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NEW DELHI — Vaibhav Suryavanshi was touted as Indian cricket's next superstar on Tuesday after the 14-year-old's IPL century off 35 balls shattered batting records.

Left-handed opener Suryavanshi became the youngest player to hit a Twenty20 hundred in Rajasthan Royals' thumping eight-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Monday.

"It is like a dream," the teenager said.

In only his third Indian Premier League(IPL) match, he scored the second-fastest century in competition history, second only to Chris Gayle's 30-ball ton in 2013.

Nicknamed "Boss Baby", Suryavanshi has drawn instant comparisons with West Indies great Gayle, who styled himself as the "Universe Boss".

Suryavanshi, who made headlines when bought by Rajasthan for $130,500 after a bidding war at the November auction when aged 13, has been fearless in the face of seasoned opponents.

He announced himself on debut earlier this month by launching his first ball in the IPL for six off experienced India pace bowler Shardul Thakur on his way to a quickfire 34 off 20 balls.

Nine days later in Jaipur, Suryavanshi destroyed a bowling attack comprising India's Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma and Washington Sundar, shredding reputations as he hit 94 of his 101 runs in boundaries -- 11 sixes and seven fours.

'Carnage'

"Vaibhav's fearless approach, bat speed, picking the length early and transferring the energy behind the ball was the recipe behind a fabulous innings," India cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar wrote on social media.

Suryavanshi took 28 in one over off veteran quick Sharma on his way to a 17-ball fifty.

He then gave Afghanistan pace bowler Karim Janat a debut to forget, blasting 30 runs -- three sixes and three fours -- off his first IPL over.

Rajasthan head coach Rahul Dravid, who has a broken leg, still managed to get out of his wheelchair to celebrate when Suryavanshi hit a six off Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan to bring up his century.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" former Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch posted on social media.

"What a talent!"

India's 1983 World Cup-winning batsman Kris Srikkanth lauded the teenager's "composure, class and courage" beyond his years, adding: "Indian cricket's next superstar is here."

India's T20 skipper and Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav said it had been "carnage of an innings" and "absolutely insane!"

Suryavanshi, who can also bowl spin, comes from India's poorest state, Bihar.

On Tuesday, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced a cash prize of 1 million rupees ($11,700) for the budding batsman.

"I wish that Vaibhav creates new records for the Indian team in the future and brings glory to the country," Kumar said in a social media post.

Suryavanshi made his domestic debut aged only 12 in the Ranji Trophy in January 2024, then was selected for India's under-19 squad against a touring Australia team.

He promptly hit a 58-ball century -- the second fastest ton in youth Tests after England's Moeen Ali in 2005.

After the game on Monday night, Suryavanshi, who comes from a modest family, credited his success to his parents.

"Whatever I am today, I owe it to my parents," he said in a video posted on the official IPL handle on X.

"My mother used to wake up early because I had to go to practise, and she used to prepare food for me. She would sleep for only three hours. My father left his work for me."

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool demolished Tottenham 5-1 to clinch the Premier League title at an impassioned Anfield on Sunday, sealing a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown.

Arne Slot's men stormed back after conceding a surprise early goal to dominate the match, feeding off the crackling energy from the 60,000-plus crowd.

Liverpool, who can no longer be caught by second-placed Arsenal, are now level with bitter rivals Manchester United as the joint-most successful club in English top-flight history.

It is just their second title of the Premier League era and the first they have celebrated in front of fans since 1990 -- their 2020 triumph came at a near-empty stadium due to Covid restrictions.

Slot, who is in his first season in English football, said he had built on solid foundations left by Jurgen Klopp, who departed last year after a successful nine-year reign.

"Almost the whole season we were on the top of the league and had a team that could win it," he told Sky Sports.

"We know how tough the Premier League is, but we always had the belief we could win it.

"The work Jurgen [Klopp] and [assistant] Pep [Lijnders] left, the culture, work-rate, quality, was outstanding. We started [the season] really well and maybe it helped that [Manchester] City had a difficult spell that they have not had in five years.

"When the season started we would have been happy with top four. But I don't think that is fair on the players as they are much better than that and they have shown it this season."

Slot's men started on the front foot at an expectant Anfield after a stirring rendition of club anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" in the warm spring sunshine, but they were rocked by an early goal from Tottenham's Dominic Solanke.

