany
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Category: ATP 500
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €2,561,110
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN
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Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli preview
Shelton pictured at the 2026 BMW Open | Image Source: Getty
Second seed Ben Shelton will face off against fourth seed Flavio Cobolli in the final of the 2026 BMW Open on Sunday, April 19.
Shelton started his season with a quarterfinal run at the ASB Classic and followed it up with another quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. He then went on to win the Dallas Open and reached the quarterfinals in Houston before arriving in Munich. There, he defeated Emilio Nava, Alexander Blockx, Joao Fonseca, and Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final.
Cobolli pictured at the 2026 BMW Open | Image Source: Getty
Meanwhile, Cobolli’s standout result this season is his title run at the Mexican Open. He also made the semifinals of the Delray Beach Open, losing to Sebastian Korda, but hasn’t had many other notable results. In Munich, he beat Diego Dedura, Zizou Bergs, Vit Kopriva, and Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3 to set up a clash with Shelton.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli head-to-head
Shelton leads Cobolli 3–2 in their head-to-head. Cobolli won their first two meetings in Geneva and Washington in 2024, while Shelton has taken the last three in Acapulco, the Canadian Open, and the Paris Masters in 2025.
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Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli odds
Player
Moneyline
Handicap Bets
Total Games
Ben Shelton
-525
-4.5 (-105)
Over 21.5 (-115)
Flavio Cobolli
+360
+4.5 (-140)
Under 21.5 (-125)
(Odds via BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli prediction
Shelton plays with clear intent. The serve sets the tone, the forehand follows, and he looks to finish points before rallies really take shape. When he’s confident, everything happens quickly and on his terms.
Cobolli is more about structure and balance. He moves well, absorbs pace, and is comfortable building points rather than rushing them. He’s willing to stay in rallies and wait for openings instead of forcing them.
The key is whether Shelton can keep control early. If he’s landing first serves and dictating with his forehand, Cobolli may struggle to settle. But if rallies extend, Cobolli’s consistency and movement can start to make things uncomfortable. The American’s firepower gives him the edge, but he’ll need to stay disciplined to avoid letting the match drift.
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Pick: Shelton to win in straight sets.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have over 21 games.
Tip 2: Shelton to win at least one set with a score of 7-5 or better.
Apr 14, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (17) reacts to an inside pitch during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
There was a glaring lack of contact from Baltimore Orioles’ hitters on Saturday.
The Orioles had four hits — two of them homers — while striking out a stunning 16 times.
Baltimore will look to have their bats smack the ball more often in Sunday’s finale of a four-game series against the host Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians have won two of the first three games, including Saturday’s 4-2 victory when right-hander Gavin Williams dominated the Orioles.
Williams struck out 11 in seven innings and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. He leads the majors with 40 strikeouts.
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“That’s not the biggest goal for me,” Williams said of the strikeouts. “I’m just trying to help the team win games. It’s cool, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have to punch that many people out. I’m just trying to win games.”
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser struck out in all four at-bats and Dylan Beavers fanned three times on Saturday.
That breeze inside the ballpark wasn’t necessarily coming from the nearby lake.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz pointed to Williams’ dominance as the reason for Alonso and Cowser’s difficulties.
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“They couldn’t see the breaking ball early enough to either make an adjustment or hold off on it,” Albernaz said.
Alonzo was the club’s marquee offseason acquisition and signed a five-year, $155 million contract. But so far, he has fizzled with a .208 average, two homers and eight RBIs to go with 26 strikeouts in 78 at-bats.
Cowser has yet to go deep and is batting .178 with 16 strikeouts in 45 at-bats. The fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft continues to struggle with big-league pitching.
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“Colton, he’s our guy, and he has to figure it out how he wants to approach guys and what he’s trying to feel,” Albernaz said. “But with Colton at the plate, he’s dangerous. He’s a guy where, if he’s not feeling great, he can still get one pitch and do damage on, and that’s something where we feel very confident in.”
Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson hit the homers for Baltimore’s runs.
All of Cleveland’s runs also came on homers on Saturday. Brayan Rocchio smacked a three-run homer and Bo Naylor hit a solo blast.
Rocchio said a more patient approach is paying off for him. He has three homers in 63 at-bats after having five in 344 at-bats in 2025.
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“That’s impressive for me, too,” Rocchio said. “Last year, I was struggling at hitting. Now I’m able to help the team with my at-bats and to see more pitches is pretty cool.”
Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will start the finale for the Guardians.
Cantillo, 26, received a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings. Both runs came on solo homers.
Cantillo is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against Baltimore. Cowser is 2-for-4 with one strikeout against Cantillo.
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Left-hander Trevor Rogers (2-1, 3.04) will take the mound for Baltimore.
Rogers, 28, was roughed up by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and took the loss. He gave up four runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Rogers is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians. Rhys Hoskins is 9-for-21 (.429) with four homers off Rogers while David Fry (1-for-4) also has taken him deep.
