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Evoke plc, whom everyone knew as 888 Holdings in the recent past, has just announced a significant expansion of its Poker 8 gaming platform to include WSOP.com players in New Jersey and Nevada. This move marks a new era for online poker enthusiasts in these states, who will now join their counterparts in Michigan in accessing an upgraded and more integrated poker platform. For the first time, players from all three states will be able to battle against each other, broadening the competitive landscape and enhancing the online poker experience for the states of NV, NJ, and MI.

A newer and better platform with newer and better features and capabilities

The new software, according to Evoke plc, promises to deliver exceptional graphics, much smoother gameplay across different devices, faster loading times, and overall improved functionality. In addition to this, the upgrade includes a robust Player Account Management system, seamlessly integrated with advanced CRM capabilities, which all ensure a more personalized and efficient experience for users.

Evoke's expanded product offering in the United States now features over 175 exclusive casino games developed by its in-house studio (no less than Section 8). Among these casino games are numerous progressive jackpot slots, which, as we all know, are already popular at New Jersey online casinos. The inclusion of these games alongside the upgraded poker platform signifies a comprehensive enhancement to Evoke's digital gaming portfolio.

What’s more, through the Poker 8 platform, players can now enjoy a variety of engaging features such as Mystery Bounties and Progressive Knockouts. Additionally, the platform supports simultaneous participation in multiple Omaha and Texas Hold’em cash games and tournament tables via mobile apps, offering unprecedented flexibility and engagement for users.

The Chief Growth Officer at Evoke, Jeffrey Haas, highlighted the impact of the platform upgrade on the player experience in America. “The latest poker platform upgrade in America will deliver superior gameplay experiences for players in Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. We look forward to working with our partners at the World Series of Poker to leverage this technology to substantially enrich their customers’ online poker experience,” he stated.

More positive changes to watch out for at WSOP 2024

One of the significant advantages of this expansion is the increase in network liquidity, which Evoke claims will enhance table availability on WSOP.com. This increased liquidity is expected to improve the "depth and breadth" of both cash games and tournament games on a daily basis, providing an even more dynamic and engaging experience for players of WSOP.com.

As most everyone knows, Evoke has been powering WSOP.com since 2013, consistently supporting it with the highest-quality, invaluable software and services. This partnership has enabled Caesars to maintain its industry-leading position, with Evoke's technology playing a crucial role in its success. The latest upgrade underscores Evoke's commitment to continually advancing the online poker experience for WSOP.com players.

Executive Director of the World Series of Poker Ty Stewart emphasized the significance of this rollout. Mr Stewart stated that the new product is monumental to the success of the World Series of Poker, adding that it’s just in time for WSOP 2024. He also stated that while they always strive to offer the biggest tournaments in the sector throughout the year, this is the perfect time when players can enjoy exclusive promotions, satellites, as well as online bracelet events.

This strategic expansion and upgrade also comes at a pivotal time as the online poker community gears up for the 2024 World Series of Poker. The enhanced platform is expected to attract a significant influx of players eager to participate in the high-stakes tournaments and exclusive events that WSOP.com is renowned for.

Evoke plc's expansion of the Poker 8 platform to include players from Nevada and New Jersey marks a significant milestone in the evolution of online poker in the United States. With cutting-edge technology, an extensive range of proprietary games, and a commitment to enhancing player experiences, Evoke plc is well-poised to redefine the online poker landscape, setting a new standard for digital gaming excellence in the US.

At the age of 38, Sergio Ramos should already be considering retirement rather than mulling options to play for another team. With his contract slated to expire by June 30th, it seems that the star is slated to move on from the European leagues and is now even in consideration to be offered by different clubs from the Major League Soccer.

While Ramos already said that he has not decided his future yet nor has made agreements with any other club, the former Real Madrid star is rumored to be considering various offers from teams in the MLS. It is already not a new trend for European stars to make their move to join the MLS, where there are more games to play and a lot of different teams to play against.

Ramos wraps up his season with Sevilla after playing a total of 37 games in all competitions last season, scoring seven goals as the team finished 14th overall in the league table. While he stated that money was never an issue with the team, the poor sporting and institutional is said to be some of the reasons why he wants to move on from the team.

