Trail Blazers All-Star guard Deni Avdija leaves game vs. Suns with lower back injury
PHOENIX (AP) — Portland All-Star guard Deni Avdija left the Trail Blazers’ game Sunday against the Phoenix Suns because of a lower back injury and the team said he won’t return to the game.
Avdija was listed as questionable coming into the game, but decided to play. He lasted just one minute before leaving the court and going back to the locker room.
Avdija — who has been battling lower back issues for weeks — came into the night averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/trail-blazers-star-guard-deni-014303775.html
Ohio State coach Jake Diebler reacts to the loss at Michigan State
Like a few games this season for the Ohio State basketball team, it did enough throughout most of the game to come away with a win, but couldn’t finish the deal, losing 66-60 on Sunday. The difference this time is that it was in a very difficult place to play while being shorthanded against Michigan State.
Still, it was a game the Buckeyes sorely needed to get off that NCAA Tournament bubble, and none of the decision makers at the NCAA are going to remember that OSU played toe-to-toe with a very good Spartans team with two of its best players out of the game. In the end, it was another close loss that’s not quite enough yet again.
OSU head coach Jake Diebler met with the media following the game to answer questions and provide his thoughts on the game, and we have his entire comments thanks to the WILX News YouTube channel. Diebler was proud of his team’s fight and thought the defense continued to show progress, but still lamented the inability to get the job done.
You can watch Dielber’s complete comments below:
Ohio State is now up against it and will most likely need to spring an upset somewhere in the next four games to get into the Big Dance, and it gets a chance to do just that when it hits the road to face Iowa on Wednesday.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State coach Jake Diebler reacts to loss at Michigan State Sunday
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ohio-state-coach-jake-diebler-014141365.html
Atletico Madrid eye market opportunity with Manchester City star
Atletico Madrid eye market opportunity with Manchester City star
Atletico Madrid are poised to have another busy summer transfer window, as they continue efforts to close on Barcelona and Real Madrid. There are plans to address multiple areas of Diego Simeone’s squad, with one of those being midfield.
Rodrigo Mendoza and Obed Vargas were signed in January from Elche and Seattle Sounders respectively, although neither player is likely to hold a significant squad position in next couple of years. As such, there is scope for an addition or two, with Ederson dos Santos noted as one Atleti’s leading targets.
But he is not the only option under consideration. As per CaughtOffside, Atleti are considering a move for Bernardo Silva, who is set to become a free agent in the summer.
Image via Michael Regan/Getty Images
Silva is in the final few months of his contract with Manchester City, and until now, there has been no moves made to offer the Portugal international a renewal. This has led to significant speculation regarding his situation, with Barcelona another of the clubs to have been linked with signing him.
Silva would suit Simeone down to the ground
Silva has previously shown interest in playing in La Liga, and Atleti could give him the chance to do so this summer. The 31-year-old will have many offers on the table, but it would be no surprise to see him prioritise any that come his way from Spanish shores.
Silva would add experience to a young Atleti squad, which would be needed in the event of Koke Resurreccion and/or Antoine Griezmann leaving. He would also be an excellent fit for the way that Simeone wants his side to play, in what he has a competitive streak that will be vital in helping Los Colchoneros close the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of them in La Liga.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/atletico-madrid-eye-market-opportunity-014000565.html
Sebastian Korda defeats Tommy Paul for Delray Beach Open championship
DELRAY BEACH — Tommy Paul had his “Founding Fathers’ fan club. Sebastian Korda had Florida Panthers superstar Aleksander Barkov.
Score one for hockey in an All-American Delray Beach Open final as Korda topped Paul, 6-4, 6-3 before 4,774 fans on Feb. 22 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
Korda, who grew up in Bradenton as son of tour great Petr, won his first Delray Beach Open title and flopped onto his back after winning match point in an epic game in which he trailed love-40 on his serve.
Entering the tournament unseeded and his ranking falling to 50 after a tough start to 2026, Korda, 25, was the better man in windswept conditions. He’s the sixth unseeded player to win the 34-year event.
