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Chris Miller

Editor | Pro sports
Phone: 612-673-4428
Recent content from Chris Miller
Denver’s Aaron Gordon dunked on Rudy Gobert in January.

Wolves vs. Denver, Round 1: Who has the edge?

Position-by-position breakdown of the intriguing first-round playoff matchup between the Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets:
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, above vs. the  New Orleans Pelicans on April  9, will try to lead his  team over Oklahoma City on Friday night in

Wolves' Gobert hopes to return for must-win game vs. Thunder

The Wolves won three of four games against Oklahoma City during the regular season.
Kirill Kaprizov participated in his first Wild practice Wednesday since suffering a lower-body injury on March 8.

Kaprizov wears 'caution jersey' at Wild practice. How close is return?

Kaprizov participated in his first practice Wednesday since suffering a lower-body injury on March 8. The yellow caution jersey was a sign to teammates for no physical contact.
The Penguins’ Ryan Poehling, a former St. Cloud State center from Lakeville, collided with Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek during a Tuesday loss.

Wild face Penguins team seeking to extend long playoff streak

Pittsburgh has been in the past 17 Stanley Cup playoffs, but currently is on the outside looking in this season.
Meet the 2023 Twins: A veteran mix of familiar faces, fresh talent

Meet the 2023 Twins: A veteran mix of familiar faces, fresh talent

Two things needed after the struggles of last year: More experience and improved versatility. Combine that with the healthy return of several players and the result is a very different roster.
Some of the best players on the best teams in the American League in 2023 (clockwise from top left): the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, the Blue Jays’ Alek

American League power rankings: Astros shine ... and where are Twins?

The defending World Series champions also have a power-laden batting order, including the addition of Jose Abreu, as they prepare to defend their title.
Four of the key players for the 2023 National League season (clockwise from top left): Mets SP Justin Verlander, Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman, Padres OF

National League power rankings: Can Mets thrive without Diaz?

With Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the top of the rotation, New York should have the key ingredient to a great season — but an injury to star closer Edwin Diaz isn't ideal.
Kirill Kaprizov will miss three to four weeks with a lower-body injury.

Wild optimistically move on without Kirill Kaprizov

The team's leading scorer is out because of an injury, but linemate Mats Zuccarello said, "That's part of hockey."
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is headed toward a 100-point season.

Struggling Sharks have two wins over Wild heading into last matchup of season

San Jose defenseman Erik Karlsson is shooting to become the first NHL defenseman in the 21st century to get 100 points.
Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (shown vs. Calgary on Tuesday) will miss three to four weeks because of a lower-body injury.

Kaprizov's injury, three-to-four week absence, will shuffle Wild's offense

The record-setting All-Star winger has a lower-body injury after an awkward check in Wednesday's game. Sammy Walker was called up from Iowa.
Twins utility players Jerry Kindall, left, and Sandy Valdespino during spring training in 1965 in Orlando, Fla.

Former Twins outfielder Sandy Valdespino dies at age 84

After a long stint in the minor leagues, he broke into the big time with the Twins' 1965 World Series team.
Infielders, such as Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff, need to start every play from the dirt this season, and the bases are larger.

Baseball's new rules: Your 20-second guide to the changes on the field

Faster games and more action — that's the hope attached to the rule changes that start today as spring training games get underway.
Mats Zuccarello will sit out at least two Wild games because of an upper body injury.

Injury shuffle: Zuccarello out, Duhaime back in Wild lineup

Brandon Duhaime has missed the past 18 games, while Mats Zuccarello suffered an injury Wednesday against Tampa Bay.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to drive against the Wolves when they last played on Nov. 4. The two teams meet again on Friday.

Timberwolves hope to break four-game losing streak vs. Bucks

The Wolves are in a slump, but to end it, they have to try to beat the Central Division leaders.
Edina native and former Gophers captain Sammy Walker will play in his sixth NHL game on Thursday for the Wild.

Wild rookie Walker puts on a showcase in December debut

Native Minnesotan Sammy Walker was called up earlier than he — or anyone — expected to patch up a depleted forward corps.
Coming off a win against the Jets, the Wild have won seven of their past eight games as they prepare to face division leader Dallas on Thursday.

Wild to face Central Division-leading Stars and their strong special teams

The Wild have won seven of eight heading into the game at Xcel Energy Center.
Marcus Foligno of the Wild scored against Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck on Nov. 23 at Xcel Energy Center.

Walker, Beckman, Sustr called up by Wild

Marcus Foligno went on injured reserve before the team flew to Winnipeg
Joe Mazzulla took over as Celtics interim coach after Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for a violation of team policies.

