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NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are one win from their first journey to the Japanese Convention Finals in 24 years.

Two days after their worst effort of the playoffs, the Knicks had their finest, a 121-91 victory in opposition to the Indiana Pacers in Recreation 5 of the Japanese Convention semifinals on Tuesday. It was the primary of their seven playoff wins that wasn’t inside three factors within the final 5 minutes.

Jalen Brunson had his legs, Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed almost each rebound and the Knicks’ protection was as sharp because it’s been within the postseason.

Listed here are some notes, quotes, numbers and movie because the Knicks handed the Pacers their second-worst margin of defeat this season.

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1. Jalen Brunson is simply high quality

After the Knicks bought clobbered in Recreation 4 on Sunday, Brunson mentioned he was “high quality.” But it surely was exhausting to imagine him provided that he had suffered a foot harm in Recreation 2 and shot 16-for-43 (37%) over the 2 video games in Indiana.

Plainly we must always have taken him at his phrase.

Brunson led the best way with 44 factors on 18-for-35 taking pictures in Recreation 5, his fifth sport with no less than 40 factors in these playoffs, one other celebrity efficiency in entrance of an adoring crowd at Madison Sq. Backyard.

His jumper was falling, however Brunson was on the assault all night time, with 32 of the 44 factors coming within the paint (the place he shot 13-for-22) or on the free-throw line (6-for-7). The 26 factors within the paint have been tied for the second most in his profession, topped solely by his 30 factors within the paint when he scored 61 complete in opposition to San Antonio in late March.

The Knicks ran some actions (see beneath) to assist him get downhill. And Brunson was clearly feeling a lot better than he did in Recreation 4 on Sunday.

Requested what was completely different, Brunson mentioned, “I don’t know. Perhaps due to the house crowd. They have been phenomenal and I simply needed to regroup, needed to modify.”

He didn’t simply have extra elevate on his photographs. He additionally appeared a lot faster.

Early within the fourth quarter, Brunson was inbounding the ball on the aspect of the ground together with his defender (Ben Sheppard) shading towards the highest. And as he handed the ball to Isaiah Hartenstein, Brunson took off towards the basket, beating Sheppard to the block, taking contact and spinning in a exceptional reverse layup as he hit the ground:

“M-V-P” chants adopted the layup. The remainder of the Knicks adopted their chief.

“I simply love there’s by no means any excuse-making from him,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned of Brunson. “You by no means get that from him. It’s all the time, ‘I’ll be higher subsequent sport.’”

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2. Pacers can’t deal with double-drag motion

The Knicks have been focusing on Tyrese Haliburton all collection, usually setting screens for Brunson with the man whom Haliburton is guarding.

Haliburton doesn’t need to change these screens. He’s been hedging (leaping out excessive) in opposition to them to carry Brunson up whereas the preliminary defender recovers. Over the past two video games, Aaron Nesmith had performed a terrific job of working across the display screen and getting again in entrance of Brunson earlier than he might achieve a lot of a bonus.

On Tuesday, Haliburton was guarding Miles McBride, who began for the Knicks as an alternative of Treasured Achiuwa. As an alternative of getting McBride set single screens, the Knicks usually went to “double-drag” screens, the place Brunson dribbles off two screens, the primary from McBride and the second from the middle.

Haliburton nonetheless had no want to modify. Myles Turner (guarding the large) wished to retreat into the paint. Brunson’s defender now had two screens to navigate as an alternative of only one.

With the Pacers up six halfway by way of the primary quarter, T.J. McConnell was guarding Brunson. McBride and Hartenstein set two screens for Brunson, coming from the precise aspect of the ground. Haliburton whiffed together with his hedge and Turner stayed connected to Hartenstein.

McConnell appeared like he was initially anticipating a change from Haliburton, and by the point he was in a position to scramble again to the ball, Brunson was already heading downhill towards the basket:

A little bit later within the first, the Knicks ran the identical motion from the opposite aspect of the ground. This time, Turner hedged out on the second display screen, however he by no means lower Brunson off from one other drive to the ring:

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3. The Knicks’ protection comes again

By Monday, the Knicks’ protection ranked fifteenth within the playoffs, with solely the Phoenix Suns (who have been swept within the first spherical) having allowed extra factors per 100 possessions. New York’s protection wasn’t nice initially of Recreation 5, with Indiana scoring 22 factors on its first 12 journeys down the ground.

However Obi Toppin ended a streak of 5 straight scores by taking a foul shot with loads of time left on the shot clock. Then, the Knicks seemingly discovered their legs on protection.

They stayed with the Pacers’ ball and participant motion. They helped when assist was wanted. They rotated from there and didn’t cease till they bought the cease.

One defensive possession late within the second quarter had all of it.

Andrew Nembhard introduced the ball up the ground, faked a handoff to Toppin and seemingly had a step on Donte DiVincenzo as he drove to the ring. However Achiuwa was there with assist. The Pacers saved the ball and our bodies shifting, however the Knicks stayed with them. Nembhard circled round, took a handoff and seemingly had DiVincenzo beat once more. However Brunson was there, able to take a cost:

Nembhard kicked the ball out to Turner and Achiuwa was there with a managed close-out. Turner bought the ball again to Nembhard, who rejected Turner’s display screen and drove as soon as once more. However Achiuwa switched off Turner, stayed with Nembhard as he crossed over and drove into the paint, and swatted his layup try:

That’s actually good offense and great protection. There have been extra possessions like that:

Regardless of scoring these 22 factors on their first 12 possessions, the Pacers completed with simply 91 on 92. It was simply the third time this season (93 complete video games) that they’d been held beneath some extent per possession. And it was, simply, the Knicks’ finest defensive sport of the playoffs.

“It was a fantastic defensive effort at present,” Thibodeau mentioned. “We bought to do it yet again [in Game 6]. It received’t carry over except we put the work into the following sport.”

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4. Knicks play small, dominate the glass

McBride had began the second half of Recreation 4 rather than Achiuwa. Earlier than Recreation 5, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was requested concerning the two lineups the Knicks might go to.

