SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers reserve center Yang Hansen walked off the court on his own after a scary collision and head injury midway through the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
Hansen scrambled for a loose ball under the Blazers' basket with 6:55 remaining and was trying to pass it out when Golden State's Will Richard made contact to the back of Hansen's head with his knee.
The Chinese big man was down grasping the back of his head for several minutes. His interpreter and medical staff rushed out to check on him and Hansen eventually was able to stand up and was escorted to the locker room. He then returned to the bench about 90 seconds later and played again.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen, front right, dives for the ball against Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)
Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen holds the net during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild have clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs, giving them another chance to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2015.
The Wild earned a bid 75 games in after clinching last year in the 82nd and final game of the regular season. They beat league-worst Vancouver 5-2 on Thursday night to get in.
Minnesota was eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round last year, ending coach John Hynes’ debut season.
The Wild failed to advance in seven postseason appearances between 2016 and 2023. Their deepest run in the playoffs was a trip to the conference finals in 2003 in the franchise’s third year of existence.
The Minnesota North Stars lost in the 1981 and 1991 Stanley Cup Final. They relocated to Dallas in 1993, becoming the Stars, and hoisted the Cup in 1999.
The Wild proved their commitment to contending this season by signing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract extension — the richest deal in league history. The star winger has a team-high 83 points.
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson has won twice as many games as he’s lost while giving up a little more than 2 1/2 goals per game.
Minnesota has the league’s longest active streak of consecutive winning seasons at 14.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) shoots the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson defends his net against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman celebrates after his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
