FC Twente defender Bart van Rooij has indicated he is open to joining wolverhampton wanderers This summer, even after falling behind in the championship.

Twente Insight Report Comments Today from full-back. He is talking to Voetbal International journalist Geert-Jan Jacobs.

ready for the next step

The 24-year-old right-back has enjoyed a stellar campaign for the Dutch side, establishing himself as one of the key players to achieve European football. He was even captain in the absence of Robin Propper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel at various periods.

Now, he is ready to take a step forward. He almost arrived in the January transfer window, with Wolves keen on his signature.

They were willing to pay €10 million for his signature, but Twente rejected the offer. Technical director Jan Streuer did not want a winter departure of one of his key players.

Van Rooij made it clear at the time that he was keen on the move. This raised eyebrows, given that Wolves were bottom of the Premier League and destined for the Championship.

Wolves’ offer is still interesting

With their demotion long since confirmed, Rob Edwards’ side are now focused on rebuilding for life in the Championship and, hopefully, a return to the Premier League.

However, Van Rooij is not worried. In fact, he was keen on a move to Molineux even with the Championship imminent.

He said, “I believe I’ve proven that I can handle this level, that I can excel here. Now I’m eager to see if I can take it a step higher.”

You can find out by experiencing it. Who knows, maybe I’ll get that chance this summer. If not, I’m sure it will happen in a year.

“If you look at Wolves’ position in the standings, it wasn’t really ideal. But I found the whole picture interesting.

“They wanted to build a team that could compete at the top of the Championship next season, which is also a fantastic league. I could gain experience in the Premier League during the first few months.”

championship Clubs are starting to take care of the former wolverhampton And tottenham The coach has quietly built up a strong reputation as a manager in Portugal over the past two seasons.

Scottish coach Ian Cathro has transformed Estoril into one of the more organized teams outside Portugal’s traditional top clubs. Despite working with a much smaller budget than Benfica, Sporting or Porto, they finished in the top ten in each of the last two campaigns.

His team earned praise for their attacking football and structured pressing this season. Estoril has also developed youth players very well, something Championship clubs often value highly when considering managerial appointments.

Cathro has fans in England

According to a Portuguese newspaper, that work is now attracting the attention of England game. The report adds that Ian Cathro has already been contacted by Championship clubs.

He is still best known for his spells with Nuno Espirito Santo at both Wolverhampton and Tottenham Hotspur. He worked as part of Nuno’s coaching staff in the Premier League before taking the Estoril job in 2023.

At the time, his appointment raised eyebrows in Portugal. Cathro’s previous experience as a manager at Hearts had ended badly, and there were doubts about whether another senior role would be available quickly. Instead, he has steadily rebuilt his reputation in Estoril. after a tough start.

Furthermore, it was under Cathro that Estoril completed three of the five biggest sales in club history, earning approximately £17m (€20m). For a club of Estoril’s size, that income is significant and has strengthened its position internally.

Working for peace is bearing fruit in Portugal

O Jogo points out that Cathro will remain under contract until 2028, meaning any move would require agreement with Estoril’s hierarchy. If English interest becomes more solid in the coming weeks it could complicate things.

Nevertheless, the report states that Cathro’s current preference is to remain at Estoril. The coach is expected to meet with club officials soon to review the season and discuss ambitions for 2026/27.

However, his background naturally makes him an interesting option for Championship clubs. He knows English football, understands the demands of big clubs and already has Premier League experience through Wolves and Tottenham.

It remains to be seen whether the approaches can become formal negotiations. However, after two impressive years at Estoril, England are clearly watching closely again.

The 2026 PGA Championship came to a close on Sunday, and in a fitting ending, Aaron Rae was victorious at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

Despite challenging conditions on Friday, Rai managed to overcome the odds and hoist the Wanamaker Trophy.

Here are the 10 winners and losers of the 2026 PGA Championship.

Winner: Aaron Rae, PGA Championship winner

Aaron Rae won a major championship for the first time in his career. His best performance in a major before Sunday was T19 on three separate occasions. Rai, who is known for wearing golf gloves on both hands, recorded four birdies on the back nine for a final round 65. His round was sealed with a 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.^th To take a three-shot lead. It was his second PGA Tour win and his first since winning the 2024 Windham Championship. Roy is also the first Englishman since 1919 to win the PGA Championship.

Also read: 2026 PGA Championship: 10 key stories to watch in Aronimink

Loser: Alex Smalley

Despite a 54-hole lead, Alex Smalley was unable to hold the lead and win the Wanamaker Trophy, finishing runner-up, three shots behind Rae. Smalley didn’t get off to a good start with a double bogey on the par-4 sixth and a bogey on the par-3 sixth. However he responded with birdie on the par-5 ninth and eagle on the par-5^th 16^thThis was not enough to get the job done. However, he recorded his best major performance on Sunday.

Winner: Jon Rahm

Since leaving the PGA Tour and moving to LIV Golf, Jon Rahm has struggled in four major championships. Despite finishing in the top 10 at the PGA Championship and US Open last year, he did not compete in any of the eight majors. Rahm closed his 10^th PGA Championship runner-up and tied with Smalley. Despite two birdies on the first two holes, he had two bogeys on the next five holes.

Also read: 8 LIV stars we can’t wait to return to the PGA as new rumors emerge over the death of the Saudi league

Winner: Justin Thomas

The two-time PGA Championship winner came close to victory again. Justin Thomas, who hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2017 and 2022, recorded a final round of 65 and finished fourth. Had he not shot a 2-over 72 on Saturday, it might have been a different story for the Alabama alumnus. Thomas also recorded his best performance this season at Aronimink Golf Club this week. After an early bogey on the third hole, he made six birdies the rest of the way to record his fourth top 10 at the PGA Championship.

Loser: Crowded Leaderboard

For those hoping someone would open early on a Sunday or Saturday, you didn’t find one. After Friday, when the field was halved, there were more than 50 players within six shots of the lead, making it possible for anyone to win the PGA Championship. As a result, the championship storyline progressed to Sunday before Rai won.

Winner: Ludwig Aberg

Since his 2024 Masters runner-up finish, Ludwig Aberg has not been able to reach that contention level with four missed cuts. However, on Sunday, Aberg returned to that form, finishing tied for fourth at 5-under par. This included three consecutive rounds under par on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. His top-five finish this week is his fifth in the last seven starts, not including last week’s T8 at the Truist Championship.

Winner: Kurt Kitayama

Although Kurt Kitayama was in contention on Sunday, Kitayama finished his PGA Championship debut in style. He shot a bogey-free 7-under 63, which included birdies on the first three holes. His score was also the best score of Sunday’s final round. As a result, he finished xx, scoring his first top 10 in a major since the 2023 PGA Championship.

Loser: Bryson DeChambeau

For his second consecutive major championship and third in the last four major championships, Bryson DeChambeau failed to make the weekend. The LIV golf star, who also missed the cut at the Masters last month, shot 6-over in the opening round. It included five bogies and one double bogie. Although he finished his second round with three consecutive birdies, it was not enough.