“Their smaller lineup is gonna be quicker and extra perimeter expert,” he mentioned. “That’s going to be exhausting to protect, for positive. Once they’re massive, you must take care of them extra on the boards. That’s exhausting to protect too.”

Alas, the Knicks performed the small lineup (Achiuwa and Hartenstein performed simply 6.7 minutes collectively) and have been exhausting to take care of on the boards. Hartenstein had seven offensive rebounds lower than three minutes into the second quarter, ending with 12, probably the most for any participant in a playoff sport within the final two years.

The Knicks’ offensive rebounding proportion of fifty% was neither their highest mark of those playoffs nor the best mark in opposition to the Pacers this season. However that’s an enormous quantity and all these offensive boards was 27 second-chance factors.

“Isaiah was phenomenal,” Thibodeau mentioned. “These additional possessions have been enormous for us.”

Brunson cooled off a bit within the fourth quarter, however Hartenstein was nonetheless doing his factor, grabbing 4 offensive boards and drawing two loose-ball fouls on rebounds over a stretch of seven possessions when the Knicks have been already up 20. He took simply three photographs, however dominated the sport nearly as a lot as Brunson did.

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5. An additional day without work coming

Earlier than this spherical, winners of Recreation 5 in a 2-2, best-of-seven collection have gone on to win the collection 82% of the time. Groups that received Recreation 5 closed it out in Recreation 6 (118) extra usually than in Recreation 7 (72).

The Knicks (after blowing Recreation 5 within the ultimate seconds) closed out their first-round collection in Recreation 6 in Philadelphia, they usually actually can do the identical in Indiana on Friday (time TBD, ESPN).

Whereas they misplaced each video games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this previous weekend, the primary one went all the way down to the wire, and the second got here after a brief turnaround. The Knicks are short-handed, banged up and enjoying heavy minutes, they usually positive appeared it in Recreation 4 on Sunday afternoon.

However they appeared refreshed in Recreation 5, when Brunson was the one Knick to play greater than 40 minutes. Alec Burks has emerged as a seventh rotation man who can spell the guards, and there are actually two days off between video games.

After all, in the event that they don’t win Recreation 6, the Knicks will face an analogous turnaround because the one between Video games 3 and 4, this time with journey. Recreation 7 can be at 3:30 p.m. again in New York on Sunday.

So each groups ought to really feel some urgency on Friday night time. The Pacers’ season is on the road and the Knicks want all the remainder they will get.

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John Schuhmann is a senior stats analyst for NBA.com. You possibly can e-mail him right here, discover his archive right here and follow him on X. 

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NEW YORK – The Knicks are again in management.

One recreation after getting totally outplayed on the street, they returned to Madison Sq. Backyard Tuesday evening and turned in a way more inspiring – and attribute – efficiency to beat the Indiana Pacers, 121-91, in Sport 5 of the Japanese Convention semifinals.

The Knicks took a 3-2 collection lead with the win.

They’ll attempt to put the collection away with a win in Sport 6 Friday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

“That’s who they’re,” coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “We nonetheless want another win. So we will’t be too enthusiastic about it. We now have to grasp what we have to do: Keep targeted on the duty at hand. Feeling good about your self, you get knocked down on this league. You have to be able to go.”

Thibodeau’s workforce was once more with out OG Anunoby for a 3rd straight recreation as he offers with a hamstring damage he suffered in Sport 2, however Jalen Brunson appeared way more like his ordinary self along with his newest sterling postseason efficiency.

The Knicks crushed the Pacers on the boards, outrebounding them 53-29, together with 20 on the offensive glass.

Isaiah Hartenstein completed with 17 boards on his personal.

The Knicks completed with 26 second-chance factors.

“It was simply large time,” Brunson mentioned. “They performed very well again in Indiana and simply put us on our heels. We wanted to reply. Simply doing what we do and sticking to our guys and core principals. Simply doing what we do and sticking to our core principals. Simply doing the issues we do this assist us achieve success.”

The Knicks had been coming off a horrible efficiency in Sport 4, which ended with a 32-point Pacers victory that evened the collection at two video games apiece.

They’d a significantly better begin Tuesday evening – regardless of falling right into a seven-point deficit within the first interval, they recovered and had been up 38-32 by the top of the opening interval.

The primary half ended with the Knicks holding a commanding 15-point lead.

They reeled off a 17-0 run within the third quarter to take a 25-point lead.

The sport wasn’t unsure after that.

The Knicks performed with extra power, they had been hitting pictures from early on and taking part in effectively on the defensive finish.

They appeared way more like, effectively, the Knicks, using the power of The Backyard crowd.

Takeaways

Jalen Brunson returns to kind

This was the most important growth of the evening for the Knicks.

By far.

Already shorthanded, the Knicks can’t afford Brunson to be off, however that was the case the earlier two video games as he continued to cope with the foot damage he suffered in Sport 2.

In each video games in Indianapolis, Brunson didn’t have his identical explosiveness or carry. Many, if not all, of his jumpshots had been brief.

Brunson wasn’t near one hundred pc, although he maintained he was tremendous.

Regardless, he appeared way more like himself in Sport 5.

Brunson completed with 44 factors on 18-of-35 capturing, 2-of-6 from lengthy distance, with 4 rebounds and 7 assists.

He scored 28 factors in 22 first-half minutes.

It was Brunson’s fifth 40-plus level recreation of the postseason, the second most in a single postseason in workforce historical past (Bernard King had six in 1984).

“Even going into tonight’s recreation, I believe he was averaging 30 factors towards Indiana,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Everybody, we have all come to count on him to be super-human each evening. And he is in unbelievable participant. He is loaded up on each evening. He is the focus of everybody’s recreation plan. And typically it is a case of lacking pictures, and so they may very well be good pictures. And so I believe all of us are likely to neglect that and the factor I like about his strategy is he by no means will get loopy. He is like a machine daily, he is available in locked in, that is what he will do, he’ll be prepared for the subsequent recreation.”

MORE‘Sticking collectively it doesn’t matter what’: Shorthanded Knicks will not let something stand of their means

Lineup change

Thibodeau deployed a new-look beginning 5, inserting Miles McBride and going with a smaller lineup.