A Historic Player on the Move

Ramos began his career with Sevilla in February 2004, joining the ranks of the first-team before finally moving to Real Madrid just a year later, signing a $28.9 million deal with the team that would see him win five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He would go on to move out of La Liga and join Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1, where he went on to win two league titles.

Aside from his domestic club feats, Ramos has been a legendary icon in Spain, helping them win the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. However, this is not the first time that a player who has enjoyed success in both La Liga and Ligue 1 is rumored to move to the MLS. It can be remembered that Lionel Messi, arguably the best football player on the planet, has won titles in La Liga, Ligue 1, and the FIFA World Cup before moving on to join Miami FC.

A Future with the MLS

According to sources, Sergio Ramos has already been engaged in talks with MLS club San Diego FC with the hopes of joining the club this summer before their debut campaign in 2025. San Diego is an expansion team for the MLS and will be joining the mix of teams in the league as soon as the 2024 season wraps up.

The MLS presents various opportunities for Ramos, such as setting records for being a veteran player in the mix. It is also rumored that Ramos has been a target of clubs residing in the Saudi Pro League, but no clubs have been reported to have been interested in making an offer for Ramos’ services.

A future link-up with Ramos for San Diego also adds him to the long list of Spanish players. As of the time of writing, there have been a total of 41 players from Spain who have managed to play in the MLS. Names such as Oriol Rosell, Victor Rodriguez, Victor Vasquez, Ilie Sanchez, and David Villa are some of the players from Spain who have managed to win a league title over the years. Who knows, maybe Ramos can add himself to that list?

With the season finally over, the focus now shifts for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. OKC has been set with the fifth-best odds for the 2024-25 season in terms of winning the league title and bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Still, the Thunder have enjoyed one of the best seasons that the franchise has seen in years. OKC has won 57 games and went on to secure the no. 1 seed in the tight Western Conference. This goes without saying that head coach Mark Daigneault even won the Coach of the Year Award, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in the MVP voting.

Being in the top five for the title odds says a lot about OKC’s potential. They have a squad full of potential and are still young in the game. A promising cap space, a treasure trove of draft picks, and four open spots can be the big difference that can make the Thunder a true contender to look out for in the coming 2024-25 season.

A Season of Experimentation Has Ended

OKC has been one of the hyped teams that was not even expected to make the playoffs. Initially, OKC was expected to tank for yet another top draft pick, only to shock fans and critics alike by securing the first seed by the end of the 2023-24 season, edging the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves for the top seed.

Of course, we have seen issues from the Thunder, such as rebounding, and the dry spell in shooting that has cost them the Playoffs in the semis. Still, this is the first year that the trio of SGA, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams have all played together. Now that they know more of one another, it cannot be denied that the expectations are starting to rise up for the Thunder as they now shift their focus into winning a title.

It is the first time that OKC has secured the first seed since the 2012-13 season, and the first time that they have eclipsed 50+ wins since the 2015-16 season. Based on the FanDuel odds to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the 2024-25 season, the Thunder are slated at +1000 odds, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the top five odds to win.

Setting Expectations for OKC

There are a lot of questions ahead for the Thunder’s offseason. First of all, they are armed with the 12th pick in a rich and promising draft class, which could be pivotal in their chances of winning. There’s also the different unknowns for the free agency market, which should be tempting for OKC to come up with a trade that could bring them a high-value player to boost their chances.

It is also easy to overlook the development of both Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who have been special for the Thunder’s 2023-24 season. Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks on 53% shooting and 37% from deep. Williams, on the other hand, has been phenomenal with season averages of 19.1 points, 4.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals on 54% shooting and 42.7% from three.

All signs are pointing towards the Thunder making a deep playoff run once more. The 2023-24 season is the worst version you’ll see from these squad, and fans can expect them to live up to the hype of the odds set before them. For more context, the Thunder only trail the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Dallas Mavericks on that list.

