標籤: believes

Manchester City Can challenge Barcelona and Atletico Madrid chelseaMark Cucurella this summer.

The Spain international joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022, after missing out on Manchester City.

in may 2022 The left-back said “You can’t say no” to the Nationals but still couldn’t manage to get into the Etihad.

last year, The Chelsea star expressed Disappointment over his unsuccessful move to Manchester City.

At that time he said: “They were on fire and one of the best teams in the world. I definitely wanted to go. When they come like they came, and when Guardiola asks you to, you will be on your knees if necessary.”

Manchester City in the mix for Chelsea star

Pep Guardiola has left the club, but the FA Cup winners are looking to the 27-year-old again this summer.

This is as of Thursday’s edition PawnWho mentioned Manchester City and Atletico Madri in a report focused on Barcelona.

Marc Cucurella graduated from the Catalan club’s academy, but could not cement a place in their first team. He always felt there was no possibility of returning to the Camp Nou until last month.

Then Barça sporting director Deco contacted him to inquire about his desire to return to the club. Both officials and Hansi Flick rate the Chelsea player highly.

For his part, the defender believes his time at Stamford Bridge is ‘over’.

Barcelona, ​​Manchester City and Los Rojiblancos have all expressed interest and are aware of Chelsea’s situation.

The west London club are also aware of the trio’s interest, their approach and the player’s desire to leave. There have been no talks for Cucurella, who is valued at between €40-50m.

Flick’s team will only progress if Alejandro Balde is sold. Manchester City and Diego Simeone’s team seem to be in no position to move forward.

Maresca could give Manchester City an edge

With the departure of Pep Guardiola, the Etihad club had to look for a new manager. The latest claims are backing Enzo Maresca to replace the Spaniard.

Maresca has been without a job since leaving Chelsea in January and Mark Cucurella was a starter under his command.

If the Italian is appointed, he could give Manchester City the lead over the La Liga pair in the race to sign a fullback.

armory Midfielder Mikel Merino has insisted Manchester City The situation will not necessarily be worse without Pep Guardiola next season.

Cadena SER Report Comments From the Arsenal midfielder. He is speaking on El Larguero, discussing various topics including Guardiola’s departure.

Guardiola leaves Manchester City

Pep Guardiola announced his departure from Manchester City today. He will be leaving the Etihad after a trophy-laden 10 years at the Etihad.

This trophy includes six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. At least it can be said that he has departed as a legendary player of the Premier League.

What impact this has on Manchester City remains to be seen. They are expected to name Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s replacement soon.

How he, or any other manager, follows in Pep Guardiola’s footsteps will undoubtedly be an interesting story. The perception is that Manchester City will struggle as they adapt to life without their iconic coach.

Success or failure?

This has certainly been the case at other big clubs in the Premier League. City rivals Manchester United are a prime example. But others’ journeys have been less difficult. For example, Liverpool were Premier League champions under Arne Slott last season after Jurgen Klopp left.

Such departure does not mean immediate collapse. And the Arsenal midfielder doesn’t see that happening either.

“This is a very complex question,” he said, when asked if the situation at Manchester City would be ‘worse’ after Pep Guardiola’s departure.

“They are going to lose the best manager in the world or maybe in history, but football is so unpredictable that a new manager can come in and get even better results. The incoming manager will adapt his approach, and it will be a different team.”

Of course, while this is Marino’s public view, privately he may be thinking differently. Arsenal in particular will be looking to defend their Premier League title next season.

celtic Frosinone were set to sign Fares Ghedjemis in January. Neither move ever worked but the player has no regrets about his decision.

sports witness Covered how the Hoops were initially surprised about the offer. This was largely in line with the winger’s valuation, but the player rejected the move, as he was keen to stay.

Frosinone has confirmed its return to Serie A. This is no small part of Gedzemis’ important contribution, as he has scored 15 times in Serie B. In 2026 alone, he has scored nine times, and provided two assists.

