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The Golden State Warriors dropped their Game 2 clash with the Houston Rockets, and it turned out to be one of the most crucial losses as not did they only lose the game in a whopping 109-94 score, but they also lost Jimmy Butler when the game has barely started – now raising a possibility that they may be shorthanded heading into Game 3. Butler only played eight minutes in the Game 2 loss for the Warriors and did not return after he made an exit in the first quarter. This forced the rotation for Golden State coach Steve Kerr – opting to put Jonathan Kuminga for more minutes in Butler’s stead. The Warriors have gone 0-3 whenever the latter plays more than 20 minutes – and he played 26 minutes in the loss. It can be remembered that Butler dropped an efficient 25 points on 10-19 shooting in the Warriors Game 1 win, along with seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals – showing just why he has been important for the Warriors in their second-half turnaround. With his status now uncertain, it seems that the Warriors will have some tough challenges moving forward against this gritty Houston squad. Butler’s Untimely Injury Butler suffered a pelvis contusion after taking a hard fall when he was fouled by Rockets guard Amen Thompson late in the first quarter. It appeared that Thompson pulled down Butler in an attempt to grab a rebound, but further review showed that the Houston guard was inadvertently pushed coming off multiple players and was falling down when he also accidentally grabbed Butler’s legs on the way down. In the resulting play, Butler fell on his tailbone, to which he grabbed as soon as he got up. The Warriors forward walked to the other end of the court while obviously in pain, shooting one of his two free throws before he was later taken out of the game and immediately went to the locker room. Later in the game, it was revealed that Butler did indeed suffer an injury and would not return for the rest of the game. He is slated to have an MRI exam today. Butler finished with three points and two rebounds before he left the game. The Warriors also had another injury problem in Brandin Podziemski, who left the game in the first quarter with a stomach ailment. While it is not serious, Kerr already said before the game that the guard was struggling with a stomach problem because of the recent food he ate. Life Without Butler In the aftermath of Butler’s exit, the Warriors were outscored 28-18 in the first quarter, and the Rockets went on to plow through Golden State for the rest of the game. The Warriors stayed within striking distance but could not claim the lead with the lack of offense – mostly stemming from Butler. Stephen Curry struggled to score and finished with 20 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. The supporting cast for the Warriors also struggled as a result, with Moses Moody and Quinten Post scoring 12 points each. Kuminga, who took over Butler’s minutes in the rotation, finished with 11 points on 4-12 shooting. He did not play the final game of the season against the Los Angeles Clippers, nor did he log minutes in the Play-In win against the Memphis Grizzlies and in Game 1 against the Rockets. Without Butler, it seems that Kerr’s rotation will be forced to come up with an inclusion for Kuminga. Considering that the Warriors have not won in any game where he played more than 20 minutes, maybe the four-time champion coach will find a way to keep the Warriors in the series.

It is rare for rookies in the Major Leagues to come up with a winning stride and a promising push in their games, especially when the season is still young and they haven’t had a lot of impressive games to begin with. That isn’t the case for Nick Kurtz as he came up with his first MLB hit to set his league debut at a high note. Selected fourth overall by the Athletics, Kurtz’s journey to the big leagues hasn’t been that easy. Just a year ago, he was just taking classes at Wake Forest as a junior, and now he’s one of the big pros at the Sutter Health Park bringing in his talents for Oakland this season. He just began his professional career nine months ago – and to be able to reach the Majors on such quick pace is a huge feat. The Athletics called him up earlier this Monday, and Triple-A Las Vegas manager Fran Riordan relayed the message – to which Kurtz did not initially believe until he saw it to be true at this point. Now he’s swinging the bat in Oakland and is expected to come up with more explosive performances moving forward. A Dream to Reality If you told fans that a rookie would be swinging big for the A’s today, no one would probably believe you. Kurtz wore no. 16 for the first time in the Majors, and while no one expected him to suit up, he did come up with instant impact for the team, clubbing his first RBI single coming off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker in the first inning – claiming his first Major League hit at his FIRST at-bat as well. In the Classes A and AA, Kurtz was batting .368 with four homers and 13 RBI in 12 games. He also made his appearance in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, batting .353 with seven extra-base hits and 11 RBI in 13 games for Mesa. Kurtz’s Triple-A run was also impressive – where he hit seven home runs with 24 RBI and a 1.040 OPS in just 