Two social casino apps run by New York-based High 5 Games have been declared unlawful in the state of Washington by a federal judge. According to the state's Recovery of Money Lost at Gambling Act (RMLGA), the corporation may be liable for millions of dollars in damages following Judge Tiffany Cartwright's June 11 order in Western Washington District Court. “That's not toy money; that's actual money” according to 

Cartwright concurred with former player Rick Larsen, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, who claimed that the games broke both the RMLGA and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA). If players wish to keep playing after using up all of their virtual bankrolls, they must buy more coins with real money. Court filings show that Larsen played the apps for $7,470.50.

Anyone who bought virtual currency for one of the applications in Washington after April 9, 2014, may be eligible to obtain damages through a class action lawsuit. That's important since gambling is defined by Washington as "risking something of value to receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome in a contest of chance or a future contingent event, not under the person's control or influence."

Washington is not like other jurisdictions where cases pertaining to the "value" of virtual playing chips have been filed. The plaintiffs in the Big Fish lawsuit split a $155 million settlement. Cartwright concluded that the virtual currency of High 5 "functions identically" to that of Big Fish.

There has been a lot of news with New Jersey as of late, starting with an increase in its online casino revenue this year, a substantial growth from last year by as much as 21%. But while that news is welcomed greatly by NJ casino regulators and residents alike, it seems that there is more news coming from the NJ pipeline. As of May 2024, New Jersey has welcomed another online casino operator in its arena, and this online casino is none other than Jackpot City.

The legalization of online casinos in NJ: Jackpot City follows a strong precedent

Since the legalization of online casinos in 2013, New Jersey has been a hotbed for digital gambling, continually attracting new operators to its burgeoning market. The latest entrant is, of course, Jackpot City, and it was launched in March under a partnership with land-based casino Golden Nugget. However, unlike many of its predecessors, the online casino's debut was remarkably low-key.

Jackpot City's soft launch in New Jersey followed its entry into the Pennsylvania market in December. Despite the lack of extensive marketing efforts, the platform's relatively discrete rollout has not gone unnoticed by industry observers. With a modest revenue of $141,255 reported so far - $115,907 in March and the lowest revenue of $25,348 in April - the site's current traction among players appears limited. In short, Jackpot City isn’t doing too well. However, the potential for growth is significant given its extensive background and strategic plans.

A long history that now includes New Jersey, signaling renewed hope for the platform

Established in 1998, Jackpot City has carved out a strong presence in various international markets, including the United Kingdom, Latin America, and Canada. This extensive experience in diverse regulatory environments and player preferences gives it a solid foundation to build upon in the ever-competitive New Jersey landscape.

The Jackpot City website, for one, boasts over 100 slot games from renowned developers like Light & Wonder, Evolution, and IGT. The platform also plans to expand its game library weekly, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for its users. "New Jersey is a core state in our US casino strategy," Chris Canas, a Jackpot City spokesperson, emphasized. "We know players in the state have many online casinos to choose from, and our goal for Jackpot City Casino is to become their casino of choice through a rewarding and entertaining experience."

Jackpot City's entry into the New Jersey market under the Golden Nugget license places it among a prestigious group of online casinos that have collectively generated over $2 billion in revenue since 2013. This group includes other notable names such as FanDuel, BetRivers, Betway, and, of course, Golden Nugget itself.

Jackpot City: paving the way for fresh marketing efforts

Despite its slow start, Jackpot City's potential for success in New Jersey is underscored by its strategic approach and comprehensive gaming offerings. Its partnership with the Golden Nugget brand not only provides a solid regulatory foothold but also aligns Jackpot City with a brand that is synonymous with high-quality gaming experiences.

The initial figures may suggest a lukewarm reception, but they also reflect the minimal marketing efforts undertaken by Jackpot City thus far. The online casino industry is highly competitive, as everyone will readily agree, and in order to sustain one’s success, it often requires robust promotional strategies to capture (and retain) player interest. But Jackpot City is well aware of this, and as it ramps up its marketing initiatives, the platform will likely see a corresponding increase in user engagement and revenue.

Moreover, the steady introduction of new games will be crucial in attracting a diverse player base. With a commitment to weekly updates, Jackpot City aims to keep its offerings dynamic and appealing, ensuring that players always have something new to look forward to. As Jackpot City continues to establish its presence in New Jersey, it faces the dual challenge of distinguishing itself from established competitors while also building a loyal player base. The platform's long-term success will hinge on its ability to deliver a superior gaming experience, foster the trust of players, and effectively communicate its value proposition to the NJ customer base.

