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Web3 Leaders Gather in Toronto for Canada Crypto Week

Investing 3 Mins Read

From May 11 to 17, world leaders in blockchain will gather in Toronto for Canada Crypto Week, a series of events highlighting the evolution of digital finance and the Web3 economy.

In focus this year are deep dives into pressing topics like regulation, tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi), the future of Web3 infrastructure and how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the crypto landscape.

Also on the agenda is Canada’s growing role in the global crypto conversation.

These events will feature keynote speakers, regulatory panels and technology presentations from industry leaders at the forefront of innovation. Be sure to follow our updates this week as they unfold.

What to expect at Blockchain Futurist and Consensus

The Blockchain Futurist Conference will kick off with a virtual welcome from TRON founder Justin Sun and a panel on global Web3 regulation, with representatives from the Digital Chamber and Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

The morning agenda includes a presentation on tokenization by IHodlLife founder CEO Tristan Schroeder, and a fireside chat about Canada’s stablecoin landscape. In addition, Ethereum co-founder and Decentral founder Anthony Di Iorio will deliver a keynote address on the blockchain industry’s evolution.

Morning sessions at the Blockchain Futurist Conference will also cover security in crypto exchanges, token utility and Canadian regulatory perspectives, featuring representatives from Kraken and Convoy Finance.

Consensus, CoinDesk’s flagship blockchain and Web3 conference, will feature over 500 speakers, including notable figures such as Kevin O’Leary, Dave Portnoy and Coinbase Canada CEO Lucas Matheson.

Attendees can expect a diverse range of programming across multiple stages, covering topics like Bitcoin mining, AI integration and digital asset wealth management.

The conference will also host the CoinDesk PitchFest, showcasing early stage Web3 startups, and provide ample networking opportunities for professionals in the crypto and blockchain industries.

Key Canada Crypto Week topics

For investors, Canada Crypto Week is a snapshot of where the industry is headed and where opportunities may lie.

With regulators, entrepreneurs and developers sharing various stages, the events offer rare insight into how the rules, tools and infrastructure of tomorrow are being shaped today.

As institutional interest in crypto grows and traditional finance increasingly integrates blockchain solutions, conferences like these are becoming valuable barometers of market sentiment and direction.

Here are a few topics that will be highlighted:

1. Regulation

From both a domestic and international lens, regulation will be a central theme. Canada’s evolving approach of balancing innovation with consumer protection will be explored in depth.

2. Tokenization

As tokenization gains traction in everything from real estate to traditional securities, this year’s presentations will spotlight its practical applications and the tech needed to support mainstream adoption.

3. The Future of Web3

Blockchain Futurist will bring builders together to discuss what’s next for the decentralized internet, covering everything from scalability to mass adoption hurdles.

Stay tuned for our coverage

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

John Feneck: Key Gold, Silver Price Levels, 10+ Mining Stocks I’m Watching

Investing 1 Min Read

John Feneck, portfolio manager and consultant at Feneck Consulting, shares his updated outlook for gold and silver prices, outlining key support and resistance levels.

He also discusses precious metals and critical minerals stocks that he’s watching.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Rae Copper Project delivers further high-grade mineralisation with 63m @ 2.23% Copper

Investing 3 Mins Read

White Cliff Minerals Limited (“WCN” or the “Company”) (ASX: WCN; OTCQB: WCMLF) is pleased to announce further assay results from the recent reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Company’s 100% owned Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada.

  • Further assays from Danvers confirm a shallow, high grade copper system that remains open at depth and along strike
  • Drilling continues to prove, previously unknown and untested, extensions to high grade mineralisation
  • Highlights from DAN25002:
    • 63m @ 2.23% Cu & 7.1g/t silver (Ag) from 9.14m, including a high-grade intercept of 15m @ 5% Cu & 16.9g/t Ag from 18.29m
  • DAN25004 returned two significant copper intervals:
    • 38m @ 1% Cu & 1.89g/t Ag from 7.62m, and
    • 72m @ 1.08% Cu & 4.22g/t Ag from 62.48m, including a high-grade intercept of 14m @ 2.32% Cu from 106.68m
  • Pre collar drilling at Hulk is complete, ready for an upcoming diamond drilling campaign
  • The Company is advancing discussions with its contracting partners to undertake targeted airborne geophysical surveys at Danvers across the 9.1km target fault zone and to also utilise the proven down hole electromagnetic survey across the broader Rae project which will support and help target these future campaigns
  • Further assays to come pending release from the laboratory

“Assays from Rae continue to exceed expectations: 175m @ 2.5% Cu, 58m @ 3.08% Cu, 52m @ 1.16% Cu and now further significant intercepts of 63m @ 2.23% Cu and 72m @ 1.08%. These high-grade intercepts from surface are rare in the exploration world as explorers over recent times have had to go deeper and deeper to identify additional copper resources.