The player has now opened up about what happened when Celtic came for him.

Gedzemis goes public

The Algerian winger spoke at Frosinone’s celebration ceremony yesterday and was asked specifically about his decision to stay.

He explained that the atmosphere at Frosinone forced him to reject Celtic.

The attacker said- via Ciociariaoggi: : “Absolutely. That’s why I didn’t go over the summer. I could have gone, but I felt an energy that made me want to stay. And I’m happy with my choice.

“I’m proud and happy. We worked very hard, and I’m really happy to bring Frosinone back to where the club should be: in Italy’s top flight.”

The Algeria international was also asked about his plans for the World Cup.

he replied: “Yeah, hopefully. There are so many people, so much competition. I hope I’m ready for it. It would definitely be great to play in the World Cup.”

With Wolves and Norwich City linked with a move, Gedzemis hinted at his future.

“Let’s see. Right now I just want to enjoy the season we’ve had. Then, when the time comes, I’ll also think about the transfer market.”

All celtic hopes are destroyed

There have been suggestions that Gedzemis is now interested in a move to the Premier League. Which is why Wolves or Norwich City might not appeal to him, with the Midlands club now in the Championship.

This stance should also rule out a move towards Celtic.

Turkish media claim Galatasaray have stepped up their search liverpool Defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Netherlands international has been linked with a move to the Super Lig leaders in recent weeks. sports witness Reports covered last month that they were ready to match his Liverpool salary.

Simbom was waiting for the ‘green light’ for the Dutchman to make his move. Now it seems that an approach has been made.

Liverpool transfer talks begin

Arda Ozkurt has relayed to Heber SarıkirmizI think Galatasaray have started efforts to sign Van Dijk.

Turkish journalist says Liverpool captain would be interested in moving to Istanbul. In March, it was said that Van Dijk had been impressed by the atmosphere at Rams Park after two visits to Liverpool this season.

Talks are expected to continue before the summer. Gala are also hopeful that they will be able to sign the 34-year-old on a free transfer.

“Galatasaray have begun efforts to add Virgil van Dijk to their squad. Van Dijk is also interested in wearing the Galatasaray jersey. If an agreement is reached, Van Dijk has informed Galatasaray that he can leave Liverpool for no fee. Negotiations are ongoing.” The Turkish reporter said.

Last month it was reported that Galatasaray were ready to match his current Liverpool salary. With lower income taxes for foreign players in the Super Lig, it is hoped that this can be achieved.

Gala is already looking ahead to next season, with his manager Okan Buruk keen to strengthen his defence. Van Dijk will be seen as a possible replacement for Davinson Sanchez or Abdulkarim Bardaski.

liverpool has to take a decision

With just over 12 months left on his current deal, Liverpool may have to make a decision with the player this summer. However. It is unlikely they will allow the central defender to leave for free.

If the defender tries to put pressure on him, his huge salary could be a consideration.

Van Dijk has made 53 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring six goals.

Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, many eyes were set on the Dallas Cowboys, who began the weekend with the 12th and 20th overall selections in the first round. Some thought the Cowboys might even move up the draft board to secure an elite talent in the top 10 selection.

The Cowboys eventually moved around, moving from 10 to 11 and still acquiring a top prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also moved down with their second pick, trading up to the Philadelphia Eagles before selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick.

Overall, many were happy with what the Cowboys did, adding an impact safety that could control the secondary, and giving a pass-rush group a boost that was desperately needed. Still, not everyone thought the Cowboys made the right decision.

In particular, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban called the Lawrence selection a “reach”. Still, that was a hot-mic moment they probably didn’t think could be heard on-air. But he was.

Later, when Saban was asked to provide his analysis while the cameras were on him, he strangely had a different opinion, calling Lawrence a “sleeper.”

“Actually, this guy was one of my sleepers for yesterday,” Saban said. “But he’s a good player… This guy is a good player. I thought he was a guy that was going to be overlooked in the draft, but obviously the Cowboys didn’t overlook him.”