RELATED: DeChambeau drops bombshell after LIV collapse – is this the end of competitive golf for him?

Winner: Ben Kern

One of the beauties of the PGA Championship is that the PGA of America allows its professionals to compete in major championships. Of the 20 players who qualified for this week’s PGA Championship, Ben Kern was the only PGA Professional to make the cut. Kern, who teaches golf at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio, was ranked XX. His tournament was highlighted by recording a 5-under 67 during Friday’s windy conditions, the third-best score in the second round.

Loser: Garrick Higgo

Garrick Higgo was popular on Thursday, but for the wrong reasons. way before and 10^th Tee boxes are set, players remove tees from each hole every five minutes. (Normally on the PGA Tour, players tee off in 10-minute intervals.) However, Higgo, whose tee time was 7:18 a.m., arrived at the tee box a minute late. A delay of more than 60 seconds resulted in a penalty of two strokes. And because of the penalty, he missed the cut by a stroke.

Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

Queens Park Rangers star Nicolas Madsen has admitted he wants to be the best in the Championship and play in the Premier League.

BOLD had an interview with the 26-year-old today. After a successful season with QPR he revealed his new ambitions.

qpr change

This season has been a transformational one for Nicolas Madsen, who joins QPR on a €4m deal in August 2024. He made a total of 34 appearances in all competitions. This showed that he had a total of 2309 minutes, although 358 were in the Jupiler Pro League.

This season, the number of appearances for QPR in all competitions is 39. And his total number of minutes has become 3062. More importantly, he has been in the starting 11 72% of the time.

He is pleased with the improvement and has big ambitions moving forward as a result.

“I had a lot of goals before this season that I have accomplished, so now it’s definitely being adjusted. My ambition is to help the team be more competitive.” He said.

“On the club side, the ambition is clearly to be among the top 8 places entertaining. We have a good squad, so it is certainly possible.”

Premier League ambitions

While the focus is on helping QPR develop, he is also willing to admit there are some personal ambitions.

First of all he wants to establish himself further in the championship. And then eyes will be on a possible move to the Premier League. Or, even better, get there with QPR.

“My next goal is to be one of the best in the league, and I don’t think that’s unrealistic. I don’t see why it shouldn’t be possible,” He added.

“I’ve never hidden the fact that I want to go as far as possible. The big dream is still the Premier League, and I hope that can be accomplished with QPR.”

wolverhampton wanderers Scouts were in attendance when FC Porto clinched the league title with a 1–0 win over Alverca, and their presence comes with a very different context than other Premier League sides.

The information was brought to you by local outlets to ball And record. And demotion certainly changes everything. Wolves are now preparing for life in the Championship, and this inevitably reshapes their recruitment strategy.

Instead of chasing established names, the focus shifts to players who are willing to step down even when offered upside. This match provided exactly that market.

Alvarca profile fits championship reality

The Alverca side might have been as relevant as Porto’s title winners.

Despite the defeat, midfielder Lincoln and winger Chiquinho stood out. Both the players were active throughout, brought changes and tried to take the team forward. Lincoln, in particular, combined defensive work with forward runs, recording several recoveries and winning duels.

Chiquinho added unpredictability. His dribbling and willingness to take on defenders created moments when he did not have strong support around him. That kind of directness could translate well to the championship, where physical intensity and transitions play a major role.

Young Davy Gui also made an impact in a small cameo. The 19-year-old recorded 15 actions in just 12 minutes, bringing energy and urgency to the game. That profile – young, dynamic and still raw – may represent a lower-cost, higher-profit option.

Porto’s midfielder Pablo Rosario provides a more experienced midfield presence. He helped stabilize Alvarca’s structure and showed quality in longer sequences. His profile could be attractive if Wolves want a balance of young players as well.

Squad depth and developmental options

Wolves may also have taken note of Martim Fernandes, who came on for Porto in the second half and showed composure on the ball. Although not a major name, he still fits the type of player who clubs often quietly monitor for deeper roles.

Elsewhere, the wider context of the match still matters. Diogo Costa made important saves, while Gabriel Veiga impressed in the attacking phases with his assists.

However, those profiles are less aligned with Wolves’ current position unless circumstances change significantly.

what happens next

Recruiting after demotion is about finding players who can perform immediately while maintaining long-term value. The Alvarca Group offers several names that fit that brief.

Lincoln and Chiquinho look ready to take a step up in intensity. Dewey Gui provides the developmental aspect. At Porto, young Martim Fernandes guarantees quality at right-back and Pablo Rosario adds experience in the middle of the park.

If Wolves make a quick move, they could find value in a market that bigger clubs are also eyeing – but for very different reasons.

newcastle unitedOdysseas Vlachodimos is likely to leave the Premier League team permanently in the summer.

After struggling for a prominent role last season, the Magpies let the goalkeeper join Sevilla on loan in August 2025.

The Newcastle United player has enjoyed regular games with the La Liga side, who are keen to keep him.

Sevilla’s sporting director Antonio Cordon has confirmed it And also said that the 32-year-old intends to stay. The Magpies have to decide whether to approve another loan or sell him after this season.

On 28 April, Game Witness broadcast news The Greece international wants assurances from Eddie Howe that he will be first choice if he returns to Newcastle United. If not, he wants to move to another club.

The Newcastle United man has options

pride oneOne website dedicated its coverage to Sevilla, covering the latest on the future of Odysseas Vlachodimos.

The Spanish club admits that it will be difficult to compete with others for his signature. Due to his age, they will not be able to sell him for a profit in the future, and this affects their decision.

He is attracting interest from unnamed clubs from the Premier League, Championship and Bundesliga.

The player’s former club, Panathinaikos, owned by Newcastle United, dreams of his return and would be willing to invest. Last week, Sports Witness Claims covered from Greece That he is in contact with their owner Yiannis Alafouzos.

Eddie Howe’s side are awaiting offers to finalize his sale ‘as soon as possible’. The Premier League team want to get rid of him permanently in the summer.

Our opinion: Magpies need a new stopper

Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale [on loan from Southampton]Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy are now Newcastle United’s four goalkeepers.

Gillespie and Ruddy’s contracts expire in June, while the futures of Ramsdale and Pope need to be sorted out.

The Magpies are likely to sign at least one stopper and the sale of Odysseas Vlachodimos could partly finance that operation.

Queens Park Rangers manager Julien Stephan is attracting interest from Ligue 1 and could leave the Championship side, according to claims in France.

The 45-year-old began his coaching career at Stade Rennais in 2015 and left them for RC Strasbourg in 2021 before returning to the club in 2023.

After spending two years there, he left Stade Rennais for the second time and moved to QPR in June 2025.

The Frenchman has managed 47 matches for QPR, 45 of which have been in the Championship.

His league record with QPR is as follows:

• Match: 45
• Win: 16
• Draw: 10
• Defeat: 19

They now sit 14th in the league table, 12 points behind sixth-placed Wrexham. Although it has not been a productive first season away from France, his work at QPR has not gone unnoticed.