“Simply within the second half of the final recreation — we had achieved it various occasions through the common season, so we simply thought that might give us our greatest likelihood,” Thibodeau mentioned.

The transfer labored effectively. McBride was strong offensively, ending with 17 factors on 7-of-15 capturing, 3-of-7 from three-point vary in 40 minutes. Twelve of his factors got here within the first half.

McBride later hit an enormous three-pointer within the opening minutes of the second half that put the Knicks again up by 13 after Indiana had reduce into their double-digit deficit.

McBride additionally performed extraordinarily effectively on the defensive finish.

“He was nice,” Brunson mentioned. “He was unbelievable. He introduced power from the beginning. That’s what he does.”

Knicks restricted Tyrese Haliburton  

Haliburton had a tough Sport 1 and scored simply six factors, however averaged 29.7 factors and shot 55.0 p.c within the following three contests.

However the Knicks did a superb job on Tuesday evening of limiting the Pacers star guard and by no means permitting him to get into any sort of a rhythm.

McBride, particularly, did a superb job guarding him.

Haliburton completed with 13 factors on 5-of-9 capturing in 34 minutes.

CNN
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Newly topped three-time NBA Most Priceless Participant (MVP) Nikola Jokić placed on a present and proved why he’s the rightful recipient of the award within the Denver Nuggets’ 112-97 playoff victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

The Serbian massive man, who obtained his third MVP trophy forward of the sport, registered 40 factors, 13 assists – with zero turnovers – and 7 rebounds to carry Denver to a 3-2 sequence lead, its first on this Western Convention semifinal.

Jokić’s dissection of Minnesota is all of the extra spectacular given it was towards the NBA’s greatest protection and the league’s newly topped four-time Defensive Participant of the Yr, Rudy Gobert.

So good was Jokić’s efficiency that teammates and opponents alike have been lavishing him with reward after the sport.

Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon known as Jokić’s efficiency “unbelievable.”

“He performed wonderful,” he advised reporters, per ESPN. “The three-time MVP simply dominated your complete recreation, in each facet of it. Astounding. That was ridiculous.”

Minnesota’s rising famous person Anthony Edwards stated he “didn’t see any weaknesses” within the crew’s protection, however Jokić “confirmed that he’s the MVP.”

“I simply chuckle,” Edwards stated. “That’s all I can do. I can’t be mad, as a result of he’s good, man. I feel I stated that after Sport 1 once we received, and Sport 2. He’s the MVP. He’s one of the best participant within the NBA, he confirmed it the final three video games, three video games in a row. He did it tonight.

“He was particular tonight. I obtained to offer him his flowers. I don’t know what we have been presupposed to do.”

Gordon contributed with 18 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, nevertheless it was a quieter night time for Jokić’s operating mate Jamal Murray, who put up 16 factors and 4 assists within the win.

For the Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Cities scored a team-high 23 factors to go along with six rebounds and 4 assists, whereas Edwards was held to simply 18 factors on 5-for-15 capturing.

After dropping the primary two video games within the sequence at dwelling, defending champions Denver have roared again with three straight wins and might e-book their spot within the Western Convention finals with a win in Minneapolis on Thursday.

Solely 5 groups in NBA historical past have come again to win a best-of-seven sequence when dropping the primary two at dwelling.

“Nikola was named MVP after that Sport 2 loss and I feel the final three video games, he has proven everyone why he’s arguably among the best gamers to play this recreation,” Denver head coach Michael Malone added.

Jalen Brunson continued his exemplary playoff kind with a 44-point efficiency to steer the New York Knicks to a blowout 121-91 win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

The Knicks now lead the sequence 3-2 and a win in Indianapolis in Sport 6 on Friday night time will e-book the franchise’s place in its first Jap Convention finals since 2000.

Brunson, who bounced again impressively after a poor exhibiting in Sport 4, additionally added seven assists and 4 rebounds. He has now scored not less than 40 factors in 5 video games on this yr’s playoffs to date, essentially the most of any participant since LeBron James had eight within the 2018 postseason, per ESPN.

Pascal Siakam scored a crew excessive 22 factors for the Pacers, nevertheless it was a quiet night time for star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who scored 13 factors and took solely 9 pictures all recreation.

The house crew has received each recreation on this sequence so far, so Indiana will possible be feeling assured it could possibly lengthen this semifinal to a Sport 7.

DENVER — There’s a basic scene within the basic film “The Nice White Hype” that serves as the right metaphor for what the Denver Nuggets are doing to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Damon Wayans’ character, a boxer, will get hit with an overhand proper by his challenger. He stumbles towards the ropes, appears aghast, collects himself and recites the most effective line of the movie.

“Are you attempting to embarrass me on TV?!”

After which Wayans, as James “The Grim Reaper” Roper, beats up his opponent.

Within the first two video games of this collection, Minnesota threw the overhand proper and knocked the Denver Nuggets woozy. Many thought the Nuggets had been accomplished. Alas, all these first two video games did was anger them. The Nuggets appeared on the Timberwolves, realized the Wolves had been a real and worthy challenger, woke themselves up and the collection has been a massacre since.

On the night time he accepted his third NBA MVP in entrance of the Ball Area crowd, Jokić turned in a efficiency for the ages. It’s virtually humorous to suppose right now final week most puzzled whether or not Jokić must settle for his award in a go well with and tie relatively than in his uniform with the possibility the Nuggets could be out of the playoffs by then.

After Tuesday night time’s 112-97 win in Recreation 5 over Minnesota earlier than a frenzied sellout crowd, the Nuggets have come all the best way again from an 0-2 collection deficit to take a 3-2 lead. A victory over Minnesota on Thursday may ship Denver again to the Western Convention finals.

Jokić’s numbers had been ridiculous: 40 factors on 22 pictures from the sphere. The Timberwolves tried every little thing they might to sluggish him down. They used Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Cities, Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson as major defenders. They trapped him. They performed him straight up. They tried to stunt at him. Nothing labored.