While Jackpot City's entrance into the New Jersey online casino market has been understated, its potential should not be underestimated. It is, after all, backed by years of international experience and a clear strategic vision, and Jackpot City is well-positioned to make a significant impact in this competitive space. As New Jersey's online casino market continues to evolve, Jackpot City's journey will be one to watch closely.

It’s already 2024, and yet Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay feels like he’s been transported back into 2017 when he first began coaching for the team. Surrounded by a crop of young talent, the coach seems to be pleased with what lies ahead for his squad and is confident that they are going to find their way to the top of the league soon.

Ever since the Rams began its rebuild in 2022, McVay has only shown promising optimism with his team today. He was already considering retirement to begin that rebuild, and the injuries and tough losses during that initial campaign didn’t really help out well for McVay’s considerations back then.

Still, McVay was pleased to see a new spring of hope for the team. For the first time, the Rams didn’t have massive expectations set before them, and this is what invigorated the coach to continue chasing improvement and growth for the team. The Rams would go on to return to the playoffs as the second-youngest team in the NFL, and now the perspective has changed.

Hunger for Wins Driving the Rams Forward

McVay now enters the 2024 season as a coach who has what it takes to guide a crop of hungry players who want to win on the big stage. The rebuild has surely taken its time, and now the Rams are eager to come up with a deep run in the playoffs. He is focusing his game on the next level, and now is his chance to make big strides for the Rams.

"You know what's cool? Being around this group, and especially even last year, it feels like it's Year 1 again," McVay said of his experience with the revamped Rams. "And I really mean that. I feel like these last couple of years, there's really just been a real renewed purpose and perspective that reminds you what a blessing this is.”

The Rams finished sixth overall in the National Football Conference with a 10-7 record, going 5-3-0 at home and 5-4-0 on the road. They even closed the regular season with a four-game winning streak, which is the second-longest in the league to wrap up the 2023 run behind the Buffalo Bills.

No Pressure for the Rams Amidst Previous Playoff Appearance

Despite being slated for the playoffs once more, it cannot be denied that there is no pressure mounting at the hands of the Rams. There are a lot of discussions as to how the team can improve its chances on the playoff stage, but it does not mean that they are eager to go all in and come up with desperate runs right away. Patience is often rewarded in the NFL, and the Rams are doing good on that end so far with the way their rebuild has now resulted into a promising pace.

Instead of giving in to the pressure, McVay is clearly taking his time, enjoying a young team that has so much potential in winning games. His peak of optimism is clearly showing that his trust with the squad is expected to be even bigger, and now is the time to come up with massive strides for the Rams.

Who knows, maybe they can leave a promising mark in their campaign for the 2024 season and shock critics and fans alike.

When you’ve done a great job to contain one of Edmonton’s lethal scorers in Leon Draisaitl, you have to make sure that you don’t leave his partner-in-crime wide open in various opportunities. That was the story of Game 5 as Connor McDavid shined bright on the big stage as he lifted the Oilers to come up with a 5-3 win and send the series back home for a Game 6.

Just like his heroics in Game 4, McDavid pulled off another four-point performance off two goals and two assists to lead the Oilers in extending their season to one more game in the Stanley Cup Final. Fans at the Amerant Bank Arena were silenced for most of the game as Edmonton jumped to a 3-0 lead before a late comeback attempt was foiled by the Oilers to seal the deal.

Instead of winning the chip at home, the Panthers will now have to deal with the Oilers on the road – who has been a spectacular team to watch whenever they play in front of their fans. Now the series shifts back to Edmonton’s favor as they now aim to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final.

A Legendary Performance from McDavid

Connor McDavid now has logged a total of 42 points off 34 assists and eight goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs – which ranks fourth in all-time records. He also joins legendary icons such as Wayne Gretzky (three times) and Mario Lemieux to have at least 40 points in a single playoff run.