Being the first mover into this highly prospective location, after more than a decade of inactivity due to political constraints – securing the licences organically and now having undertaken our first drill program, positions us well both for future work programmes and facilitate further discoveries.

We are not surprised by the increased attention into the broader region by many players. Infrastructure enhancements at Yellowknife and increased activity along the north-west passage provide far easier access than in previous decades when the last serious exploration was undertaken.

More recently we have seen increased state and federal conversations around road and port infrastructure development in this area to support regional development. Logistics that will positively impact the Rae Project. Given the project area is less than 80km by road to the deep-water port of Kugluktuk, these results will surely focus the spotlight on the development opportunities and benefits to the local and regional stakeholders.

The Rae Project area has the potential to help meet the global production void through proper systematic assessment of this underexplored copper landholding and we continue to look forward to updating shareholders with the next round of results as they come to hand over the coming weeks.”

Troy Whittaker – Managing Director

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Murchison South Increases to 67koz Gold Across Two Pits

Investing 2 Mins Read

Reach Resources Limited (ASX: RR1 & RR1O) (“Reach” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of a new Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Pansy Pit deposit at its Murchison South Gold Project. The estimate, prepared by independent consultants Mining Plus, reported above a cut-off grade of 0.5g/t Au, confirms a near-surface inferred resource of 72kt @ 2.5g/t Au for 5,800 oz. This adds to the existing 61,300 oz gold resource at the nearby Blue Heaven deposit, bringing the total gold resource inventory at Murchison South to approximately 67,100 oz.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Pansy Pit: Mining Plus confirms Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Pansy Pit Deposit at Murchison South:
    From Surface 72kt @ 2.5g/t Au for 5,800 oz Gold (Table 1)
  • Blue Heaven and Pansy Pit MRE, together total ~67,100 oz Gold
  • Pansy Pit MRE is based solely on review by Mining Plus of historical drilling
  • Historical drilling was only to 60m, mineralisation open at depth and along strike north and south (Figure 2)
  • The Pansy Pit has the potential to be a shallow, open pit mining operation, with mineralisation observed from surface
  • The Pansy Pit sits within granted Mining lease M59/662 and is just over 2km from the Company’s Blue Heaven deposit and on the south side of the Great Northern Highway (Figure 3)
  • The Pansy Pit provides evidence of the expansion potential along the Primrose Fault, notably to the south at the Shamrock deposit and to the north at the Pansy North and Jacamar deposits (Figure 3)

The Pansy Pit MRE is shown in Table 1 on page 3.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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RUA GOLD Completes the Second Phase of Surface Exploration and Drill Targeting at the Glamorgan Project, New Zealand

Investing 13 Mins Read

Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA) (OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A4010V) (‘Rua Gold’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the completion of the second phase of surface exploration on its Glamorgan Project, an epithermal gold system in the Hauraki Goldfield, North Island, New Zealand.

The Hauraki Goldfield is a major epithermal gold province, with over 50 historic mines having produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. The Glamorgan Project lies adjacent to OceanaGold’s Wharekirauponga deposit, with Indicated Mineral Resources of 1.4Moz at 17.9 g/t Au and is scheduled to enter construction in the second half of 20251.

Highlights: 

  • The Company has completed its second phase of surface exploration, identified initial drill targets, and will submit its Access Agreement application at the end of May. 

  • Results indicate classic features of a major epithermal gold-silver system and are identical to the surface features of neighboring OceanaGold Project, Wharekirauponga. 

  • Four significant gold-arsenic soil anomalies trending north, north-east and north-northwest strike out individually over 4 kms in length. 

  • Rock chip samples containing up to 43 g/t Au highlight specific targets for evaluation, coincident with the intersection of two gold-arsenic soil anomalies. 

  • TerraSpec soil and clay mineralogy has identified a zonal clay distribution that reflects high-level epithermal alteration coincident with gold anomalism. 