The Nuggets, in the meantime, have been taking part in that James Roper function for 3 video games. On offense, they’ve dismantled Minnesota’s protection. On protection, they’ve shut off the Timberwolves’ water.

“Clearly, all of us noticed what occurred in Recreation 2,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone stated. “I believed we collectively weren’t taking part in just like the reigning NBA champions. I feel we weren’t taking part in with our common swagger. We weren’t taking part in with confidence. We weren’t taking part in with any aggression. I feel it’s important to give Minnesota quite a lot of credit score, as a result of that they had rather a lot to do with that.

“I believed Recreation 2 was an awesome reminder of us needing to get again to who we would have liked to be offensively and defensively.”

The previous three video games stand out as a result of the Nuggets have made it look simple. They’ve performed progressively higher every recreation, even with the 27-point win in Recreation 3 being their largest margin of victory. However the context of this comeback makes what Denver is doing virtually astounding. The Nuggets appeared overmatched, each bodily and mentally, within the first two video games of this collection, dropping each at residence. They headed to Minnesota with a 2-0 collection deficit and on the floor, the probabilities of the Nuggets climbing out of that gap had been slim.

Through the previous week, Malone pointed to the Nuggets climbing out of 3-1 collection holes towards the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in 2020. Whereas true, these rallies additionally include context as they got here within the COVID bubble. The Nuggets didn’t should win any true highway video games. In opposition to the Jazz, Denver was with out beginning taking pictures guard Gary Harris for the primary 5 video games of that collection. When he returned, the Nuggets had somebody who may defend then-Jazz star Donovan Mitchell. That helped change the collection.

In opposition to the Clippers, the Nuggets had been galvanized by LA’s Marcus Morris attempting to mess with Paul Millsap. That rally was much more beautiful (Denver was a greater crew than the Jazz), however the Nuggets nonetheless didn’t should win a real highway recreation.

These comebacks shed just a little mild onto what Denver is doing now to an excellent opponent. The Timberwolves have top-of-the-line defenses the league has seen in a decade; the Nuggets have shredded it within the final three video games. The Timberwolves’ offense was nice towards the Phoenix Suns; the Nuggets have discovered a method to render Minnesota ineffective.

Extra importantly, the Nuggets have defended with vigor. They’ve gotten to virtually each unfastened ball. They’ve discovered the place pictures are coming from they usually have defeated the full-court stress that had outlined Minnesota’s protection within the first two video games.

“It took quite a lot of effort to get again into this collection, nevertheless it was an effort that our guys had been dedicated to,” Malone stated. “I feel that effort was a giant a part of why we received tonight. We had 30 assists, so that claims rather a lot about how nicely we moved the basketball. We obtained out in transition and obtained simple buckets there. We’re clearly not glad. This was an awesome win in entrance of an awesome crowd.

“However now we have now to go as much as Minnesota and try to shut it out, and that’s all the time the hardest recreation.”

Final week, Jokić stated he may use a clone of himself to take care of Minnesota’s depth on the inside. On Tuesday night time, Jokić placed on a memorable and mesmerizing shotmaking clinic in an important recreation of this collection.

“Tonight was night time for me, and it’s an evening that I feel I’m going to recollect my complete life,” Jokić stated. “Standing there, feeling the love from the gang. This was an evening that I received’t overlook.”

“Each time Nikola will get it going like that, it’s important to take a step again and permit him to dictate the best way the sport goes to go,” Jamal Murray stated. “He had 40. He missed seven pictures on the Defensive Participant of the 12 months (Gobert), and it felt like he had 50.”

The Nuggets crew that has proven up for the final three video games has to as soon as once more be thought of the title favourite if Jokić sustains this degree of play and others choose up the slack when their second and third choices have mediocre video games. Murray wasn’t nice on Tuesday night time and it hardly mattered. Michael Porter Jr. performed one his worst video games of the postseason and it hardly mattered. Of their stead, Aaron Gordon was as soon as once more a monster, scoring 18 factors whereas grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 5 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 16 large factors and Christian Braun made a major influence off the bench.

That is what the Nuggets do when they’re at their finest. They’re outlined by their high quality depth and talent to seek out performances in hidden and even unlikely locations. In the event that they do shut the collection on Thursday night time, will probably be clear that the primary two video games of the collection was a shocking overhand proper to knock them towards the ropes.

(Photograph of Nikola Jokić: AAron Ontiveroz / The Denver Put up through Getty Pictures)

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut is approaching as the previous Iowa phenom will lead the Indiana Fever in opposition to the Connecticut Solar on Tuesday. It is a powerful first process for Clark as she takes on a Solar squad that completed second within the East final yr with a 27-13 general report. Connecticut is a veteran-oriented staff that’s led by 2023 WNBA MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas. Indiana’s outlook has improved considerably with Clark, the all-time main scorer in all of faculty basketball, on board, although oddsmakers give the Solar the clear edge for this debut matchup.

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Solar Area. Connecticut is a 6.5-point favourite within the newest Solar vs. Fever odds, whereas the over/underneath for complete factors is 166. Caitlin Clark prop bets will even be extraordinarily common. Clark is +475 to attain first within the recreation and her over/underneath for complete factors is 20.5. Earlier than making any Fever vs. Solar picks or Caitlin Clark prop choices, you’ll want to see the WNBA predictions from SportsLine’s Matt Severance and Calvin Wetzel. 

Severance has gone 165-101 in his final 266 NBA picks, returning 24 models of revenue. On NBA props, he has hit on 33 of his previous 49 for eight models revenue. Because the begin of the 2021-22 girls’s school basketball marketing campaign, Wetzel is an insane 1,384-988 (+371.33 models). Wetzel additionally predicted 66 of 68 NCAA Girls’s Match groups this yr, in addition to 62 of 68 groups inside one seed line, and accurately picked 13 of 16 second-round video games. Anyone following them has seen big returns. 

For Clark’s debut in Solar vs. Fever on Tuesday, the specialists have studied the chances and revealed their finest bets. You possibly can see all their Caitlin Clark picks at SportsLine.

