Connect with us

Sports

Warriors 106, Raptors 105, Game 5: Kevin Durant Suffered Achilles Injury

Published

on

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant left Monday’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors after suffering an injury.

Durant hurt his correct lower leg and didn’t come back to the elimination game.

The Warriors staved off elimination Monday in the most dramatic way, beating the Toronto Raptors 106-105 in Game 5 despite of playing the last three quarters without Kevin Durant.

“We did it for Kevin,” said Klay Thompson, who played 42 minutes and scored 26 points. “We’re going to try to win the next two for him.”

The following one, Game 6, is Thursday night at Oracle Arena. Game 7 would be Sunday in Toronto.

Durant, playing for the first time since correct calf injury sidelined him May 8, endured Achilles injury with 9:49 left in the second quarter.

Warriors GM Bob Myers, ashen-faced and teary eyed, made the announcement after the game. He said Durant would have an MRI on Tuesday.

“He went through four weeks with our medical team,” Myers said, fighting back his emotions. “We felt good. He was cleared to play.

“I don’t believe there’s anybody to blame, but I know how the world is. If you have to blame someone, blame me. I’m the president of basketball operations.”

Durtant folded to the floor two minutes into the second quarter after to endeavoring a spill proceed onward the edge. He sat unmoving on the floor, holding his lower right leg, close to the lower leg. Steph Curry, Andre Iguodala and Warriors medical director Dr. Rick Celebrini helped Durant off the court and up the tunnel to the locker room.

In the third quarter, Durant left the arena on crutches and wearing a walking boot.

“I just told the team that I didn’t know what to say,” coach Steve Kerr said. “On the one hand, I’m so proud of the grit and heart that they showed. On the other hand, I’m just devastated for Kevin. It was an incredible win and a horrible loss at the same time.”

“Prayers to KD,” said Steph Curry, who played 41 minutes and scored 31 points, giving the Splash Brothers 57 points, more than half the team’s total.
“He gave us what he could. He sacrificed his body for us. I’ve got a lot of emotions right now.”

In a response that was totally out of Canadian character, the Toronto group cheered Durant’s injury, blinded by its yearn for the city’s first real title since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993. Warriors players, Thompson and Quinn Cook among them, signaled furiously at the group. The Toronto players immediately followed, taking the crowd back to its faculties as they moved toward Durant to reassure him.

The effect of Durant’s hotly anticipated return had been practically quick. He depleted a couple of 3-pointers in the principal 2:23, as though he’d never been gone, let alone for 32 days. Be that as it may, Durant’s effect wasn’t constrained to the self-evident. The floor was more open than it had been all arrangement, and everyone benefitted.

The Warriors hit seven 3-pointers in the quarter. Durant had three, Thompson two, Draymond Green and Curry one each. It was Durant’s third three that put the Warriors ahead 32-26, an edge they took into the second quarter in the wake of exchanging crates with the Raptors to end the first.

The Warriors expanded their lead after Durant went down — assembled it to 11 on a Cousins three, to 12 on a Curry three, to 13 at 52-39.

The lead had softened to 57-56 when Curry hit a three and Kevon Looney, playing chivalrously through torment, tipped in a shot to make it 62-56 at the half.

The Warriors went to the locker room, and that’s is the place they saw Durant and has their most noticeably awful feelings of dread affirmed. Apparently, it was a bleak and calm scene.

Flattened however they were, the Warriors remade their lead. They were up 77-63 — their greatest lead of the night — with 5:46 left in the second from last quarter.

The Raptors battled back and, for the third time, a quarter finished with a 6-point Warriors lead, this time 84-78.

With the home group thundering them on, and with the Warriors wearying, the Raptors at last survived. They had trailed for everything except 53 seconds of the game when Kawhi Leonard hit a three to put Toronto ahead 96-95.

It was the beginning of a 10-point visit de power by Leonard that put the Raptors ahead 103-97.

It was over — the game, the series, the dynasty.

