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Egypts Nouran Gohar and Ali Farag set themselves up for their world title bids on home soil next month by claiming the El Gouna International Squash Open titles.

The duo defended their El Gouna titles after taking down  compatriots Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal in two brilliant battles by the Red Sea.

In the womens final, World No.2 and defending champion Gohar went into her clash with rival El Sherbini with an alarming 8-22 record against the World No.1. More concerning still, the Terminator went into todays final having gone all season without a major trophy after an injury-hit campaign.

However, the former World No.1 covered every inch of the court fantastically and overcame three blood injuries in a dominant display, with El Sherbini unable to keep up with her national teammates impressive pace and tenacity on a hot court as Gohar secured a 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-6 win in 81 minutes.

Afterwards, Gohar paid tribute to her opponent for bringing the best out of her, before adding: This means everything to me.

Its an amazing night, and having this crowd watching and cheering for both of us is a huge thing for both of us. Thank you so much for coming, I love playing in Egypt because of that.

In the mens final, Farag avenged his Black Ball Open final defeat to 22-year-old former World No.1 Mostafa Asal in an impressive showing.

The reigning World Champion took the first game 11-7 before being pegged back 11-8 in the second.

Farag hit back hard in the third game, which he took 11-4 before going on a spectacular scoring run at 5-5 in game four to pull away to an 11-5 win.

Afterwards, Farag said: First and foremost, for Mostafa, for the player hes become, for the man he is becoming, its an honour and a joy to share a court with him.

It was pretty much free-flowing all the way. [It was] played in a very hard manner, but a good manner.

I think thats the way the crowd deserves to watch squash, our beautiful sport.

For El Sherbini, Gohar, Asal and Farag, attention turns to the 2023-2024 CIB PSA World Championships, which are taking place in Cairo 9-18 May, where El Sherbini and Farag will look to defend their titles.

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 Womens Final

[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-6 (81m)

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 Mens Final

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [4] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 (58m)

England flanker Kabeya on rugby's growth & inclusivity

Published in Rugby
Friday, 26 April 2024 09:04

England flanker Sadia Kabeya answers questions from team-mates and family on the growth and inclusivity of women's rugby before the Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France.

READ MORE: France v England Grand Slam decider - key battles

Watch France v England on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online on Saturday, 27 April from 16:20 BST.

Available to UK users only.

Avs show off 'deeper' team in late scoring barrage

Published in Hockey
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:47

DENVER -- With a five-goal third-period barrage that saw a different player score each goal Friday night, the Colorado Avalanche showed the version of the team they believe can make up for last year's first-round exit a year after winning the Stanley Cup.

The Avs cruised to a 6-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

"Last year, we had no goals outside of our top three forwards and defensemen," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "This year, I don't know, you'd have to total it up, but it's huge contributions. We're a deeper team. There's no question about it."

A lack of secondary and tertiary scoring last season contributed to the Avs scoring 19 goals in the first round before they were eliminated in seven games by the Seattle Kraken.

They already have 17 goals through three first-round games this year, with 10 of them coming from beyond their first line and their top defensive pairing.

Veteran winger Zach Parise, who signed with the Avs in February to win his first Stanley Cup, staked the team to a 1-0 lead before the Jets used the second period to take a 2-1 lead through Tyler Toffoli and Josh Morrissey.

Penalties, however, played a role in grounding the Jets in the third period.

"Since I've been here, I thought the third was the best period we've played," said Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, the team's trade deadline acquisition who finished with three assists.

A power-play goal from Nathan MacKinnon tied the score a little more than two minutes into the third. The Avs took the lead through another power-play goal from Valeri Nichushkin almost two minutes later.

Goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Ross Colton extended the lead to 5-2 before Devon Toews' empty-net goal made it 6-2 with 3:35 remaining in the game.

"I think for us, being down one in the third there, we didn't sit back on our heels," Colton said. "I think we just kind of took it to them. When we play with that speed and that energy, we're a good team. Obviously, we had some power plays, but we drew them with hard work and getting in on the forecheck and putting them under pressure. It all starts with that."

At the end of the game, there was an on-ice scrum between the Avs and Jets that saw Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon emerge with a bloodied, lacerated left hand. Dillon immediately left the ice and entered the Jets' dressing room.

Jets coach Rick Bowness said there was no immediate update available on Dillon's condition.

"Obviously, a scary situation there," Morrissey said. "I don't really have anything to say, but we're all really concerned for him and just hoping everything is OK."

Europe's top soccer leagues: What's at stake this weekend?

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:39

The 2023-24 season is drawing to a close and the battles for the major honours, relegation and promotion are starting to become clearer.

Here's a quick roundup of exactly what has been decided, and what's still at stake, in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Premier League

Title: It remains a three-horse race, but defeat for Liverpool (74 points, 34 games) at Everton in midweek has left them as outsiders.

Arsenal (77, 34) hold a one-point lead over Manchester City (76, 33), but Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand.

It's a crucial Sunday for the Gunners, as they play first and face a tough north London derby trip to Tottenham Hotspur. It's a real test of their ability to lay down a marker, with City expected to respond when they travel to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest later that day.