High Caitlin Clark prop guess for Solar vs. Fever

Severance goes Underneath on Clark’s level complete. He locked it in at 21.5, although that quantity has fallen to twenty.5 at some books. He regarded again at another notable WNBA debuts and located that Brittney Griner had 17 factors and Sue Chook had 18. 

Clark might want to do lots of her injury from past the 3-point line, and Severance believes that the Solar will focus their protection on slowing that a part of her recreation since Indiana would not have lots of different high scoring choices. 

“In two preseason video games wherein Clark averaged half-hour per evening, she completed with 21 and 12 factors,” Severance instructed SportsLine. “And clearly the opponents weren’t as centered defensively — or their key gamers did not play heavy minutes — because the Solar gamers can be tonight to show the hyped rookie a lesson.” You possibly can see which different WNBA picks to again right here.

make WNBA picks for Caitlin Clark’s debut

Wetzel has additionally locked in a pair of picks — one an expansion choose for Clark’s debut recreation and the opposite a season-long prop play the place he is discovered a ton of worth. Go to SportsLine to see what it’s.

Which Solar vs. Fever picks have probably the most worth for Caitlin Clark’s debut, and what season-long prop do you have to lock in earlier than Tuesday night? Go to SportsLine to see the WNBA finest bets for Clark’s opener, all from a pair of specialists who’ve crushed their basketball picks. 

The Indiana Fever start a brand new period tonight with No. 1 general WNBA draft choose Caitlin Clark.

Indiana performs on the Connecticut Solar, who’re coached by former Fever participant and coach Stephanie White. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who averaged 18.2 factors in 2023, is on the market regardless of an ankle damage. Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the 12 months, anchors the Fever frontcourt.

Chloe Peterson can have evaluation all through, and we can have scoring updates, highlights and extra. Please keep in mind to refresh.

Pep discuss:Clark was struggling. Boston took her by the arm and coached her up.

Join:Subscribe to our Caitlin Clark Fever e-newsletter

Particular version:Unique 4-page particular part that includes the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark

Remaining: Solar 92, Fever 71

Here is Caitlin Clark’s debut stat line: 20 factors on 5-of-15 capturing, 4-of-11 on 3-pointers, 6-of-6 free throws. She additionally has 3 assists, 2 steals and 10 turnovers. 

The Solar by no means allowed the Fever to get comfy on offense, forcing 25 turnovers. NyLyssa Smith provides 13 factors and 9 rebounds, however nobody else reaches double figures.

DeWanna Bonner scores 20 factors, and Tyasha Harris and DiJonai Carrington add 16 every for the Solar. Alyssa Thomas has 13 factors, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Fever make their residence season debut Thursday evening towards the New York Liberty, who received their season opener.

3:29 left 4Q: Caitlin Clark has a mini run

Solar 81, Fever 67

Caitlin Clark provides one other 3, then a few free throws to have Indiana’s final 8 factors. That is 20.

5:14 left 4Q: Solar lengthen lead on Fever

Solar 78, Fever 62

Caitlin Clark leads the Fever with 15 factors after her 3^rd 3-pointer of the evening.

Brionna Jones has made life fairly powerful for Aliyah Boston, who has 4 factors, 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

DiJonai Carrington, who has defended Caitlin Clark a lot of the sport, heads again to the Solar locker room.

Finish 3Q: Fever minimize into deficit to Solar

Solar 64, Fever 57

NyLyssa Smith scores for the primary time within the second half on a fast-break move from Caitlin Clark. Smith leads Indiana with 13 factors and Clark has 12.

DeWanna Bonner strikes into fifth place in WNBA profession scoring.

4:32 left 3Q: Turnovers proceed to trouble Fever

Solar 59, Fever 47

Turnovers on consecutive possessions result in Solar factors. Indiana has 18.

Caitlin Clark hits a 3-pointer on the 6:47 mark and is as much as 10 factors. She additionally has 7 turnovers.

7:23 left 3Q: Solar 51, Fever 42

A sluggish begin to the second half for each groups. Erica Wheeler’s 3 prompts a Solar timeout.

Halftime: Solar 49, Fever 39

Caitlin Clark has 7 factors on 2-of-7 capturing and 1-of-4 from 3-point vary. She additionally has 5 turnovers, 1 assists and 1 steal.

NyLyssa Smith leads Indiana with 11 factors and Kelsey Mitchell has 7. The Fever have 13 turnovers.

Connecticut’s Dijonai Carrington has 14 factors, Tyasha Harris has 11 with 3-of-4 3s, and DeWanna Bonner has 10. 

The Solar have tried 12 extra photographs than the Fever, and are 5-of-12 on 3s.

1:55 left 2Q: Turnovers are killing the Fever

Solar 46, Fever 31

They’ve 12, the newest by Caitlin Clark resulting in a Connecticut basket. Timeout, Fever.

Solar 32, Fever 23

Caitlin Clark scores her first WNBA factors on a layup with 5:24 to go. She’s 1-of-5 from the sector with 3 turnovers.

NyLyssa Smith leads Indiana with 9 factors and 5 rebounds. Tyasha Harris has 11 for the Solar.

The Fever have 8 turnovers, and the Solar have tried 6 extra photographs.

The Solar convert consecutive Indiana turnovers to guide by double digits.

Finish 1Q: Solar 19, Fever 13

The Fever are capturing 38.5% from the sector and 1-of-4 on free throws with 5 turnovers.

The Solar’s Tyasha Harris is 3-of-4 on 3-pointers for 9 factors.

4:51 left 1Q: Caitlin Clark will get help on her first Fever possession

Solar 10, Fever 7

NyLyssa Smith has 5 factors for the Fever, who’ve 3 turnovers.

Caitlin Clark has missed her first 3 photographs and sits with 2 fouls. She feeds Aliyah Boston for the Fever’s first basket of the season on their first possession.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever followers in Connecticut

Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Solar beginning lineups

Fever: Katie Lou Samuelson, Caitlin Clark, Erica Wheeler, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston.

Solar: Dijonai Carrington, Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas, Tyasha Harris, DeWanna Bonner.