Atotal of 78 players from schools in the West have been taken in the Top 5 overall picks in the NFL Draft since it premiered in 1936.
USC leads the way with 20 top picks, followed by Stanford with 8, and Cal and Oregon with 7 each.
We have included UTEP on this list because, beginning in 2026, the Miners are playing in the Mountain West, and the City of El Paso is in a direct line with Albuquerque and west of Boulder, Fort Collins, and Cheyenne.
Here is a table of all the players from the region who have been drafted in the top five.
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There is a breakdown by program at the bottom.
Top 5 Overall NFL Draft Picks for Programs from the West
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) controls the ball against Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) during the second half in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament between the and the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UConn’s sharp-shooting wing Braylon Mullins announced Saturday on social media that he is passing on entering the NBA draft and returning to the Huskies for his sophomore season.
Mullins, regarded as a first-round and possible lottery pick in the 2026 draft in June, made the announcement on Instagram on his 20th birthday.
The slender 6-foot-6 Mullins, a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American out of Greenfield, Ind., was a unanimous pick for the Big East All-Freshman Team after averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 33 games after missing the first six with an ankle injury. He started 29 of UConn’s final 30 games.
His 72 3-pointers were second most for a freshman in UConn history. He shot 33.5% (72 of 215), with his most famous the shot of the NCAA Tournament.
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Mullins’ 35-footer with 0.3 seconds left beat Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight, sending UConn to the Final Four. The Huskies (34-6) later lost 69-63 to No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game.
Earlier on Saturday, rising sophomore Nikolas Khamenia announced he was transferring from Duke. The 6-foot-8 wing joins a squad returning Mullins and point guard Silas Demary Jr., wing Jayden Ross, transfer Najai Hines (Seton Hall) and incoming freshmen Colben Landrew and Junior County.
UConn is waiting on guard Solo Ball to announce his plans and has lost forward Jaylin Stewart and center Eric Reibe to the transfer portal.
The Boston Celtics look to win their second championship in three years as they open up their 2026 NBA playoff run against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday. Philadelphia is coming off a 109-97 play-in game win over Orlando on Wednesday, while Boston defeated the Magic 113-108 on Sunday. The Sixers (45-37), the seventh seed in the East, are 22-19 on the road this season. The Celtics (56-26), the second seed, are 30-11 on their home court. Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid (appendectomy).
Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston is set for 1 p.m. ET. The Celtics lead the all-time series 275-200, but the teams split four meetings this season. Boston is a 12.5-point favorite in the latest 76ers vs. Celtics odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 213.5. Before making any 76ers vs. Celtics picks, check out the 76ers vs. Celtics predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 23-9 roll (72%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
After 10,000 simulations of 76ers vs. Celtics, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (213.5). Embiid’s absence should open the lane for the Celtics, a team that finished the regular season fourth in offensive rating. The Sixers, meanwhile, have enough offensive capability with Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe all available.
The SportsLine model is projecting the 76ers to have four players scoring in double figures, led by Maxey’s 25.7 points. Jaylen Brown is projected to lead the Celtics with 28.3 points scored, but only three Boston players will score 15 or more points. The teams are projected to combine for 215 total points, making it a great selection for anybody targeting NBA parlay betting. See the 76ers vs. Celtics spread pick at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Celtics vs. 76ers at FanDuel here:
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was on target for Atlético Madrid, but they suffered a painful penalty shootout defeat to Real Sociedad in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Atleti started the match as slight favourites under coach Diego Simeone, but they were shocked early on. Ander Barrenetxea gave Real Sociedad the lead in the opening minute, heading home a fine cross from Gonçalo Guedes.
Lookman responded in style in the 18th minute. The Nigerian attacker calmly controlled a pass from Antoine Griezmann before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Unai Simón to level the score at 1-1.
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The 26-year-old remained lively and nearly turned provider in the 31st minute, but Griezmann failed to hit the target from a good position. Lookman also came close again before the break, narrowly missing the post after another neat exchange with the Frenchman.
Despite Atleti’s efforts, Real Sociedad regained the lead just before half-time. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Guedes was fouled in the box.
Atletico Madrid pushed hard in the second half, with Lookman again going close in the 60th minute, but his effort drifted wide. Shortly after, Simeone replaced him with Nicolás González.
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Atleti eventually found an equaliser in the 83rd minute through Julián Álvarez, sending the match into extra time. However, neither side could find a winner after 120 minutes.
The final was decided on penalties, where Real Sociedad held their nerve to score four spot-kicks, while Atletico Madrid managed only three.
Despite the defeat, Lookman made history with his goal. He became the first Nigerian to score in a Copa del Rey final since Finidi George achieved the feat in 1997.
However, the result means Atletico Madrid must now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League as they continue their search for silverware this season.
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