Champions League: Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool will take the first three spots, and with the Premier League highly unlikely to claim an additional place through its performance in Europe this season the fight is on to finish fourth.

Aston Villa (66, 34) are in control of fourth place and can move further ahead with a victory at home to Chelsea on Saturday. Tottenham (60, 32), six points behind with two games in hand, must then react. But they have two difficult matches against huge London rivals -- first that home game against Arsenal, then they go to Chelsea on Thursday.

It could be a pivotal few days in the race for Champions League (UCL) football.

Europa League: Either Aston Villa or Tottenham appear certain to finish in fifth and take the league place.

Manchester United (53, 33), who are sixth, take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25 (stream live on ESPN+, U.S. only). If Erik ten Hag's team lift the trophy then they will be in the UEFA Europa League (UEL). If City win the cup, then the position transfers to the sixth place in the Premier League -- so it could still go to Man United.

There's probably three other teams in contention to finish sixth: Newcastle United (50, 33), West Ham United (48, 34; outsiders as they have played more games) and Chelsea (47, 32).

If Aston Villa win the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL), which earns a place in the Europa League, that place cannot be passed down to the Premier League table.

Europa Conference League: At the moment, sixth will go into the Europa Conference League but that's also dependent on the FA Cup winners.

If Man City win the FA Cup then the place in the UECL will drop down to seventh, and it would still be one of Man United, Newcastle United, West Ham and Chelsea.

The UECL place will also drop to seventh if Man United win the FA Cup and finish sixth.

Relegation: Four teams look to be fighting it out for one survival place, with three clubs to be relegated.

An immediate return to the Championship for Sheffield United (16, 34) will be confirmed on Saturday if they lose at Newcastle. If they avoid defeat, they could still be sent down by positive results for Luton Town (25, 34) at Wolverhampton Wanderers, or Forest (26, 34) at home to Man City.

Burnley (23, 34) still have a chance of avoiding the drop but have a difficult run in, facing Man United, Newcastle and Spurs before a possibly huge game at home to Forest on the final day.

Leicester City's return to the Premier League was confirmed on Friday.

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0:58
Marcotti: Staying at Barcelona bad for Xavi

Gab & Juls discuss Xavi's decision to remain at Barcelona.

LaLiga

Title: Real Madrid (84, 33) have a 14-point lead over Barcelona (70, 32) and need a maximum of four points to secure the title.

- Stream all LaLiga games live on ESPN+ (US only)

Champions League: Real Madrid and Barca will take two places, with Girona (68, 32) needing at most three more wins to seal a first UCL campaign.

It's a two-horse race for fourth place between Atlético Madrid (61, 32) and Athletic Club (58, 32) -- and the two teams meet in the capital on Saturday.

Europa League: Athletic won the Copa del Rey and are almost certain to finish in the top six, which means the place for the cup moves over to the league -- fifth and sixth will enter the UEL.

Either Atlético or Athletic will take one of the places, with Real Sociedad (51, 33) sitting in sixth. La Real, who lost to Real Madrid on Friday and also have Barcelona coming, are being chased by Real Betis (48, 32) and Valencia (47, 32).

Real Sociedad also have to play both Valencia and Betis in their final three fixtures.

Europa Conference League: This will go to seventh in the league, between Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Valencia, while Villarreal (42, 32) are outsiders to sneak a run.

Relegation: Almería, with one victory all season, will be relegated if they fail to win at home to Getafe on Saturday. Even if they do get three points, they can still go down if Mallorca beat Cádiz and Celta Vigo get at least a draw vs. Alavés.

Granada (18, 32) are also doomed and will be relegated if they lose at home to Osasuna and both Mallorca and Celta Vigo win this weekend.

That leaves one relegation spot to be decided, with Cádiz (25, 32) needing to make up six points on either Mallorca (31, 32) or Celta Vigo (31, 32). They get an immediate chance to halve the deficit with Mallorca visiting on Sunday.

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0:58
Marcotti: Staying at Barcelona bad for Xavi

Gab & Juls discuss Xavi's decision to remain at Barcelona.

Bundesliga

Title: Bayer Leverkusen (80, 30) have already secured the first championship in their history.

- Stream all Bundesliga games live on ESPN+ (US only)

Champions League: Joining Leverkusen will almost certainly be Bayern Munich (66, 30) -- who can seal it if they better Borussia Dortmund's result on Saturday. Bayern host Eintracht Frankfurt and Dortmund go to RB Leipzig.

VfB Stuttgart (63,30) sit third and are in a strong position.

There's then a battle for fourth between RB Leipzig (59, 30) and Dortmund (57, 30) ahead of their meeting this weekend.

However, the Bundesliga is almost certain to get the second extra place through the European Performance Spot, which will send the team that finishes fifth to the UCL too.

If Dortmund win the UCL and finish fifth, then sixth in the Bundesliga will also be in the UCL -- one to keep an eye on if Dortmund get past PSG in the semifinals.

Europa League: As it stands either Leipzig or Dortmund will take fifth, the place for the league -- but there are a few complicating factors.

Firstly, the final of the DFB Pokal sees Leverkusen take on Kaiserslautern on May 25 (stream live on ESPN+, U.S. only) -- who, incredibly, could win the cup and be relegated to the third division, as they sit in the 2. Bundesliga relegation zone. If Kaiserslautern pull off an almighty shock and do what no other team has done all season (beat Leverkusen), the league slots will be unaltered.