20 games. A’s GM David Forst claims that he is definitely comfortable in playing Kurtz almost every day in the rotation. This means that the rookie will be taking over as the first baseman, while Tyler Soderstom will likely take a tour of various positions such as the left field and the designated hitter spot. Solving Hiccups The only problem in bringing Kurtz is the fact that he doesn't really improve the defense, especially if the team is going to move players out of position, such as the case for Soderstom. However, there are still expectations that Kurtz will acclimate to the squad right away and find a way to fit in while also coming up with contributions ont he defensive end. Many experts believe that Kurtz has a very advanced approach when it comes to the plate, and they are not wrong – at least based on his offensive metrics in the Minors, where he had big numbers off the charts. That was also seen yesterday in the A’s win over the Rangers, where he tagged a 1-2 96 mph fastball from Rocker – blowing past a diving Marcus Semien and bringing it to the right field at an exit velocity of 112.2 mph. To make his debut even sweeter, his run earned him a standing ovation from the Sutter Health Park crowd as he high-fived his first-base coach Bobby Crosby.

Caesars Entertainment has just announced the launch of a new online slot with an NBA theme, the NBA Triple Double Power Combo. The launch comes at the perfect time as it coincides with the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and it brings together excellent NBA gameplay and the best jackpots for players. As the 2025 NBA Playoffs deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement, Caesars Entertainment, Inc. is elevating the experience for basketball and gaming fans alike with the launch of a brand-new slot game: NBA Triple Double Power Combo. The innovative title, developed in partnership with Games Global, is now live exclusively on Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Canada (Ontario). This launch marks a first for Caesars' digital platforms, introducing official NBA logos and branding into a slot game for the first time in company history. It's a slam-dunk addition to Caesars' expanding online casino portfolio, demonstrating the company's partnership with the National Basketball Association and commitment to offering unique, sports-driven experiences to its users. A winning combo of sports and slots "NBA Triple Double Power Combo is the ultimate destination for basketball enthusiasts on our online gaming platforms," said Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital, Matt Sunderland. "Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love the thrill of the game, this exciting new title offers can't-miss gameplay inspired by the intense action on the NBA hardwood during Playoff season." Set inside a dynamic basketball arena, the game combines the classic mechanics of a traditional slot machine with high-energy NBA visuals and sound effects that mirror the roar of a live playoff crowd. From fast-paced bonus rounds to progressive jackpots, every spin brings the electricity of a courtside seat to players' fingertips. Strategic collaboration with Games Global The launch is a significant milestone for Games Global, which continues to expand its footprint across regulated US markets. Chief Commercial Officer at Games Global, Joann Pierce, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. "We're thrilled to see NBA Triple Double Power Combo go live with Caesars Entertainment, especially as excitement builds during the 2025 NBA Playoffs," said Pierce. "This launch marks a major milestone in our US growth journey, pairing a high-energy, basketball-themed slot experience with one of the most iconic names in entertainment. It's another powerful example of Games Global's commitment to delivering standout, market-relevant content." Available across premier digital platforms NBA Triple Double Power Combo is available to players 21 and older on Android, iOS, and desktop devices in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. The title joins a robust portfolio of Caesars branded content, offering immersive experiences that mirror the grandeur of Caesars' land-based casinos. In addition to branded slots, Caesars' digital platforms boast hundreds of fan-favorite casino games, including private live dealer tables, high-limit slots, progressive jackpots, and classic poker and roulette variations. The platforms continue to grow as destinations for both casual players and seasoned gamers. A continued focus on Responsible Gaming As an industry pioneer in Responsible Gaming, Caesars Entertainment remains deeply committed to player protection. Today, Caesars upholds an enhanced 21+ gaming policy and maintains robust education and support systems to ensure responsible play. These measures extend to all of its online platforms, reinforcing the company’s mission to create safe, entertaining, and innovative experiences. The debut of NBA Triple Double Power Combo signals a new era for Caesars Digital, blending the passion of professional basketball with the thrill of online gaming. With the NBA Playoffs in full swing and fans seeking fresh ways to engage with the sport, Caesars' latest launch arrives at the perfect time - offering something truly game-changing for basketball and casino enthusiasts alike.

