T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

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The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost to the Timberwolves, who lost two starters due to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team's top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards leaped to try to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left leg, and he quickly dropped to the court and clutched his knee.

Team officials helped Edwards to his feet and he placed his arms around their shoulders. He put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.

Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo headed toward the locker room after he injured his right leg on a non-contact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot to pursue a loose ball and fell to the hardwood, and he grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.

Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

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Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8-for-22 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.

Dosunmu took over in his teammates' absence. He helped Minnesota outscore Denver 62-42 in the second half to take a commanding lead in the series.

The Nuggets led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu helped Minnesota take charge. He made a pair of free throws as Minnesota finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to grab an 82-78 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Dosunmu continued to assert himself. He hit a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to increase the Timberwolves' lead to 95-82 with 7:53 to go.

Denver struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and Jokic took exception to a layup by Jaden McDaniels with 2.1 seconds left. Jokic and Randle were ejected in the closing seconds after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.

--Field Level Media

T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pull...
Magic survive a late collapse, rally past Pistons for a 2-1 series lead

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points, and the Orlando Magic blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before rallying to beat the Detroit Pistons 113-105 on Saturday for a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Associated Press

Banchero had 12 rebounds and nine assists. Franz Wagner scored 17 points for Orlando, which got 15 from Jalen Suggs and a 14-point, 17-rebound game from Wendell Carter Jr.

Cade Cunningham scored 27 for Detroit, which trailed 96-79 with 8:34 left — then outscored the Magic 26-8 over the next six minutes to grab the lead. But the Pistons, who got 23 points from Tobias Harris, couldn’t hold on.

Game 4 is Monday night in Orlando.

It’s the 13th time since 1984, when the NBA went to the 16-team format, that a No. 8 seed has taken a 2-1 lead in a first-round series over a No. 1 seed.

Of the previous 12, five finished off the upset. Those teams: Miami in 2023, Philadelphia in 2012, Memphis in 2011, Golden State in 2007 and New York in 1999. And that doesn’t include Denver’s upset of Seattle in 1994, the first 8-over-1 series win in NBA history.

The Magic — who had to win an elimination game at home just over a week ago to escape the play-in tournament — are trying to be the next name on that list.

THUNDER 121, SUNS 109

PHOENIX (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points in a brilliant shooting performance, Ajay Mitchell added 15 in place of the injured Jalen Williams and Oklahoma City beat Phoenix to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

Gilgeous-Alexander — the league’s reigning MVP — hit 15 of 18 shots on a variety of tough looks, frustrating a Suns defense that actually played decently for much of the game. Alex Caruso added 13 points off the bench while Chet Holmgren had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

The defending champion Thunder will go for the sweep in Game 4 on Monday in Phoenix.

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Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points on 11-of-21 shooting while Jalen Green added 26.

Oklahoma City took an 87-79 lead after three quarters and never trailed in the fourth. Gilegous-Alexander hit a difficult fallaway 19-foot jumper to put the Thunder up 102-87 with about five minutes left, deflating the Suns crowd and pretty much ending any hope for a comeback.

KNICKS 114, HAWKS 98

ATLANTA (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had his first postseason triple-double, OG Anunoby scored 22 points and New York recovered after back-to-back losses to beat Atlanta, tying the Eastern Conference playoff series at 2-2.

Towns had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The 11th-year All-Star became the fourth Knicks player to record a triple-double in a playoff game, joining Walt Frazier, Dick McGuire and Josh Hart.

The Knicks host Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, and the series is now guaranteed to return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.

New York took control of the game midway through the first quarter and maintained the lead for the rest of the game. The Knicks held a 68-44 advantage at halftime and extended that lead to 20 points by the end of the third quarter.

New York, who had one-point losses in the previous two games, returned to form behind its core of Towns, Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, who scored 19 points.

TIMBERWOLVES 112, NUGGETS 96

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points, stepping up afterleg injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzowith the highest-scoring playoff performance by a reserve in 50 years, and Minnesota beat Denver.

The Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead in the series in a game that ended with ejections of Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Minnesota’s Julius Randle after Jokic became angry when Jaden McDaniels made a meaningless layup with 2.1 seconds remaining and confronted the Wolves’ swingman near his bench.

The story before that was Dosunmu, who had the best performance by a sub since Fred Brown scored 45 off the bench for Seattle in a 116-111 loss to Phoenix on April 15, 1976.

Magic survive a late collapse, rally past Pistons for a 2-1 series lead

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points, and the Orlando Magic blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead b...
Ravens take Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with 14th pick, opting to shore up offensive line

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens took Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with the 14th pick in the draft Thursday night.

Associated Press A Baltimore Ravens fan reacts to the team's first overall draft selection of guard Olaivavega Ioane during an NFL football draft party at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Baltimore Ravens fans react to the team's first overall draft selection of guard Olaivavega Ioane during an NFL football draft party at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Ioane fills an obvious need for the Ravens, who had problems in the middle of the offensive line last season and then lost star center Tyler Linderbaum to free agency. There were other possible options — Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was still available — but ultimately Baltimore ended up with a player that wasexpected to beone of its targets all along.