“It’s amazing, especially with how everything was going on,’’ Korda said. “Crazy wind. Last game was love-40 down and somehow I came back and got some good serves in, trusted it and went after it. It‘s as satisfying as it can get winning a tournament when love-40 down. A lot of hard work mentally.’’
Barkov was in Korda’s player’s box. Of Czech Republic heritage, Korda played hockey until he was 11 and befriended Barkov, who is Swiss, when he first played Delray in 2021.
“(Barkov) watches more tennis than anyone on planet Earth,’’ Korda said after winning the ATP 250 event in one hour, 22 minutes. ““He’ll watch everything. He was here every single match and all my practices. He texts me all the time. I got to know him in 2021 when I played here. He’s been a great friend of mine. I want to get on the ice with him.’’
Paul, who lives in Boca Raton, still can’t find the whole answer at Delray as he has failed to win the tournament in six tries. But this was one was special, made so by “The Founding Fathers’’ – a group of three high school seniors from Donna Klein High in Boca Raton. Matthew, Alex, Chad cheered, chanted and sang during all of Paul’s matches.
The threesome led the rest of the crowd into a Paul chorus often – the one ditty heard aplenty (“You say Tommy, I say Paul. Tommy … Paul. Tommy … Paul”).
During the trophy presentation, Paul saluted the trio, who dress in Colonial-Era garb.
“They came out to every match no matter what and brought the energy,’’ said Paul, who was seeded 4th
Two years ago, Paul, 28, lost in the Delray final to his buddy Taylor Fritz. Paul looked more lost Sunday in the wind, often showing frustration when one of his lobs would sail many yards out due to a sudden current. When he got broken at 4-5 to give Korda the first set, the winds had picked up noticeably during that game. Bad timing.
“He handled the conditions better today and deserved to win,’’ Paul said. ”I’m pissed off for sure. I didn’t want that (second-place) trophy again. I thought I was playing really good tennis up to this last mach. I didn’t think I played great but started getting momentum late. He served his way out of trouble down love-40.’’
At that juncture, with nerves of steel, Korda pounded in a couple of aces, Paul flubbed one easy forehand off his frame and cracked a few others long. In general, Korda guided the ball precisely into play with more finesse amid the South Florida gusts.
“The secret is growing up in Florida,’’ said Korda, whose father rose to No. 2 in the world. “This is where I’ve played in my whole life – super windy. My dad said growing up to just put the ball in the court somehow. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slice or ugliest shot in the world. As long as it goes to the other side of the island, it’s all that matters.’’
Korda, who upset No. 2 seed Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, fell behind a break to start the second set. Paul pounced on Korda, breaking him immediately after winning a 30-shot rally with a crosscourt forehand winner.
But Korda broke right back and did so again for a 3-1 lead. The Bradenton resident got up 4-1 and withheld Paul’s furious rally in the last game that could’ve put the second set on serve.
Asked if he was ticked off at himself or the wind, Paul said, “I can’t be pissed at Mother Nature.’’
Paul had beaten upstart American Learner Tien in the Feb. 21 semifinals – a player that some feel has the tennis smarts to make it big with his lefty forehand.
“Tien’s amazing,’’ Paul said. “This younger generation of Americans, they don’t fear anything or us at all. It’s a great thing for them. Annoying for us. They came out ready to beat us everytime. They’re serious players.’’
Korda hadn’t won an ATP event since the 2024 Washington D.C. tournament that is a tuneup for the U.S. Open. Korda lost in the finals here in 2021. “My confidence is definitely going up,’’ Korda said. “It’s about being consistent. Years past, I haven’t been very consistent.’’
Said Paul, “He’s dealt with a lot of injuries and setbacks. It’s good to see him at this level.’’
Delray Beach Open future uncertain
This could be the second-to-last Delray tournament if things shake out a certain way.