The state of Pennsylvania has now joined New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia in the MSIGA. The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement for the game of poker has existed for a number of years, but it is only now that Pennsylvania has come into the fold, with the move designed to give more freedom and choices to over 150K poker players in the state. Governor Josh Shapiro today announced a major expansion in Pennsylvania’s online gaming market, officially signing an agreement to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, or MSIGA. This strategic move allows the Commonwealth to become the sixth member of the shared internet poker network, offering more choice, freedom, competition, and economic opportunity for Pennsylvania's estimated 150,000 online poker players. A major step forward for online poker players By joining the MSIGA, Pennsylvania aligns with the states of Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia, enabling online poker players across state lines to compete against one another on shared platforms. This agreement increases the combined pool of players by more than 50% and creates the largest single market for regulated online poker in the United States, encompassing more than 38 million residents. Governor Shapiro called the decision a 'commonsense step' that balances consumer freedom with smart economic growth. "This is a commonsense step to support hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, grow our economy, and bring in more revenue to support our schools, our seniors, our small businesses, and more," stated Governor Shapiro. He continued, "Three of our neighbors are already part of this agreement - and with this action today, we're making sure Pennsylvania remains competitive in a rapidly growing online market." Benefits to players and the economy For players, joining the multi-state network means access to larger tournament prize pools, increased player competition, and a more dynamic online experience - all without raising the cost of entry. Games will be hosted on licensed, fair, and thoroughly tested platforms, ensuring integrity and player protection. Poker players across the Commonwealth have long advocated for MSIGA membership. Advocates cited improved competition, better protections for players, stronger support for smaller online operators, and a way to combat unregulated and illegal gambling as key motivations. Pennsylvania's online poker platforms, including PA Borgata Online and BetMGM, will begin offering multi-state poker games starting on the 28th of April, 2025, with additional operators expected to launch shortly thereafter. Strengthening Pennsylvania's gaming sector With 22 licensed online gaming platforms and 17 retail casinos, Pennsylvania's gaming industry employs more than 15,000 people and stands as a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's economy. Legalized gambling in Pennsylvania generates nearly $2.7 billion annually in tax revenue, ranking it first in the nation among commercial gaming states. These revenues are funneled back into communities in a variety of impactful ways - from reductions in school property taxes to agricultural community investments to grants for local projects across all 67 counties. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will oversee the integration of the multi-state poker system, working closely with other state regulators and online operators to ensure a smooth and secure rollout. Maintaining momentum in a competitive market As more states modernize and expand their online gaming frameworks, Pennsylvania's move to join MSIGA is viewed as both a strategic and timely decision. With neighboring states like New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia already enjoying the benefits of shared liquidity pools, today's agreement ensures Pennsylvania remains a leader in regulated online gaming in the United States. For the Commonwealth's poker enthusiasts and for its growing digital economy, the future is now significantly brighter. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board website or follow updates from the Governor's Office.