Wolves-Boston preview: Despite slumps, Celtics have NBA's second-best record

After a hot start, Boston has lost five of six as it heads into Friday's matchup against the Wolves at TD Garden.
Ja Morant had a triple-double as Memphis beat the Knicks on Monday night. The Grizzlies play at Target Center on Wednesday.

Wolves to meet Morant, Memphis in rematch of playoff series

The Timberwolves will be without injured Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Grizzlies are without Desmond Bane.
Guard Bradley Beal leads the Wizards in scoring at 23.1 points per game.

Timberwolves-Washington game preview: Stopping three top scorers

Even with three players averaging 20-plus points, the Wizards are next to last in the NBA in scoring.
Tyrese Haliburton is Indiana’s leading scorer. The Pacers play host to the Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Timberwolves-Indiana game preview: Pacers off to strong start

The Wolves, however, have won four in a row heading into Wednesday's game in Indianapolis.
Former Minnehaha Academy and Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs is part of the Orlando Magic’s rebuild.

Timberwolves-Orlando game preview: Magic without No. 1 pick in draft

Forward Paolo Banchero has a sprained ankle entering Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Memphis guard Ja Morant drove between Jaden McDaniels (3) and Karl Anthony-Towns (32) of the Timberwolves in Game 6 of last season’s first-round pla

Timberwolves gameday: Morant, Grizzlies set for Friday-night battle

The Wolves and Grizzlies meet for the first time Friday since their hard-fought first-round playoff series last April. Memphis won it 4-2.
Wild players celebrated a goal by Joseph Cramarossa during Wednesday’s game in Anaheim.

Wild gameday: Kraken has won five in a row, including shutout at Xcel

Seattle has emerged as an early NHL power in its second season in the league.
Devin Booker of the Suns battled the Sixers’ P.J. Tucker for a rebound Monday night in Philadelphia. Phoenix plays the Timberwolves on Wednesday at

Wolves-Phoenix game preview: Four-game homestand ends

The Suns will be without Cam Johnson, who had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus.
Kevin Fiala was traded by the Wild to the Kings last June. He’s tied for the team high with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists).

Wild-Los Angeles game preview: Another reunion with Fiala

Former Wild forward Kevin Fiala is tied with Gabe Vilardi for the Kings' team lead with 14 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks seem ready to challenge for another NBA title.

Wolves gameday: Bucks have NBA's best record, defensive rating

Milwaukee started the season with seven consecutive victories despite missing two key players.
Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns had a discussion during the Timberwolves’ loss at San Antonio on Sunday.

Timberwolves-Phoenix game preview: No Ayton-Gobert matchup

Suns center Deandre Ayton has a sprained ankle and will be out for the nationally televised game Tuesday night at Footprint Center.
Kyle Anderson comes to the Timberwolves from Memphis, where he was a regular in the rotation.

Timberwolves restock their roster with veteran faces

Kyle Anderson, Austin Rivers and Bryn Forbes joined the biggest acquisition, Rudy Gobert.
This is the first full Twin Cities Marathon field since 2019. Julia Kohnen won the women’s division that sunny October day.

Twin Cities Marathon is today: Here are 10 things to know

How and when to watch, and what to know about marathon day in the Twin Cities, which also includes a high-profile 10-mile race.
Runners will pack downtown Minneapolis again early Sunday morning, for the start of the 10 Mile (7 a.m.) and Twin Cities Marathon (8 a.m.).

What to know about Twin Cities Marathon, TC 10 Mile this Sunday

Two big races start in downtown Minneapolis and end in St. Paul on one eventful morning. Here's what you need to know about Sunday's race day:
Lynx center Sylvia Fowles led the league in field-goal percentage (.622) and averaged 14.4 points per game in her 15th and final season in 2022.

Lynx center Fowles named to All-WNBA second team

Retiring after 15 seasons, Sylvia Fowles has been an all-league selection eight times during her career.
Jocelyne, left, and Monique Lamoureux at the 2013 media summit in Salt Lake City.

Lamoureux sisters among five new members headed for U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

The Lamoureuxs were college and Olympic stars for the United States, and join Ryan Miller, Steve Cash and Jim Johannson in the Class of 2022.
Lynx center Sylvia Fowles blocked a shot from Seattle’s Tina Charles during a game on Aug. 12.

Lynx center Sylvia Fowles named to WNBA's all-defensive first team

The former league champion and Olympic gold medalist played her final season in 2022.
Anthony Edwards of the Wolves, right, was defended by Herbert Jones of New Orleans during a game last season.

Wolves open NBA season with home games against Thunder, Jazz

The season opener on Oct. 19 could be the NBA debut of Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren.
Davante Adams joined the Raiders after an All-Pro stint with the Packers.