  • Ground-based geophysics Controlled-source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT) has identified three major resistive structures coincident with surface alteration and gold mineralization. These resistive structures may represent pervasive silica-quartz at depth – key criteria for targeting the drilling within a major epithermal gold system. 

  • All of the above results are being uploaded to the VRIFY AI-platform, where geological modelling is starting to assist in the systematic identification and ranking of drill targets.

Simon Henderson, COO of Rua Gold, commented: ‘This comprehensive, district-wide surface work has provided valuable new information, highlighting not just one, but three significant zones of potential mineralization for drill testing. These targets will be included in the Access Agreement for drilling, which is scheduled for submission at the end of May 2025.

Following detailed surface geological mapping, comprehensive soil geochemistry, specialist clay mineralogy, ultra-high resolution UAV magnetics, and proven depth-penetrating CSAMT geophysics, three significant zones have emerged as high-potential targets for drill testing. High-grade rock chip samples further support the potential to discover a major epithermal gold-silver vein system.

Results from this inaugural district-wide program are now streaming in and are being compiled, reviewed and actively prioritized in partnership with the VRIFY AI-platform to confirm and prioritize the drill program. The exploration team is excited to advance to the drilling phase of this unique and prospective target area.’

Program Overview

Exploration activities – including extensive geological mapping, TerraSpec clay mineralogy, and ultra detailed magnetic and resistivity surveys – have focused on four major alteration cells that envelope these structures. These cells are directly associated with surface quartz veins, platy quartz after calcite, quartz-adularia minerals, and sinter-like textures, all indicative of the high levels of an epithermal gold-silver system.

The principle components of the surface work are detailed below.

Geological Mapping

Exploration in the first quarter of 2025 included the completion of geological mapping across the major drainages within the Glamorgan prospect, along with detailed examination of areas exhibiting intense alteration and mineralization identified in Stage 1. The Company also completed follow-up testing of the significant gold grades (8-43.1 g/t Au) previously reported in rock float and insitu rock samples (reported on January 25, 2025). Additional rock chip sampling (2-8 g/t Au) has identified key areas proximal to resistive zones and high-level clay alteration.

Figure 1: Geological map of the Glamorgan area.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/251889_b730bbc864e0bb2d_017full.jpg

TerraSpec Clay Mineralogy

A TerraSpec 4 High-Res portable spectrometer was used to analyze all soil and rock-chip samples, as well as available historical drill core. The hyperspectral reflectance data collected were interpreted using the cloud-based AI software program, aiSIRIS.

  • Anomaly A trends north-northwest for 4.2 kms with conjugate gold-arsenic trends extending in a northeast direction (Anomalies C and D). Montmorillonite clays mirror this anomaly, indicating strong structural control on fluid flow along this trend.

  • Anomaly B trends northerly, following north to northeasterly quartz veins mapped over 4 kms that remain open to the north and south. The southern end of this anomaly coincides with historical mine workings. This anomaly is highlighted by strong illite clay alteration enveloping quartz-calcite veins observed in mapping.

  • Anomalies C and D trend northeast, parallel to insitu quartz veining in the Phoenix Stream (Anomaly C), and silica-clay alteration along Wires Ridge (Anomaly D) (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Arsenic-Gold soil geochemistry with strong anomalies outlined.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/251889_b730bbc864e0bb2d_023full.jpg

Magnetics
Ultra detailed UAV magnetics flown by the Rua Gold team highlight strong alteration (de-magnetization of the host rocks) enveloping the four anomalies and demonstrating a major alteration cell indicative of a significant epithermal system.

Resistivity
A CSAMT survey was completed in February 2025 by the Rua Gold team. CSAMT is particularly effective at detecting ground resistivities to depths of several hundred meters, which can be interpreted to represent strong silicification and quartz veining when directly related to an area of intense alteration.

The survey identified several major, deep structures that align with features previously identified by UAV magnetics, gold-arsenic geochemistry anomalies, and mapped quartz veins, silicification and clay alteration (Figure 3).