However, Liverpool barely blinked and roared back with a Luis Diaz tap-in and a screamer from Alexis Mac Allister.

Now the party was well and truly started and Cody Gakpo made it 3-1, slamming a shot into the bottom corner after a much-changed Spurs team failed to clear.

The Liverpool fans ran through their full repertoire of songs as their team pushed for a fourth goal in the second half.

Salah selfie

Top-scorer Mohamed Salah scored the goal the crowd craved, collecting Dominik Szoboszlai's pass before cutting in and blasting his shot into the bottom corner.

He celebrated by grabbing a fan's phone before taking a selfie in front of the Kop.

Deafening cheers of "We're going to win the league" and "We shall not be moved" rang out.

Liverpool had a fifth when Spurs defender Destiny Udogie poked the ball past his own goalkeeper from close range with 21 minutes to go.

As the game went into added time the club's anthem rang out again as scarves were held aloft and the final whistle elicited a thunderous roar.

The win leaves Liverpool on 82 points, 15 clear of nearest challengers Arsenal with just four games remaining.

Tottenham are a miserable 16th in the Premier League table after their 19th defeat of the season, putting manager Ange Postecoglou under enormous pressure.

Tens of thousands of fans swarmed around Anfield in the build-up to kick-off in anticipation of Liverpool's coronation, setting off flares as the home team bus arrived.

Flags and scarves saying "Liverpool 20-time Champions" were on sale from stalls outside the ground.

At the start of the campaign, Pep Guardiola's City were favourites to extend their dynastic Premier League reign and make it five titles in a row but their form collapsed.

Arsenal emerged as Liverpool's closest challengers but they drew too many games, failing to take advantage of the rare slip-ups from Slot's team.

It was feared the club's players would need time to adapt to the methods of Slot but the former Feyenoord boss has sailed serenely through the season despite relentless speculation over the futures of three of his biggest stars -- Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Both Salah and Van Dijk have now signed two-year extensions, though England defender Alexander-Arnold is believed likely to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.

"A lot of emotions before the game, during the whole week, but we got the job done and we are truly deserved champions of England," said Van Dijk.

"The most beautiful club in the world and I think we deserve all of this."

AMMAN — The Jordanian Pro League title race is heading for a dramatic conclusion after both Wihdat and Hussein Irbid claimed crucial wins in the penultimate round, setting the stage for a thrilling final day.

Wihdat kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Jazeera at Amman International Stadium. Despite conceding an early goal, the Green Giants responded with determination. Ibrahim Sabra leveled the score before Ousseynou Gueye netted the winner midway through the second half, sending Wihdat’s passionate supporters into celebrations. The result ensured Wihdat remained top of the standings with 51 points.

Later in the evening, Hussein Irbid showed they were not ready to surrender. They demolished Shabab Al Aqaba 6-0 at Al Hassan Stadium, a performance full of attacking flair that kept them just one point behind the leaders.

The standings now see Wihdat leading with 51 points, while Hussein Irbid follow closely with 50. 

A win for Wihdat will seal their 18th league title. A draw could also be enough, provided Hussein Irbid do not win their match.

For title holder's Hussein Irbid, who are seeking their second league championship, victory is essential but they must also rely on Wihdat dropping points to complete a dramatic turnaround.

Looking ahead to next week’s decisive matches, Wihdat will face Ramtha, the same side that held Hussein Irbid to a 1-1 draw just two rounds ago. Meanwhile, Hussein Irbid will go up against Shabab Al Urdon, a team that recently frustrated Wihdat with a surprising 1-1 draw.

Both matches will kick off simultaneously next week to ensure a fair and thrilling end to the season.

AMMAN — Barcelona lifted their 32nd Copa del Rey title after edging past Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling final at The Olímpico de la Cartuja stadium. Jules Kounde scored the decisive goal in extra-time, capping a dramatic night where three Madrid players were sent off after the final whistle.

The build-up to the match was overshadowed by controversy, as Real Madrid launched a formal complaint regarding the appointment of referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. Tensions were already high before kick-off, setting the stage for what would become a fiercely contested Clasico decided only after extra-time.

Flick’s side were dominant throughout the first half, dictating the pace and creating several clear chances. Their persistence paid off in the 28th minute when Pedri struck a superb shot from outside the box into the top corner, giving Barca a deserved lead. Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, struggled to impose themselves early on and failed to register a single shot on target before the interval.

