Sports Digest.

KG's Back in Minneapolis as NBA Playoffs Set to Tip Off

Minnesota Teams

Kevin Garnett returns to Target Center — Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett got a hero's welcome Sunday night during the team's regular-season finale, which doubled as a fan appreciation night. KG spent the best years of his career in Minnesota and remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history — the crowd made sure he knew it.

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NBA

The playoff bracket is set — The 2025-26 NBA regular season wrapped up Sunday night, and all 20 playoff spots are now locked in. The Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers came out as winners of the final day's shuffling, landing favorable first-round matchups. Playoffs tip off April 18, but first, eight bubble teams — including the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers — will battle it out in the Play-In Tournament (a mini-tournament to decide the last two playoff spots in each conference) starting this week.

Milwaukee and New Orleans are coach-hunting — Both the Bucks and Pelicans are looking for new head coaches, so expect some front-office drama to run alongside the playoff action over the next few weeks.

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MLB

The most expensive series in baseball history — When the New York Mets host the Los Angeles Dodgers this week, the two rosters will combine for a staggering $1.07 billion in payroll. That's a number that's never been seen before in the sport, and it's shaping up to be appointment viewing even if you're not a baseball fan.

Phil Garner passes away at 76 — The baseball world lost a familiar face over the weekend. Garner was a three-time All-Star player and later managed the Houston Astros to their first-ever pennant in 2005. He was 76.

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NHL

Playoff picture almost finalized — With just a handful of games left in the regular season, Monday features 10 matchups with real playoff seeding and draft lottery stakes on the line. If you haven't been following hockey, now's a good time to tune in — the postseason is right around the corner.

Kucherov is the MVP frontrunner — Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov has taken the lead in the NHL's MVP race, according to a panel of voters. The award itself (the Hart Trophy) will be handed out after the playoffs.

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College Sports

Denver hockey is a dynasty — The University of Denver Pioneers won the NCAA men's hockey national championship over the weekend, beating Wisconsin 2-1 in the Frozen Four finale. Remarkably, it's their third title in five years — a run that's turning Denver into a genuine college hockey powerhouse.

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Other Sports

Masters Sunday at Augusta — The final round of the 2026 Masters is today, with Rory McIlroy among the big names competing for the green jacket and a $4.5 million payday (out of a $22.5 million total purse). The Masters is golf's most prestigious tournament, held every April at Augusta National in Georgia.

Manchester City closing in on Premier League title — City beat Chelsea over the weekend and have now pulled to within six points of league-leading Arsenal, with a game in hand. Next weekend they face Arsenal directly, which could be the defining match of the English soccer season.

UFC 327 wrapped up in Miami — Jiri Prochazka fought for the vacant light heavyweight title over the weekend in a loaded card that also featured veteran Cub Swanson fighting in what was billed as his retirement bout. If you like combat sports, this was apparently a card worth seeking out on replay.

Sources

Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-13
2026 Masters prize money, purse: Payouts, winnings for Rory McIlroy, each golfer from $22.5 million pool
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Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy secures place as greatest of his generation ... and best of all? He's not done yet
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Justin Rose's Masters prayer unanswered at Amen Corner as another green jacket slips away
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Doc Rivers out as Bucks head coach after 50-loss season, and more changes could be coming in Milwaukee
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NBA Play-In Tournament schedule: Matchups, format explained with Warriors, 76ers among field
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2026 NBA playoff bracket: Matchups, schedule with postseason field finalized
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2026 NBA playoffs schedule: Game times, dates for first-round matchups
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2026 NBA Draft order, lottery odds: Wizards, Pacers and Nets have best chances at No. 1 pick
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'I don't make it easy': How Rory McIlroy won back-to-back Masters
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Rory prevails, becomes 4th to repeat at Masters
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Flagg's rookie season ends with sprained ankle
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Giannis vents about Bucks, won't rule out return
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Fans give KG big welcome in his return to Wolves
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Report: Ex-Canes DE Bain drove in fatal car crash
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Ovi lauds Penguins but waves off farewell shakes
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Man City's win over Chelsea will have Arsenal sweating
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Transfer rumors, news: Nine Premier League clubs eye Leicester wonderkid
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The case for the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's MVP trophy of record
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Final 2026 NHL Awards Watch: Kucherov takes the lead for MVP
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Eagles, A.J. Brown intrigue increases as NFL draft nears
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A $1.07 billion series!? Why Mets-Dodgers is most expensive matchup in MLB history
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Fight grades: Say A to one of the best UFC cards of the year
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Who should challenge for Carlos Ulberg's championship first?