“It’s a reach” 😬 pic.twitter.com/60zloMY8nq

– Awful Announcement (@awfulaannouncement) 24 April 2026

Lawrence was widely projected to be selected in the second round, although some analysts believed he had a chance to fall in the late first round. As we’ve seen, it just takes a team to fall in love with a prospect, and that’s clearly what happened with Lawrence in Dallas.

RELATED: 6 best 2026 NFL draft classes including the Bills and Browns

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

tottenham With upgrade expiration, manual may not be able to unload Locatelli. This is a shame for Spurs, as it is believed he could have been a perfect fit for Roberto De Zerbi.

A few weeks ago, sports witness Claims of interest from the London club in the Italian were covered. This was largely due to De Zerbi, who worked closely with Locatelli during his time at Sassuolo.

In fact, it was under the Tottenham manager that the midfielder really took significant steps forward in his career. This gave him a chance to go to Juventus and now he is their captain.

The 28-year-old is close to signing a new deal in Turin, extending his stay until 2030.

As a result, Locatelli’s stay has become a talking point, as the player has been very impressive in the current campaign.

Former coach asked about Spurs move

Walter De Vecchi, who trained Locatelli during his time at AC Milan, spoke alljuve Regarding player status.

He was asked about the buzz surrounding Tottenham and whether he could be a fit for De Zerbi.

The Italian replied: “For me, yes, but who wouldn’t want him right now? He’s a player that everyone wants, but Juve have made the right decision to close him down.”

Further praising, De Vecchi said: “There are few players like him in Europe, and they are all quite expensive.”

Furthermore, the coach described the midfielder as a person with a special mind.

“I never had any doubts about the player; he is a special boy with an equally magical mind. He just needed to find a symbiosis of ideas, and he succeeded with Spalletti’s style of football, which really makes him a hero.”

He also appeared to praise Locatelli’s decision to sign a new deal at the Old Lady.

“I hope they can win, but with Spalletti in the next two years, it could seriously happen. Juventus now have a European style of play. They are one of the few teams in Italy that come out on top and always try to dominate the game.”

Only De Zerbi could reassure Locatelli

During their time together at Sassuolo, it felt as if De Zerbi and Locatelli were made for each other. The midfielder influenced the manager’s playing style, breaking down the opposition press and often passing the ball forward.

Even if Tottenham are struggling, the 46-year-old could be crucial in bringing Locatelli to London. Avoiding relegation would have been important but the player would have enjoyed under his former manager.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been performing great during this stage of the season, and with the postseason slowly approaching the timing is perfect. They got another win recently when they defeated the Indiana Pacers 137-130, and while Luka Doncic stole the show with his 43 points, it was also helped by contributions from other players.

One of those players was Bronny James, who played 13 minutes in the game with Marcus Smart out due to injury. He may have only finished with 4 points, but what he did on the other side of the ball was impressive.

“Felt like this was a game we really needed him,” JJ Redick said, via Dan Woik of The Athletic. “It was a game that, you know, his athleticism, his defense…we saw it last year, and we’re seeing it again this year, just his development as a player.”

Not only was James able to get impressive minutes, but he did so with his father on the court.

“Especially knowing the path, you know, the road…,” LeBron James said. “So, just proud of him. I’m very proud of him. And he’s his. He’s his.”

Bronny has shown these past two seasons that he can come in and be an energy player for the Lakers, and he has done that every time he steps on the floor. Getting reps in the G League has also helped Bronny in the process, so when he steps onto an NBA floor, it doesn’t feel like he’s missed a beat.

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can, so that when I get these minutes out here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everybody else,” Bronny said.

With only a few games left in the season, it will be interesting to see if Bronny can make an impact going forward.

The Denver Nuggets put on one of their best offensive performances of the season in a 142-135 win over the Dallas Mavericks, and Jamal Murray was once again at the center of the proceedings. Murray finished with 53 points on 19-28 shooting, another historic day amid a career season so far.