An ATP official last month said the goal is to downsize the 250-point ATP events with an eye on shortening the schedule. There are three 250-point ATP events in the United States – Delray Beach and ones in Houston (indoor clay court before the European clay court season in spring) and Winston Salem, N.C.
The Delray Open drew 59,366 fans this week. With a swarm of players living in South Florida, it is tough to see Delray Beach getting the axe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach Open goes to unseeded Sebastian Korda over Tommy Paul
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sebastian-korda-defeats-tommy-paul-013652998.html
Jacob Bridgeman explained why he, understandably, completely missed USA hockey's Gold Medal win over Canada
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Jacob Bridgeman had some other things on his mind. Still, though, the USA vs. Canada Gold Medal Game was on very early on the West Coast. 5:10 A.M. PT puck drop. Kind of the perfect event to distract yourself from thinking about what was about to be the biggest day of your life.
But Bridgeman didn’t want to be distracted. He allowed himself to think about winning the Genesis Invitational, which he led by six after 54 holes. Who wouldn’t with that type of cushion? Barring a massive push by someone far behind him, and a mini collapse from Bridgeman, he was likely going to pick up his first PGA Tour victory in a Signature Event at Riviera Country Club. If you’re not going to daydream about that a few hours before it happens, you don’t have a pulse.
RELATED: Rory McIlroy didn’t win at Riviera, but he still got to flex
“Maybe I’m different from other people, but I don’t think I should try and forget about it or not realize what’s going on,” Bridgeman said after he won the Genesis Invitational by one stroke over Kurt Kitayama and Rory McIlroy. “The magnitude of the situation almost just makes me focus more. I wouldn’t say I was super unsettled this morning, but I was definitely a little bit nervous. I slept well until about 6:30. Then I was trying to sleep till 7:30 and I had an hour where I just couldn’t do anything. I was already up, my mind was going, I was ready to go.”
Sounds like the perfect time to throw on a game, no? And not just any game, the one that basically united all of America on Sunday. Surely Bridgeman could have drawn some inspiration from watching Jack Hughes pot the game winner in overtime. Or from watching Connor Hellebuyck stand on his head, saving 41 of the 42 Canadian shots that came his way.
Bridgeman had so many other things on his mind that he didn’t even realize the game was on.
“I didn’t [watch],” he said. “I honestly thought it was a little bit later because yesterday when I was warming up in the truck we were watching Canada play, so I figured I would see it again in the truck this morning. Then Haley [Bridgeman’s wife] said on the way to the course this morning that they won, which is great.”
Yes, it was great, Jacob. But so is letting your mind drift to shaking the hand of tournament host Tiger Woods, who you grew up watching, and living out that image for real. If anyone was allowed to have tunnel vision on Sunday, it was Bridgeman.
He did miss a helluva game, though.
RELATED: The clubs Jacob Bridgeman used to win the 2026 Genesis Invitational
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jacob-bridgeman-explained-why-understandably-013527396.html
Lakers honor Pat Riley with statue next to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, halftime ceremony at Celtics game
For decades, Pat Riley has been the architect of the Miami Het.
But he’s a Los Angeles Lakers legend whose likeness was set in perpetuity Sunday with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers unveiled the statue prior to Sunday’s home game against the rival Boston Celtics. It fittingly stands between statues of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with whom Riley won four NBA championships as the head coach of the “Showtime” Lakers.
With a host of Lakers icons watching, the curtain was lifted, and Riley’s statue emerged from a flurry of purple and gold confetti. The statue is positioned with Riley holding up his right hand in a fist, his trademark signal for Johnson to deliver a pass to Abdul-Jabbar for a sky hook.
A Lakers icon forever enshrined. Congrats, Coach 💛 pic.twitter.com/pn8bGJtAs1
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 22, 2026
An inscription on the base of the statue features a quote that Riley attributed to his father, Leon Riley:
“There will come a time when you are challenged, and when that time comes, you must plant your feet. You must stand firm. You must make a point. About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. When that time comes, you do it.”