Madrid, however, emerged revitalised in the second half, bolstered by the introduction of Kylian Mbappe, returning from injury. Mbappe made an immediate impact, curling a free-kick past Szczesny in the 70th minute to level the score. Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni headed home from a precise Arda Guler corner, turning the game on its head.

Barcelona refused to be disheartened and found their equaliser late on. A mistake from Thibaut Courtois gifted Ferran Torres a simple finish in the 84th minute, sending the contest into extra time. Ferran’s goal also secured his status as the competition’s top scorer with six goals.

In the dying moments of normal time, the drama heightened when referee De Burgos awarded Barcelona a penalty after Raphinha was brought down in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, sparking furious reactions from the Barcelona bench.

The extra period was tense, but it was Barcelona who seized the opportunity. In the 116th minute, a misplaced pass from Luka Modric was intercepted, allowing Kounde to fire past Courtois and seal the victory.

Following the final whistle, tempers boiled over among the Madrid players, resulting in three red cards. It was a chaotic end to a fiercely contested Clasico.

After the match, Ancelotti reflected on Madrid performance, saying, “The first half was difficult; they had more possession and created chances. We improved after the break and did what we needed to do.” Meanwhile, Flick praised his side’s resilience: “This team never gives up. We are all extremely proud of their performance tonight.”

The win marks Barcelona’s third victory over Real Madrid this season across all competitions and keeps momentum high under new boss Hansi Flick. It also reinforces Barca’s reputation in the Copa del Rey, extending their record number of titles.

Seville, Spain, April 25, 2025 — Real Madrid lashed out at the Copa del Rey final referees on the eve of Saturday's match, labelling complaints about pressure from the club's television channel "unacceptable" and boycotting all planned pre-match activities in protest.

"These statements... made in a premeditated manner 24 hours before the final against one of the participants, demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees towards Real Madrid," said Los Blancos in a statement.

Real Madrid refused to take part in the usual press conference, the open training in front of media, the traditional presidents' dinner and a pre-match photo-call.

Spanish media reported Madrid were considering boycotting the final itself if the referees were not changed, but the reigning La Liga champions released another statement denying that.

"Our team has never considered not playing in tomorrow's final," said Madrid.

This week, the club's television channel aired a new video attacking the referee for the final at La Cartuja in Seville, something they have done to various officials this season.

The main match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, welled up when speaking earlier Friday about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV over the past few months.

"Real Madrid considers the public statements made by the Copa del Rey final referees unacceptable," said the club in their initial statement.

Madrid took particular issue with the final's VAR referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes suggesting referees were "united" and looking to take collective action against the pressure they had received from Real Madrid TV.

Madrid said his words had "a threatening tone" and suggested action would be taken that was "far removed from the principles of fairness, objectivity and impartiality" necessary for the final.

"In view of the seriousness of what has happened, Real Madrid hopes that those in charge of the RFEF and the refereeing profession will act accordingly, adopting the relevant measures in defence of the prestige of the institutions they represent," added Madrid.

Los Blancos published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was "rigged" and "completely discredited".

Real Madrid have form when it comes to boycotts: in October they stayed away from the Ballon d'Or ceremony because their winger Vinicius Junior was not named the best player in the world.

"Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected," the club said at the time.

- 'It's totally messed up' -

De Burgos Bengoetxea had spoken about the effect criticism from Real Madrid's television channel was having on his family life.

"When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a 'thief' and comes home crying, it's totally messed up," De Burgos Bengoetxea told a news conference.

"What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson," he continued, becoming emotional.

Wiping away tears, the 39-year-old called for deeper thought on the issue of referee abuse.

"Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football," he added.

Gonzalez Fuertes had suggested officials could take further action over Real Madrid TV's broadcasts in the coming weeks.

"Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking," said Gonzalez Fuertes.

"We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, you will hear from us.

"We are going to make history, because we are not going to continue to bear what we are putting up with."

Madrid's behaviour drew ire from La Liga chief Javier Tebas.

"This is not football, this is about control of power," said Tebas.

"(Madrid) leaks that they will not turn up at the cup final, what thin skin... they don't want to improve football, they want their own football."