Two months ago, Q.P.R. Credited to Nicolas Madsen manager to improve his overall play this season.

QPR boss attracting French attention

Journalist Mohammed Toubache-Ter took xFormerly known as Twitter, to share a brief update on Julian Stephan.

He said the League 1 side are looking for a new manager, with the QPR manager included in their shortlist. The journalist did not provide any further updates on the details of that team or the coach’s plans for the future.

young footballer Spread this claim of Toubache-ter and share your opinion on this matter.

The outlet conducts its own analysis to find out which clubs could be keeping an eye on the former Stade Rennais boss.

After detailed analysis, he narrowed down Toulouse FC and FC Lorient as ‘credible destinations’ for a return to Ligue 1. Both of these clubs are most likely to make changes to their bench after this season.

Carles Martínez is at Nouvel Toulouse, and his contract expires in June. As things stand, that will leave him as a free agent. When Stephane returned in 2023, his president, Olivier Clorec, had the same role at Stade Rennais.

Clorec could convince his compatriot to leave the London club for Toulouse. At Lorient, manager Olivier Pantaloni has announced his decision to leave at the end of the season.

🇧🇷 Philip Lewis | Exclusive: QPR and Middlesbrough linked with Brazilian manager

➡️ Conversation with representatives
➡️ Championship trick on cards
➡️ Watford also keen, but more in the backgroundhttps://t.co/z1YRHRnzVP #qpr #boro

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 April 2026

It took Kimi Antonelli 19 years, six months and 25 days to become the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to lead the world championship. He did so three weeks earlier at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. He arrived in Miami this weekend and is still on top.

Let that sink in for a second.

In three races in 2026, the child from Bologna has two wins, two pole positions and 72 points. He is nine points ahead of his teammate George Russell. The record he broke belonged to Lewis Hamilton – the man whose seat he took in the Mercedes. Hamilton led the championship for the first time at the age of 22. Antonelli did this at the age of 19. It’s not close.

WATCH: Miami Grand Prix, exclusively this Sunday on Apple TV+! Check it out!

Getting to Know Kimi Antonelli

Andrea Kimi Antonelli grew up in Bologna, located in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley – Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati are all built within an hour of his hometown. His father, Marco Antonelli, raced professionally and first got him into kart racing at the age of three. Mercedes found him at the age of just 12 and included him in their junior program.

Because he was such a good driver at a young age, Antonelli left Formula 3 altogether. He moved straight from the regional series to F2, where he became the youngest multiple race winner in the series’ history. When Hamilton announced he was leaving for Ferrari, Mercedes handed the seat to a teenager who had not yet taken his road test.

He passed it six weeks before his F1 debut.

Another thing to know: His name is not an homage to Kimi Raikkonen. A family friend suggested it because it matches phonetically well with Andrea Antonelli. He simply shares the name with a world champion. The similarities keep finding him, whether he wants them to or not.

Kimmy Antonelli’s hot start in 2026

The season got off to a good start for Antonelli at the Australian Grand Prix as he had to retire early due to battery problems. He recovered, scored points and moved on. no play.

In Shanghai, Antonelli made a great debut and became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history. He then won and became the first Italian Grand Prix winner in 20 years since Giancarlo Fisichella won the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2006. Fisichella won that race five months before Antonelli was born.

“When you think that Kimi wasn’t even born when I won 20 years ago, it’s fantastic. I’m happy for him and proud of him,” Fisichella told F1.com. “To be honest, it’s been a long 20 years to see an Italian driver on the top step of the podium again. He’ll get the chance to do it again, not just once, but many times.”

Fast forward to the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix: Antonelli makes bad start. A wheelspin off the line dropped him from pole to sixth. A safety car on lap 22 saved no one – except Antonelli, who had not yet pitted and made the free stop into the lead. He fell nearly 14 seconds short of his second consecutive victory. After China, he held the distinction of being the youngest championship leader in F1 history.

Nothing seems normal about this right now. But, that’s fine for the game’s new superstar.

Why has Antonelli excelled despite F1 regulation glitch?

The 2026 regulations are the biggest technical change F1 has seen in years. This included new power units, active aerodynamics, tires and fuel – it all changed at once. No one came into this season with any relevant experience. Each driver on the grid had to locate a completely new car from the start. It’s a mess, including early season amendments to these regulations.

Kishore was the first to discover this.

📰: Kimi Antonelli issued a bold warning to his 2026 F1 title rivals ahead of Miami, saying his back-to-back wins in China and Japan prove he is on top. “Experience is my biggest weakness compared to drivers like George [Russell]…but my victory showed that I can beat… pic.twitter.com/7mo5Mt5Bda

– F1 Naija (@f1_naija) 26 April 2026

Yes, Mercedes has the best energy recovery system on the grid at the moment. The car is fast. But Antonelli is doing something with it that no one else is doing. Four-time champion Max Verstappen is buried in the standings. Reigning champion Lando Norris could not even start the first two races. Lewis Hamilton – with almost two decades in F1 – is fourth.

The 19 year old youth is leading the way. Without a doubt, this has been the story of this year so far.

Connected: Formula 1 emergency meeting: 6 rule changes by Miami that could fix the 2026 season

Antonelli’s 2026: comparison with other great young drivers

Sebastian Vettel won his first title at the age of 23. Verstappen won his first title at the age of 23. He is the youngest champion in F1 history. Antonelli is 19 years old and the season is three races old. Can he become the first teenager to win a driver’s championship? This is a distinct possibility.

The Vettel comparison comes up most often and is probably the best overall. Both operated major machinery. Both were composed well beyond their years. But Vettel had stable rules to work with. Antonelli is doing so amid maximum technical chaos, in his second full F1 season, on a car that didn’t exist eight months ago.

2026 Miami Grand Prix Coverage: Watch exclusive content on Apple TV+

“His whole demeanor is very refreshing,” said former Austrian driver and F1 executive Helmut Marko. “He was already incredibly fast everywhere in the junior categories, and it’s good to see a young driver like that coming to the fore.”

That’s part of what makes the comparison small – and the story big. Yes, it’s still early, but the gravity of what they’ve done so far isn’t lost on those who follow the game closely.

What to expect from Antonelli at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix

This weekend will be different. Not because of circuits or strategy or championship math. This is unique as Antonelli has never performed as the points leader on a race weekend. He has never walked into the Hard Rock Stadium paddock with a target on his back, in the loudest, most produced, most celebrity-saturated event on the F1 calendar.

The city is designed to be grand. The question is whether it overcomes him.

Through three races, the 19-year-old from Bologna, who passed his driver’s test six weeks before his F1 debut, is leading the world championship. He broke Lewis Hamilton’s record in his old seat. He is still finishing his high school exams between sessions.

Miami is about to find out what he’s made of.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough have both contacted Filipe Luis over a possible managerial move. The Brazilian is now firmly on the radar of Championship clubs ahead of the summer.

Sports Witness Source It is understood that both parties have held talks with Koch’s representatives in recent weeks. Watford have also retained interest, but their position is less advanced and is currently in the background.

