LUKE LITTLER SPARKS CONTROVERSY WITH "THUMBS DOWN" GESTURE AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST FANS
Luke Littler edges out Gerwyn Price in a 6-5 thriller at Nottingham, while mocking Forest's European defeat to the crowd.
During Night Six of the Premier League Darts in Nottingham, Luke Littler didn't hold back in making a cheeky remark. The 19-year-old world champion had just edged out Gerwyn Price in a tense quarterfinal, only to fall to Luke Humphries later that evening. But beyond the scores, it was Littler’s exchanges with the crowd that grabbed attention amid the intense atmosphere at Motorpoint Arena.
Littler’s reputation for engaging head-on with supporters is well established. He seldom ignores the noise from the stands, often turning that energy into part of his game. His behaviour in Nottingham was a textbook example of this, especially during the thriller against Gerwyn Price. The match was tight, going down to the last leg before Littler clinched a 6-5 victory, though not without some friction.
Throughout the game, whistles from the crowd were frequent. When Littler finally hit double 20 in a crucial moment after missing several darts, his reaction was emphatic. With a loud roar and a pointed gesture toward the stands, he signalled that he wouldn’t let distractions break his focus. That moment only fuelled the charged atmosphere, with the audience staying loud all night.
Before his semifinal match against Luke Humphries, Littler made another memorable statement. Walking onto the stage, he appeared to acknowledge Nottingham Forest’s recent Europa League defeat. When the camera caught him, he raised a finger for 1-0, lifted his eyebrows, then gave a double thumbs-down, a clear nod to Forest's narrow loss to FC Midtjylland.
The Danish side had scraped through that first leg despite Forest creating chances, highlighting a tough patch for the Nottingham team, already struggling with a winless streak and growing expectations on their coaching staff.
The crowd’s reaction to Littler’s gesture was immediate – some laughter, some whistles – but the young player seemed unfazed, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth with the fans. It was another reminder that Littler isn’t just a rising star on the oche; he knows how to own the spotlight off it as well.
CARLOS RODóN POISED FOR MID-MAY ROTATION RETURN FOLLOWING STELLAR SOMERSET PERFORMANCE
"I'm ready," says Carlos Rodón after a 75-pitch gem in Double-A. Get the latest injury updates on the Yankees' dominant staff.
The Yankees have been tearing it up early this season. Sitting at 20-11, they’re leading the American League, and their starting pitchers are a big reason why.
Max Fried and Cam Schlittler have really stepped up at the front of the rotation. Thanks to them, New York’s starters own the best ERA in baseball, 2.74, and that’s with some key arms still missing.
But on Thursday in Somerset, one of those missing pieces finally made progress.
Carlos Rodon Shows He’s Ready
Carlos Rodon took the mound for Double-A Somerset and immediately made an impact. He struck out eight over 5.1 innings, gave up just one run on five hits, and threw exactly 75 pitches, which is right where the Yankees wanted him. It’s another strong performance from a guy who looks closer and closer to coming back with every outing.
After the game, Rodon didn’t hide how he felt.
“I’m ready when they tell me they need me,” he said.
It sounds like he’s waiting for the call. The Yankees will check how his arm feels after this start, and he’ll probably get another rehab game before he comes back. Judging by Thursday, he could be back in the rotation by mid-May.
What Rodon’s Return Means
The Yankees have been winning without Rodon, which makes this even more exciting.
Last year, Rodon had his best season in pinstripes. Thirty-three starts, a third All-Star nod, and a 3.09 ERA. Bringing that version of Rodon back to a rotation already this good? That gives the team a whole new gear.
And it’s not just him; Gerrit Cole is on his way back from Tommy John surgery, aiming for late May or early June. On Wednesday, Cole made his third rehab start in Somerset, pitching 5.2 innings with zero walks. His command has been spot-on.
Put Rodon and Cole together with Fried and Schlittler, and suddenly the Yankees’ starting pitchers are as good as any in the game.
The Bottom Line
It’s hard not to be optimistic if you’re a Yankees fan right now. The rotation is thriving, help is coming, and Rodon looks ready to rejoin the team. He made it clear after his latest start that he wants back in.