Lakers legends among icons to honor Riley
Riley was among the “Showtime” Lakers royalty present for the unveiling alongside Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Bob McAdoo, Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and Byron Scott.
Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA championships under Riley’s leadership with the Heat, was also in attendance. As was notable “Showtime”-era Lakers fan Michael Douglas, who gave a speech about his friendship with Riley.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, whose father, Jerry Buss, hired Riley, hosted the ceremony.
“Even though Pat hasn’t worked here for more than three decades, those remain Laker principles in large part because of him,” Buss said.” That’s why it was so important to us to recognize Pat with this statue right here in the heart of downtown L.A.”
When the statue was unveiled, Riley smiled and offered a thumbs up in approval.
When Pat Riley raised his fist, that meant give the ball to Kareem.
The celebration of Riley continued at halftime of Sunday’s game with Johnson emceeing a midcourt ceremony in front of a sold-out crowd.
“I was born to be a Laker in 1970 at the Forum with these guys right here,” Riley said when Johnson handed him the mic, while pointing to the aforementioned former Lakers in the building who were lined up behind him at halfcourt.
The man known for as much for his fashion sense as his basketball acumen, then had jokes.
“And of all of them, there’s only one who has shown me true respect today, and that’s James Worthy, who has a tie on,” Riley continued. “Everybody’s got a little too casual — $2,000 fine for everybody.”
Pat Riley says hes giving everybody a $2,000 fine for not wearing a suit and tie (James Worthy was the only one safe) 💀 pic.twitter.com/VW3FQWICJp
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 23, 2026
To be fair to Jamaal Wilkes, Wilkes also had a tie on.
Riley, who wore many hats with the Lakers including player and broadcaster before taking over as head coach, then reflected on his time with the team.
“I had the opportunity to meet, to be with, to play with to coach to broadcast, to be a traveling secretary and to be a head coach of this team. And it’s the greatest honor I’ve ever had.”
Tyrese Haliburton shingles diagnosis: Why Pacers star guard will be away from team with painful illness
Tyrese Haliburton shingles diagnosis: Why Pacers star guard will be away from team with painful illness originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Tyrese Haliburton remains unlikely to see the court for the Indiana Pacers in the 2025-26 season due to the torn Achilles he suffered in last summer’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals. But now, he’s facing a bit more of a setback.
Haliburton, who has spent lots of time on the Pacers’ sidelines this season in a player-coach type role, will be away from the team as of Sunday due to a recent diagnosis with shingles, head coach Rick Carlisle said.
The star guard is expected to make a “full recovery” from the viral infection, but he won’t be around Indiana’s team for some time.
Here’s what to know about Tyrese Haliburton’s shingles diagnosis.
MORE: Why the Cavaliers should be Finals favorites after post-James Harden trade
What is Tyrese Haliburton’s injury?
Haliburton was diagnosed with shingles, Carlisle said Sunday.
“He will likely make a full recovery,” Carlisle said before Sunday’s Pacers game against the Dallas Mavericks, per The Athletic. “This happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms.
“It’s a unique case, a unique situation. I’ve talked to him a few times, and he’s always in a good mood, so he’ll get through it. But trying to survive at a high level without a guy like that is extremely difficult.”
What is shingles?
Shingles, according to Mayo Clinic, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It can occur anywhere on the body, and it “typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso.”
The infection is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles is not life-threatening, but can be painful, with vaccines helping lower the risk of it.
Symptoms include pain, burning or tingling; sensitivity to touch; a red rash that begins a few days after the pain; fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over; and itching.
How long does it take to recover from shingles?
According to Cleveland Clinic, it can take three-to-five weeks from the time symptoms start until a shingles rash totally disappears. Other symptoms then get better within seven-to-10 days.
Most people who contract shingles get better without any complications, often by taking antivirals within three days of the start of symptoms.
How long will Haliburton be out?