It is a condition that is developing silently. Earlier in April, during Brazilian reporting Corinthians’ unsuccessful attempt to hire himIt had already been hinted that Filipe Luis was in talks with a Championship club.

This appears to have now evolved into a solid approach from many sides.

Flamengo builds strong profile

Filipe Luis comes to the market with a strong and well-documented track record from his time at Flamengo. That may have attracted Middlesbrough, QPR and others.

Between 2024 and 2026, he took charge of 101 matches and won approximately 63 to 64 of them. This brought the win rate closer to 70%. Therefore, this places him among the most accomplished coaches of Brazilian top-flight football during that period.

His trophy wins are equally remarkable. They won five major titles in a short period of time – the Copa do Brasil in 2024, followed by the quadruple (Supercopa, state championship, Copa Libertadores and league) in 2025. That sequence established him as one of the most successful managers in Flamengo’s recent history.

The numbers behind those titles are also revealed. Flamengo scored 184 goals in their 101 matches. This means his average remains comfortably above 1.8 goals per game.

His teams combined offensive output with structural organisation, while his earlier work with the club’s youth sides also drew praise for continuity and development.

Despite that success, his exit in March 2026 came as a surprise. Phillip Lewis was ruled out after an 8-0 win in the state championship. There was discontent within the team from the beginning of the season. Plus, there were contractual disagreements behind the scenes… and an alleged betrayal.

drama on betrayal

As we covered a while agoFlamengo’s board learned that Filipe Luis was in talks with Chelsea’s owner group Bluco over a deal at the end of 2025.

Negotiations with the London ownership group took place in late December, while their contract renewal negotiations were still ongoing in Brazil.

Initially, the former Chelsea defender believed the opportunity could involve a role directly linked to Stamford Bridge. However, they later learned that the position under discussion was linked to Strasbourg, another club under the same ownership umbrella.

Filipe Luis went three days without replying to Flamengo during the renewal process. That silence troubled the board. The club president felt personally betrayed.

The manager then resumed talks with Flamengo and eventually signed a new deal. But the damage was already done.

At the same time, Flamengo saw an opportunity in the market. The availability of Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim increased the pressure internally. Ultimately, this contributed to the decision to make the change, despite Philippe Louis’ strong overall record.

QPR and Middlesbrough offer different paths

Filipe Luis now lives in Spain and plans to wait until the European season ends before making a decision, as recently reported by Brazilian journalist george nicola. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is expected to manage the offers as the clubs formalize their interest.

Of those clubs, QPR and Middlesbrough stand out for different reasons.

Middlesbrough offers a more competitive short-term project. They remain within reach of a playoff position and still have a credible path to promotion. Kim Helberg won 12 of their 26 games, indicating a team still capable of maintaining their top six position.

QPR, meanwhile, are even further off the pace. Julian Stephan’s return of 1.33 points per game leaves them about 10 points shy of the playoff spots. However, the London club is exploring a long-term rebuild and consider Filipe Luis a potential fit for that direction.

Watford are keeping their distance

Filipe Luiz is also on Watford’s radar, although his approach has been more cautious.

He appointed Edward Still in February and is expected to re-evaluate his managerial position at the end of the season. With nearly 11 points separating them from the playoff spots and averaging 1.18 points per game in recent matches, their focus is not on immediate change.

For the time being, they have placed Filipe Luis on the shortlist for the summer rather than pursuing talks.

what happens next

In that respect, Filipe Luis has made his intentions clear. Jorge Nicola claimed to have rejected Brazilian offers and relocated to Spain to bring himself closer to the European market.

There have already been links with clubs such as Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. Additionally, there have been previous suggestions to include the Bluco Group and Strasbourg.

QPR and Middlesbrough are now making solid moves, with the Championship emerging as a realistic entry point into English football.

Middlesbrough may offer the clearest (or fastest) route to the Premier League, but as the summer approaches both clubs are actively shaping the next phase of this story.

Birmingham City’s August Priske says he is finding the Championship intense since his transfer in January.

The Denmark U21 international joined Birmingham City from Djurgårdens IF in January and the move allowed him to drastically improve his wages.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Sweden The striker improves his wages at Birmingham City, allowing him to earn £20.5k [€23.05k] per week. Game-wise, he’s still adjusting to the new league.

He graduated from FC Midtjylland’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2021. They sent him on loan to Jong PSV [PSV Eindhoven’s reserve team] and FC Eindhoven before being sold to Djurgårdens IF in August 2024.

Last year, the striker was Allsvenskan’s top scorer with 18 goals. He also contributed two assists in 27 matches.

His performances attracted the attention of other clubs, but in the end Birmingham City won the battle. Since moving to St. Andrews, he has yet to score his first goal.

The Dane’s championship statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 10
• Start: 3
• Total minutes: 356
• Minutes per game: 36
• Expected target: 1.01
• Expected Support: 0.16
• Big chances missed: 1

How Birmingham City convinced August Priske

Earlier this week, the frontman assisted a goal in Denmark’s 4-0 win over Wales in a European U21 qualifier. This will give the Danish media a chance to talk to August Priske and this week’s edition bold His interview has been published.

During his first few months at Birmingham City he said: “The level is high. There are many good players, and both training and matches are intense.”

“The intensity is probably the biggest difference to other places I’ve been to. It’s a wilder form of football with a lot of running, duels and ‘fights’.”

The Blues are 11th in the table, 10 points behind sixth-placed Southampton and are hoping to reach the playoffs.

“We have hope for the playoff places, but it is clear that we have put ourselves in a situation where things seem more difficult than before. However, we must do our part to finish the season in the best possible way, and then we will see where we end up,” Priske explained.

Bold State Lille, Besiktas and Red Bull Austria all tried to sign him in the winter market. However, he chose the city of Birmingham and explained his choice.

“He [ambitions] This is a big part of the reason I made the switch. In the first meeting he said that the goal was not in the middle of the championship and that impressed me. He added.

“It’s one thing to have ambitions and expectations for yourself. Another thing is to dare to speak out loud about them. That’s a good thing. It’s obvious that there’s pressure, but as a person I don’t feel it too much. I put more pressure on myself than I think on others.”

Our Opinion: The Dane could start to shine next season

August Priske changed club and country in the middle of the season. This means that he will have to adapt not only to the new league but also to the new place.

The full pre-season in the summer gives him enough time to prepare well and understand the manager’s methods. This could improve the striker’s chances of showcasing his qualities at Birmingham City.

🇩🇪Marvin Daksh | The Birmingham City player is attracting interest from Real Sociedad, AEK Athens and MLShttps://t.co/y4J8qJ8fJY #bcfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 16 March 2026

Lucas Anderson has found his first club after Queens Park Rangers and moved to BG Pathum United FC.

The attacking midfielder has been without a club since QPR released him at the end of last season.

After terminating his contract with AAB Fodbold, he joined the championship team in February 2024. The move saw him reunite with manager Martí Cifuentes, who had previously trained him at the Danish club.

Anderson played 2,126 minutes in 51 matches in all competitions for QPR, scoring three goals and providing four assists. This includes 33 appearances from the previous season.