Preseason game preview: Vikings at Raiders

Minnesota's Kevin O'Connell and Vegas' Josh McDaniels make their coaching debuts with their new teams.
Sam Rinzel pulled on the Blackhawks jersey after Chicago took him 25th overall at the NHL draft Thursday in Montreal.

Nine Minnesotans drafted. Who they are and where they're going

Jimmy Snuggerud and Sam Rinzel were first round selections, and seven others were chosen on Friday. Six have committed to Minnesota college teams.
Liam Ohgren was taken by the Wild with the No. 19 pick in the first round.

Meet the Wild's first-round draft picks

Liam Ohgren was taken at No. 19 and Danila Yurov was nabbed with the 24th pick.
Vermont commit Alex Bump of Prior Lake High School is ranked No. 63 in the North American skater rankings by NHL Central Scouting.

Sweet 16: Top Minnesota prospects in this week's NHL draft

Three Minnesotans are in the top 20 North Americans in the rankings — and all of them have committed to play college hockey for the Gophers.
Wendell Moore Jr.

Welcome to the pack: Four new faces in Timberwolves' 2022 draft class

A closer look at the players and their stats.
Colorado shortstop Jose Iglesias is hitting .303.

Twins vs. Colorado preview: Rockies are struggling

Colorado is 30-40, coming off a sweep at the hands of Miami.
Wednesday's Twins-Seattle game recap

Wednesday's Twins-Seattle game recap

Ryan Jeffers had two hits and drove in the game's first run.
Tampa Bay first baseman Ji-Man Choi, left, and third baseman Yandy Diaz celebrated their three-game series sweep of St. Louis on Thursday.

Twins-Rays series preview: Tampa Bay among best MLB pitching

The Rays are challenging in the American League East despite being without a large number of injured pitchers.
Jose Berrios started his career with the Twins before they traded him to Toronto last year for prospects.

Twins preview: Toronto on tap as road trip continues

The Blue Jays are in second place in the powerful American League East.
Jorge Polanco

Series preview: Kansas City Royals at Twins

The teams are set to play four games at Target Field.
Devin Smeltzer will make his second start after allowing one run in five innings against Cleveland on Saturday.

Twins-Kansas City series preview: AL Central gantlet continues

The first-place Twins have a three-game lead over second-place Chicago, and play either Detroit or KC in their next 15 games.
Cleveland Guardians’ Josh Naylor celebrated his game-tying grand slam off Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks during the ninth inning Mon

Series preview: Cleveland visits Twins minus coaches in COVID protocol

Manager Terry Francona is among the group; still, slugger Josh Naylor will need attention
Game 5 recap: St. Louis 5, Wild 2

Game 5 recap: St. Louis 5, Wild 2

Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko had a natural hat trick in the third period, which started with the teams tied 2-2.
Alex Bregman celebrated after a home run Sunday as the Astros completed a 7-0 homestand.

Twins-Astros preview: Three-game series at Target Field

The teams have the same record, although the Twins are in first place in the AL Central and Houston is second in the AL West.
Josh Winder beat the Rays in Tampa by throwing six scoreless innings on Sunday.

Twins-Athletics game preview: Josh Winder shoots for second consecutive victory

The rookie righthander entered the rotation when Sonny Gray went on the injured list.
Joel Eriksson Ek of the Wild celebrated his first period goal Wednesday night at Xcel Energy Center.

Wednesday's Wild-St. Louis game recap

Kirill Kaprizov netted the Wild's first playoff hat trick in team history.
David Perron of the Blues celebrated his second goal on Monday night.

Game recap: St. Louis 4, Wild 0

The Blues had the edge in special teams and rolled past the host Wild in Game 1 of the NHL playoff series.
The last time the Wild and Blues played in the Twin Cities, it was outdoors at Target Field in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1. The teams have yet to pla

Playoff preview: Here's how the Wild and Blues match up

St. Louis won all three regular-season meetings between these two offensively gifted teams. But the Wild is favored in tonight's series opener at the X.
Miguel Cabrera celebrated after his 3,000th major league hit on Saturday in Detroit.

Twins-Tigers preview: Cabrera arrives after 3,000-hit milestone

A weekend sweep of the White Sox moved the Twins into first place in the American League Central.
The White Sox lost to the Guardians on Thursday afternoon.

Twins-White Sox preview: Twins pitchers are hot, hitters are not

The Twins are struggling at the plate, but their starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 2.80.
Royals third baseman Bobby Witt Jr. is expected to be one of baseball’s top rookies this season.