Virtus.pro was nowhere to be found in the previous edition of the Esports World Cup. However, the team may well be gunning for one of the prestigious titles in StarCraft II as the team has now moved to sign Kim “Classic” Doh Woo as their ace in the game and represent the squad in the coming months. The news broke out through a blog post on the Virtus.pro website earlier this week, and it garnered mixed impressions from the team’s fans considering that they haven’t been successful in almost any esports run this year so far. Signing Classic is a promising move that will give them better hopes of at least cracking one esports trophy at this point. The Esports World Cup is slated to begin this July 8th, and will go all the way to August 24th. There will be seven weeks of esports action across different games in Saudi Arabia, with each week featuring multiple games simultaneously. For Virtus.pro, this is a chance to show that they still have some grit in them and can still come up with a competitive set of players in the long run. Bringing in the Classic Experience Classic has been one of the renowned players in StarCraft II, competing at a professional level since 2010 when he began his career with STX SouL. He would then move on to SKT1 after the latter team disbanded and stayed there for three years. Since then, Classic has been jumping form one team to another, including the likes of MKers, Alpha X, and Twisted Minds. One of the biggest feats that we have seen from Classic in his StarCraft run was back in 2014 – when he finished first in the Global StarCraft II League Season 2: Code S. It was a massive run where he topped off the final against his rival Eo ‘soO’ Yun-su in six games, claiming a massive prize of ₩70,000,000 (roughly $69,000) in the win. While he hasn’t been much active in the last two years, the most recent achievement he’s had was a third-place finish in the 2023 GSL Season 3: Code S, where he represented Twisted Minds. Classic had a promising run in the game but dropped the game against Cloud9’s Koh ‘GuMiho’ Byung-jae, 1-3. He did, however, earn a slot in the subsequent ESL SC2 Masters 2023 Winter. Reviving a Legacy For Virtus.pro, signing Classic is a huge move that will give them a chance to elevate their status in the esports world. As one of the highly-decorated teams in the esports world, one can say that this is a chance that the team cannot pass up, especially if they are looking to earn some key wins on the big stage. As emphasized by Virtus.pro CEO Nikolai Petrossian, this is a chance for the team to set expectations and revive their status in StarCraft II. “A year ago, we attempted to revive our legacy in StarCraft II, but the circumstances weren’t in our favour. Now, we’re returning with a more accomplished player who boasts an impressive track record, including top-tier tournament victories,” Petrossian said in the signing of Classic. “We expect Classic to qualify for the Esports World Cup and deliver a strong performance at the event itself, as well as at other major competitions within the esports ecosystem.” For now, this will be a shot in the dark – a gamble that Virtus.pro is willing to make. If it pays off, then the team may have just found its next face in the StarCraft world – and a new home for Classic in the years to come.

After firing former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowick this offseason in the aftermath of a disappointing postseason run, the Houston Texans have now brought in Nick Caley as a replacement with the hopes of helping star quarterback CJ Stroud come up with a bigger campaign in the next season – and the latter is loving this move so far. Stroud won the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, and sought a huge run in 2024 as well. However, the lack of a fluid offense has been evident so far. Stroud failed to see the promising rotation and plays that would have allowed him to flex his passing and create wideout passes that can result in an easy score. With Caley, however, it seems that Stroud is feeling a little bit more free and claims that he has better control of the offense based on their recent scrimmage. That is something that he didn’t feel in the last two seasons under Slowick’s scheme. Now the QB believes that he can actually make some better plays and come up with creative offensive runs for the team heading into next season. A Prime Opportunity for Stroud Stroud finished his 2024 season with a 63.2% completion on 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns. While it may look impressive, he only has a rating of 87 – a huge drop from his 100 rating in his rookie season – where he finished with 4,108 yards on 63.9% completion rate and 23 touchdowns. If there’s one thing to note, he hasn’t actually made improvements in his game – it regressed at a small scale. That is not alarming, nor should it be the cause for an offensive coordinator to be fired. Yet, the Texans know that Stroud has a lot of potential in his game, and that’s why bringing in Caley as the new OC for the team seems to be quite a good decision that can actually impact their chances next season. Stroud – who was one of the brightest QBs last season, has been vocal about his discussion with general manager Nick Caserio. The start claims that he has a lot of confidence in the management and the way they are seeking to build a dynamic roster – starting with Caley being hired as the new offensive coordinator. "No matter what happens, he always has something up his sleeve. So, of course, sometimes we don't know what that is, and you just have to have trust,” Stroud said of his belief in the Texans’ management. “We actually talked about it today, having blind trust and having earned trust, and for Nick, he's gained my trust in both areas. So, I'm excited." Bringing in Caley The need to bring in a new OC for the Texans is quite overlooked, but the new one does bring high potential for the team so far. Caley was a promising coordinator in 2015, where he helped Tom Brady run the offense for New England and then later Matthew Stafford in the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. On the contrast, Slowick runs the Shanahan scheme – which means the QB doesn’t need to make a lot of checks and changes with the answers built into the play to begin with. The Texans offense rarely found the answer on that end last season, and the offensive line struggled hard. "Taking control and being a little more pre-snap, having tools to put my guys in the best position. That is something that we really didn't work on these last two years," Stroud said. “So, I will be able to put my swag on it, have fun with it. He is all about me taking full ownership, running the show, and that's what I want.” Under Caley, Stroud will be able to take more ownership of the offense, and while young QBs will need to make changes over the course of his career, there is a lot of hope that the new OC will be able to steer the star QB to the right direction.