Cifuentes left the club last year when QPR decided not to extend the 29-year-old’s stay. He failed to find a new club, Sport Witness, last summer and in October Covered claims from Denmark Many parties are making proposals.

He also had offers from unnamed Saudi clubs and even Cypriot side Olympiacos Nicosia and turned them all down. A month later, the player said he had to accept Consequences of rejecting these clubs.

There were suggestions that he might end his playing career but as of March 6, he is not has not retired.

Light at the end of the tunnel after QPR exit

The wait for Lucas Anderson is now over. He has moved to BG Pathum United FC, who play in the Thai League 1, Thailand’s top division league.

It received coverage in Thursday’s edition of the Danish newspaper jyllands-posten.

Thai Club official page is live xWhat was formerly known as Twitter has also broadcast comments made by the player after securing a new club.

On visiting Asia he said: “I am very honored by this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting started at this fantastic club. I am eager to get on the pitch and look forward to achieving great things for the club.”

Why won’t DEN display immediately?

BG Pathum United FC mentioned in their statement that Lucas Anderson’s contract is for the 2026/27 season. The current season, which is the 2025/26 season, will end on May 10.

Therefore, he will have to wait a few months for his first competitive appearance after leaving QPR.

Celta Vigo are stepping up their plans for next season, which include bringing back forward Fer López from Wolves at the end of his loan transfer spell.

Faro de Vigo’s report on the Wolves midfielder today And how the Spanish club are working to ensure they don’t lose him at the end of the season.

According to the newspaper, everyone wants the 21-year-old player to remain at the club next season and Celta is exploring all possible formulas to retain him.

This includes loans with a mandatory purchase condition. But the reality is that any deal will be complex.

Wolves won’t let €23m signing go cheap

Wolves paid €23m to sign Fer López last summer and he is under contract until 2030.

Despite his struggles at Molineux, they are unwilling to let him go without recouping a significant amount of that investment.

He rejected a long-term loan deal in January before eventually agreeing to a six-month deal.

Lopez has little desire to play in the Championship, however, a factor Celta are hoping to take advantage of. They are also hoping for help from Lopez’s agent, Jorge Mendes. He still holds some power over Wolves to influence such a deal.

options on the table

The Spanish club is working on several scenarios for the transfer:

1. Direct loan extension – The simplest route is a season-long loan in which Celta covers the salaries and pays the fees. Fer Lopez will have to take a pay cut.
2. A loan with an option to buy – essentially a softer version of a permanent deal, giving Celta flexibility while keeping Wolves safe.
3. Loan with mandatory purchase condition – the most realistic route to a deal. Celta will commit to the purchase of Fer López next summer, while Wolves will retain a higher percentage of any future sale.
4. Direct transfer – Celta bought him outright. This option is considered unlikely unless Wolves dramatically reduce their demands for the midfielder.

Why are wolves ready to negotiate?

Wolves are ready to be in talks over Fer Lopez after disappointing performances in England earlier this year. He played only 330 minutes in nine matches with three different managers and failed to find his place under any of them.

His loan to Celta was seen as an opportunity to rebuild value, and the player has done so. He is a key player in Celta’s plans and is impressing week in and week out.

The Spanish side want him permanently and Lopez also wants the move. But Wolves want their money back, or at least a good chunk of it. At this time, Celta would not commit to it.

Thus, all three parties need to find a middle ground that suits everyone, so various options are now being considered to make the agreement successful.

Fer López started for Spain U21 in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Kosovo

🇭🇳Derek Moncada | Wolves official pictured with rising star’s family on scouting triphttps://t.co/2K6pYHG08Z #wwfc #wolvesfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026

Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is a man of many interests. His interviews have been a treasure trove of interesting quotes due to his wide-ranging curiosity.

Apparently Mazzulla is also a fan of WWE. Or at least tickled about it.

He and Derrick White joined the latest WWE RAW card at the TD Garden on Monday. When he was introduced during the break, the crowd greeted him enthusiastically.

Majulla felt it was best to turn heel hilarious attack White, as shown in video posted by Celtics reporter Ian Ianangelo.

Joe Mazzulla is fighting Derrick White on Monday Night Rawpic.twitter.com/Ujs1Sja1Bz

– Ian Angelo (@iinangelo) 24 March 2026

Who said wrestling is fake?

Mazzulla’s experience became even more memorable when Triple H handed him a customized championship belt with the Celtics logo.

“Great to see @Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla @TDGarden. Now you’re ready for #WWERaw,” Triple H wrote on Twitter.

nice to see @Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla @tdgarden …Now you’re ready for it #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/AFl5XEvzPW

– Triple H (@TripleH) 24 March 2026

This drew various reactions from fans, including some who couldn’t help but make fun of it.

@HunchoGambles said, “If even Joe Mazzulla knows who you are, recognize that.”

@MoonshotMagic said, “Everyone I know would love to stay home and watch ‘The Town’ for the 88th time this week.”

@sirkennix posted, “Yo, Mazzulla with the custom belt. This is seriously dope. Boston is really eating it tonight.”

“Joe has post-game energy for Raw tonight?” asked @vexlyz.

@BigSteelerMood wrote, “The funny thing is that Joe is smiling.”

The Celtics lost 102-92 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, ending their four-game winning streak. Perhaps this was the reason Majulla didn’t seem too thrilled with Triple H’s gift.

However, Mazzulla also often looks the same – win or lose – so for all we know, he enjoyed it. Or maybe he’s just playing his heel role.

As the NBA world reacted to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 129-126 win against All-Star Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins singled out the three-time MVP. For the second time in 10 days, the Thunder defeated Jokic and the Nuggets at home in another instant classic between the two leading MVP candidates.

According to Rod Trippin, according to Perkins, despite Jokic having another typical regular season, he is not in tip-top shape.

“I don’t believe Jokic is in the best shape, and he’s still putting up these stats,” Perkins said. “I believe Jokic needs to be in better shape because remember, when Jokic was at his best, we saw him running up those stairs in the offseason before the championship, watching all the videos. He looked more ripped, he was cut, and he was playing on both sides of the basketball.”

For Perkins, Jokic was more effective on the defensive end of the floor, especially during the Nuggets’ championship run in 2023.

Perkins said, “I’m just saying that everyone has been waiting for the Joker to take this turn.” “And it seems like we haven’t seen it defensively.”

Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 13 assists, 14 rebounds) led four Nuggets players to reach double figures, including starter Aaron Gordon (23 points, 10 rebounds) in his second game back from a hamstring injury. Tim Hardaway Jr. connected on eight threes en route to 28 points off the bench, and Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Nuggets will look to bounce back when they host the Rockets on Wednesday.

Nikola Jokic gives flowers to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after defeat

After losing to the Thunder for the second time in 10 days, Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic gave his flowers to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 63-year-old record in Monday’s loss. The Thunder have an edge in the Western Conference rivalry, which could continue into the postseason. Jokic recently reaffirmed his loyalty to the Nuggets, calling it his home.

After Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic night, Jokic had to remind reporters how hard is it According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, it is no easy feat for a player to score 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, breaking a 60+ year-old record.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander’s unforgettable night undoubtedly gives him a significant lead over Jokic in this year’s MVP race.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics for a primetime matchup on Sunday afternoon in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics controlled the game from start to finish, in fact, outside of the Cavaliers’ early 8-point lead. The Celtics would bounce back quickly and take a 26-point lead in the third quarter. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Peyton Pritchard are not going to let the Cavs come from behind to win games. The Celtics would hold on for a 109-98 victory as Cleveland would do everything possible to come back.

The Celtics are now 43-21 in the East, and the Cavs are 39-25, four games back and two games behind the New York Knicks. The C’s are now just three games behind the Detroit Pistons, who face the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Brown was the star of the game for the Celtics and had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win. Brown is having one of the best seasons in Celtics history, and could be an MVP candidate by the end of the season.

In 27 minutes, Tatum scored 20 points on 6-16 shooting with three rebounds and two assists. The returning superstar scored 12 points in the first quarter and gave himself and the team a lot of confidence heading into that important match. The Celtics are 3-0 against Cleveland this season, and have won the season series, giving them the playoff tiebreaker over the Cavs if they need it.

Tatum hit a dagger triple at the end of the fourth quarter to secure the victory for the Celtics. The Cavs weren’t going out quietly, and the Celtics needed to hit a few more shots to stay put.

what goes up 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TNLwVXlUJC

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 8 March 2026

With JT back, hitting shots like this could get the league in trouble. This Celtics team has been the better team in the Eastern Conference since 2021, and they have more experience than anyone in the East. Paul Pierce thinks his former Celtics will win the East this season with Tatum’s return.

“He’s back,” Pierce said in a sing-song voice while recording Tatum’s postgame interview. “The East is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”

Nikola Vucevic’s injury is serious, but he will be back before the playoffs start. This Celtics team is very deep for Tatum, and as mentioned above, will benefit from experience.

The Celtics have owned the Cavs all season, and even though Cleveland will be a threat in the playoffs, they have shown no signs of being able to beat Boston in a 7-game series. The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are the only two real threats to the Celtics this season. If Boston is able to continue what they have, they could even pass the Pistons in the standings and steal home-court advantage from them. If Detroit loses to Miami on Sunday, the Celtics will remain just 2.5 games behind the East leaders.

This team faces two more big tests on the road next week against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Celtics manage to win one of those two games, you can consider it a mini road trip win for them. If Boston wins both of those games, their NBA Finals chances will skyrocket. The C’s are already the clear favorite to win the East at every sportsbook.

If you remain skeptical of this Celtics team, you may want to think again.

The San Antonio Spurs are currently doing things that shouldn’t be possible. On Friday night, the Silver and Black erased a massive 25-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-112, convincing the NBA world that a championship run is not just a dream, it is hope.

It appeared as if the Clippers were playing on the ice, but they were caught in the clutch. Despite San Antonio gifting them three missed free throws late in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles couldn’t muster a single defensive rebound to save their lives. The collapse was historic, the second-largest comeback in the Spurs’ play-by-play era.

pic.twitter.com/fr3wPPMAmy

– Marquis Swinton (@SwishDish720) 7 March 2026

What did we do to deserve this?pic.twitter.com/etHW3NNGQ3

– Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) 7 March 2026

These spurs will kill me man😭 pic.twitter.com/DBJKYU28ZT

– Bala (@BalaPattySZN) 7 March 2026

good game poetry pic.twitter.com/EgtGW3GFjH

– Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) 7 March 2026

Harrison Barnes will never take a nap again https://t.co/jwtPYdqfnX

– Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) 7 March 2026

“Tonight was a great example of why the Spurs are the best team in the NBA right now,” one fan posted on X.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in just 22 minutes of action. However, the most iconic moment belonged to rookie Stefan Cassel. During the game, Castle missed a free throw, grabbed his own rebound and sealed the win. “What an exciting finish in San Antonio!” another fan commented. “Castle missed the free throw… grabbed his own rebound… and sealed the win!”

Wemby started crying after Spurs win 😭
pic.twitter.com/tfRyJr71iU

– Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) 7 March 2026

Spurs win!! Carter Bryant is special!! pic.twitter.com/eY7w8PeSEu

– PJ Hoops (@RealPjHoops) 7 March 2026

you can’t beat my spurs lfgpic.twitter.com/aWk9zwbUqa

– CLAN THE SPURS FAN (@ClanTheSpursFan) 7 March 2026

Spurs defense man.

Carter is flying everywhere.

Victor dominates the paint.

Steiff is the Nels POA in Primary.

Spurs were down 25 and are now up 2.

This is Spurs basketball. pic.twitter.com/MFAOcoCLq5

– Eric Salinas (@EricSal_7) 7 March 2026

Wembley is so sick that he is crying at the regular season victory in March. pic.twitter.com/FDSnfZCdNX

– 🥽 (@spursbeliever) 7 March 2026

The patience displayed by Vembanyama and Spurs is causing many skeptics to reconsider their stance. As another supporter said, “25-point comeback and people still try to say he’s overrated…the league is in trouble.” If San Antonio can find a way to win games like this while their superstar looks like he’s “about to pass out,” the rest of the league is in for a really long postseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been steadying the ship in recent games and are currently riding a three-game winning streak that started against the Golden State Warriors at the beginning of the month. However, in the same game, Luka Doncic and JJ Redick got into an argument on the sideline, which ended when Jared Vanderbilt smartly stepped in while Doncic stood up and appeared intent on continuing the argument after Redick left.

That particular incident, despite being played down by the head coach, drew criticism from Miami Heat veteran and three-time champion Udonis Haslem, who believes Doncic needs to develop.

“The next step in Luka Doncic’s development, stop whining. Stop complaining to the refs. You’re not going to beg your way to a title, you’re not going to cry your way to a championship.”

Udonis Haslem’s message for Lakers star

(via @NBAonPrime)pic.twitter.com/nFSe4XkhzA

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 6 March 2026

“I don’t have a problem with temper tantrums in the middle of the game, but JJ is standing there waiting until Luka says what he needs to say. It feels worse when JJ is walking away and you jump up like you have to say something. Whatever you have to say, the communication has to be man-to-man. When you talk to your teammates or talk with your head down, not at the person you have to talk to.” “It needs to be done,” he said, according to a clip on X by ClutchPoints.

Redick himself played down the incident, claiming that the argument was ‘very normal’ and that he had a great relationship with Doncic, who has continued his impressive run of games since then. However, Haslem also believes that the Slovenian needs to focus his energy on his own game rather than complaining too much to the referee.

“Next step in Luka Doncic’s development, stop whining. Stop complaining to the refs. You wouldn’t be begging for a title for yourself, you wouldn’t be crying for yourself for a championship. You’re great as a player, when you’re focusing so much energy and efforts on complaining to the refs, you’re taking away from your game,” Haslem said.