In any case, pause. Thompson hit a three. At that point Curry hit a three. At that point Thompson hit another three. The Warriors were back ahead of the pack 106-103 with 56.5 seconds left.

The Raptors scored to make it 106-105 and made history the ball back when DeMarcus Cousins was required a moving screen with 15.7 seconds left. Here came the Raptors once last time, here came Leonard, their star and saint. The Warriors multiplied him at the highest point of the key, driving him to go into the corner where Kyle Lowry’s shot at the ringer fizzled.

“Game 6is going to be fun,” Curry said. “It’s going to be a dogfight for 48 minutes. But we’re going to be ready.”

Matthew Ronald grew up in Chicago. His mother is a preschool teacher, and his father is a cartoonist. After high school Matthew attended college where he majored in early-childhood education and child psychology. After college he worked with special needs children in schools. He then decided to go into publishing, before becoming a writer himself, something he always had an interest in. More than that, he published number of news articles as a freelance author on apstersmedia.com.

Sports

India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

Published

on

India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

India started their three-match ODI series against England on a winning note, securing a four-wicket victory in the first match at VCA Stadium on Thursday. The win was powered by Shubman Gill’s 87-run knock and a three-wicket haul from debutant Harshit Rana.

England’s Innings: A Strong Start but a Sluggish Finish

After winning the toss, England skipper Jos Buttler opted to bat first. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett gave their team a flying start, adding 73 runs in just 53 balls. Salt was particularly aggressive, smashing 43 off 26 deliveries, including three sixes and five boundaries. However, a mix-up between the wickets led to his unfortunate run-out.

England then suffered a setback, losing two wickets in quick succession. Harshit Rana struck on his debut, dismissing Duckett (32) with a brilliant diving catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Soon after, Harry Brook was dismissed for a three-ball duck, reducing England to 77/3.

Veteran batter Joe Root (19) tried to stabilize the innings alongside Buttler, but Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW before he could make a significant impact.

Buttler and Bethell’s Effort Goes in Vain

Despite the setbacks, Jos Buttler played a responsible innings, scoring 52 off 67 balls, marking his first ODI half-century in India. He stitched a crucial partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed 51 off 64 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

However, once Buttler fell to Axar Patel in the 33rd over, England collapsed from 170/4 to 206/7. Rana sent Liam Livingstone (5) back to the pavilion, and Mohammed Shami cleaned up Brydon Carse (10). Jadeja then struck again, dismissing Bethell LBW, leaving England all out for 248 in 47.4 overs.

India’s Bowlers Shine

  • Harshit Rana (3/53) made an impressive debut.
  • Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) was economical and deadly.
  • Mohammed Shami (1/38) kept the pressure on.

India’s Chase: Gill Anchors the Innings

Chasing 249, India had a shaky start. Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing his maiden ODI, was caught behind for 15 off 22 balls. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, as he departed for just 2 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Shreyas Iyer took charge with a 31-ball half-century. His 59-run knock, featuring two sixes and nine boundaries, shifted momentum in India’s favor. He also shared a 94-run stand with Gill in just 64 balls, accelerating India’s chase.

Gill and Patel Take India Home

After Iyer’s dismissal, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 5, forming a 108-run partnership with Gill. Patel played a composed innings, scoring his maiden ODI fifty (52 runs off 58 balls).

Gill, on the other hand, paced his innings brilliantly. Battling cramps, he played some exquisite shots, hitting 14 boundaries in his 87-run innings off 96 balls. Unfortunately, he missed out on a century when Saqib Mahmood cramped him for room, leading to a catch at mid-on.

Despite his departure, India comfortably chased the target in 38.4 overs, winning with 11.2 overs to spare.

Series Status and Next Match

With this win, India leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday, where England will look to bounce back.

Continue Reading

Sports

NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

Published

on

NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

For the third year in a row, the NFC dominated the Pro Bowl Games and showcased its strength in flag football.

One week before the Kansas City Chiefs sought their third straight Super Bowl title, the NFC achieved its own three-peat, beating the AFC 76-63 in all events, including a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup on Sunday.

