• Tiffany Saine was on life support at time of selection
• Harmon said mother helped motivate him in career

Tiffany Saine, the mother of Derrick Harmon, died shortly after learning the Pittsburgh Steelers had selected her son with the 21st pick of the NFL draft.

Harmon was visibly emotional as he was picked, and the ESPN broadcast showed a video in which the defensive tackle spoke about his mother’s health issues and paid tribute to the positive effect she had on his life. Saine was on life support when Harmon was selected and the 21-year-old told reporters he was going to see her in hospital after Thursday night’s ceremony.

There are valid arguments for the quarterback falling out of the first round. But it came after anonymous backstabs and the harsh glare of the spotlight

The NFL draft can be cruel. Shedeur Sanders, a polarizing prospect in a weak class whose profile was magnified by the fact that he is the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, had to sit and wait for his name to be called in Thursday night’s first round. He waited. And waited. By night’s end, Sanders had fallen out of the first round entirely.

Only two quarterbacks were selected on Thursday. After Miami’s Cam Ward was selected No 1 overall, the QB-needy teams at the top of the board opted to punt on quarterbacks in favor of chasing defensive studs or linemen who could protect their eventual starter.

• Oklahoma City lead best-of-seven series 3-0
• Knicks and Clippers also win on Thursday night

Chet Holmgren scored all but one of his 24 points in the second half and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 29-point deficit after Ja Morant left the game with a hip injury to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108 for a 3-0 series lead.

Morant was hurt with just over three minutes left in the first half on Thursday night with Memphis leading 67-40. The Grizzlies led by 26 at half-time.

Morant was later seen on crutches in the tunnel with what was described as a left hip contusion. Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said he was unsure if the two-time All Star would be available for Saturday’s game.