LONDON — Jamie Vardy will leave former Premier League champions Leicester at the end of the season, the relegated club announced on Thursday, describing the lightning-quick forward as their "greatest-ever player".

The talismanic striker, a key member of the side that lifted the English league title against seemingly impossible odds in 2016, vowed to continue playing even at the age of 38.

The former England international joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood for just £1 million ($1.3 million) and has scored 198 goals in nearly 500 appearances.

The club captain is Leicester's record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals.

He scored 24 times in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of the greatest shocks in football history.

Vardy was also part of Leicester's 2021 FA Cup-winning side, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.

"We can confirm legendary striker Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 seasons that have seen him become our greatest-ever player," the club said in a statement.

"Jamie is unique," said chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. "He is a special player and an even more special person."

'Devastated'

Vardy said he was "devastated" to be leaving the Foxes but the timing was right.

"To the fans of Leicester, I'm gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually," he said in a video message to fans.

"I've spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs."

Vardy, who has scored seven goals in 31 league appearances this season, gave a scathing assessment of Leicester's campaign after relegation was confirmed on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool.

"This season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment", he said in a social media post. "It hurts."

Ruud van Nistelrooy's side are 19th in the table, having collected just 18 points from their 33 matches and are heading back to the Championship after just one season back in the top division

Vardy, the last remaining player from Leicester's 2016 title success still at the King Power Stadium, enjoyed a fairytale rise from the fifth tier of English football to the very top.

He played his part in the club's astonishing escape in the 2014/15 season, when they won seven of their last nine games to escape relegation.

The following season his goals were a major factor in the club's 5,000-1 title charge under Claudio Ranieri -- he scored in a record 11 consecutive Premier League fixtures.

His time at the King Power was also marked by tragedy when five people, including chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, were killed in a helicopter crash just outside the stadium in October 2018.

"Nine years ago, we did the impossible, we won the Premier League," Vardy said in a video on his social media channels. "We then went on to win the FA Cup -- that was for you, Vichai.

"We reached the Champions League quarter-finals. Before that, we pulled off the great escape."

He added: "My one regret -- and I'm devastated about this -- is that I'm not saying farewell to you on the back of a much better season. This isn't the way I wanted my career here to finish.

"Finally, this isn't retirement. I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy most, scoring goals.

Leicester, who play Wolves on Saturday, have five games left this season.

Van Nistelrooy said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he had had a "special conversation" with Leicester's outgoing star.

"He came to my office and told me what he had decided," said the Dutchman. "After that, we spoke for 45 minutes on many things. It was a great conversation, from person to person, from a former striker to a striker and a manager to player

"It was impressive like his career. His love for the football club comes through in every word he says."

LOS ANGELES, United States — Luka Doncic scored 31 points and LeBron James added 21 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 to level their NBA Western Conference play-off series at one game apiece on Tuesday

Slovenian star Doncic, acquired in a blockbuster February trade, also had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who led by as many as 22 and held on late in a bruising clash at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers bounced back from a blowout loss on their home floor, while elsewhere the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder seized 2-0 leads in their best-of-seven first-round series.

The Pacers withstood another big performance from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo and the return of Damian Lillard, beating the Bucks 123-115 in the East.

The Thunder followed up their crushing 51-point game-one victory over Memphis with another dominant win, beating the Grizzlies 118-99 in their Western Conference clash.

After a disjointed effort in their game-one loss, the Lakers rocketed out of the gate, taking a 10-point lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter and maintaining a double-digit advantage until midway through the fourth quarter.

James, chasing a fifth NBA title in his 22nd season, added 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who persevered in a physical game that saw the teams combine for 46 personal fouls.

Caught out early by the Lakers' increased defensive intensity, the Timberwolves managed to apply some pressure in the final period, when the Lakers suddenly couldn't get a basket to fall.

The Lakers scored just 13 points in the final period, but Minnesota -- led by 27 points from Julius Randle and 25 from Anthony Edwards -- couldn't muster enough offense to capitalise.

"We played hard for 48 minutes," Doncic said. "We played physical, that's how we've got to play over the whole 48 minutes."

In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam scored 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists for the Pacers, who saw a 15-point fourth-quarter lead slashed to two thanks to a 13-0 scoring run from the Bucks.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 34 points, adding 18 rebounds and seven assists.