And according to a post on Vinny Benedetto’s X, Nuggets head coach David Edelman believes he’s in contention for the All-NBA First Team as well.

“I really hope All-NBA is something that’s obvious and there’s no argument,” Edelman said, referencing another “special night” for the 29-year-old.

According to The Athletic, Edelman claimed he has had several such nights this season before matching the accomplishments of both Murray and Nikola Jokic with Denver.

“It’ll be really cool when this thing is over and we look back at what these two have done together here. We’re really fortunate in this city to have these two guys playing for this basketball team,” he concluded.

Murray went 9-14 from beyond the arc and also had six rebounds and four assists. The guard had already scored 33 points at halftime, almost half of Denver’s 68 points in the first two quarters.

The Canadian international is having a career season, posting his best-ever averages of 25.4 points, 7.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He is also making 7.4 three-pointers per game and 10.9 two-pointers per game, which are career highs.

In addition, Murray’s three-point efficiency (42.6%) this season is also slightly higher than his career-high 42.5%, which came during the 2023-24 season. These statistics have come along with several game-winning performances, with Murray already receiving his first All-Star call-up this season.

Of course, his coach also took this opportunity to praise Nikola Jokic, who returned with a spectacular triple-double of 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists. Jokic reached 6,000 career assists despite shooting only 8-19 from the field during the game. The Nuggets shot 56% overall and 50% from three-point field, much of the credit for Murray’s almost obscene shooting in the game.

When the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday, VJ Edgecombe was probably happy to see some of his teammates in uniform.

Joel Embiid returned from an oblique strain, while Paul George returned from a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. The 76ers made light work of the Bulls, 157–137, to return to the win column.

The Sixers bounced back from a 123-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Monday, leaving Edgecombe to lead the team as Embiid, George, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. were out.

The 20-year-old Edgecombe has learned to mature quickly while accepting the responsibilities of being a key member of the Philadelphia Phillies. He told Philly Sports Network how he has avoided the so-called rookie wall.

“It’s all a mental thing. I try to stay mentally strong. I have a good group of guys around me. That helps with that. So I just try to stay mentally strong and enjoy it. I’m just enjoying the whole process. I haven’t got time to just sit back and cope and get angry about anything,” Edgecombe said.

VJ Edgecombe explains how he avoids the “newbie wall” 🏀🔥

(@CiavoNBA) pic.twitter.com/bwM2yI8PqA

— Philly Sports Network (@PhiladelphiaSN) 26 March 2026

He scored 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting against the Bulls, including 4-of-5 from long range. He added six rebounds and six assists.

The third overall pick is averaging 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals and will likely make the All-Rookie First Team.

Although he can be erratic at times, that’s understandable for a young player finding his way in the NBA. The learning curve is high for Edgecombe, and he is ready to put in the work and learn more from his teammates.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. recently shared why he thinks he needs to surpass Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance, pointing to Kobe Bryant’s legacy as a major inspiration.

Porter Jr. made the comments while reacting to Adebayo’s historic run during a recent livestream.

“I’m trying to drop 80 [points]. shout out kobe [Bryant]Shout out to Bam because I’m definitely beating him one day. Now that Kobe has lost, I have to defeat Bam to honor Kobe.”

Adebayo’s 83-point game is now the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game and surpassing Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2006.

The 25-year-old Porter Jr. is currently in his sixth NBA season and his first full campaign with Milwaukee, where he has taken on an expanded role in the backcourt. Through 38 games, including 36 starts, he has averaged 17.4 points, a career-high 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 2.2 steals per game, while shooting 46.5% from the field, 32.2% from three-point range and a career-high 87.8% from the free-throw line in 33.2 minutes per contest.

Kevin Porter Jr. tells Desha Frost in a chat that he’s trying to beat Bam Adebayo’s 83 points out of respect for Kobe Bryant.