If Leverkusen win the final, sixth will get a place in the UEL. That's quite firmly held by Eintracht Frankfurt (45, 30), who are chased by SC Freiburg in sixth (40, 30), FC Augsburg in seventh (39, 30) and eighth-placed TSG Hoffenheim (39, 31).

If fifth place in the Bundesliga does qualify for the UCL, that potentially pushes the UEL place to seventh (if Leverkusen win the cup).

Europa Conference League: This is also a battle between Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg, FC Augsburg and Hoffenheim.

At present, Frankfurt hold the UEL place in sixth, but depending on the cup winners and the extra UCL place it could be eighth that takes it.

Relegation: Two teams are relegated, and third-bottom takes on third place in the 2. Bundesliga in a playoff for the right to play in the top flight.

SV Darmstadt 98 (17, 30) will definitely be relegated if they lose at home to 1. FC Heidenheim on Sunday, though other results could send them down earlier that day.

FC Cologne (22, 30) are second-bottom and will need a strong run in their final four games to get out of it.

That seems to leave five clubs trying to avoid the playoff place: Mainz 05 (27, 30), Union Berlin (29, 30), VfL Bochum (30, 31), VfL Wolfsburg (31, 30) and Borussia Monchengladbach (31, 30). There are two huge games this weekend: Mainz vs. Cologne and Gladbach vs. Union.

Serie A

Title: Internazionale (86, 33) wrapped up the Scudetto on Monday when they beat AC Milan 2-1 at San Siro.

Champions League: Italy has secured an extra place in next year's competition through its clubs' performance in Europe this season, meaning at least five clubs will qualify.

Inter will almost certainly be joined by AC Milan (69, 33); in fact it will be mathematically certain if they win at Juventus on Saturday and Atalanta fail to beat Empoli on Sunday.

Juventus (64, 33) and Bologna (62, 33), third and fourth respectively, have a sizeable cushion to sixth and should also qualify, which leaves a battle for fifth.

AS Roma (54, 33) are currently fifth, followed by Atalanta (54, 32) and Lazio (52, 33).

In a quirk of the new regulations for next season, if either Roma or Atalanta win the UEL then Italy will have six clubs in the UCL -- the top four, the UEL titleholders and the European Performance Spot.

Europa League: Atalanta face Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia, which means it's highly likely that sixth and seventh will qualify for the UEL.

Roma, Atalanta and Lazio are the main contenders, but there's still hope for Napoli (49, 33) -- who host Roma this weekend -- and Fiorentina (47, 32).

If either AS Roma or Atalanta win the UEL to qualify for the UCL and finish sixth or seventh, Italy will surrender a place in the UEL.

Europa Conference League: Eighth place will enter the UECL, which is currently held by Napoli but could yet be filled by Atalanta, Lazio, Fiorentina or Torino (46, 33)

If either Roma or Atalanta win the UEL to qualify for the UCL and finish eighth, Italy will surrender its place in the UECL.

Relegation: Salernitana (15, 34) were relegated when they lost at Frosinone on Friday.

It looks tough from here for Sassuolo (26, 33), then it's a tight battle for third-bottom between Udinese (28, 33), Frosinone (31, 34), Empoli (31, 33), Hellas Verona (31, 33) and Cagliari (32, 33).

Ligue 1

Title: Paris Saint-Germain (69, 30) will secure the title if they can win at home to Le Havre AC on Saturday.

If PSG fail to win, they will still be crowned if AS Monaco (58, 30) draw or lose at Lyon on Sunday.

Champions League: France gets three automatic places, with fourth place entering the UCL in the third qualifying round.

PSG are almost certain to be joined by Monaco, but there's a real battle for the third automatic place between Brest (53, 30) and Lille (52, 30).

If Marseille, who are in eighth, win the UEL then France will have five teams in the UCL.

Europa League: While Nice (48, 30) still have an outside chance of the UCL, they are realistically targeting fifth and the UEL spot.

In sixth (as it stands a UECL place), Lens (46, 30) are the one team who look capable of catching them.

PSG take on Lyon in the final of the Coupe de France on May 25, and a victory for Les Parisiens will send sixth place into the UEL too.

Europa Conference League: Much will depend on who wins the Coupe de France. If it's Lyon, who are in ninth (41, 30), then sixth will very likely be the UECL place. Stade Rennais (42, 30), Marseille (41, 30), Stade de Reims (40, 30) could sneak above Lens for that.

However, if PSG win the cup, or Lyon do so and finish sixth, then seventh gets the UECL place. Lens, Stade Rennais, Marseille, Lyon, Reims and perhaps even Toulouse (37, 30) could be left waiting on the result of the final.

If Marseille win the UEL and finish in a European position, France will surrender the place for the league position.

Relegation: Two teams are relegated, with third-bottom facing a playoff with a team from the second division to remain in Ligue 1.

Clermont Foot (22, 30) are last and face an uphill task to retain their top-flight status.

Lorient (26, 30), Le Havre (28, 30), Metz (29, 30) and Nantes (32, 31) are also in contention for relegation.