When do the Indiana Fever play tonight?

7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, at Mohegan Solar Enviornment in Uncasville, Connecticut.

What channel is the Indiana Fever recreation on?

TV: ESPN2

Streaming: Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo (FREE)

Indiana Fever betting odds

by way of BetMGM

Favourite: Connecticut by 8.5 factors

Over/underneath: 166.5 whole factors

Moneyline: Fever +270, Solar -350

Caitlin Clark WNBA preseason stats

In two preseason video games, Clark averaged 16.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 rebounds and 5.5 turnovers.

Caitlin Clark faculty stats

The 2-time nationwide participant of the 12 months from Iowa completed with NCAA Division I data of three,951 factors and 1,144 assists. In 139 profession video games, she averaged 28.4 factors, 7.1 rebounds and eight.2 assists. The Hawkeyes made the nationwide championship recreation in 2023 and ’24.

How tall is Caitlin Clark?

6-0

Learn how to purchase a Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever jersey

There are a number of choices for T-shirts, hoodies and hats on the group retailer.

Predictions for Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA recreation

ESPN: Solar have a 63.9% probability of successful

Picks and Parlays: Solar 83-72

What’s Caitlin Clark’s wage?

WNBA rookie scale locations Clark’s 2024 wage at $76,535.

Indiana Fever 2024 roster

The Indiana Fever have 13 gamers.

That is the Indiana Fever 2024 schedule, with TV information; all instances are ET; ^-preseason.

Date, day	place, opponent	Time, TV/outcomes
Might 3, Fri.	at Dallas^	L, 79-76
Might 9, Thurs.	vs. Atlanta^	W, 83-80
Might 14, Tues.	at Connecticut	8 p.m., ESPN2
Might 16, Thurs.	vs. New York	7 p.m., Prime, WTHR
Might 18, Sat.	at New York	1 p.m., ABC
Might 20, Mon.	vs. Connecticut	7 p.m., ESPN
Might 22, Wed.	at Seattle	10 p.m., WTHR
Might 24, Fri.	at Los Angeles	10 p.m., Ion
Might 25, Sat.	at Las Vegas	9 p.m., NBA TV, WTHR
Might 28, Tues.	vs. Los Angeles	7 p.m., NBA TV
Might 30, Thurs.	vs. Seattle	7 p.m., Prime, WTHR
June 1, Sat.	vs. Chicago*	1 p.m., NBA TV, WALV
June 2, Solar.	at New York*	7 p.m., NBA TV, WALV
June 7, Fri.	at Washington*	7:30 p.m., Ion, WTHR
June 10, Mon.	at Connecticut*	7 p.m., NBA TV, WTHR
June 13, Thurs.	vs. Atlanta*	7 p.m., WTHR
June 16, Solar.	vs. Chicago	Midday, CBS
June 19, Wed.	vs. Washington	7 p.m., NBA TV
June 21, Fri.	at Atlanta	7:30 p.m., Ion
June 23, Solar.	at Chicago	6 p.m., NBA TV, WALV
June 27, Thurs.	at Seattle	10 p.m., Prime, WALV
June 30, Solar.	at Phoenix	3 p.m., ESPN
July 2, Tues.	at Las Vegas	10 p.m., ESPN
July 6, Sat.	vs. New York	1 p.m., CBS
July 10, Wed.	vs. Washington	Midday, NBA TV, WTHR
July 12, Fri.	vs. Phoenix	7:30 p.m., Ion
July 14, Solar.	at Minnesota	7 p.m., ESPN
July 17, Wed.	at Dallas	8 p.m., ESPN
Aug. 16, Fri.	vs. Phoenix	7:30 p.m., Ion
Aug. 18, Solar.	vs. Seattle	4 p.m., ABC
Aug. 24, Sat.	at Minnesota	8 p.m., NBA TV
Aug. 26, Mon.	at Atlanta	7:30 p.m., NBA TV, WTHR
Aug. 28, Wed.	vs. Connecticut	7 p.m., NBA TV
Aug. 30, Fri.	at Chicago	7:30 p.m., Ion
Sept. 1, Solar.	at Dallas	4 p.m., NBA TV
Sept. 4, Wed.	vs. Los Angeles	7 p.m., CBS SN, WALV
Sept. 6, Fri.	vs. Minnesota	7:30 p.m., Ion
Sept. 8, Solar.	vs. Atlanta	4 p.m., WTHR
Sept. 11, Wed.	vs. Las Vegas	7 p.m., NBA TV
Sept. 13, Fri.	vs. Las Vegas	7:30 p.m., Ion
Solar. 15, Solar.	vs. Dallas	3 p.m., WALV
Sept. 19, Thurs.	at Washington	7 p.m., Prime, WTHR

Indiana Fever information

Ebook it:Fever vs. Solar opener is most wagered recreation in WNBA historical past

What to know:Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Solar begin time for Caitlin Clark debut, watch on Disney+

Flying in type:See what Indiana Fever’s first constitution flight appears to be like like earlier than WNBA season opener

‘It takes a village’:Fever assistant Karima Christmas-Kelly navigates first season with child

‘Smartest thing I’ve ever executed’:As a brand new mother, Fever’s Katie Lou Samuelson returns to the WNBA

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The primary official portrait of King Charles to be painted since his coronation final Might has been unveiled at Buckingham Palace.

The big-scale canvas, with a domineering crimson palette, was painted by artist Jonathan Yeo, who was seen beside the king because the work was offered to the general public. The portraitist is thought for reproducing the likeness of a complete host of well-known faces, together with David Attenborough, Malala Yousafzai, and Nicole Kidman. He has additionally painted Queen Camilla and the king’s late father, Prince Philip.

The portray, which measures practically 9 by seven ft, was commissioned by the Worshipful Firm of Drapers, a medieval guild of wool and material that now focuses on philanthropic endeavors. It would grasp in Drapers’ Corridor, which has a gallery devoted to British monarchs.

Its unveiling comes simply weeks after the king resumed public duties, following a most cancers prognosis.

The monarch sat for Yeo 4 instances, for about an hour, starting when he was nonetheless Prince of Wales in 2021.