“Now that Kobe has lost, I have to defeat Bam to honor Kobe” pic.twitter.com/at8sib0l11

– FearedBuck (@FearedBuck) 25 March 2026

Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. eyes points from Bam Adebayo, Kobe Bryant

The surge in Porter Jr.’s scoring has already been evident in his career. The highest performance of his career came during the 2020–21 season with the Houston Rockets, when he recorded 50 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds in a matchup against the Bucks in late April. In that game, he shot 16 of 26 from the field, 9 of 15 from three-point range, and 9 of 11 from the free-throw line in 41 minutes.

Adebayo’s performance has sparked league-wide discussion regarding milestones achieved and the pursuit of records, with players and analysts reflecting on the circumstances surrounding the historic night. However, Porter Jr. remains focused on competing and respecting the standard set by Bryant.

Milwaukee is coming off a challenging season, entering the finals with a 29–42 record and 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite the team’s struggles, Porter Jr.’s individual production has been a bright spot as the Bucks look toward the future.

The Bucks are set to conclude their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers (36-37) on Wednesday night at 10:00 PM ET. Milwaukee is entering the contest coming off a 129-96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

As the season ends, Porter Jr.’s comments reflect his confidence and the broader impact of Adebayo’s historic performance, which continues to resonate throughout the league.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s three-point record is believed to be out of reach, but Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards believes there is at least one man who can catch Curry.

Curry broke the record for three points scored in a game against the New York Knicks on December 14, 2021. He passed Ray Allen’s career mark of 2,973 three-pointers. But that record certainly seems like ages ago, as he surpassed 4,000 career three-pointers in March 2025 and currently stands at 4,233 in March 2026. James Harden is now second on the list with 3,336 three-pointers.

In a feature written by Danny Ammerman san francisco standardAnthony Edwards talked about who he believes can surpass Steph Curry for most career three-pointers. Of course, Edwards responded bluntly, saying, “I think I’m going to catch him.”

But after taking themselves out of the equation, they identified an interesting name: Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

“He can catch him,” Edwards told Emmerman. “The white boy from Charlotte, okay? He’s good. … Either me or Kon Knueppel. I’m a big fan of Kon Knueppel. He can really shoot the ball.”

The case of both Knueppel and Edwards is not as far-reaching as it may seem. Knueppel currently leads the league in three-pointers, drilling 222 at the time of this writing. Anthony Edwards ranks 9th in the top 10 for three-pointers made this season, with nearly 185. Edwards and Knueppel are both ahead of Curry, who has made 175 but has played only 39 games due to lingering injuries.

Knueppel’s NBA reputation in his first season was as an instinctive shooter who seems almost automatic from behind the arc. But Edwards wasn’t always a high-volume three-point shooter. In the 2020–2021 season, he shot 32.9% from three. Although he could knock down those shots, it was not his strongest asset. But since his rookie season, he has become one of the best three-point shooters in the league, hitting 39% from range in the 2024-2025 season and attempting 10.3 per game – which was 3.6 more attempts than in the 2023-2024 season.

While it will certainly take a long time to catch Steph Curry, and Curry certainly has more seasons left to attempt to put the three-point record out of reach, it’s certain that Knueppel and Edwards have a shot at the crown.

In the January transfer window, sportwitness Actively covered the loan transfer of Niklas Fulkrug from West Ham to AC Milan.

It was seen as a welcome destination for the Germans, who were struggling in London due to injuries. He nevertheless managed to join a club that was competing for the Champions League places and were in need of a striker in January.

Fulkrug has so far not been able to leave his mark in Italy. He scored the winner against Lecce a few weeks ago but has not started since. He also missed a crucial penalty against Pisa, which was criticized by the supporters.

The West Ham loanee’s future could now be uncertain again. while this has happened covered The same attitude has been expressed in Germany by the Italian press.

West Ham’s future depends on AC Milan’s form

Abendzeitung journalist Patrick Strasser has now spoken out milannews About the 33-year-old, his early switch to West Ham and loan to Milan.