Manchester City's silky 4-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion sent a chilling message to their title rivals. With Arsenal fans starting to believe their side can end a 20-year wait to be crowned champions after a 5-0 romp against Chelsea on Tuesday, City jolted them back to reality with the quality of their display on the south coast two days later.

It was meant to be a tricky assignment, a test of nerve. But it proved nothing of the sort as City demolished a Brighton team who mistakenly thought they could outplay Pep Guardiola's side.

Meanwhile, the only other title contenders, Liverpool, are licking their wounds after a mysteriously flat performance in a calamitous 2-0 defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton at the weekend that almost certainly knocks them out of the race.

You have to wonder if the players are subconsciously finding it hard to light the old fires knowing the manager Jurgen Klopp is going to leave at the end of the season. Indeed, with only four points from their last four games and a shock UEFA Europa League exit to Atalanta, there is something of a sad "Last Dance" feel about Liverpool right now as their normally deadly strikeforce are firing blanks.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

All Liverpool can do is start winning and hope the form book is ripped up elsewhere. But the maths are against them now, and it looks like a thrilling three-horse race has become a straight sprint between Arsenal and City.

Amid all the speculation and, let's be honest, guesswork about how the rest of the Premier League might play out, the top of the table is tight with a handful of games left. But City, with a potentially vital match in hand on May 14 against Tottenham, will be uncatchable if they win their remaining five games. If they do it will take their tally to 91 points; Arsenal can only reach a maximum 89, and Liverpool 86.

But should City be held to a draw in one of those games, it opens the door for Arsenal who, at the moment, have a +8 goal difference if they finish level on points.

Guardiola's team have these remaining fixtures, before an FA Cup final against Man United on May 25 that could see them win the double:

April 28: Nottingham Forest (A)
May 4: Wolves (H)
May 11: Fulham (A)
May 14: Spurs (A)
May 19: West Ham (H)

On Thursday night's evidence, and with no distraction of a Champions League semifinal after their treble dream was ended by Real Madrid, City will be strongly fancied to win all those matches. But, as Liverpool can already testify, the run-in usually features more than the odd plot twist, and fans will not be taking anything for granted.

Remember how City so nearly threw the title away on the final day in 2012 at home against QPR? And again in 2022 when they needed three goals in the last 14 minutes to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win over Aston Villa?

Where might City have a problem this time? Against Fulham possibly. Marco Silva has turned them into a very decent team who beat Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage this season, and they are capable of making things difficult for anyone.

The trip to Spurs, where City have struggled recently with four defeats in four matches while failing to even score a goal, looks the most dangerous though -- particularly if Tottenham are still in the hunt for a top-four finish.

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1:41
Klopp: Liverpool need a crisis at Arsenal and Man City to win the league

Jurgen Klopp said after his side's 2-0 defeat to Everton that Arsenal and Manchester City need to have a crisis for Liverpool to win the title now.

Arsenal, who also travel to Spurs on Sunday for a huge North London derby (it was 2-2 at the Emirates earlier this season), will be well aware that Tottenham have won eight of their last nine games at home and are a team in form.

After that, the Gunners' fixture list looks like this:

May 4: Bournemouth (H)
May 12: Manchester United (A)
May 19: Everton (H)

As vulnerable as sixth-placed United have looked this season, winning at Old Trafford will be far from a formality on the penultimate matchday. But manager Mikel Arteta says his team are in a "beautiful moment," the manner of their 5-0 win over Chelsea was very impressive and confidence is sky-high. Indeed, Captain Martin Ødegaard (and his defence-splitting passes) wins my vote for the Premier League Player of the Season so far -- just ahead of teammate Declan Rice, Man City's Phil Foden, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

The Gunners might well win all four of their remaining games to set up an exciting finish. But it just might be that the title was effectively decided on the weekend of April 13-14, when Arsenal lost at home to Villa, Liverpool slipped up at Anfield against Crystal Palace and City put things in their own hands with a 5-1 win over Luton Town.

Neutral fans will hope the Premier League title is still up for grabs going into the final day on May 19. City don't look like they will loosen their grip, but it only takes one slip to change everything again and Arsenal be will praying their rivals have just one bad day.

Colts GM defends rookie Mitchell in profane rant

Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:30

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard fiercely defended second-round pick Adonai Mitchell against criticisms of his character after selecting the wide receiver Friday night, calling the condemnations of the former Texas star "bulls---" during a lengthy rant.

Mitchell, selected 52nd overall, had hoped to be selected in the first round but slid into the second round amid reports that he interviewed poorly and was a difficult player to assess.

Ballard pushed back vociferously against those reports.

"I read some of the bulls--- that was said," Ballard said. "Excuse my language. Our typical league -- unnamed sources, bad interviews. That's such bulls---, I mean, it f---ing is. It's bulls---. Put your name on it. I'm tired of it. We tear these young men down.

"These are 21-, 22-year old young men. And can people out there tell me they're perfect in their lives? It's crazy. It's crap. This is a good kid. And for those reports to come out, it's bulls---."

Mitchell also was defiant earlier Friday when speaking to Indianapolis reporters, opening his virtual interview by saying that the "only thing I'm feeling is I'm just kind of pissed. I don't really know what other way to call it."