Haliburton will be away from the Pacers for 2-3 weeks with his shingles diagnosis, Carlisle said. Once he’s made a full recovery, he’s expected to rejoin the team.
However, as for his torn Achilles, the expectation remains that Haliburton will not be playing in the remainder of the 2025-26 season, with the Pacers ranking among the worst teams in the Eastern Conference and eyeing a return to contention next fall.
MORE: What to know about X burner rumors surrounding Kevin Durant
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tyrese-haliburton-shingles-diagnosis-why-013311289.html
Faber: 5 takeaways from UND's 70-58 loss to St. Thomas
Feb. 22—GRAND FORKS — UND put itself in an early deficit in each quarter of
Saturday afternoon’s 70-58 loss to St. Thomas
at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
The Fighting Hawks trailed 9-0 in the first quarter and stormed back for a 16-14 lead.
They were behind by eight points in the second quarter before graduate guard Mackenzie Hughes made a layup and hit two free throws as the frame wound down.
They fell behind by 10 points in the third quarter, though they cut the deficit in half with a 5-0 run in the final two minutes.
When the Hawks fell behind early in the fourth quarter, though, they were unable to mount a last-minute surge.
Here are five takeaways from the loss.
Lauren Hillesheim was not at 100% on Saturday.
The freshman guard suffered from the flu this week and was not at practice on Friday.
As a result, Hillesheim came off the bench for UND for the first time since Jan. 24.
She played an average of 23.4 minutes per game in seven games as a starter from Jan. 29 to Feb. 15.
Hellesheim played for 13 minutes against the Tommies. She shot 1-for-5 from the field and scored two points.
“She wasn’t even remotely (100%),” Hutter said. “It was all related to her just getting healthy. I just didn’t really feel like running her into the ground was going to be a good thing for her when we’ve got to play again on Wednesday.”
Senior guard Mikayla Aumer slotted into the starting lineup with Hillesheim on the bench. It was her first start since Jan. 24.
Hutter said Aumer earned the return to a spot in the starting five.
“Mikayla has been phenomenal,” Hutter said. “Mikayla has done things the right way all year long. She’s never really strayed away from what we’ve done. Obviously took her out of the starting lineup and she handled that extremely well. She was still a great teammate, did all the right things. And so when there’s a chance that you can honor them, even if it’s before Senior Night, especially at home, I wanted to do that for her because I thought it was something that she had earned and rightfully deserved as well.”
Aumer logged 27 minutes against St. Thomas. Only Hughes and sophomore guard Sydney Piekny had more minutes.
She scored nine points, hitting two triples and shooting 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Piekny has a quick release on her 3-point shot. She seems to be able to get the ball out almost as soon as she catches it.
Piekny showed off a bit of that ability against the Tommies. She shot 3-for-5 from beyond the arc on an afternoon when the Hawks hit just seven triples total.
“I think I’ve got pretty quick feet,” Piekny said. “I can get set in my shot pretty fast. I know that even if someone is trailing me out, if they’re a step behind me, I know I have the time to get it off. So it helps me with confidence in that way.”
Piekny has hit at least two 3-pointers in seven of her last eight games. She was a perfect 5-for-5 against Denver on Jan. 31.
Piekny also nailed four triples en route to her career-high 18 points against Kansas City on Feb. 7.
UND’s average turnover margin this season is -7.
That ranks among the worst in all of Division I basketball. According to the
NCAA’s statistics
, the Hawks went into Saturday’s game ranked 355th in turnover margin.
UND committed 19 turnovers to St. Thomas’ 14. That margin is a bit better than the season average, but the Tommies still managed to score 21 points off of turnovers.
It might not have been the driving force in the Hawks’ loss, but it certainly didn’t help.
“That’s what good teams do, they take care of the ball,” Hutter said. “We just talk about taking care of the ball and shot making, that ‘s really what this comes down to. When you are taking care of the ball and you get good looks, you’ve got to make enough of them to keep yourself in the game or keep the lead.”