Within the portrait, he’s pictured carrying a crimson navy uniform that displays his function as Regimental Colonel within the Welsh Guards. These clothes may need influenced the artist’s determination to make use of a fiery palette, which has proved considerably divisive.

“If this was seen as treasonous, I might actually pay for it with my head,” Yeo instructed the BBC, which might be an applicable means for a portrait painter to die—to have their head eliminated!”

A butterfly additionally seems by his left shoulder, an addition that was reportedly the king’s suggestion, as a logo of metamorphosis and rebirth.

Whereas the king appeared to approve of his portrait, as did Queen Camilla, who joined the ultimate sitting and declared, “sure, you’ve bought him,” the general public notion has been combined.

Whereas there are some constructive feedback on the Royal Household’s official Instagram publish, declaring it as “spectacular” and “beautiful,” others have accused the crimson canvas of depicting the king “burning in hell” and “bathing in blood,” in addition to referencing “the colonial bloodshed produced by British imperialism.”

The blood-red palette was additionally referenced by The Lower, which acknowledged that “Charles’s face is sort of a disembodied specter of demise floating between violent brushstrokes.”

On a extra constructive word, artwork critic Richard Morris said on X: “I actually just like the portrait… earlier than images, to have an important painter seize your actual look you accepted the revelation of your flaws and your mortality. It’s what Yeo captures right here.”

The satirical information present Have I Received Information For You additionally took to X, joking that the portray should have been the most recent sufferer of a Simply Cease Oil protest, by suggesting it had been coated in tomato soup.

Comply with Artnet Information on Fb:

Wish to keep forward of the artwork world? Subscribe to our publication to get the breaking information, eye-opening interviews, and incisive important takes that drive the dialog ahead.

It’s exhausting to be goal about an artist you want as an individual. I just lately met the painter Jonathan Yeo – whose portrait of King Charles has been unveiled in a storm of crimson hype – on a radio present and was immediately charmed. It’s simple to see why well-known folks get pleasure from being portrayed by Yeo. He’s clever, relaxed, unassuming. We talked a few studio go to. However then I had a take a look at his works on-line and cringed. And that was earlier than I noticed this proper royal banality.

Yeo’s portrait of the king is replete with all his vices. It’s technically superficial and unfelt. There’s no perception into the king’s persona right here, only a bizarre allegory a few monarch butterfly that Yeo says is an emblem of his metamorphosis from prince to king.

Good flattery. So it’s no shock King Charles is alleged to be happy together with his first official portrait since being topped. As he courageously copes with most cancers, who’d begrudge any pleasure this glowing crimson homage provides good outdated King Charles? However the pleasing impact of pleasure and uplift as Charles’s crimson army uniform melds with a pinkish psychedelic splurge is purchased on the worth of any real inventive perceptiveness or goal.

Yeo’s artwork is formulaic and this one follows the system. He does a pedantic examine of somebody’s options then – daringly! – collides this staid depiction with a free burst of lurid summary wallpaper. He did Cara Delevingne in a obscure subaqua setting and Taron Egerton in purple and pink rain. To me that is an evasion of precise portraiture which is predicated on acute, exhausting statement.

Royalists are by no means going to need portraits that take a look at their idols too astutely. Just one nice artist in latest occasions has been allowed close to a royal head: Lucian Freud’s looking out, cruelly trustworthy portrait of Queen Elizabeth II won’t ever be beloved by sentimentalists as a result of it dares to deal with the regal personage as simply one other particular person. And to be honest, Yeo too has seen Charles in the identical manner he sees everybody – blandly. I’d say his portrayal of that kindly face provides nothing to what we see of Charles in photographs and TV pictures, besides that isn’t honest to photographers and digicam individuals who usually seize awkward, advanced moments within the royal interplay with actuality. Even the deferential protection of the accession gave us these lower than jolly glimpses of Charles infuriated by a pen.

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It’s tempting to chuckle at this portray, however for those who care about artwork it’s a bit unhappy too. Yeo appears to be saying that portray itself is only a cheery little bit of fakery and razzle dazzle. Who cares about reality when you’ll be able to beautify? A critical portrait would look long and hard at Charles (or anybody), not mix facile pseudo-portraiture with the cheery serotonin of random color. Everyone knows the king is extra advanced than this. The king is aware of he’s extra advanced than this. It’s a masterpiece of vanity by an artist so ludicrously upbeat he needs to be referred to as Jonathan Yo!

NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson confirmed some love for New York Knicks star Josh Hart after his efforts partly created a 121-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Recreation 5 of the Japanese Convention Semifinals.

Hart continued to tear via the postseason with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double because the Knicks took a 3-2 collection lead within the best-of-seven set. That led Johnson to supply Hart a brand new moniker on X shortly after New York put the ending touches on its blowout victory.

My predominant man Josh Hart completed with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double tonight,” Johnson observed. “I (name) him Mr. The whole lot as a result of he does slightly little bit of all the things on the courtroom!

Mr. The whole lot may effectively go down as Mr. Might: in six video games this month, Hart is averaging 14.8 factors and 12.3 rebounds because the Knicks at the moment are the closest they have been to an NBA Finals go to because the turn-of-the-century. Hart, working via his first full season in Manhattan, has been stationed within the Knicks’ beginning 5 since late January after stepping in for injured All-Star Julius Randle.

Johnson praising Hart is considerably ironic contemplating their shared historical past: Johnson not directly started Hart’s NBA profession, granting him his skilled entry as the ultimate of the 2017 draft’s opening spherical when the previous was the Los Angeles Lakers’ president of basketball operations. The Villanova alum performed two seasons in purple and gold earlier than he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, shortly after Johnson stepped down from his entrance workplace position.

Mr The whole lot does not have all the things fairly but, however he’ll get an opportunity to earn slightly extra on Friday, when the Knicks look to clinch an Japanese Convention Finals berth in Indianapolis (TBD, ESPN).

Ensure you bookmark All Knicks for the newest information, unique interviews, movie breakdowns and a lot extra!