Lillard returns 

Nine-time All-Star Lillard, playing his first game in five weeks after undergoing treatment for a blood clot in his right calf, scored 14 points and handed out seven assists for Milwaukee.

Lillard's three-pointer with 2:33 to play pulled the Bucks within 115-113. But Siakam responded with a three-pointer.

Andrew Nembhard drilled another trey and the Pacers held on to win a game that was testy throughout.

A brief scuffle in the first quarter resulted in technical fouls for Milwaukee's Gary Trent Jr. and Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin. Siakam and Milwaukee's Bobby Portis received technicals with less than two minutes to play, and there was plenty of jawing in between.

"It's fun," Haliburton said. "This is what everybody lives for. We're all competitors, so having a lot of fun competing right now.

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder showed no sign of a letdown after delivering the most lopsided game-one victory in NBA play-offs history.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, Jalen Williams added 24 and Chet Holmgren delivered 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Thunder, who opened the game on a 9-0 run and led by as many as 23.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 26 points and Ja Morant added 23 for the Grizzlies, who showed signs of life in the third quarter only for Oklahoma City to open the fourth on a 9-0 run.

The Grizzlies wouldn't get within 15 points the rest of the way.

AMMAN — The Jordanian Pro League took another dramatic turn this weekend as Wihdat claimed a 3-1 comeback win over bottom-placed Moghayer Al Sarhan, while Hussein Irbid were held to a 1-1 draw by Ramtha, tightening the title race with just one last round to go.

Wihdat were stunned early when Moghayer Al Sarhan took a surprise lead, but 23-year-old Mohannad Semreen rose to the occasion. The young forward delivered a match winning hat-trick, guiding his team to a crucial victory that pushed them to the top of the table with 48 points from 20 matches.

Later that day, Hussein Irbid needed a win to retain the lead found themselves behind in the 53rd minute against a resilient Ramtha side. But just as defeat seemed inevitable, veteran Ehsan Haddad stepped up with a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser, salvaging a vital point for his team.

Despite avoiding defeat, the draw saw Hussein Irbid slip to the second place with 47 points from 20 matches now trailing Wihdat by a single point, with both teams having two remaining games.

As for the upcoming matches for the both sides, Wihdat are set to face Jazeera, who currently sit fifth on the table, in a match that could decide the title early, a win would crown Wihdat champions regardless of Hussein Irbid’s result.

Meanwhile, Hussein Irbid will go up against Shabab Aqaba, a side fighting to avoid relegation, and must secure a win while hoping Wihdat drop points in order to snatch the title at the very end.

PARIS — Saint-Etienne beat bitter rivals Lyon 2-1 on Sunday in a Ligue 1 derby overshadowed by a 45-minute interruption after an assistant referee was dazed by a projectile thrown from the crowd.

Saint-Etienne stayed second from bottom but are only separated from potential safety by goal difference.

Lyon fell to sixth. Two of their rivals for Champions League places, Lille and Nice, won earlier in the day.

Lucas Stassin gave the hosts a 10th minute lead and then escaped a red card for a tackle on Corentin Tolisso which led to the Lyon midfielder being carried off on a stretcher.

Saint-Etienne were leading 1-0 when play was interrupted in the 45th minute.

Linesman Mehdi Rahmouni bent over and clutched his head on the touchline as visitors Lyon were about to take a throw at the Geoffrey-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne.

Referee Francois Letexier ordered the players off.

After 35 minutes, Noel Mannino, the league’s matchday representative, announced play would resume after Rahmouni had said he was not injured but only dazed and had taken a paracetamol tablet.

“We’re going to restart the game because the assistant referee feels up to restarting,” said Mannino.

Lyon fans were banned from travelling to the match between the bitter rivals. The announced attendance was 40,372 and the ground was still full as the teams reemerged.

Once Rahmouni had recovered his dropped flag, play resumed.

“Operations to identify the person who threw the projectile began within a minute of the incident,” sources close to Saint-Etienne told AFP.

Stassin doubled the lead after 67 minutes with a swerving drive. American Tanner Tessmann replied in the 76th minute but Saint-Etienne held out to provoke delirious celebration from their volatile fans.

The incident came a few days after the French Football Federation and Ministry of the Interior said they intended to act to protect match officials at all levels of the game.