He told the outlet that the decision to join the Hammers was never the right one.

The Germans gave a strategic reason, saying: “I think he should never have left Dortmund, also because it was not a good idea to go to West Ham and the Premier League, this league was too fast for him. Also because he is a classic old-school striker, a penalty area striker.”

Strasser was also asked whether or not Milan would sign the player permanently.

He replied in the negative and said: “I don’t think so. He has to score and prove he deserves a new contract.”

Fulkrug’s future is in its own hands

Obviously, the Germany international has work to do, but everything is in his own hands.

Milan only have the option to buy him permanently for €5m, which is a low sum. It also shows that there are not huge expectations from him and he may only need to score five or six goals to convince the Rossoneri.

The problem is on the fitness side. He had already injured his toe in Milan, yet he played despite it. These factors could hinder a permanent deal and West Ham will have an issue on their hands.

They spent more than €20m to sign him through 2024 and they want better results.

The Houston Rockets have been up and down recently, picking up two wins over opponents this week following their collapse against the New York Knicks over the weekend. During Wednesday’s win over the Sacramento Kings, Rockets guard Reed Shepard scored 28 points and hit seven three-pointers in the win.

After the game, according to Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle, Shepard was 100% honest about how he thinks the three-ball could be even more of a weapon for Houston moving forward.

“I think there’s always room for more 3s, but I like to shoot 3s, so that’s who I am,” Shepard said. “The more we play with pace and continue to get into the paint, teams have to make decisions whether to fan out or try to stay in gaps, and if they do that, it leaves us open to shoot more 3s.”

Shepard said that “…it’s going to change every night because teams’ defenses are different, but if we can keep the pace and get into the paint, there’s definitely going to be more open 3s.”

The Rockets have several sharpshooters on the roster, led by Shepard, who is making more than 39 percent of his shots from beyond the arc this season.

While the free agent signing of Dorian Finney-Smith is starting to look like a failure, Terry Eason is continuing to spray the long ball effectively, and Kevin Durant certainly remains a perennial threat from long range.

Houston’s offense has slowed down a bit after a strong start to the season, but they still have enough firepower to be a dangerous opponent for anyone come playoff time.

The Rockets next take the field on Wednesday evening against the hot Orlando Magic on the road for a tough back-to-back battle. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.

Bill Simmons made bold comments about Steve Kerr’s coaching career with the Golden State Warriors that includes a scenario with LeBron James.

Kerr has been the head coach of the Warriors since 2014, leading the franchise to four championships and six NBA Finals appearances during his tenure. However, times have been tough since the last title run in 2022, failing to advance beyond the second round and even missing the playoffs once.

Kerr hopes to compete for another championship with Golden State, which could include an offseason move to lure James away from the Los Angeles Lakers. However, if the scenario fails to come to fruition, Simmons provided his perspective on what will happen to Kerr’s time with the Warriors.

“I think he (LeBron James) either stays in L.A. or he goes to Golden State… It’s kind of tied to LeBron. If they don’t get LeBron, I think it’s up to Steve Kerr. I don’t have any inside information, but it would be the right kind of area for him, I’ll take a year, I’ll do some media, I’ll figure out if I want to keep coaching. I’m leaving it at that,” Simmons said. Said. Mark 1:04:20 of his podcast.

Steve Kerr, what’s next for the Warriors?

Steve Kerr has accomplished a lot with the Warriors, creating the NBA’s most recent dynasty in the modern era. However, the end of his time with the Warriors may be closer than he anticipated, especially if the team is unable to land LeBron James for next season.

Golden State has a 30–27 record on the season, finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers while trailing the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors will look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will face the New Orleans Pelicans on February 24, tip-off at 8 PM ET.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks started the second half of the season with a road win, an environment they have been quite comfortable in this year. As of Friday, the Hawks were 17-15 on the road.

It’s home games where they lag (10-16 record), and that was the case in their 128-97 loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks took a flat approach to start the game, while the Heat were clicking on both sides of the ball.