Flag football’s dominance continues


Since the Pro Bowl switched to flag football in 2023, the NFC has gone undefeated in the new format.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the charge, earning Offensive MVP honors after completing 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. made a huge impact in his first Pro Bowl, intercepting New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and returning him eight yards for a touchdown, earning him the Defensive MVP award.

A competitive leap with a big incentive

The shift to flag football has increased competition as players are not as concerned about injury risks compared to the previous tackle format.

However, a financial incentive also played a role in the NFC’s determination to win.

“We prepared to win,” exclaimed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. “They told us what the price was, and I thought, ‘Maybe we should do something more.'”

Each member of the winning team took home $92,000, while the member of the losing team received $46,000.

A winning formula for the future of the Pro Bowl


After years of debate over the format of the Pro Bowl as a result of the declining intensity of tackle football, the flag football model appears to have revived the event.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who has played in both versions, has expressed a clear preference for flag football.

“I like this more because it gives the fans a chance to see our faces and who we are off the field,” Baker said. “We compete, but we keep it very civil.”

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold agreed: “Vlag is a lot of fun, especially after the season where the guys have been kind of chill for three weeks. It’s good to make a game like this.”

Skills Battle Highlights


In Sunday’s additional skills challenges, the NFC continued its dominance by winning the relays and tug-of-war competitions, while the AFC vouched for a victory in the “Point Perfect” event.

With three consecutive Pro Bowl victories, the NFC has cemented itself as the team to beat in the new era of flag football.

Continue Reading

Sports

Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens’ Playoff Exit Against the Bills

Published

on

Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens' Playoff Exit Against the Bills

After another disappointing playoff exit, Lamar Jackson made it clear he wouldn’t pin the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 AFC Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills on Mark Andrews’ dropped pass during a critical late-game 2-point conversion.

Instead, the reigning NFL MVP channeled his frustration toward the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Every time we’re in situations like this, turnovers play a role,” Jackson said, slapping one hand against the other. “We can’t have that, and that’s why we lost the game. You can see it — we’re moving the ball beautifully, but we need to hold on to the ball. I’m sorry for my language, but this is frustrating. I’m tired of it.”

Despite the turnovers — including two by Jackson — the Ravens had a chance to force overtime in the fourth quarter. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-25 with just 1:33 remaining.

On the ensuing 2-point conversion, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the chest, but the ball slipped through his hands as he fell backward in the end zone.

“There’s no one with more heart or fight than Mark,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “We wouldn’t even be in this position without him. Destiny is shaped by how you handle moments like these, and Mark will respond with resilience.”

Andrews declined to speak with reporters following a game in which he made rare mistakes. Before Sunday, he hadn’t dropped a pass since Week 6. Against the Bills, he dropped two, including the pivotal 2-point conversion, and fumbled near midfield during the fourth quarter — only the second fumble of his career.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton defended his teammate. “One play doesn’t define anyone,” he said. “Mark is the all-time-leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history. For anyone to criticize him is unfair. He’s been a consistent leader and workhorse for this team.”

Jackson also offered words of support for Andrews. “I’m just as hurt as Mark,” he said. “This loss isn’t on him. It’s a team effort. Everyone played a role. Mark has been incredible all season, and sometimes things just don’t go our way. We need to figure it out as a team.”

Jackson, however, wasn’t immune to errors. After throwing a career-low four interceptions all season, he threw one early in the game and fumbled on the following possession while scrambling under pressure. It was an uncharacteristically erratic performance, marking his fourth postseason game with both an interception and a fumble.

“Protecting the ball is the top priority, and I didn’t do that,” Jackson admitted. “As the leader, I need to set the example, and I didn’t deliver today. That’s on me.”

The Ravens have yet to win back-to-back playoff games during Jackson’s seven seasons as their starter. Now, he’ll face another offseason with the elusive Super Bowl remaining just out of reach.

“I have to get past this because we’re so close,” Jackson said. “I’m tired of being right there. We need to seal the deal, punch that ticket, and get it done. It starts with getting better in the offseason.”

Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!