Figure 3: CSAMT and IP resistivity results.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/251889_b730bbc864e0bb2d_028full.jpg

Glamorgan Exploration Overview

Following grant of a drone concessions in May 2024, and minimum impact exploration in July 2024, Rua Gold’s exploration commenced with UAV ultra detailed magnetic surveying completing 590-line kms of flying using Geometrics MagArrow magnetometer suspended under a DJI M300 drone. Interpretation of the data has assisted in defining key aspects of lithology and alteration of the Whitianga Group rhyolites, and Coromandel Group andesites. Major structural elements are interpreted in the data aligning with regional mineralization trends.

Soil sampling commenced in July 2024 sampling along 250m spaced crosslines with a sample spacing of 20m. 3181 samples were collected, dried, sieved in Rua Gold’s Waihi facility, then transported to Reefton for pXRF analysis. Each sample was also scanned using a TerraSpec 4 Hi-Res mineral analyzer to complete a picture of clay/alteration system enabling identification of the higher levels of the epithermal system. 50gms of soil was then freighted to ALS Brisbane for low-level precision gold assay. Arsenic anomalism with coincident gold anomalism highlights the four major soil anomalies A-D (Figure 2).

Anomaly A trends North north-west for 4.2 kms with conjugate gold-arsenic trends in a north-east direction. This anomaly remains open to the northeast. This north-east direction mirrors the orientation of the significant Wharekirauponga gold deposit 3 kms southeast of the Glamorgan permit.

Anomaly B trends northerly and follows north to northeasterly quartz veins mapped over 4 kms and open to the north and south. The southern end of this anomaly coincides with the Wentworth/Auckland historical mine workings.

Ultra detailed UAV magnetics flown by the Rua Gold team highlights strong alteration (de-magnetization of the host rocks) enveloping the two anomalies and demonstrating a major alteration cell indicative of the footprint of a major epithermal system.

Field mapping (ongoing) has highlighted broad alteration and veining in situ, and areas of quartz-adularia float displaying banded, platy quartz after calcite, and brecciated andesite with stockwork veining increasing toward the zones of interest. Rock sampling both float and in situ sampling has returned encouragingly anomalous gold (refer to Table 2 in the appendix below), coincident with the zones of high soil geochemistry.

Figure 4: Location map with soil geochemical heatmap over the Wires area

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/251889_b730bbc864e0bb2d_036full.jpg

ABOUT Rua Gold

Rua Gold is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, our team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across multiple continents. The team is now focused on maximizing the asset potential of Rua Gold’s two highly prospective high-grade gold projects.

The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand’s South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically produced over 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/t.

The Company’s Glamorgan Project solidifies Rua Gold’s position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand’s North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands’ Hauraki District, a region that has produced an impressive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation’s biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Rua Gold, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has participated in the geophysical, sampling, and mapping programs to verify that they have been conducted in accordance with the standard operating procedures. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed by running checks on the location, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.

QA/QC SOIL SAMPLES

A bulk sample of ~0.5-1 kg was collected in the field. Each sample was photographed in the field alongside the GPS with coordinates visible and each sample site marked in the field with biodegradable flagging tape. Samples were taken back to Rua Gold’s Waihi facility for preparation. Samples were dried in a customized incubator, set at 38°C, for a minimum of two days. Once the samples were fully dried, they were sieved to

The 50-100-g fine-sieved (Rua Gold’s Reefton facility for pXRF using an Olympus Vanta hand-held analyser, and then on to ALS Geochemistry, Brisbane, for Au-TL43 analysis. The ALS analysis consisted of 25-g sample digestion by aqua regia, followed by trace Au analysis by ICP-MS. The detection limit for Au by this method is 1ppb. ALS Brisbane is independent to Rua Gold.

Field duplicates were collected every 20th sample and underwent the same drying, sieving, pXRF, and gold assay process outlined above. Duplicates were checked and validated by Rua Gold’s Isogonal data validation system to ensure compliance.

QA/QC ROCK-CHIP SAMPLES

Rock-chip samples were collected in the field during routine mapping and soil sampling. The location of each sample was recorded in the field with a Garmin GPSMAP 66i and details of the samples recorded in a notebook or mapping application. Samples were photographed and sent to SGS Waihi for sample preparation. Sample information was entered into .csv files and uploaded to an SQL database.

Samples were crushed to 75% passing 2 mm (SGS code CRU75) and pulverised to 85% passing 75 µm (SGS code PUL85_CR). The pulverised rock-chips were split into two samples: a ~50 g sent for laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to Rua Gold for pXRF analysis and storage.