Twins-Royals preview: Three-game series at Kauffman Stadium

Kansas City snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday, and hasn't played since.
Tom McCarthy skated at TCF Bank Stadium in 2016 while 55 years old. The North Stars alumni were playing ex-Chicago Blackhawks players as part of the S

Former North Stars All-Star winger Tom McCarthy dies at 61

After his career ended, he served prison time but sought redemption by coaching and teaching young players.
Rafael Devers had 38 homers and 113 RBI last season for the Red Sox.

Twins-Red Sox preview: Minnesota arrives at Fenway with cold bats

The Twins are hitting only .181 after a 2-4 start at home to the 2022 season.
The Dodgers added first baseman Freddie Freeman as a free agent this offseason to a lineup that won 106 games a year ago.

Twins-L.A. Dodgers series preview: Two new Twins take the mound

Righthanders Chris Archer and Chris Paddack will get their first starts as Twins against the Dodgers' potent lineup.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers Monday, March

Urshela bats cleanup as Twins open against Cy Young winner Ray

Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa are batting 1-2 against 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, who pitched for Toronto last season. Gio Urshela, formerly of the Yankees, will hit clean-up against the Mariners.
The team in photos: Meet the 2022 Twins Opening Day roster

The team in photos: Meet the 2022 Twins Opening Day roster

Carlos Correa's spring training addition adds star power and makes the lineup more versatile. The starting rotation and bullpen have former All-Stars and fledglings.
Joe Ryan pitched against the Red Sox in a spring training game March 27 in Fort Myers, Fla. Ryan will start for the Twins on Friday in the regular-sea

What you need to know about the Twins' season opener

Check here for time, TV, ticket information and more.
Mitch Haniger had 39 home runs last season for Seattle.

Twins-Mariners preview: Cy Young winner Robbie Ray faces Joe Ryan

Seattle will unveil one of baseball's top prospects as well when 21-year-old outfielder Julio Rodriguez debuts.
Jose Abreu, the AL MVP in 2020, is only one of the dangerous hitters in the Chicago White Sox’s lineup.

Challengers improve, but White Sox are still class of A.L. Central

Chicago was 93-69 last season, even though outfielders Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez missed much of the year because of injuries. Their return adds to an already potent lineup.
Twins 2022 rotation. (Clockwise from top left): Sonny Gray, Bailey Ober, Dylan Bundy, Chris Archers and Joe Ryan.

100% different: Meet the Twins' all-new starting rotation

The team will open the season with five different starting pitchers than it did to start the 2021 season. Here's what you need to know about them.
Lefthander Julio Urias led the talented Dodgers pitching staff with a 20-3 record and a 2.96 ERA last season.

National League power rankings: Dodgers on top, Braves looming

The Dodgers won 106 games but not the World Series. They're gearing up for another shot at it.
Teoscar Hernandez celebrated with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, and Bo Bichette after homering last season.

American League power rankings: Toronto added pitching to its hitting

The Chicago White Sox won the AL Central by 13 games last season, withstanding several key injuries. They're poised to do it again.
Patrick Beverley is probably for the Wolves matchup with Washington on Tuesday.

Timberwolves gameday: There's still a chance to move out of the play-in tournament

Minnesota has three games remaining, but will need Utah or Denver to fall apart.
Clockwise from left: Gary Sanchez, Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa. Star Tribune and AP photos

A winning season? Here are five keys to the Twins' success

From pitching to catching, from Byron Buxton to Carlos Correa, here are five factors that will help determine whether 2022 is a good year for the Twins.
Wolves guard Malik Beasley celebrated after Friday’s victory over the Nuggets.

Timberwolves gameday: Game at Houston step in quest for sixth seed

Catching Denver to avoid the play-in tournament is a long shot, but ... there's still a chance.
Gio Urshela

A look at the top Twins newcomers for 2022

Gary Sanchez is not alone. Several other prominent players joined the Twins this year.
Denver center Nikola Jokic drove against Indiana’s Justin Anderson on Wednesday during the visiting Nuggets’ victory.

Wolves facing must-win vs. Denver to avoid Western Conference play-in

Denver is three games ahead of the seventh-seeded Wolves entering Friday's game in the Mile High City.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

Wolves-Celtics game preview: Building momentum for a playoff spot

The Wolves will look to start another win streak against a Celtics team fighting for top seed in the East.
LeBron James drove to the basket during the Lakers’ loss Sunday in Phoenix.

Lakers come to Target Center with 10-game losing streak on the road

LeBron James is the first player in NBA history with 30,000 points, 10,000 assists and 10,000 rebounds.
Karl-Anthony Towns blew a kiss after hitting a three-pointer for 60 points.

Wolves-San Antonio game recap

A quick look at Monday's record-setting performance.