Saint-Etienne have been threatened with closure of the two ends of the ground after recent “massive use of pyrotechnic devices and verbal abuse” but the pitch was still swathed in smoke from the stands before kick-off.

‘Scared’

With Paris-Saint Germain already crowned champions, the also-rans are battling for European places.

On Sunday afternoon, Jonathan David rediscovered his teeth, scoring twice, while goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier lost several of his in a dramatic finale as Lille beat visiting Auxerre 3-1 to climb to fourth.

After Thomas Meunier and David, with his first goal since March 8, struck in the first half, Lille nursed their lead. In the second minute of added time. defender Alexsandro and Chevalier collided, the ball ended up in the back of the net with Chevalier laid out on the ground.

“We were scared,” said Lille coach Bruno Genesio, who added that Chevalier had suffered “two or three broken teeth”.

David settled Lille nerves in the seventh minute of added time.

Nice beat Angers 2-1 for a first home win since February 23 and a first win anywhere since March 1.

Pablo Rosario and Ali Abdi headed the hosts 2-0 up but Nice’s injury-depleted defence allowed Yassin Belkhdim space to hit back.

“When you win, it’s all good,” smiled Nice coach Franck Haise. “We deserved the win, although if we could have spared ourselves a bit of stress at the end of the game.”

Nice moved up to fifth, ahead of Strasbourg and Lyon on goal difference. They are just two points behind fourth-placed Lille and four behind Marseille in second.

The top three in Ligue 1 qualify automatically for the Champions League, with fourth going into the preliminary rounds. Fifth place qualifies for the Europa League and sixth for the Conference League.

There will be an extra Europa League place available via the league should PSG win the French Cup final next month.

LOS ANGELES, United States — The Oklahoma City Thunder destroyed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in the most lopsided game-one win in NBA playoff history on Sunday as reigning champions Boston and top seeds Cleveland opened the post-season with victories.

The Celtics, fueled by 30 points from Derrick White, defeated the Orlando Magic 103-86.

The Cavaliers, who beat out the Celtics for top seed in the Eastern Conference, downed the Miami Heat 121-100.

They were comfortable victories, but Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City seized a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series in more emphatic style.

The Thunder's 51-point margin of victory was even more remarkable given that Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his statistically worst performance of the season -- managing just 15 points, five assists and three rebounds.

But all of Oklahoma City's starters scored in double figures with Jalen Williams providing 20 points along with six assists and Aaron Wiggins contributing 21 points off the bench.

The win was the fifth largest ever in NBA play-off history and also a franchise record.

"We played to our identity," Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Thunder took a stranglehold on the contest with a 23-2 scoring run to open the second quarter.

"We were who we were all year in those minutes, and it's going to be the key to our success -- just be the true who we are."

Having topped the West with the best record in the league in the regular season, OKC had time to get ready for the playoffs while the Grizzlies fought their way in via the play-in tournament.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant finished with 17 points and vowed Memphis would bounce back.

"We'll never play that bad again," Morant said.

In Boston, star forward Jayson Tatum scored 17 points and finished the game despite a frightening fall under the basket in the fourth quarter that left him nursing a sore right wrist.

Tatum rose for a dunk and crashed to the court after he was hit by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope -- who was assessed a flagrant foul upon review.

Celtics faithful at TD Garden were delighted to see Tatum make his first three-pointer of the night soon after, but it was White who powered Boston's offense with seven of their 16 treys.

'Good response'

Jaylen Brown, back for the post-season after battling knee trouble, scored 16 points and Payton Pritchard added 19 off the bench for Boston, who trailed by one after a nip and tuck first half but pulled away relentlessly after the break.

"Just a good response there in the second half," White said.

Paolo Banchero scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Magic. Franz Wagner added 23 points but no other Orlando player scored in double figures.

In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points and Ty Jerome added 16 of his 28 in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers finally put away the determined Heat.

Miami, who advanced from the play-in tournament on Friday, trailed by 16 in the second quarter, but kept chipping away and were down by just eight midway through the fourth quarter.

Jerome, in his first playoff game, caught fire, making six of his seven shots in the final period to help Cleveland pull away for good.

"The thing that makes us special -- it can be anybody any night," Mitchell said, but added that plenty of work remains.

"We didn't accomplish anything," Mitchell said. "We just took care of our first job at home."