The 50 g sub-samples were analysed by AAS after fire assay at SGS Waihi (SGS code FAA505). Detection values for this method are 0.01-100 ppm Au.

SGS is independent to Rua Gold and its laboratories are accredited to applicable ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Rua Gold Contact

Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 604 655 7354
Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com
Website: www.RUAGOLD.com

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company’s strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to exploration programs at its Reefton project and the results thereof; and the Company’s acquisition of Reefton Resources Pty Limited. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavourable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s CSE Form 2A – Listing Statement filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.

This news release references projects near to the Glamorgan Project and historical production from certain areas of New Zealand. Mineralization on nearby projects is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Glamorgan Project. Historical production from the Reefton Gold District or the Hauraki District is not an necessarily an indication that significant production will be possible from the Glamorgan Project.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change

Table 1: Significant gold and arsenic assay results from soil samples.

Sample ID Easting_NZTM Northing_NZTM Au (ppm) As (ppm)
WR10019 1846387 5875239 0.66 1052
WR18022 1845455 5873468 0.28 15
WR14016 1845843 5874398 0.26 36
WR05107 1848533 5875462 0.26 367
WR07134 1848758 5874761 0.26 26
WR06119 1848620 5875127 0.22 487
WR15027 1845911 5874072 0.19 119
WR11057 1846925 5874648 0.18 398
WR10018 1846369 5875249 0.18 353
WR09143 1848669 5874237 0.17 241
WR04109 1848691 5875660 0.14 1391
WR10019 1846387 5875239 0.66 1052
WR04111 1848726 5875641 0.06 954
WR04110 1848709 5875650 0.05 922
WR01116 1849182 5876244 0.10 896
WR16124 1847478 5872900 0.05 877
WR15118 1847496 5873177 0.12 857
WR11048 1846769 5874736 0.03 784
WR10033 1846630 5875102 0.06 772
WR15149 1848036 5872872 0.02 607

 

Table 2: Significant assay results from rock-chip samples.

Sample ID Location Type Easting_NZTM Northing_NZTM Au (ppm)
GERS1666 Sutcliff Stream Float 1847056 5874959 8.25
GERS1669 Sutcliff Stream Float 1847092 5875111 7.15
GERS1661 Sutcliff Stream Float 1846787 5874763 4.37
GERS1663 Sutcliff Stream Float 1846916 5874785 3.95
GERS1667 Sutcliff Stream Float 1847113 5875120 2.46

 

1 See OceanaGold’s news release dated February 19, 2025, for more information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/251889

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Sport

Donovan Mitchell injury update: Cavaliers star questionable for Game 5

Sport 2 Mins Read

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is questionable for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers (7 p.m. ET, TNT) with a sprained left ankle and will be a game-time decision.

Mitchell did not play in the second half of Indiana’s 129-109 blowout victory in Game 4 on Sunday.

The Pacers lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series 3-1 and can close out the series in Game 5. Indiana is trying to reach the conference finals for the second consecutive season. Cleveland is the No. 1 seed in the East after posting a 64-18 mark.

Mitchell told reporters after Game 4 that he would be ready for the next game, but that’s a decision that will be made in conjunction with the team’s medical and training staff. He had an MRI on Monday and was listed on the injury report later in the day

Mitchell has had terrific games in the playoffs, scoring at least 30 points in five games, including 48 and 43 points in consecutive games against the Pacers. However, injuries have devastated the Cavs in this series. Key players Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter have missed games due to injuries.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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NBA fan reaction to draft lottery: Tin foil hats out in full force

Sport 2 Mins Read

Lottery luck or shady backroom dealing?

When it comes to the NBA draft lottery, opinions are all over the spectrum. The 2025 NBA Draft is all about Duke star Cooper Flagg, who is the crown jewel of the class.

The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and many more were hoping for the chance to alter the course of their franchise if the lottery went that way.

Instead, the tinfoil hats were out in full force moments after the Dallas Mavericks were given the honor to make the first selection June’s draft.

The NBA has been using a lottery format to determine their draft order since it was installed in 1985. Ahead of the 2019 lottery, the format was changed to the odds system in the hopes that it would discourage tanking. In a way, it has done the exact opposite.

This year’s lottery was filled with many non-competitive teams that chose to ‘load manage’ their way through a season with the idea that it would give them a few extra percentage points. None of them, much like last year when the Atlanta Hawks won, will pick at No. 1.