The Oilers captain assisted on two of the three other goals scored by the team. Despite only having 24 shots on goal and Draisaitl being cold for most of the game, McDavid embraced the moment as his time to shine bright and deliver a promising win for the Oilers now more than ever.

McDavid has been a special performer on the big stage, and we all know that he is not afraid of the big moments. This is why he was so calm despite being down 3-1 to begin Game 5, and his immense dedication to winning has rewarded Edmonton with massive chances time after time.

Staving Off a Late Comeback

The Oilers jumped to a 3-0 lead behind goals from Connor Brown (1st period, 5:30), Zach Hyman (2nd period, 1:58), and McDavid (2nd period, 5:00). The Panthers would then go on to show signs of life in their games after a promising spark led by Matthew Tkachuk, who scored in the 2nd period at the 6:53 mark to cut it to 3-1.

Corey Perry would then go on to come up with a promising run to score a wrist shot and put Edmonton back up by three, but Evan Rodrigues made sure to come up with his own answer just 14 seconds after the latter scored for the opposing team, making it 4-2 heading into the final frame.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson would then go on to cut the lead to 4-3 following a snap shot with 4:04 on the clock. After 15 minutes of back-and-forth action with no teams scoring, McDavid came up with the final play and went on to drill a clutch wrist shot at 19:41 to call it a game and put the Oilers ahead at 5-3. That sealed the deal and has secured Edmonton’s hopes of a Game 6, where they will have the crowd behind them as they now aim to force a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.

June 18, 2024 – Jackpot.com declared on Wednesday that it has joined the ranks of the Associated Press, an independent worldwide news agency that was established in 1846, as its official lottery courier.

Jackpot.com is still reaching out and aiming for potential new clientele. In the US, where Jackpot.com mainly operates, the media outlet's website will host lottery results thanks to its AP relationship.

Through the company's courier service, Jackpot.com makes lottery tickets available for purchase online to residents of six states. In Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Texas, the platform and mobile app are fully operational, however, lotteries in each of those states don’t permit online sales of lottery tickets.

Jackpot.com’s CEO and co-founder Akshay Khanna shared in a statement that the collaboration with AP isn’t just about “Selling tickets- we’re transforming the landscape of lottery gaming.”

Responsible Gaming Protocols

With the ability to set spending limits and default limits on daily deposits, as well as offering self-exclusion, self-suspension, and automated notifications that offer assistance should problematic behavior be detected, Jackpot.com has made a significant investment in responsible gaming protocols. Plus, Jackpot.com is the only lottery courier service that has received the National Council on Problem Gambling's iCap certification since its establishment.

The management group of Jackpot.com has a track record of success in the gaming, technology, and licensing sectors. The group is led by co-founder and CEO of Jackpot.com Akshay K. Khanna, a seasoned sports and licensing executive who previously oversaw the strategy group at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and StubHub's North American business; other co-founders include Roi More, who founded Gett; and Yariv Ron, a seasoned veteran of the real money gaming industry.

Expansion and Future Prospects

The partnership with the Associated Press marks a significant milestone in Jackpot.com's efforts to expand its footprint and enhance its visibility in the competitive lottery market. By leveraging AP's extensive network and reputation for reliable news dissemination, Jackpot.com aims to attract a broader audience and foster trust among potential customers.

Jackpot.com has indicated interest in extending its services to additional states when regulations change, in addition to current activities in the six states above. The organization is assiduously tracking alterations in legislation and interacting with state authorities to investigate prospects for expansion. As more states investigate legalizing online lottery sales, Jackpot.com is anticipated to be positioned as a leader in the online lottery courier market because of this proactive approach.

Technological Innovations

Jackpot.com is investing in cutting-edge technologies to improve customer experience and support its aggressive expansion objectives. In order to provide a smooth and safe transaction process, the company's platform and mobile app are made to let users buy lottery tickets with trust and convenience. To safeguard user information and stop fraud, sophisticated encryption, and security procedures are in place.

Moreover, the lottery site is investigating how to combine machine learning and artificial intelligence to customize the user experience. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, these technologies may provide personalized promotions and recommendations, which boosts user engagement and retention.