Despite a disappointing season for Penn State, Ioane was a second-team All-American.

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The Ravens went 8-9 last season, missed the playoffs and then fired coach John Harbaugh. They shored up one obvious need — the pass rush — by signing Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

They almost didn't have the 14th pick. They agreed to send two first-round picks to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby, then backed out of that deal before it became official.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/NFL

Ravens take Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with 14th pick, opting to shore up offensive line

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens took Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with the 14th pick in the draft Thursday night. ...
See who Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans picked during NFL 2026 Draft round 1

The eyes of Texas were upon the Steel City asDallas CowboysandHouston Texansfans waited to see who each team would pick in during round 1 of the2026 NFL Draft.

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Dallascame into round 1 with two picks — No. 12 and 20 — but made last-minute selection trades.

The Cowboys traded up with theMiami Dolphinsfrom No. 12 to No. 11 and traded No. 20 to thePhiladelphia Eaglesfor No. 23.

Houstonalso traded up with theBuffalo Billsfor No. 28 to No. 26 in the draft.

It remains to be seen if both teams made the right decisions so far, but here is a look at who was chosen on day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

<p style=1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.

See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.

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  • New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

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  • Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

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  • Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

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  • New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

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  • Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

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  • Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

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  • New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

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  • Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah

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  • Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

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  • Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

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  • Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

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  • Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

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  • Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

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  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

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  • Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

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  • Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson

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  • Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida

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  • Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

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  • Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC

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  • Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

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  • Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

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  • Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida

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  • Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

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  • Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

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  • Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge

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  • Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

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  • New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

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  • Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson

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  • Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

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  • Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

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  • Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

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    See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32

    1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the2026 NFL Draftbrings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.

    Caleb Down of Ohio State is headed to Dallas

    Caleb Downs of Ohio State celebrates after being selected eleventh overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

    Caleb Downswas the 11th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, chosen by theDallas Cowboys.

    The Buckeys' safety started in 2023 at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, where he stayed.

    His career highlights include 256 total tackles over three years with 163 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 6 interceptions and 2 punt return touchdowns.

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    Malachi Lawrence makes Cowboys roster

    UCF Knights defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number 23 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

    Malachi Lawrence of UCF was the 23rd pick on night 1 of the NFL Draft by the Cowboys.

    The UFC edge rusher was stuck with the college all four years, racking up 72 total tackles with 20 sacks.

    Lawrence's selection fills the Cowboys' need for an edge rusher as the team tradedMicah Parsons to the Green Bay Packersahead of the 2025 NFL season.

    Keylan Rutledge picked byHouston Texans

    Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets offensive guard Keylan Rutledge is selected by the Houston Texans as the number 26 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

    No. 26 pick, Keylan Rutledge of Georgia Tech, is headed to H-Town for the 2026 NFL season.

    The Yellow Jacket Guard started at Middle Tennessee State in 2022 and moved to Georgia Tech in 2024.

    In his four years in college, Rutledge recorded 3,019 offensive snaps. He was also the first Georgia Tech player since Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson to be named a First Team All-American in consecutive years.

    He was also named to the First Team All-ACC in 2024 and 2025.

    Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him:mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

    This article originally appeared on USATNetwork:Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans round 1 2026 NFL Draft picks

    See who Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans picked during NFL 2026 Draft round 1

    The eyes of Texas were upon the Steel City asDallas CowboysandHouston Texansfans waited to see who each team would pick in during round...
    England's defensive problems mounting ahead of World Cup with 'bad' injury to versatile Livramento

    NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle full back Tino Livramento could miss the rest of the season because of a thigh injury, jeopardizing his place inEngland’s squad for the World Cup.

    Associated Press

    Livramento has been a regular — when healthy — in Thomas Tuchel’s England squads this season and is valued because of his ability to play both at right back and left back.

    He sustained what Newcastle manager Eddie Howe described Friday as a “bad injury” in the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth last weekend and has already undergone an initial scan.

    “He is due to have another scan at the weekend to determine the full extent of his time out,” Howe said. “We will wait and see whether he plays again this season.”

    The Premier League finishes on May 24 and England’s final World Cup squad must be submitted by May 30.

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    England’s first-choice right back appears to be Chelsea’s Reece James, who is currently injured, whileTuchel has been overlookingReal Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold. Burnley's Kyle Walker retired from international duty in March.

    It leaves Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa – naturally center backs – and Ben White, who hasn’t been a regular starter for Arsenal, as other potential right-back options.

    The World Cup begins June 11 and takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

    England's defensive problems mounting ahead of World Cup with 'bad' injury to versatile Livramento

    NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle full back Tino Livramento could miss the rest of the season because of a thigh injury, jeopardizing...

     

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