He compared the situation to a young Jayson Tatum, claiming that the Celtics’ talisman had a similar habit of complaining to referees too much. That habit led Haslem to tell his teammates that ‘they were on his mind,’ claiming that when it came to players of Tatum or Doncic’s caliber, even a 3-4 minute period where they focused on outside factors was “all the leverage” the opposition sometimes needed.

So, while Haslem is well aware of Doncic’s offensive juggernaut, he believes it may be better for the Lakers superstar to focus more on his game.

The Detroit Pistons have a league-best record of 43-14 and are 5.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. After years of disappointing play since winning championships in the early 2000s, the Pistons are finally back on top of the league. There is a very good chance that the Pistons will represent the East in the NBA Finals this June.

Star center Jalen Duren believes the Pistons can win the championship now. He has an omnichannel mindset that he shared in a recent article for Endscape.

“To some people, it may seem crazy, but we want to win championships. We don’t want to wait. We feel like we have the people. We have the coaching staff. We have the mentality, the playing style, to do it. And we’re trying to get it done.”

The Pistons are loaded with talent. They have six players averaging double figures in scoring, with Cade Cunningham leading the way with 25.4 points per game. Duren is at 18.2 and adds 10.6 rebounds. Cunningham is second in the league in assists with 9.8 assists per game.

Detroit has nearly locked up the top seed in the East. That won’t happen for a few more weeks if they continue to play at the same level throughout the season. The next four games are not easy as they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers twice, Orlando Magic twice and San Antonio Spurs. Three of those four are on the road, as these next four games will be a big test for them in what will almost feel like a playoff series.

We’ll see if the Pistons come close to winning a championship in 2026.

After suffering a brutal 103-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics were disqualified from meeting the 40-20 rule, which argues that to win the NBA championship, a team must win 40 games before falling out of 20 during the regular season. The fact that this theory comes from 13-time NBA champion Phil Jackson should be proof enough of its validity. If that’s not the case, consider that 40 of the last 44 NBA champions have crossed the 40-20 threshold.

Since the Celtics failed to follow Jackson’s nearly infallible rule, are they doomed? History probably says so, but there are some important contexts that should make the green team get a pass this season.

It took 58 games for the Celtics to reach 20 losses, and star forward Jayson Tatum suited up for zero of those contests. The six-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion is still recovering from an injury he suffered in May, yet there is reason to believe he could return to play before the regular season ends.

Shams on Jayson Tatum’s recovery:

“It’s about him combining multiple exercises and efforts to build strength in his calves.”

“(Tatum) is in the driver’s seat. He’ll make the decisions. The team hasn’t put any pressure on him.” https://t.co/f3zdRJiQ0b

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 26 February 2026

Without one of their franchise cornerstones, the Celtics still Almost managed to satisfy Jackson’s 40-20 rule. This is an accomplishment in itself, as the C’s were considered dead by many pundits and preseason projections.

Rather than blitzing through a gap year, the Celtics have fully recovered from their offseason losses – including centers Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet as well as guard Jrue Holiday – and have continued to develop homegrown talent.

Nearly every young Celtic, from rookie Hugo Gonzalez to third-year wing Jordan Walsh, has improved, and so have most of the veterans. While reigning Sixth Man of the Year Peyton Pritchard and starting guard Derrick White aren’t having career years (although, they’re still producing at a high level), Celtics star Jaylen Brown is playing some of the best basketball of his life.

In his 10th year in the NBA, Brown is setting new career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. His increased usage in Tatum’s absence has undoubtedly boosted his numbers, but, statistics aside, the 2026 Eastern Conference All-Star starter is playing winning basketball.

So, even without Tatum, the rest of the Celtics have stepped up and posted an impressive 38-20 record in nearly 60 games on the season. If they beat the Nuggets, they could reach the 40-20 rule with an easier matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

And while that hypothetical may no longer matter, what the Celtics could look like with Tatum does matter. The rehabbing star has been “full steam ahead” in 5-on-5 team scrimmages, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, meaning a return in March is not out of the question. His presence on an already overachieving Celtics squad will undoubtedly help them contend in a tough, but winnable East.

If Tatum had been healthy, it would have been pretty safe to say the Celtics would have been eligible for the 40-20 rule this season along with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons. Additionally, it is not unheard of for a championship team to win without its best player.

What the Milwaukee Bucks did without Giannis Antetokounmpo

During the shortened 2020-21 campaign, the Milwaukee Bucks failed to meet the 40-20 rule. Like the Celtics, they were shy in a few games, yet that didn’t stop them from winning the 2021 NBA Finals by defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games.

Before the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years, star center Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and was forced to exit the early loss. Fortunately, he did not suffer any major injuries, however, and he sat out Games 5 and 6 of the ECF against the Atlanta Hawks with the series tied 2–2.

However, that doesn’t mean the Bucks bowed out. They won both games by double digits without their star player, which is somewhat reminiscent of how the Celtics have been able to operate without Tatum.

Bucks win Game 5 over Hawks without Giannis

Lopez: 33 PTS (playoff career-high) | 7 REB

Portis: 22 PTS (playoff career-high) | 8 REB

MIL leads 3-2. pic.twitter.com/aOfI7GiGXq

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 2 July 2021

Of course, Antetokounmpo wasn’t injured as severely or for as long as Tatum, but this example proves that a team that falls short of the 40-20 threshold can still win everything even without their guy at full strength.

Seeding and eye test

The 2020–21 Bucks met another potential championship qualifier, despite losing 24 times before earning 40 wins. Those were the numbers. 3 seed, and NBA history shows that almost every champion has been a three-seed or higher.

The only exception is the 1968–1969 Celtics, who were ranked no. 4 seed, and the 1994–1995 Houston Rockets, who were number one. 6 seeds. Both of those teams were fresh off last season’s championship, and if there’s any team with a championship pedigree in the East, it’s the Celtics.

They may not be defending a title like the aforementioned teams, but they did capture a championship in 2024 under Tatum, Brown and head coach Joe Mazzulla. Those pieces are not left and although the Celtics violated the 40-20 law, they comply with the seeding stipulation.

NBA Standings Update‼️

▪️DET reclaims NBA’s best record
▪️ SAS achieved 10th consecutive victory

Download the NBA app for more: https://t.co/pBKIAWNToa pic.twitter.com/xb3B7EAMKB

– NBA (@NBA) 26 February 2026

Boston currently sits in second place in the East with a 2.5 game lead over the third-place New York Knicks. The Celtics aren’t cemented in that spot, but they’ve been taking up residence there recently. Also, more importantly, they have played their best basketball recently, winning nine of their last 10 games before losing to the Nuggets for the second night in a row.

Despite unofficial championship terms, the 2025-26 Celtics simply pass the eye test. They are fourth in net rating and have survived some early struggles to become a top-five team in the NBA this season. They crash the boards hard, defend well, and can’t be taken lightly, especially when the Browns are doing it.

Add Tatum to the mix and the Celtics are legitimate contenders. Not exactly a favorite for the title, but a contender — no matter what Jackson says.

The Golden State Warriors fell to 29-27 after a 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins believes the loss underscores a bigger reality: The championship window may be closed with Stephen Curry out.

