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Wembanyama drops 35 points in playoff debut as Spurs roll past Trail Blazers 

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Wembanyama’s 21 first-half points set an NBA record for the most in the opening half of an NBA playoff debut since the league’s play-by-play era began in 1997. His 35 total points set a Spurs franchise record for the most in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32 in 1998.

“It is obviously different, but we’ve been really good in the regular season,” Wembanyama said. “So, we have no reason to act differently or do anything different.”

Game 2 is Tuesday night in San Antonio before the series heads to Portland for Games 3 and 4.

Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each added 17 points and combined for 15 assists for San Antonio.

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Deni Avdija had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead Portland, which beat Phoenix 114-110 in Tuesday’s play-in game to earn the No. 7 seed.

Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft behind Wembanyama and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller, added 18 points.

The Spurs responded to the Trail Blazers’ physicality while holding them to 10-for-38 shooting on 3-pointers and had a 45-38 rebounding advantage.

“The Spurs put you in tough positions,” Portland coach Tiago Splitter said. “Against them, you’ve got to shoot the ball well from 3s. We didn’t. We’ve got to shoot the ball better.”

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The Spurs and the sell-out crowd — which included Duncan and former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer David Robinson sitting together courtside — at the Frost Bank Center were primed for the franchise’s first playoff game since 2019. The six-season postseason drought came immediately after San Antonio won five NBA championships while appearing in a league-tying 22 straight postseasons.

Spurs fans are again dreaming big — and it’s because of their 7-foot-4 post player from France who is a finalist for the NBA’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Wembanyama’s highlights included dribbling behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, backing him down to the top of the key, spinning around him and running free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter.

San Antonio clamped down defensively to regain their double-digit lead in the third quarter, with Devin Vassell blocking Donovan Clingan and Jrue Holiday while scoring eight straight points.

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“That’s what we’ve talked about, just not giving up on the play,” Vassell said. “Every possession matters, whether it’s the first possession in the first quarter or the last possession in the fourth quarter. Play to the whistle.”

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MLB news: Austin Hedges gets engaged on the field after Guardians beat the Orioles

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What’s better than a hard fought win on the diamond? Putting one on your beloved’s finger, if you ask Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges.

Hedges not only helped the Guardians defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 8-4, on Sunday – he got engaged to his girlfriend, Lexi Dickson, at Progressive Field.

Hedges got down on one knee on the grass, as a message flashed across the Jumbotron at the stadium in Cleveland, while his teammates were watching. Dickson was shocked and emotional, eventually telling Hedges, “Yes!” before hearing cheers from those looking on.

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Austin Hedges and his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson celebrating their engagement at Progressive Field.

Austin Hedges and his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson celebrate their engagement after the Cleveland Guardians’ 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Hedges told reporters that he’s had the ring for his girlfriend of almost two years since spring training, but he didn’t have this plan until “only a couple weeks ago.”

“I was really hoping we won the game,” he told Cleveland.com. “I was going to do it regardless, but I really wanted to win that game to make it extra special.”

CHIEFS HEIRESS GRACIE HUNT ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT TO SON OF TEAM’S FORMER QUARTERBACK: ‘IT WAS ALWAYS YOU’

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The message on the video board read, “Lexi, will you marry me?” which prompted Hedges to get down on one knee.

“There were a lot of nerves, a lot of nerves,” Hedges, 33, explained. “I’m always nervous for baseball games…and just trying to stay present, knowing that there were some activities after. But it’s a special day. Special to be able to soak it all in.”

Dickson, sporting a black, custom jacket with Hedges’ number and pictures of her now-fiancé on the back, flashed her ring around for Guardians players and friends and family who took pictures on the field.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges and fiancée Lexi Dickinson celebrating on baseball field

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges proposed to his fiancée Lexi Dickinson on the field after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)

It wasn’t the best of days for Hedges at the plate, going 0-for-4, though he did have a run scored. But a win to move to 13-10 on the season is all that matters to him at the end of the day.

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As for the after party, Hedges and Dickson were planning a lowkey Sunday night to decompress after such an adrenaline-filled afternoon.

“Go to dinner and then just have a night to ourselves and enjoy it,” Hedges said the plan was.

Austin Hedges proposing to his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson at Progressive Field in Cleveland

Austin Hedges of the Cleveland Guardians proposes to his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson after the team’s 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

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That’s probably the right move for Hedges, who has the Houston Astros coming to town to start a three-game series at Progressive Field on Monday night.

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But he and Dickson get a chance to enjoy their first night as an engaged couple in the next chapter of their baseball love story.

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“I don’t have that friendly, buddy-like relationship”

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Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has said that he has a good relationship with his players. However, he insisted that it is not a ‘buddy-like relationship’, hinting that he commands respect from his players in the dressing room.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game against Alaves, Arbeloa said that the atmosphere inside the dressing room remains good despite the form this season. He believes that maagers need to have good relations with the players, or else they will not be able to be successful at the club.

“My relationship with the dressing room? I don’t have that kind of friendly, buddy-like relationship. I think I’ve had a good relationship. I don’t understand football any other way. And that doesn’t mean you’re not demanding, that you can’t push them…

“It’s a relationship you have to accept when you’re a player. Even in difficult times, there’s always been a good atmosphere in the dressing room. For me, I think that’s a good thing and how a dressing room should be.” (via MadridXtra)

Talking about the club’s season, Arbeloa admitted that Los Blancos cannot go two seasons without trophies. He is confident that they can push for the league title until the end and said:

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“Real Madrid are the club where things usually go right. There are times when things don’t, but the mentality of this club is always to look to the future. At Real Madrid, losing isn’t acceptable, but neither is winning, because we know the demands of this club and we always have to look to the future to win. We have to win the seven remaining matches.” (via Madrid Universal)

Real Madrid nine points behind Barcelona in the table with seven matches left in the season.

Alvaro Arbeloa not thinking about his future at Real Madrid

Real Madrid crashed out of the UEFA Champions League earlier this week and reports suggested that the club were set to part ways with Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spaniard was quizzed about the rumors and he was quick to sidestep the question.

He said that the decision was not in his hands, but he has not received any communication from the club that suggests he will be leaving at the end of the season. He said:

“It’s not my decision to make. I’m not worried about my future at all. I’m worried about these seven matches, and especially tomorrow’s. These are club decisions. I have direct communication with the club every week and we have a great relationship, but the only future I’m concerned about is tomorrow. These seven matches are more important than they might seem. We have to prove ourselves tomorrow.” (via Madrid Universal)

Arbeloa was appointed by Real Madrid in January following the exit of Xabi Alonso. He has taken charge of 21 matches, winning 13 and losing seven times.

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