It was the second quarter where the Hawks came alive, and with a run started by Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum, they saw a 15-point deficit disappear.

“We played with better pace,” McCallum said. “We came out and ran. I think in the first quarter, we got our sea legs back and we didn’t come out and run. Didn’t get a chance to get stops.

“In the second quarter, we came out and ran. Corey got a dunk and a transition three. Got some rim pressure, got some kick out three eyes out. I think that was the difference.”

The Hawks trailed 57-51 at halftime and with little momentum. Unfortunately, they went back to their old habits and the Heat never looked back in the second half, taking a 34-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“They went into the zone to start the fourth quarter and I think that changed the game,” McCollum said. “They took advantage of some turnovers and missed shots. I don’t think we did enough to win. [Tyler] Hero got down. He’s got a lot more freedom, a lot more space in his pick and roll, and a lot more space in his pull-ups. I think a lot of guys hurt us tonight, and I think we didn’t deserve to win this game.”

The Heat had 72 points in the paint to the Hawks’ 38. They were defeated 58-46. Plus, they got 20 points off their turnovers. The only thing that went good for the Hawks in this game was that they shot 42% from the three-point line, but that was still not enough to win.

“I think when we follow the game plan, and we come out and execute the game plan, that’s when we play our best. I don’t think we did a good job of executing the game plan tonight,” Jalen Johnson said.

The Hawks were coming up by one, but they didn’t use it as an excuse for the loss.

“I would have liked to have gone to bed before 3 a.m. last night, but they beat us to it,” McCallum said. “It’s the same. They came out, they played better than us. They started well. They got points in transition, they got threes, they got rim pressure. Tonight they did what they wanted. So back-to-back or not, they did enough to win, and we didn’t do enough.”

The Hawks have four consecutive games to correct their mistakes for their home woes this season, and they are coming against opponents who haven’t had the best performances this year.

Johnson said, “The opportunities are in front of us. We just have to go out there and get it. We got another chance to regroup on Sunday, and tomorrow we got a chance to watch film and get better.”

As NBA All-Star festivities continue at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Luka Doncic expressed confidence that the Los Angeles Lakers have the ability to win a championship this season.

Speaking with Chris Haynes during Saturday’s NBA TV broadcast, Doncic made it clear the team’s objective remains unchanged despite injury setbacks and inconsistent availability among primary contributors.

“Obviously, we’re trying to win a championship. I think we can do it. We have the team to do it but obviously we’ve had a lot of injuries. Me, Bron and AR, everybody’s been out for a while. So now coming back from All-Star, I think everybody’s healthy. It’s going to be a good test for us.”

The Lakers entered the All-Star break with a 33–21 record, clinching the fifth seed in the Western Conference and firmly establishing themselves in the playoff picture. However, establishing continuity has been difficult. Doncic has missed 11 games this season, including the last four because of a strained left hamstring. LeBron James has been sidelined for 18 games due to sciatica, weight management and left foot arthritis. Austin Reaves has missed 22 games, 19 of which stem from a left calf strain.

x

“Obviously, we’re trying to win a championship. I think we can do it. We have the team to do it… Coming back from All-Star, I think everyone is healthy. It’ll be a good test for us.”

Luka Doncic on Lakers’ title hopes 🗣️

(via @ChrisBHaynes)pic.twitter.com/QTThqZ3cak

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026

Luka Doncic confident Lakers can compete for championship despite injuries

As a result, Doncic, James, and Reaves only appeared in 10 games together, limiting the opportunity for the team to build chemistry during the first half of the season.

Despite those absences, Los Angeles remains within striking distance of the top of the conference. The Lakers are five games behind the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs (38-16) and 1.5 games behind the third-seeded Denver Nuggets (35-20).

The 26-year-old star is expected to recover from his hamstring strain during Sunday night’s All-Star Game, a sign that the Lakers anticipate having a healthy roster heading into the final stretch of the regular season.