Asked if he was upset because he was the 11th receiver taken overall, Mitchell said: "I understand it is just the way things go. So I'm just ready to work. At the end of the day, people have been chosen before me. That's just the reality of it and my job now is to make them pay and bring the best version of me every day to the Indianapolis Colts."

The Colts were highly intrigued by Mitchell but opted to trade down from pick 45 to No. 52, prompting an even longer wait for Mitchell and likely leading to greater frustration.

When the Colts called him to inform him he would be their next selection, Ballard broke the ice by asking: "'You tired of sitting around?' The passion came out pretty clearly on the phone."

Ballard later admitted that Mitchell will need to grow a bit, like many rookies.

"Look, he's like any young player," Ballard said. "They get built up so big now, especially in college football. I mean, the NIL and all the stuff they go through, sometimes a little adversity, a little humbleness is a good thing. I think he'll respond."

Mitchell caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first and only season at Texas in 2023. His 11 touchdowns were the fifth-most in a single season in Texas school history.

Asked to describe his game, Mitchell was curt and to the point.

"The best," he said.

The 2024 NFL draft kicked off Thursday night, with six quarterbacks selected among the first 12 picks for the first time in NFL history. A total of 14 offensive players came off the board before a single defender was selected, the longest run on offensive players in NFL draft history.

The draft continued on Friday with no quarterbacks taken in Round 2-3. The most selected position through three rounds? Offensive tackle. A record seventeen have been picked.

NFL Nation's team of 32 reporters will provide insights on every draft pick throughout the three-day event.

Plus: We have updated depth charts for all 32 teams.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

The Bills traded down twice in the first round, moving out entirely after deals made with the Chiefs and the Panthers. Buffalo made the first pick of the second round, selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman. Later in the round, the Bills chose Utah safety Cole Bishop at No. 60 overall. Back on the clock in the third round, Buffalo added further depth to its defense with Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter. Analysis of every Bills pick from Alaina Getzenberg


Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins targeted defensive help in the first round, selecting Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with their first pick. With their first selection of the second day, the Dolphins used the No. 55 overall pick on Houston tackle Patrick Paul. Analysis of every Dolphins pick from Marcel Louis-Jacques


New England Patriots

The Patriots got their next quarterback at No. 3, selecting North Carolina's Drake Maye with their first-rounder. With their first pick of the draft's second day, New England selected Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk as a potential target for Maye. In the third round, the Patriots chose Penn State tackle Caedan Wallace. Analysis of every Patriots pick from Mike Reiss


New York Jets

The Jets got some help at a tackle, selecting Penn State's Olu Fashanu with their first-round pick. With their first pick of the second day, the Jets moved up to the top of the third round to select Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. Analysis of every Jets pick from Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are perpetually in need of cornerback help, it seems, and selecting Clemson CB Nate Wiggins with their first-round pick fills a hole. With their first pick of the second day, the Ravens chose Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten. Baltimore spent its third-round choice on Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac. Analysis of every Ravens pick from Jamison Hensley


Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals got more protection for quarterback Joe Burrow in the first round, selecting Georgia tackle Amarius Mims with their opening pick. With their first pick of the second day, Cincinnati chose Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins with the No. 49 overall pick. In the third round, the Bengals got their first skill player of the draft when they chose Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Later in the third, Cincinnati selected another DT in Texas A&M's McKinnley Jackson. Analysis of every Bengals pick from Ben Baby


Cleveland Browns

The Browns made their first selection of the draft Friday, spending the No. 54 overall pick on Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. Cleveland was back in the third with its second pick of the event, choosing Michigan guard Zak Zinter at No. 85. Analysis of every Browns pick from Daniel Oyefusi


Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers went the offensive line route for their first selection, taking Washington lineman Troy Fautanu to help protect new Pittsburgh quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. With their first pick of the second day, Pittsburgh continued the O-line trend by selecting West Virginia center Zach Frazier at No. 51 overall. The Steelers had a pair of third-round picks, using the first on Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson and the second on NC State linebacker Payton Wilson. Analysis of every Steelers pick from Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

The Texans made their first selection of the draft Friday, taking Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter with the 10th pick of the second round. Later in the second round, Houston selected Notre Dame tackle Blake Fisher. In the third round, the Texans chose USC safety Calen Bullock. Analysis of every Texans pick from D.J. Bien-Aime


Indianapolis Colts

The Colts got the first defensive player of the 2024 draft -- at No. 15 overall -- when they selected UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu. With their first pick of the second day, the Colts spent the No. 52 overall selection on Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. In the third round, Indianapolis chose Pittsburgh tackle Matt Goncalves. Analysis of every Colts pick from Stephen Holder


Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars made a deal with the Vikings and traded down to No. 23, where they selected LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. With their first pick of the second day, the Jags used the No. 48 selection on another LSU Tiger, defensive tackle Maason Smith. In the third round, Jacksonville chose Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones. Analysis of every Jaguars pick from Michael DiRocco


Tennessee Titans

The Titans got stronger in the trenches with their first-round pick, selecting Alabama lineman JC Latham at No. 7. With its first pick of the draft's second day, Tennessee chose Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Analysis of every Titans pick from Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