The timeline is finally coming together. Once Rodon and Cole are back, the Yankees will be even tougher for the rest of the league.
That moment isn’t far off.
LAKERS OPEN AS 3.5-POINT UNDERDOGS FOR GAME 6 CLOSEOUT ATTEMPT IN HOUSTON
The Los Angeles Lakers face a pivotal Game 6 in Houston as 3.5-point underdogs, with Luka Doncic still sidelined by injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers are just one win from moving on to the second round, but if you look at the betting lines, you’d never know it.
Even though Kevin Durant is still out for the Rockets, the Action Network has the Lakers as 3.5-point underdogs on the road for Game 6. The moneyline puts LA at +150 and Houston at -180. So, even with the Lakers up 3-2 in the series, Game 6 in Houston still tilts toward the Rockets.
It makes sense, honestly. Houston’s managed two straight elimination wins, including a 99-93 victory in LA in Game 5. Jabari Smith Jr. dropped 22 points, Tari Eason chipped in 18, and Alperen Sengun nearly had a triple-double. The series heads back to the Toyota Centre, and there’s some real momentum on the Rockets’ side.
Now the Lakers get a third shot at closing things out. Austin Reaves is back and healthy, which helps, but Luka Doncic remains out with his hamstring issue. Meanwhile, Houston has pieced together enough offence (and just tough defence) without Durant to turn this into a real fight.
Austin Reaves Is Back
Getting Reaves back is probably the best news the Lakers have had in a while, even if it didn’t stop the Rockets from forcing Game 6.
Reaves came off the bench in Game 5 and scored 22 after missing the last five games of the regular season and the first four playoff games thanks to that oblique injury back in early April. And let’s be real, the Lakers desperately needed another creator to help out LeBron. During the regular season, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. His ability to break down defenders, hit open shots, and attack off the dribble adds important structure to their offence, especially late in close games.
But you could tell he wasn’t quite 100% yet. Yes, he scored, but the Lakers still only put up 93 points. They missed a bunch of good looks down the stretch, which let Houston sneak away with the win. LeBron led the way with 25, and DeAndre Ayton had a monster game with 18 points and 17 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.
Reaves raises the Lakers’ floor. Game 6 will be a big test to see if he can help them reach another level because that’s what they need.
Kevin Durant Is Still Out for Houston
On paper, Durant’s absence should tip things in the Lakers' favour. He led Houston with 26 points per game this season and is one of the best at creating a shot against tough defences. But Houston’s won the last two games without him, and the oddsmakers still make the Rockets the favourites for Game 6.
Why? Depth, energy, and balance. Houston managed to hold LA under 100 in Game 5, forced mistakes, and got some big fourth-quarter plays from Reed Sheppard after the Lakers had clawed back to within three.
So, no, Durant being out isn’t enough. The Lakers still have to break the Rockets' pressure, punish them for helping on LeBron, and avoid the sluggish stretches that killed them in Game 5.
Luka Doncic Update: Still Out
There’s still no timeline for Doncic's return, and that’s the cloud hanging over the Lakers’ playoff run.
He’s dealing with a hamstring injury, hasn’t gotten back to real on-court work, and probably won’t be available for at least the start of the next round if the Lakers get there.
That means LA needs to finish the Rockets as soon as possible. Win Game 6, and you get valuable rest. Lose, and you force a Game 7 in LA, but you’re just adding more wear and tear to LeBron, Reaves, and everyone else while Luka continues to sit.
The Lakers have survived without Doncic before, remember? They jumped out to a 3-0 lead without him and got Reaves back before Houston could fully rally. Getting past Houston without Luka is one thing; making a real run in the West is something else entirely.
Doncic being out shrinks the Lakers’ margin for error. Reaves’ return helps, and Durant’s absence gives them an opening, but the Rockets have already proven they don’t need Durant to win. Oddsmakers are still siding with Houston at home.
Here’s where the Lakers stand: They need to finish this thing in Houston. Otherwise, what’s already a complicated situation could only get messier.
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