Community Engagement and Corporate Responsibility

Jackpot.com is dedicated to giving back to the community despite its business goals. In the areas where it operates, the firm has started several initiatives to promote neighborhood nonprofits and community projects. Jackpot.com seeks to improve the lives of those it serves and create a positive effect by collaborating with non-profit organizations.

Jackpot.com also prioritizes honesty and openness in its business practices. Reports about the company's financial performance attempts to promote ethical gaming, and community contributions are frequently posted on its website. Customers and stakeholders are more likely to trust and believe in you when you are transparent.

The collaboration between Jackpot.com and the Associated Press is poised to bring significant benefits to both parties. As Jackpot.com continues to innovate and expand its services, it is well-positioned to become a dominant player in the online lottery market.

For the first time since 2008, the Boston Celtics have clinched a title in the biggest stage of NBA basketball as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in a show of attrition after a promising campaign that showed why the Celtics deserved to win the NBA title right from the start of the season.

Jayson Tatum dropped 31 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds to lead the Celtics in the massive victory, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jrue Holiday had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick White added 14 points and 8 rebounds. The Celtics were firing from all cylinders, drilling 13 threes early in the game.

But the defense was the biggest story of the game. Dallas was held to just 29.7% from three, and had 13 turnovers for the whole game. Kyrie Irving only had 15 points, and Luka Doncic was held under 30 points for the fourth straight game – even making 0-6 from deep in the first half.

A Story of Back-and-Forth Runs

Dallas was well within the game despite their poor shooting, making runs to stay on the prowl and keep their hopes alive. However, a sudden burst from Boston that spanned just a minute helped the Celtics take the wheel to end the first quarter with a 28-18 lead. The Celtics would go on to pour more offensive barrages in the second as they scored 39 points to build a 67-46 lead at halftime.

On that note, Luka Doncic was held to just 9 points at the half, and no other Mavericks player had scored double-digits aside from Josh Green, who drilled three threes in the first half and ended the game with 14 points total. Boston has been deadly almost everywhere on the court, and even that halfcourt buzzer-beater three from Payton Pritchard set the cherry on top of a winning cake that sealed the deal right from the start.

A Story of Firsts in Boston

Al Horford, at the age of 38, has finally won the NBA Finals for the first time. It was also the first time that a player from the Dominican Republic has won the NBA title. There are a lot of firsts in the storied ending by the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis all won their first NBA titles. It is also the first title for head coach Joe Mazzulla as the man at the helm, and the first for Brad Stevens as the president of basketball operations.

Also, for the first time since the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors, who had a 67-15 record, the team with the best record in the season has won the NBA Finals, with the Boston Celtics finishing the 2023-24 season with a 64-18 record and NBA Champions.

Lucky Date Continues to be Lucky

The last time the Boston Celtics won their NBA title was in the 2008 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Kobe-led Lakers in a 131-92 victory. If you are looking at the date, it was on June 17, 2008. Now 16 years later, on the same day, the Celtics would go on to blow out the Mavericks in stunning fashion, with a lot of promising plays as they wrapped up the 106-88 win that defined their story for seasons. Now they are champions – the winningest in NBA history.

After completing the sweep over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics now shifts its focus to the next task at hand – the NBA Finals, which has eluded them for years with a lot of tough losses, but now they are finally back with vengeance.

And that doesn’t come so easy as many critics claim it to be. Sure, the Celtics faced teams that have had injured stars, but they also missed the services of their big man in Kristaps Porzingis, who has been one of the consistent performers in the squad for most of their 64-win season.

Since the Game 4 of their First-Round win against the Miami Heat, Porzingis has missed action on the court due to a calf strain, which left Boston handicapped in their campaigns against the Cleveland Cavaliers (second round) and the Indiana Pacers (Conference Finals). But according to head coach Joe Mazzulla, it seems that the star is closer to a return and may likely come into the lineup in the NBA Finals, which begins this June 6th.

A Key Addition Coming Back into the Mix

Porzingis was traded to the Boston Celtics in the offseason from the Washington Wizards. The Latvian big man was hailed as a promising star in his own right, averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 57 games with the Celtics. He has been one of the most consistent performers for the team in the season, shooting a career-high 51.6% from the field and dropping 37.5% from three.