The Broncos selected former Washington and Auburn quarterback Bo Nix as the team's first QB choice of the Sean Payton era. Denver wouldn't make another pick until midway through the third round, selecting Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss at No. 76 overall. Analysis of every Broncos pick from Jeff Legwold


Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs traded up in the first round to get some much-needed wide receiver help, selecting Texas wideout Xavier Worthy as a target for Patrick Mahomes. With their first pick of the second day, the Chiefs selected BYU tackle Kingsley Suamataia late in the second round. Analysis of every Chiefs pick from Adam Teicher


Las Vegas Raiders

After weeks of speculation they would select a quarterback, the Raiders -- making their choice right after six signal-callers were taken in the first 12 picks -- took Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. With their first pick of the second day, Las Vegas selected Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson at No. 44 overall. With their third-round pick, the Raiders chose Maryland tackle Delmar Glaze. Analysis of every Raiders pick from Paul Gutierrez


Los Angeles Chargers

After rampant speculation that they would deal their first-round pick, the Chargers instead stood pat at No. 5 and selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt to help protect quarterback Justin Herbert. The Bolts made a trade early in Round 2, dealing with the Patriots to select Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the No. 34 overall pick. With their third-round selection, the Chargers chose Michigan linebacker Junior Colson, who played for coach Jim Harbaugh with the Wolverines. Analysis of every Chargers pick from Kris Rhim

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys traded down in the first round but landed a player of need in tackle Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma with the No. 29 overall selection. With their first pick of the second day, the Cowboys used the No. 56 choice to select Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland. In the third round, Dallas selected Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe and Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau. Analysis of every Cowboys pick from Todd Archer


New York Giants

The Giants didn't pick a quarterback in the first round but did identify some skill position help, selecting LSU wideout Malik Nabers as a target for Daniel Jones. With their first pick of the second day, the Giants used the No. 47 overall pick on Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, followed by Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips with their third-round choice. Analysis of every Giants pick from Jordan Raanan


Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles added some talent to the defensive side of the ball with their first-round pick, tabbing CB Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo. With its first pick of the second day, Philadelphia made a deal with Washington to move up and get Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean at No. 40 overall The Eagles were back on the clock late in the third round, selecting Houston Christian edge rusher Jalyx Hunt. Analysis of every Eagles pick from Tim McManus


Washington Commanders

The Commanders picked quarterback Jayden Daniels with their first-round pick, a splashy first selection of the Dan Quinn/Josh Harris era. With their initial second-round pick, Washington chose Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, selecting cornerback Mike Sainristil and Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott later in the same round. Near the top of the third, the Commanders chose TCU guard Brandon Coleman. At the end of the second day, Washington completed the third round by selecting Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. Analysis of every Commanders pick from John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

The Bears' selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1 was not unexpected, but what Chicago would do with the No. 9 pick remained something of a mystery before the team took Washington wideout Rome Odunze to pair with Williams. With their first pick of the second day, the Bears selected Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie in the third round at No. 75 overall. Analysis of every Bears pick from Courtney Cronin


Detroit Lions

The Lions made a move up in the first round, swapping picks with Dallas to take cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 24. With their first pick of Day 2, the NFC North champs selected Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. near the end of the second round. Analysis of every Lions pick from Eric Woodyard


Green Bay Packers

The Packers targeted offensive line help for quarterback Jordan Love, selecting Arizona's Jordan Morgan to help in the trenches. With their first pick of Day 2, Green Bay selected Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 overall, coming back later in the second round to select Georgia safety Javon Bullard. In the third round, the Packers selected USC running back MarShawn Lloyd and Missouri linebacker Ty'Ron Harper. Analysis of every Packers pick from Rob Demovsky


Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings traded up after all -- but just one spot -- swapping with the Jets for the right to draft Michigan's J.J. McCarthy at No. 10. Minnesota made another deal later in the first, moving up from No. 23 to No. 17 in a deal with the Jaguars and using that pick on Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner. The Vikings did not have a second-day draft pick. Analysis of every Vikings pick from Kevin Seifert

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons pulled off the true stunner of the first round, adding Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to a roster that already included free agent acquisition Kirk Cousins. With their first pick of Day 2, Atlanta swung a deal with Arizona and selected Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro at No. 35 overall. In the third round, the Falcons chose edge rusher (and Penix's Washington teammate) Bralen Trice. Analysis of every Falcons pick from Marc Raimondi


Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were not scheduled to have a first-round pick but pulled off a trade as Thursday night, securing the No. 32 pick from the Bills and using it on South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette. With their first pick of the second day, Carolina selected Texas' Jonathon Brooks at No. 46 overall, making him the first running back chosen in the 2024 draft. In the third round, Carolina chose Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace. Analysis of every Panthers pick from David Newton


New Orleans Saints

Offensive line help for Derek Carr proved to be the Saints' top priority in Round 1, with Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga the choice at No. 14 for Dennis Allen's squad. With its first pick of the second day, New Orleans swung a trade with Green Bay to move up and select Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 41 overall. Analysis of every Saints pick from Katherine Terrell