CNN
 — 

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is “combating for his life” in hospital, a authorities official warned Wednesday, after he was shot 5 occasions in an assassination try.

Slovakian Protection Minister Robert Kaliňák mentioned that Fico had been in surgical procedure for 3 and a half hours. “His medical state is admittedly very complicated,” he instructed reporters, including that it was “completely clear” the assassination try was a “political assault.”

“We’re singularly targeted on the well being of Robert Fico. And we hope he can be robust sufficient to tug by way of,” Kaliňák mentioned.

Inside Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok additionally known as the taking pictures “politically motivated,” saying “the suspect made the choice to do it shortly after the presidential election.”

The assault happened after an off-site authorities assembly within the central Slovak city of Handlova. The suspected gunman was amongst a small crowd of individuals ready to greet the prime minister on the road outdoors the cultural heart, the place the assembly happened, native media reported.

Footage from the scene exhibits the injured prime minister being bundled right into a automobile by his employees, earlier than it speeds away with him inside. Fico was taken to an area hospital after which transferred by helicopter to a significant trauma heart about 20 miles (30 kilometers) away in Banska Bystrica.

Nobody else was injured within the assault, in keeping with Slovak Labor Minister Erik Tomáš.

Fico is probably the most highly effective lawmaker in Slovakia. Not like the president, whose function has restricted scope, the prime minister holds rank because the decision-making head of presidency.

The official assertion posted on Fico’s official Fb mentioned the PM was taken to Banska Bystrica as an alternative of the capital metropolis of Bratislava as a result of “an acute intervention” was vital. Handlova is about two hours’ drive from the capital Bratislava.

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová mentioned the suspected gunman was detained by the police. She mentioned legislation enforcement companies will launch extra data once they can and requested the general public to not unfold unconfirmed rumors. A video from the scene confirmed a person on the ground being detained by a number of officers.

Čaputová condemned what she known as a “brutal and reckless” assault on the 59-year-old politician. “I’m shocked. I want Roberto Fico all of the power on this vital second to get better from the assault,” Čaputová wrote on Fb. Talking at a information convention later within the afternoon, she mentioned the taking pictures was “an assault on democracy as effectively.”

Slovakia’s protection and inside ministers blamed rising hate speech and division for the political environment within the nation, which they mentioned led to the assassination try.

Chatting with reporters in entrance of the hospital the place Fico is being handled, Protection Minister Kaliňák mentioned: “Hate shouldn’t be a solution to hate.” Visibly shaken and struggling for phrases at a number of moments in the course of the information convention, Kaliňák mentioned it was “time for some folks to have a tough look into the mirror.”

“There isn’t a query that this was politically motivated. The lack to simply accept the selection of individuals, which some might not like … it results in this,” he mentioned.

Inside Minister Šutaj-Eštok known as for calm, saying “those that are endorsing this assault in addition to those that are calling for some kind of a revenge. And I’m asking you, the media too, please, use your energy, your affect. As a result of till now, it was a few of you who sow the hate,” he mentioned.

Following the taking pictures, Šutaj-Eštok mentioned the nation is “experiencing the worst day of its democracy.”

“For the primary time within the 31 years of our democratic sovereign republic, somebody has determined to precise a political opinion not in an election however with a gun on the road,” he wrote on Fb.

An eyewitness who was on the scene the place Fico was shot mentioned the assault felt like a “nightmare” after listening to three “fast” pictures, fired one after the opposite as when you have been to “throw a firecracker on the bottom.”

“I heard three pictures, it was fast one after the other like when you throw a firecracker on the bottom,” eyewitness Lubica Valkova instructed Reuters, including that “he (Fico) fell subsequent to the barrier.”

“I feel it’s a nightmare, I’ll let you know I feel I can’t get up from this,” the 66-year-old mentioned. “That this isn’t doable to occur in Slovakia.”

Valkova mentioned she had been ready a very long time to shake Fico’s hand and was taking footage of him when he walked out of the constructing in Handlova.

“At this second we heard one thing like a bang, we thought somebody made a joke and threw a firecracker on the bottom, that was my first response,” Valkova recalled.

The Slovak resident instructed Reuters she had been ready from 10 a.m. native time. She claimed police didn’t search individuals who have been ready on the occasion, including that “we might have proven our empty palms.”

In what was a surprising comeback for the controversial politician, Fico gained a 3rd time period as Slovakian prime minister final October after operating a marketing campaign that criticized western help for Ukraine. Fico had pledged a right away finish to Slovak navy help for Ukraine and promised to dam Ukraine’s NATO ambitions in what would upend Slovakia’s staunch backing for Ukraine.

Forward of the election, Fico made no secret of his sympathies in direction of the Kremlin and blamed “Ukrainian Nazis and fascists” for frightening Vladimir Putin into launching the invasion, repeating the false narrative Russia’s president has used to justify his invasion.

Whereas in opposition, Fico turned a detailed ally of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, particularly when it got here to criticism of the European Union.

Fico beforehand served as Slovakia’s prime minister for greater than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 after which once more from 2012 to 2018. He was pressured to resign in March 2018 after weeks of mass protests over the homicide of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. Kuciak reported on corruption among the many nation’s elite, together with folks straight linked to Fico and his get together SMER.

World leaders instantly condemned the assault.

Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned in a telegram to Slovakia’s president that “there could be no justification for this monstrous crime” and wished Fico a speedy and full restoration.

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the vile assault on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence haven’t any place in our society and undermine democracy, our most valuable widespread good.”

And Hungarian Prime Minister Orban added: “I used to be deeply shocked by the heinous assault towards my good friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his well being and fast restoration!”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed “solidarity with the folks of Slovakia” following the “appalling” assault on Fico.

US President Joe Biden mentioned he was “alarmed” by the tried assassination of Fico, calling it a “horrific act of violence.”

“Jill and I are praying for a swift restoration, and our ideas are together with his household and the folks of Slovakia,” he mentioned in an announcement.

United Nations Secretary-Normal António Guterres mentioned he “strongly condemns the surprising assault.”

This story has been up to date with further developments.