Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant was ruled out for Game 1 of the first-round playoff series at the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering a right knee contusion in practice during the week, coach Ime Udoka said. The 37-year-old, who averaged a team-high 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the regular season and played 78 games, warmed up before the matchup but felt limited movement and was held out. Imaging showed no structural damage, but the area above the patellar tendon is very tender, Udoka said, leaving the Rockets cautious about a return. Houston started Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun in Durant’s place. The Lakers also began the series shorthanded: Luka Dončić (grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (grade 2 left oblique strain) were out indefinitely. Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles; the Rockets describe Durant’s absence as possibly a one-game issue but gave no firm timeline for his return.

Victor Wembanyama was named the NBA’s 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year in historic fashion on April 20, receiving all 100 first-place votes from media voters. The 7ft-4 San Antonio Spurs center, 22, becomes the youngest and first-ever unanimous recipient of the award after leading the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for a third consecutive season and helping the Spurs post a top-three defensive rating and a 62-20 record. Wembanyama cleared the league’s eligibility threshold this season and also ranks among MVP finalists alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. The win adds to Spurs defensive lore — San Antonio is now the first franchise with four DPOY winners — and guarantees Wembanyama All-Defensive and likely All-NBA recognition. Voters placed Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren second and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson third. Wembanyama’s dominant regular season and a 35-point playoff debut have intensified comparisons to franchise greats and fueled debate over his long-term legacy, durability and his role in the Spurs’ deeper title ambitions.

Sheffield, United Kingdom — April 20, 2026: Kyren Wilson produced a dramatic comeback to beat 19-year-old debutant Stan Moody 10-7 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. Moody dominated the afternoon session, recording two centuries (110 and 101) and other big breaks including 91 and 84 to lead 6-3 and then extend to 7-3 early in the evening. Having discharged himself from hospital to complete qualification after a bout of tonsillitis, the Halifax teenager looked set to become the youngest player since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1995 to win a Crucible match. Wilson, the 2024 champion, responded by winning seven consecutive frames — including a pivotal respotted black — to overturn the deficit and seal victory. Moody said he was “gutted” after missing a red that might have put the match beyond reach. Wilson, meanwhile, revealed ongoing problems with an overly flexible cue that he plans to address after the tournament. Wilson advances to face Mark Allen in the second round; Moody’s performance, despite the loss, drew praise from former champions and raised expectations about his future potential.

Elijah Hollands, a 23-year-old Carlton midfielder, was hospitalised after what the club described as a “mental health episode” during last Thursday’s match against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Carlton confirmed the admission on April 20 and has launched an internal review into why Hollands was allowed to take and remain on the field despite visibly erratic behaviour and minimal on-field involvement. The AFL has requested Carlton share the review’s findings and could fine the club up to A$50,000 under rules governing a player’s fitness to play. WorkSafe Victoria is assessing whether the matter warrants an investigation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and will seek information from the club and the league. Hollands’ father, former player Ben Hollands, posted a public message of support for his son as debate grows over whether existing match-day protocols — largely built around concussion management — are sufficient to handle acute mental health incidents. Clubs, players and commentators are calling for clearer, standardised approaches to in-game mental health responses.

On April 20, 2026 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, Tilak Varma produced a maiden IPL century to steer Mumbai Indians (MI) to a 99-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT). Varma smashed an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, as MI posted 199-5 after recovering from 96-4. Naman Dhir provided a key 45 while skipper Hardik Pandya contributed 15. MI bowlers then dominated: Jasprit Bumrah claimed his first wicket of the season with the match’s opening delivery and Ashwani Kumar (reported four wickets) led the attack as GT were bowled out for 100 in 15.5 overs. The victory ended MI’s four-game losing streak, lifted the five-time champions to seventh in the 10-team IPL standings and returned them to momentum in a congested midtable. GT, who had been on a three-match winning run, saw their chase collapse early as top-order batters failed to fire. The performance drew widespread praise from former players and broadcasters and gives MI a timely morale boost ahead of upcoming fixtures.

April 19-21 — The Eastern Conference first-round series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks swung dramatically in two games at Madison Square Garden. In Game 1 on April 19 the Knicks pulled away behind Jalen Brunson (28 points) and Karl‑Anthony Towns (25) for a 113-102 win. Two nights later the Hawks rallied from a double-digit deficit to stun New York 107-106, tying the series 1-1. Veteran guard CJ McCollum scored a game-high 32 points in Game 2, including six in the final two minutes and the go‑ahead jumper with 33.5 seconds left. Brunson had 29 for New York; OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson provided support but New York’s late turnovers, 17-for-27 free-throw shooting and 14 turnovers were costly. The game featured escalating physicality — a third‑quarter spat between McCollum and Jose Alvarado produced double technicals and drew heavy boos from the MSG crowd. McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining but Mikal Bridges’ buzzer attempt rimmed out. The best‑of‑seven shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Thursday, with the series now level.