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs continued the trend of NFC South teams selecting offensive line talent, with Duke center Graham Barton brought in to help protect Baker Mayfield. With their first pick of the second day, the Buccaneers spent the No. 57 overall choice on Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell. In the third round, the Bucs selected Georgia safety Tykee Smith, followed by Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Analysis of every Bucs pick from Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals got their guy at No. 4, making it official with Marvin Harrison Jr. in a move that will raise expectations in the desert. Later in the first, Arizona picked up Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson at No. 27. With their first pick of the second day, the Cardinals selected Rutgers cornerback Max Melton at No. 43 overall. In the third round, Arizona chose Florida State running back Trey Benson followed by Illinois guard Isaiah Adams and his Fighting Illini teammate, tight end Tip Reiman. With their fourth selection of the third round, the Cardinals picked Boston College cornerback Elijah Jones. Analysis of every Cardinals pick from Josh Weinfuss


Los Angeles Rams

The Rams spent a rare first-round pick on Florida State pass-rusher Jared Verse, a playmaker for first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula. In the early second round, the Rams swung a trade with Carolina to select Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske with the No. 39 overall pick. With their initial third-round choice, the Rams picked Michigan running back Blake Corum, coming back late in the round to select Miami safety Kamren Kinchens. Analysis of every Rams pick from Sarah Barshop


San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers spent the No. 31 overall pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a move that could have implications for San Francisco wideout Brandon Aiyuk's future. With their first pick of the second day, the Niners selected Florida State cornerback Renardo Green with the final choice of the second round. In the third round, the 49ers chose Kansas tackle Dominick Puni. Analysis of every 49ers pick from Nick Wagoner


Seattle Seahawks

Seattle went defense in the first draft of the coach Mike Macdonald era, selecting Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 overall pick. The Seahawks didn't make another selection until midway through the third round, picking UConn guard Christian Haynes with the No. 81 overall choice. Analysis of every Seahawks pick from Brady Henderson

Ailing Bucks see Lillard aggravate Achilles injury

Published in Basketball
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:31

INDIANAPOLIS -- Injuries are beginning to pile up for the Milwaukee Bucks, presenting them with a new hurdle as they try to rally from a 2-1 deficit in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers.

Milwaukee has already been playing without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a calf strain. Khris Middleton was listed as questionable entering Friday's Game 3 before scoring 42 points in 41 minutes. And near the end of the fourth quarter, Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury that he said hindered him during overtime.

"We are just taking a lot of hits right now as far as injury-wise," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after his team's 121-118 loss in overtime.

Lillard finished with 28 points on 6-of-20 shooting in 45 minutes, but he did not take a shot and went scoreless in overtime. He told Rivers he wanted to stay on the floor to serve as a decoy for Middleton, who hit tying 3-pointers with 2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and again with 8 seconds left in overtime.

"I just wanted to be on the floor in case opportunity came up or however I could help," said Lillard, who revealed that one of his Achilles had been sore following the Bucks' regular-season finale in Orlando.

"We're gonna get back and just have to get ahead of it because that's not something that you want to play with. It's one of those spots on your body where you literally can't, you can't do nothing about it. If you can't move you can't move. We have a couple of days to start and try to get ahead of it. Get it feeling better and get ready for Sunday."

Game 4 is Sunday night in Indianapolis.

The Bucks were unsure about Middleton's status leading into the game after he twisted his right ankle in Game 2 on Tuesday. Once Middleton went through his pregame routine and felt like he could push off and change directions, he felt good enough to play.

In the first quarter, Lillard gave the Bucks a scare. Pacers forward Pascal Siakam landed on Lillard's heel during a layup attempt, which Lillard said caused him to twist his left knee. He was down for several moments on the floor before he went to the locker room and eventually returned to the game.

"When I went out there I knew it was gonna be a little uncomfortable but I didn't feel like I was putting myself in danger," Lillard said.

The Bucks rallied from a 19-point deficit in the first half to take a fourth-quarter lead on back-to-back 3-pointers from Lillard. But the Pacers rallied in overtime to win on a basket by Tyrese Haliburton.

"We just gotta try and get the next one," Lillard said. "Once you do that then it becomes a new series again, and then after that it continues to change every game. We just gotta turn the page and focus on getting one before we get out of here."

Even though they are trailing in the series, the Bucks are not going to rush Antetokounmpo back while he recovers from a left calf strain that kept him out of the final three regular-season contests and the start of this series.

Rivers said Friday that Antetokounmpo would only return to practice when he's healthy, and the Bucks' results would not influence his status.

"We're not going to rush anybody back," Rivers said. "It's too dangerous to do that."

Haliburton's GW floater ices Bucks in dramatic OT

Published in Basketball
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:31

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyrese Haliburton struggled to find his shooting touch Friday night.

So he looked for other ways to impact the game -- a thunderous slam dunk off a rebound, finding open teammates and patiently waiting for a chance to make a statement. Then in the waning seconds of overtime, Haliburton wanted the ball.

The All-Star guard completed a three-point play with 1.6 seconds left, capping his first postseason triple-double in his first home playoff game to give the Indiana Pacers a 121-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 on Sunday in Indianapolis.