In fact, the team with the worst record has yet to make the first selection since the format changed.

Just months after dealing Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most controversial trades in NBA history, Dallas took advantage of its 1.8% odds to bring Flagg to the Lone Star State. In other words, you’re saying there’s a chance.

Bottom line, fans were not pleased with the outcome and didn’t waste time in sharing those thoughts on social media. Here’s a look at the reaction.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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Fact check: Did Travis Hunter graduate from CU? It’s complicated.

Sport 4 Mins Read

Numerous news media outlets reported that Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter had graduated from the University of Colorado on May 8, citing social media posts from CU that showed him attending the graduation ceremony and saying he “GOT THAT DEGREE!”

Another CU football post showed Hunter in a video saying he “graduated in three years.”

What actually happened is a little more complicated. He is not scheduled to graduate until December after applying to graduate in fall 2025, according to an athletics department spokesman.

He attended the May 8 graduation ceremony in Boulder anyway to be able to experience it now, before he begins his pro football career as the No. 2 overall draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the school.

“Travis walked in (the May 8) commencement ceremony and will graduate with a degree in anthropology in December 2025,” said Steve Hurlbert, the athletics department spokesman. “He’s likely to be a little busy that time of year and he really wanted to experience all the pomp and circumstance.”

Hurlbert also noted Hunter has a 3.9 grade-point average.

How common is ‘walking early’ before graduation?

It is not that unusual. It’s allowed at other schools, too, for different reasons, such as wanting to participate in the graduation ceremony with your friends even if you need to complete a few more classes to get your degree.

Actually graduating is still different than attending the commencement ceremony because it requires students to meet all their degree requirements. At CU, students are required to apply to graduate for the semester in which they’ll “officially and successfully” complete all requirements for the degrees and majors they’re pursuing, according to the university website.

In Hunter’s case, Hurlbert said he applied to graduate in the fall of 2025, which ends in December. It’s not clear what requirements Hunter has left to complete. Hurlbert declined to say, citing privacy law covering academic records. A message seeking comment from Hunter through his agent was not returned.

This explains why Hunter was not listed among the thousands of degree candidates in the CU commencement program for May 8 even though he attended the ceremony.

“CU had 67 student-athletes graduate last week and 103 student-athletes walked in the ceremony, so it’s not unusual at all for student-athletes who have graduated last winter or will graduate in August or next December to participate in spring commencement because it’s such a great experience,” Hurlbert said.

Why did CU’s social media indicate he got his degree?

The posts from CU football’s social accounts led to widespread reports that Hunter had in fact graduated, including the post that said he “GOT THAT DEGREE!” It showed Hunter in graduation attire with friends saying, “Boys out here graduating man.”

“It was just a social media staffer who didn’t know that (Hunter) was just walking” in the ceremony, Hurlbert said.

Hunter himself seemed to confirm it in another CU post when he said he had “graduated in three years.”

That would be approximate if he only has a small amount of degree requirements to complete. He enrolled at Jackson State in January 2022 after graduating high school, according to The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. He transferred to Colorado in January 2023 after head coach Deion Sanders made the same move.

After previously being listed as a psychology major at CU, he chose to major in anthropology, the study of humanity. In January, he was named the Division I Academic All-American Team Member of the Year.

“I’m an anthropology major, and I really enjoy learning about different cultures and how they interact with one another,” Hunter said in an email interview with USA TODAY Sports last year. “Being able to learn about these cultures and skills is incredibly beneficial to me even when playing football. I have the opportunity to learn the importance of accepting and interacting with other people and playing with other people despite their cultural or ethnic makeup.”

Shilo Sanders earns master’s degree from Colorado

Among the 67 student-athletes who graduated in May, the university said Deion Sanders’ safety son, Shilo Sanders, earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership after previously earning an undergraduate degree at Jackson State. He is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

Sanders’ youngest son, Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado quarterback, said on his YouTube show in January that he hoped to graduate at the end of the past semester in May. He was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL draft in April. The university said he is on track to graduate later this year but has not applied for graduation yet.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

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Monday was a bad night for Washington, DC sports

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Monday was not the best day to be a Washington, D.C. sports fan.

The city got bad news after bad news Monday night as three of its professional teams got dealt a bad hand and suffered major losses.