Just like the Venetian, which has moved its poker room off its casino floor, Planet Hollywood and Caesars Palace are reportedly following suit. According to reliable sources, Caesars Palace will open a new poker room inside the shops of the Appian Way, and this poker room will be half the size of its predecessor. Meanwhile, Planet Hollywood is also relocating its poker room in a previous event space, but it will double in size compared to its former poker room. Caesars Entertainment is breathing new life into two of its shuttered poker rooms, announcing plans to reopen poker facilities at Planet Hollywood and Caesars Palace this spring. The move comes amid a trend of Las Vegas casinos rethinking the location and scale of their poker operations in an era increasingly dominated by slot machine revenue. Caesars Palace's brand-new poker space According to reliable reports, Caesars Palace will unveil its new poker room on May 16 in a repurposed retail area within the Appian Way Shops. This upscale shopping corridor, located near the iconic Statue of David replica and Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill, is about five minutes from the main casino floor. Unlike its previous locations - both embedded within the casino - this poker room will be entirely off the gaming floor. The newly redesigned Caesars Palace poker room will feature just eight tables, making it half the size of its most recent predecessor. Despite the reduced footprint, there is potential for future expansion if the location proves successful in drawing steady foot traffic. This marks a significant downscale from the poker room's original incarnation, which once boasted a sprawling 63-table layout opposite the sportsbook before closing in 2014. The room was later moved to a smaller space near the Colosseum, with only 16 to 18 tables, before closing again in August 2024. At the time of its closure, Caesars had promised a temporary shutdown to make way for renovations in the high-limit slots area, with expectations of reopening within 90 days. However, that space has since been converted to accommodate lower-limit slots, casting doubt on poker's long-term value on the prime casino floor. Planet Hollywood's reorganization revealed In tandem with Caesars Palace's revival, Planet Hollywood's poker room is also set to return - this time with a larger and more ambitious setup. Closed since July 2021, the new Planet Hollywood poker room will more than double the size of its former operation. Set to open on May 2, it will occupy the former London Club space, a 4,800-square-foot private event area on the mezzanine level, just across from the wedding chapel. Unlike its original 10 to 12-table room located in the high-visibility Pleasure Pit area, the new venue will host 23 tables - 12 dedicated to cash games - while still offering a view of the casino floor below. The London Club space, dormant since the pandemic, was previously used for private parties and corporate events. A decline in popularity These strategic relocations reflect a growing trend among Vegas casinos, where poker is increasingly being moved away from high-revenue real estate. Following a similar move by the Venetian last August, which relocated its poker room to the Grand Canal Shoppes' second floor, Caesars appears to be prioritizing higher-yield gaming options like slot machines on its casino floors. While poker once enjoyed a meteoric rise during the early 2000s boom, the game has seen a steady decline in Las Vegas. Since the market began contracting around 2012, more than 40 poker rooms have permanently closed in the city. As of now, only 17 poker rooms remain operational. The most recent casualty was the Sahara's room, which closed in November 2024 - making it the seventh Strip poker room to fold in just five years. Despite poker's lower profit margins - relying on a modest "rake" rather than house-vs-player odds - its cultural significance and loyal player base still give it a place in the Las Vegas gaming landscape. With Caesars' latest move, fans of the felt will soon have two more places to play, albeit a bit further from the action.