"You know I was going to shoot it no matter what," Haliburton said. "What I was going to get was really based off of feel there. Khris [Middleton] pushed Pascal [Siakam] up to tell Patrick [Beverley] to go under, and as soon as I saw Patrick kind of turn his head, I reacted and everything opened up across the middle and I finally made a shot. I couldn't buy a bucket tonight."

Haliburton was just 8-of-22 from the field and 1-of-12 on 3-pointers. But he did just about everything else right, finishing with 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo again sat out for Milwaukee because of a strained left calf.

Myles Turner added 29 points and nine rebounds, both playoff career highs, to help give Indiana its first back-to-back postseason wins since taking three straight in the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pacers also have their first lead in the playoffs since Game 3 of a first-round matchup against Cleveland in 2018. Indiana hasn't won a series since reaching the 2014 East finals.

"It was a really fun game and overtime. What more could you ask for?" Haliburton said. "It was a really fun atmosphere."

Perhaps not so fun for a Bucks team that has gotten more bruised and battered by the game.

Middleton finished with a playoff career high 42 points and had 10 rebounds and five assists after missing practice Thursday because of a sprained right ankle. He forced overtime by making a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds to go in regulation, banked in a 3 to tie the score with 6.7 seconds left in overtime and then missed a 3 at the buzzer that could have forced a second overtime.

Damian Lillard added 28 points and eight assists, most coming after he hurt his left knee in the first quarter and then aggravated an Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter.

It was a wild finish in front of a festive crowd decked out in gold T-shirts for Indiana's first home playoff game since April 21, 2019, and with many local favorites in attendance. The crowd included Indiana Fever newcomer Caitlin Clark, former Colts coach Tony Dungy, former Pacers forward Derrick McKey and current Colts players Anthony Richardson, Kenny Moore II and E.J. Speed.

But these fans never expected to see the experienced Bucks methodically trim a 19-point first-half deficit to 90-83 after three quarters or open the fourth on a 10-2 run to take a 95-92 lead on Bobby Portis' putback.

The teams then traded baskets, ties and leads over the final 7 minutes of regulation, with Siakam's putback with 19.1 seconds left giving the Pacers a 109-106 lead. But Siakam missed the ensuing free throw, Middleton answered with a midrange shot and the 3 to tie it. Siakam's long 3 to win it hit off the back of the rim at the buzzer.

It was more of the same in overtime until Haliburton broke free for the midrange shot that drew a foul and led to the decisive three-point play.

Siakam had 17 points and nine rebounds. Portis had 17 points and 18 rebounds for the Bucks.

Kawhi: Knee 'didn't respond' as hoped; iffy for G4

Published in Basketball
Saturday, 27 April 2024 01:31

DALLAS -- LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said the inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee did not respond the way he had hoped after Game 2, and after gutting out 25 minutes in Friday's 101-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Leonard's status for Sunday's Game 4 is in question.

Leonard had nine points and nine rebounds but did not look like his normal self in Game 3 at American Airlines Center. With their franchise player limited, the Clippers unraveled and now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Leonard was asked if he will be able to play on Sunday afternoon with less than 48 hours between Games 3 and 4.

"Yeah," Leonard said. "Right now, I'll see [how it feels] tomorrow. But I want to play."

Leonard missed 23 days with inflammation in his right knee and sat out the final eight games of the regular season and Game 1 of this first-round series against Dallas.

He logged 35 minutes in his return on Tuesday, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 96-93 loss in Los Angeles in Game 2.

Head coach Ty Lue said on Thursday that Leonard had come out of Game 2 feeling good. But Leonard acknowledged after Game 3 that his knee "just didn't respond the way we wanted" after his return.

"But we are going to get it right," Leonard said. "Time will tell. But we are doing all the right things."

Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, had described the inflammation as "unpredictable" and "stubborn."

Leonard tore his ACL in the second round in 2021. He came back and then tore his meniscus in the first round last postseason against Phoenix, missing the final three games of the five-game series.

Frank said Leonard's surgically repaired ACL and meniscus in the knee were sound structurally but that the inflammation has been problematic.

On Friday night, Leonard threw down two dunks in the second half, including one on an alley-oop. But there were times when he looked as if he lacked his usual burst running down the court. He played just 10 minutes in the first half and sat for the final 3:01 of the second quarter.

Lue said he did not think Leonard was feeling anything new with his injury but that the team is trying to manage it.

Leonard was asked if the inflammation has returned.

"It was pretty good," Leonard said. "First game didn't respond the way we wanted it to. And tonight it was either play limited minutes or not play. And I wanted to be on the floor to help the team and that's what the results are.

"Frustrating that it happened to me this late in the season, but we're going to keep going. We're going to get it right."

With Leonard unable to play his usual minutes and Paul George mired in foul trouble, Lue had to adjust his rotations and play James Harden (21 points, 5 assists) for 44 minutes.

George said the team can see how hard Leonard is trying to fight his way back from his knee injury.

"We all want the best for him," said George, who was limited to seven points due to foul trouble. "He's battling not being able to be 100 percent to be here for us, but we got to cover, pick up the slack and appreciate what he's given us.

"He's still trying to suit up and give us whatever he can. I definitely feel for him knowing he's been working hard and again to get to this point where we want to make a [playoff] push and he can't be a 100 percent right now."

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