It started just after 7 p.m. ET in the NBA draft lottery. It was another painful season for Wizards fans after they went 18-64 during the 2024-25 season, just a slight improvement from the 15-win season before. With the second-worst record in the NBA, it was with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets for the best odds to get the top pick in the draft. Get the first overall pick, and the Wizards could select Cooper Flagg and change the course of its franchise.

That didn’t happen. The Wizards were guaranteed a top six pick, and they ended up with the sixth selection in the 2025 draft. The worst possible outcome coming to fruition as the Dallas Mavericks won the Flagg sweepstakes.

A few hours later, the Nationals pulled off a ninth inning comeback on the road against the Atlanta Braves to tie it 3-3. But in the bottom of the ninth, Alex Verdugo hit a RBI single to bring in Eli White and walk it off for the Braves. Now the Nationals are 17-25 and on a six-game losing streak.

The Nationals’ loss came as the Carolina Hurricanes were putting the finished touches on a 5-2 win over the Capitals in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Carolina now has a commanding 3-1 lead over the top seed in the conference, putting the Capitals’ stellar season on the brink of ending.

A day to forget in the nation’s capital.

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Hurricanes, Oilers take commanding leads with Game 4 wins

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The Carolina Hurricanes are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference final thanks to a 5-2 victory Monday over the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of their second-round series.

The Edmonton Oilers also took a 3-1 lead in their series with a 3-0 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sean Walker had a goal and an assist, the first two postseason points for the veteran defenseman, as did forward Taylor Hall. Shayne Gostisbehere, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes, who can punch their ticket by winning Game 5 Thursday in Washington. Frederik Andersen stopped 19 shots in the win.

Jakob Chychrun had a goal and an assist and Alex Ovechkin scored as the comeback attempt by the Capitals fell short. Logan Thompson made 32 saves.

Washington had pulled to within 3-2, but Carolina went back up by two goals when Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin’s stick got stuck in the boards.

Carolina took the early lead with Gostisbehere netting the first first-period goal of the series. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who assisted on the goal with Eric Robinson, screened Thompson on the shot with 9:36 left.

The Capitals had chances in the first period to tie the game as Carolina racked up six penalty minutes. That included a high-sticking double minor on Jordan Martinook with 3:36 left. However, Carolina’s league-best penalty killing unit in the postseason allowed the Capitals just one shot on goal while they had the advantage.

Moments after Martinook left the penalty box, Jarvis upped the Hurricanes’ lead by being in the right place at the right time just 65 seconds into the second period, pouncing on a rebound off Sebastian Aho’s shot that glanced off Thompson and the crossbar.

Washington finally found a way past Andersen when Chychrun scored on a one-timer from Matt Roy with 14:42 left in regulation. However, the Hurricanes recovered their two-goal advantage three minutes later when Jack Roslovicsprung Hall for a breakaway.

Ovechkin broke his three-game goalless streak by scoring on a 5-on-3 power play with 7:36 left. The Capitals had 1:43 remaining on the power play but could not tie the game.

Walker made it 4-2 with 3:15 left. Svechnikov’s empty-netter 54 seconds later sealed the victory.

Oilers shut out Golden Knights for 3-1 series lead

Adam Henrique scored twice to put the Oilers one win away from advancing to the conference final for the third time in four seasons. Edmonton, up will try to wrap up the series on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner made 23 saves to pick up his first win of this year’s playoffs. Skinner, who began the playoffs as the starter but struggled and lost the job, returned to the net for the past two games with Calvin Pickard injured. He posted his second career playoff shutout.

Goalie Adin Hill stopped 29 shots for the Golden Knights, who failed to build on their last-second Game 3 victory.

Henrique opened the scoring 87 seconds into the game by burying an open chance from the slot after Connor Brown won a board battle behind the Vegas net and sent a puck to him.

The Oilers controlled the bulk of the play in the opening period and went up 2-0 at 13:03 of the period when Henrique slipped home a loose puck during a scramble. Hill went after Evander Kane, who collided with him after the goal.

Kane extended Edmonton’s lead at 7:38 of the second period when he slid a shot through Hill’s legs as he drove down the wing on an odd-man rush.

Connor McDavid earned an assist on the goal, running his point-scoring streak to eight games.

During the first period, the first fight of the playoffs took place between Edmonton’s Trent Frederic and Vegas’ Nicolas Hague.

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