Simulcast greyhound racing has been on the decline for a number of years in the United States - and now, the state of Oregon is seeking to ban it as well. Even though greyhound racing is still popular in Oregon compared to other states in the US, a proposed House Bill, HB 3020, aims to make all forms of dog betting illegal in the state. Despite its waning popularity across the United States, greyhound race betting continues to hold surprising sway in Oregon - a state that hasn't hosted a live dog race in over two decades. But that may soon change. The ideal time for a change Oregon lawmakers are advancing legislation to fully outlaw betting on greyhound races, joining a growing national movement against the controversial sport. House Bill 3020, which has already passed the state House, moved through the Senate Labor and Business Committee with unanimous support on April 17. If enacted, the bill would prohibit all forms of dog race betting in the state, including simulcast wagers placed on races held elsewhere. "The governor asked me to do anything I can to stop taking greyhound wagers," said Connie Winn, the Oregon Racing Commission director, during a recent committee hearing. "And that's why we have this bill." Although live greyhound racing has all but vanished from the American sports landscape - illegal in 44 US states and active in only one, West Virginia - betting on the sport remains legal in 16 states through simulcast systems. These allow gamblers to wager on races taking place in other jurisdictions, often abroad in countries like England, Australia, and Ireland. But that number is shrinking. Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Arizona are set to implement simulcast betting bans in the coming years, and now Oregon may be next. A central player in a fading industry Even without live racing, Oregon remains a crucial hub for the greyhound betting industry. Along with North Dakota, it hosts one of the country's two main Advance Deposit Wagering systems - platforms that facilitate remote betting on horse and dog races. In 2023 alone, GREY2K USA, a leading anti-greyhound racing advocacy, estimated that $144 million was wagered on greyhound racing through these hubs. Eight ADW companies currently operate in Oregon, two of which - Twin Spires and AmWest - handle simulcast dog race betting. According to the ORC, such wagers accounted for 4.6% of AmWest's and 1.78% of Twin Spires' total 2023 betting activity. Among Oregonian bettors, dog racing maintains a niche appeal. In 2023, 17.9% of wagers posted online and 22.4% of off-track betting wagers in the state were placed on greyhound races. Winn noted that at some OTB facilities, greyhound wagers make up nearly 40% of total activity. "People in Oregon love to wager on greyhounds. They absolutely love it," said Winn. "Out of every state in the United States, we're number three for the amount of people that wager on greyhound racing. I don't know why. It just is." Balancing morality and money Supporters of the bill argue that animal welfare concerns outweigh financial considerations. Executive director of GREY2K USA, Carey Theil, testified that greyhound racing is 'cruel and inhumane,' citing a recent ORC report documenting over 10,000 injuries at racetracks used by Oregon bettors. Theil dismissed concerns over financial losses, calling greyhound betting "a dying industry." He noted a 15.5% year-over-year decline in greyhound wagering at Oregon's OTB parlors from 2023 to 2024. However, the legislation does come with a cost. The ORC estimates a loss of $200,000 in licensing fees and potentially $2.3 million in ADW revenue every two years if affected betting systems leave the state. That would reduce general fund revenue by approximately $450,000 per biennium. Still, lawmakers are committed to mitigating the impact. Two companion bills aim to fill the financial gap, and Representative David Gomberg pledged during testimony, "We are going to make sure [the ORC is] held whole and harmless during this transaction." The bill's effective date is set for January 1, 2027, giving the state time to manage the economic adjustment. Industry pushback Not everyone agrees with the legislation. Board director of the National Greyhound Association Leslie Csokasy challenged the cruelty claims in written testimony, arguing that greyhound racing has a 99.5% incident-free rate. She warned that eliminating simulcast betting would hurt small businesses that depend on the revenue. "Finding alternative sources of income is not a simple or immediate solution," Csokasy wrote. Still, momentum is building. For many lawmakers and advocates, the issue is clear: phasing out greyhound betting is a step toward aligning Oregon's policies with evolving public values on animal welfare. "This is a good bill to help dogs," said Theil.