After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Celtics addressed their need for a big man who could rival the Heat’s Bam Adebayo and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in the paint, which was clearly Boston’s weakness in their previous playoff run. When Porzingis was inserted into Boston’s lineup, the team went on to finish the campaign with the best record in the season with a 64-18 campaign.

Prior to his injury, Boston has seen him perform well with 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals in four games. He would have been a valuable addition for the team had he stayed healthy over the course of the next two rounds after beating Miami. But the Celtics still managed to hold the fort, as they’ve gone to a 9-1 record this postseason without the big man.

Boston Needing Porzingis Now More Than Ever

Regardless of the result in the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Mavericks hold a 3-1 series lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves as of the time of writing, it does seem that Boston will need Porzingis to come back stronger than ever. Either team presents a strong front on the paint, with Dallas parading with Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, and Derek Lively II (currently out with injury). Minnesota, on the other hand, almost has the same power on the paint with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid.

It does seem that the Celtics will need more of Porzingis to actually strengthen its presence in the paint. We all know how the team has been relying heavily on Al Horford to enforce its strength in the paint, and there has been minutes to the likes of Luke Kornet and even Xavier Tillman in some games. No doubt, a healthy Boston squad with Porzingis in the middle will provide a much better advantage for the team in the NBA Finals.

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In their sweep against the White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah is once again close to being declared out for a set of games in the 2024 season after he was removed from the 3-1 win at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was an excellent show from Manoah, had it not been for his tough injury that has definitely left a sour note in the win.

The same discomfort was already felt in Manoah’s last outing against the Detroit Tigers, but he had a quick treatment and was confident in the next game. The pitcher described it as a “pinchy feeling” at the time, and said that he could feel like he would fully extend his elbow in a single pitch.

“I just mentally told myself, ‘Stop thinking about it,’” Manoah said. “It’s just a little achy. It’s fine. It mostly bothered me when I extend, so I think that mentally, when I told myself not to think about it, I didn’t guard it and I got more extension than I was on the previous pitches.”

So when he threw a 91.4 mph sinker over to Dominic Fletcher in the second inning for ball one, he definitely felt something was wrong as he bounced off the mount with catcher Alejandro Kirk heading for the same spot. The Blue Jays would later take out Manoah out of the game for good through the dugout tunnel.

Confident Recovery Ahead of the MRI from Manoah

Since making his MLB debut in 2021, Manoah has been one of the most efficient players for the Toronto Blue Jays, amassing a total of 409 strikeouts as of the time of writing and an ERA of 3.36 for his whole career. The pitcher expressed his worry about how the injury might keep him out of games, but remains confident that he can get back into the game soon as well.

“I feel … it sucks,” Manoah said of his injury. “I have my faith in god. I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff this past year to get back to this point. This game is tough.” Manoah is slated to meet with doctors in Toronto and will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his injury, which should clarify whether or not he will be out for a lengthy period of time.

Manoah’s health has always been one of the biggest concerns in the game for the Blue Jays. That is the first priority for the team considering the fact that this isn’t the first time that he has faced adversity in injuries. It can be remembered that Manoah was sent to the Triple A first with the hopes of getting him back into his groove with some promising starts with their affiliate team.

What’s Next for the Blue Jays with Manoah Out?

It is expected to see the likes of Bowden Francis to take over the starting role in the meantime. He can be a traditional starter or even a tandem pitcher with whoever is available on the 40-man roster, with Yariel Rodriguez being the most likely option for the team at this point as the Cuban right-hander just finished with a promising game last week in the Triple-A. This is a position that is quite hard to fill in, with top prospect Ricky Tiedemann currently out with an ulnar nerve inflammation in his left elbow.

The Blue Jays can hope to try tapping into veteran pitcher Paolo Espino as well. There’s also Adam Macko – who has been on a great groove this season but is still working on his comeback with the Double-A.

As of the time of writing, the Toronto Blue Jays are currently ranked 11th in the American League. The team has seen some tough struggles over the past few months with the way they have waded the waters of injuries, and it seems that there is more to expect from the team in the coming months should Manoah get healthy soon.

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