The Summit League women’s basketball tournament begins on March 4 with a contest between No. 8 seed and No. 9 seed. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to play the No. 1 seed.
If the tournament started today, UND would play in the opening round as the No. 8 seed.
The Hawks are 3-11 in conference play with two games left in the regular season, just ahead of last-place Omaha.
The Mavericks are 2-12 with two games remaining.
Denver is sixth in the league standings and Kansas City is seventh. They are both 4-11 in conference play with one game left on their regular-season schedules.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/faber-5-takeaways-unds-70-013300837.html
LaMelo Ball hits career-high 10 3s, scores 37 points to help Hornets rout Wizards
WASHINGTON (AP) — LaMelo Ball made a career-high 10 3-pointers and scored 37 points to help the Charlotte Hornets rout the Washington Wizards 129-112 on Sunday night for a four-game season sweep.
Ball attempted 15 3-pointers. Kon Knueppel added 28 points, and Brandon Miller had 22. The Hornets made 12 of 14 3-pointers in the third quarter to blow open the game, and finished 25 of 46 from long range.
Bilal Coulibaly scored 15 of his 17 points in the first quarter for Washington. The Wizards dropped to 16-40, missing a chance for their first three-game winning streak since February 2025.
Charlotte had lost three of four since a nine-game winning streak ended just before the All-Star break. The Hornets (27-31) are 10th in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Atlanta and 1 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee.
The Hornets led 61-56 at the halft. Miller hit two 3s and Ball added another within Charlotte’s first four possessions of the third quarter to make it 70-56.
Moments later, Knueppel connected on back-to-back 3s to stretch the lead to 15 for the first time. The Wizards never got closer than 13 again.
Knueppel made five 3-pointers and has am NBA-high 198 this season. He’s is nine away from surpassing the rookie record set by Keegan Murray in 2022-23.
Up next
Hornets: At Chicago on Tuesday night.
Wzards: At Atlanta on Tuesday night.
___
AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lamelo-ball-hits-career-high-013229313.html
🎥 Fla frustrate fans early but make amends and take a strong lead
🎥 Fla frustrate fans early but make amends and take a strong lead
Flamengo was the target of part of the crowd that attended Maracanã on Sunday night (22).
The team had total control from the start, but only managed to score in the second half.
And beat Madureira 3-0, regaining the support of many Flamengo fans.
This was the first leg of the Carioca Championship semifinal, ahead of the upcoming decisive match against Lanús.
The scoreline left their spot in their eighth State final very well within reach.
Pressure even before the ball rolled
Part of the Flamengo supporters protested due to the team’s less-than-ideal form at the start of the season.
There were chants of “shameless team” and “we want grit.”
Flamengo did what was expected: took control of the game.
But the dominance seen before halftime did not result in goals.
Madureira, on the other hand, posed no threat. Standing out for their good positioning without the ball.
The end of the anxiety
Flamengo, which went into halftime as the target of the fans, returned for the second half repeating the pressure seen before. Now with Arrascaeta and Samu Lino on the field.
And took the lead at the eighth minute, with De La Cruz picking up a rebound and finishing with no chance for Neguete.
The lead doubled at the 20th minute after VAR confirmed a penalty by Isaías on Samuel Lino.
Arrascaeta converted it, scoring his 100th goal in the Flamengo shirt.
Flamengo’s superior quality still resulted in a third goal by Luiz Araújo at 46′.
And now❓
The return leg will be on March 2, a Monday. Once again at Maracanã, but with Madureira as the home team.
Flamengo can even lose by one goal and still advance to the final against Fluminense or Vasco.
Meanwhile, Tricolor Suburbano will need to win by four goals to qualify in regular time.
Before that, Flamengo will play the second leg of the Recopa Sudamericana final against Lanús.
They will host the Argentine team next Thursday (26) with the obligation to win, no matter what.
A victory by one goal will take the decision to penalties.
The title will only be secured in regular time with a win by at least two goals.
Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fla-frustrate-fans-early-amends-013200200.html
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