In eight games, Charlotte FC has been quite the force in the league, and fans cannot deny that this pace has been setting them apart from the rest of the competition. Following a 3-0 clean sheet victory over the fiery San Diego FC, Charlotte has now taken hold of the no. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference, sharing the lead with Cincinnati FC in what is expected to be a crowded set of teams. For what it is worth, Charlotte FC was already in the fifth seed by the end of the previous season. After a wild offseason where they came up with impressive signings and key developments in their staff and roster composition, it looked like Charlotte was ready to contend – and after a few games in the 2025 season, they are making some noise in their games and has made their presence felt so far. It is rare for low-seeded teams to suddenly grab the top spot in the MLS standings, let alone early in the season. But with the power shift in the league that has taken place so far, it is safe to say that there’s indeed something different with the way teams are playing right now. Charlotte, for one, is indeed making the best of its chances to begin with. A Surge for Charlotte FC Charlotte FC remains the only club in the MLS who is yet to lose a game at home – or even a draw on that note. They are a perfect 5-0-0 on their home games and have been really on a roll with 19 points – tied with Cincinnati FC for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. In eight games, both teams have amassed a 6-2-1 record, with Charlotte holding an advantage in goals made so far. San Diego FC – which was one of the fiery teams to begin the season, was taken down in a 3-0 clean sheet at the hands of Charlotte. Liel Abada scored on Pep Biel’s league-leading sixth assist, and they rolled over the expansion team without any hassle. For those who are not aware of Biel’s impressive impact, Charlotte has gone 6-0-1 whenever he has a hand on a goal this season so far. Reigning goalkeeper of the year Krisijan Kahlina also finished with two saves in the game, capping off his fourth clean sheet for Charlotte as the club held San Diego to just nine shots attempt and two of their on-target attempts saved away. Charlotte now returns home to host the New England Revolution this weekend, and one can say that there’s more to expect from the team as to how they can continue winning big games now more than ever. The Power Shift in the MLS The so-called power shift in the MLS can be greatly exaggerated by many fans and critics so far. Sure, league champions LA Galaxy are way below the depths of the West, and their rivals LAFC are seventh overall. In what has been a twist, Vancouver, Austin, Minnesota, Portland, and Colorado all round up the top five in the West – a very different sight from last year’s final standings. What is greatly exaggerated is the Eastern Conference – with Charlotte and Cincinnati at the top, but the last year’s top two teams in Inter Miami and Columbus Crew still remain in the mix for the top five, which makes it not any different at a bigger scale compared to the Western Conference. For Charlotte, this is a big chance for them to stamp their place in MLS history, and one can expect that the team will be rolling hard to keep their hold of the top spot in the East now more than ever.

It has been a long time since we’ve seen a different brand of Playoffs in Detroit, and many fans in Michigan would be surprised to see that their team is even in the postseason chase. But with the Detroit Pistons scoring a much-needed win over the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the First Round, it seems that there’s going to be a lot of hype for the team moving forward. Detroit has not been in the playoffs since 2019 – nor have they won a playoff game since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics in 2008. This series of unfortunate runs by the Pistons have gone on for years. All of that finally met an end after stealing a 100-94 win over the Knicks, and the homecourt advantage in the playoff series at that. For the first time since 2008, the Pistons have won a playoff game, ending a 15-game streak of consecutive losses in the postseason. Now the tide shifts to the Pistons, and while the odds may be stacked against them, one can say that Detroit has also found its groove and may well be on its way to getting a big run in the next two games in front of their home crowd. Beating New York Cade Cunningham stole the show in his duel with Jalen Brunson after he finished with 33 points and 12 rebounds, leading the way for the Pistons in coming up with a crucial win on the road and putting up one of its best games yet. Detroit led for most of the game, but a Knicks run – similar to that 21-0 run in the fourth quarter of Game 1 – tied the score at 94 before Detroit played its final baskets well and kept the Knicks from scoring again. Learning from their collapse in Game 1, the Pistons made the big plays at the right time and ensured that they were not going to give up the biggest chance that they’ve had to win a single game. So far, it has been the story for Detroit this season – beating the odds, overcoming struggles, and proving critics wrong about their chances at being a contender in the NBA. With the series tied at 1-1, the Pistons are looking good enough to make the most of their games at home in Game 3. Of course, they’ll have to be prepared for the Knicks’ response, especially when they held OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns to just 10 points apiece in their Game 2 win. Big Pieces Coming Up The Pistons had a promising and talented roster heading into this season, and Tobias Harris was one of the biggest signings who proved to be pivotal in their games. The former Sixers forward scored 15 points and 13 rebounds and was a great boost in Detroit’s win. Jalen Duren also played well in the paint and hounded the Knicks' offense as he finished with 12 points, 13 boards, and three blocks. However, the biggest boost that the team had for this Game 2 win was Dennis Schroder – who wasn’t even a Piston until February as he was traded from one team to another. The 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP scored 20 points off the bench and even drilled the game-clinching three with 55 seconds left to play in the game. At the right time, it seems that Detroit is clicking well. One can say that Michigan fans will have a lot to expect moving forward as they seek to deliver impressive performances and take control of the series now more than ever.

Kalshi is at it again: just when we thought things were finally settling down, Kalshi goes to court again and files a suit against Maryland for its cease and desist order, the same way that Kalshi fought against New Jersey and Nevada. Kalshi, the federally regulated prediction market platform, has filed a lawsuit in Maryland federal court seeking to block the state from enforcing a cease-and-desist order that it claims unlawfully targets its event contracts. The legal action, filed late Monday, comes just ahead of a compliance deadline set by Maryland authorities for April 22, and mirrors Kalshi's recent legal victories in Nevada and ongoing litigation in New Jersey. Kalshi suit against Maryland C&D letters Maryland's April 7 cease-and-desist letters, issued to Kalshi alongside other firms like Robinhood and Crypto.com, accuse the companies of offering what the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission describes as unlicensed sports wagering. According to the commission, these companies operate sports event prediction markets that are "indistinguishable from sports betting," thus violating state law which limits sports wagering to licensed operators. Kalshi's complaint argues that Maryland's enforcement efforts are federally preempted. Specifically, the company contends that Maryland is intruding upon the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's exclusive jurisdiction to regulate futures derivatives trading under the Commodity Exchange Act. Kalshi, a designated contract market, operates under the CFTC's oversight, which, according to the lawsuit, provides it with protection from conflicting state regulations. Protection and regulation from the CFTC "This action challenges the State of Maryland's intrusion into the federal government's 'exclusive' authority," the lawsuit states, citing legal precedent and statutory authority. Kalshi is seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop Maryland from enforcing the cease-and-desist and to declare the state's actions invalid under the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution. Kalshi's legal team points to a recent favorable ruling from the US District Court for the District of Nevada, which granted the company a preliminary injunction against a similar state action. In that case, the court ruled that Kalshi's operations fall under federal jurisdiction and that the state's attempt to regulate them created a conflict with federal law. No prohibition of event contracts under federal law In its Maryland filing, Kalshi again highlights that the CFTC has not prohibited its sports-event contracts. "Unless and until the CFTC takes action on Kalshi's sports-event contracts, they remain authorized under federal law," the company states in its complaint. Interestingly, Kalshi's legal arguments avoid direct mention of sports events when highlighting the utility of event contracts, instead citing hypothetical examples like whether an earthquake will occur in Los Angeles County by the end of 2025. Kalshi has been represented by Milbank LLP, with Neal Katyal, former Acting Solicitor General of the US, among the attorneys listed. The firm's involvement demonstrates the high stakes and potential precedent-setting nature of the case. A somewhat heated exchange Email exchanges submitted with the lawsuit reveal a last-minute attempt by Kalshi to negotiate with Maryland regulators. On April 18, Kalshi's legal counsel reached out to the MLGCC to discuss the implications of the Nevada ruling. However, the state did not respond substantively until the day before the compliance deadline. In one of the final emails entered into evidence, Kalshi's attorneys urged Maryland officials to preserve the status quo to avoid emergency litigation. "Your agreement to preserve the status quo would avoid any need to burden a Maryland court with emergency litigation," wrote Andrew Cook, a partner at Orrick. Maryland's response was blunt. "Please note that we will take appropriate actions based on your response," wrote Michael Eaton, the managing director of the MLGCA. With legal battles unfolding in multiple states, Kalshi's lawsuits are quickly shaping up to be a defining moment for the future of prediction markets and their regulatory classification. As states expand sports betting frameworks, the question of whether federally regulated event contracts fall under the same umbrella remains controversial - and unresolved.