Perkins shared his stance during Friday’s broadcast of First Take, arguing that Golden State’s inability to make a major roster upgrade has effectively ended its title aspirations.

“Steph Curry actually had a chance to win another championship in Golden State, those days are over. His only hope was to be aggressive and try to get Giannis Antetokounmpo and from my understanding the Bucks didn’t want any part of what they were trying to offer. Because I heard they were trying to include Draymond Green in the deal, that probably ruined the whole deal. Milwaukee probably said we were too good for that kind of dollar.” Are.”

Perkins continued to question the team’s current roster construction and future flexibility.

“So when you think about where they are and what would be available on the market for them – we don’t know about Jimmy Butler and how old he would be for us after his ACL injury. Draymond Green is accomplished when it comes to really being a guy that can give you real production, especially with the dollars he’s making. He’s not delivering… It’s a shame because Steph Curry is playing at an all-time high level.”

“Those days of Steph Curry actually having a chance to win another championship at Golden State, those days are over.”

– Kendrick Perkins 👀

(via @FirstTech)
pic.twitter.com/WSPwaCbNTz

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 20 February 2026

Kendrick Perkins links Warriors’ title concerns to injuries, West competition

Perkins later emphasized the competitive landscape within the Western Conference.

“What friends? [are] What’s going to be free is that you can pair up with Steph who is really going to move the needle? Because I say this: SGA, he’s not going anywhere, Anthony Edwards is not going anywhere, Wembley, Jokic, all these guys, Luka, are still in the Western Conference. So, not being able to go get Giannis and see the production around him right now, the pieces he’s got are dead birds in the tall grass. Those days of Steph winning championships in Golden State are over.”

Questions over Golden State’s roster have intensified following Jimmy Butler III’s torn ACL injury last month, an injury that has clouded the team’s short-term outlook. Butler was viewed internally as a key veteran capable of providing postseason experience and a two-way impact upon his return the following season.

The 37-year-old Curry has continued to produce at a high level despite the team’s uneven results. He averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three in 39 appearances. However, Curry has been sidelined since January 30 after suffering a right knee injury during a 131–124 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Warriors announced he would be reevaluated in 10 days.

At the trade deadline, Golden State made a notable move by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, indicating a desire to rearrange the roster. Additionally, the Warriors remain in eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

Golden State concludes its four-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets (35-21) at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC. Whether Perkins’ announcement proves premature or prophetic will depend on how the rebuilt roster responds once Curry returns and the postseason picture becomes clearer.

Earlier this month, Sheffield Wednesday allowed Yann Valery to join Young Boys on loan until the end of the season.

The Tunisia international made his debut for Young Boys when he came off the bench in a defeat to FC St. Gallen on 11 February.

Last weekend, the Sheffield Wednesday player played the full 90 minutes and provided two assists in a 6–1 win over FC Winterthur.

Friday edition of blick Looks at how the right-back can help the Swiss club and discusses his future beyond this season.

Why did the Owls approve the loan move?

Valeri played regularly under Henrik Pedersen and has made 23 Championship appearances for the Owls this season.

The English club is struggling financially and is in the process of finding a new owner.

Blick claims that Valeri is one of Sheffield Wednesday’s top earners and his exit will at least allow them to shed part of his wages.

The newspaper believes that this move will also benefit them from the sporting point of view and will improve their chances of making it to the World Cup. Whether this is the case or not remains to be seen.

Good start for Sheffield Wednesday loanee

He provided two assists in their previous win, and credited his new teammates for helping him settle in.

“The team gave me a great welcome. It made my first game a lot easier. The two assists were just a bonus,” He said.

Before joining Sheffield Wednesday, the fullback worked in England with Southampton. During his time at St Mary’s, the Saints sent him on loan to Birmingham City. It is believed that his previous difficult experience in England will help the Young Boys now.

“I learned this in England. But I have known it since I was a child. Later, I also experienced the battle of exile on the island,” Valerie explained.

As things stand, the Tunisian is set to return to Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his loan spell. The Owls are bottom of the table, and are unlikely to play in League One next season.

This will give Young Boys a chance to retain him beyond this season. However, Blick has warned that if he continues to shine, there could be more clubs queuing up to sign him.

The newspaper suggests the price could rise if ‘powerful Championship clubs make serious offers’.

In five games with his new team, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder is undefeated in wine and gold. In an exclusive postgame interview with ClutchPoints following the Cavs’ blowout 112-84 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Schroder shared that he’s not surprised by how quickly the group has adjusted to him, as well as fellow newcomers Keon Ellis and James Harden.

“They did their job first,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “We’ve just tried to be included, we’ve just tried to make sure that we’re really, In fact Locked into every single game. It doesn’t matter who we play; We don’t shy away from opportunities, we shy away from good teams. Just playing my kind of basketball and trying to improve every day. I think it’s working.

“We just want to be at our peak in April. I think that’s where it matters most, and there are some steps we have to take. We have to do it every day. Everybody has to buy into it, and that’s what makes it so special right now that we’re playing at such a high level.”

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell noticed the new mentality in the building at the team’s first practice after the All-Star break. Harden, Schroder and Ellis have helped people understand the task.

“When you bring those guys in, they bring the level of professionalism that they’ve had in the league,” Mitchell said. “That’s what I’ve been doing since I’ve been in the league, and it’s kind of like that. Just understanding, ‘Hey, we’re getting 5-in-7. Yeah, we’re new and all that, but we also come in there and say, ‘Hey, it’s time to go.'”

“I think we handled it professionally,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I know people work; normally, it takes three, four, five days off. It’s more… I called it a working vacation. We need to keep our bodies moving, make sure we go to the gym. I think most guys have done that. It’s part of a professional approach. But at the same time, man, we’ve got to do something here, and we finally got a sprint here. So it’s a good start, good first game.”

Since arriving in the trade with Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, Schroder has exerted his will defensively and shown his aggressiveness going downhill. Atkinson likes the contrast from the bench versus the big starting five. The 13-year veteran’s biggest impact doesn’t come in the stat sheet for this particular group or at this point in his career; it’s all about How He plays (and so does Alice) – stubborn, relentless and with an edge.

“I don’t know how many distractions there were between those guys tonight,” Atkinson said. “Keion, I’m not sure I’ve seen it in the league. Like, he can get in the passing lane; he had three blocks tonight. I knew it was part of his statistical profile, but it’s impressive to see it live. We threw Dennis in there and Sam [Merrill] And Keon, [and] It’s almost like a different look defensively with our speed and aggression. So, I’m really excited about that second unit because of those guys.

“Dennis, he just picks up the ball,” said Evan Mobley, playing in his first game since Jan. 26. “I think the smaller guard can move guys around and get the offense going later in the shot clock. And Keon, I mean, he’s all over the place. Today, he got a corner-three block; you don’t see that much. His offense, he dunked like two guys. He got a block and then saved it over the guy. He just does a lot of little things that you don’t really see.”

As great as it feels to see this kind of success, there is always room for improvement and the Cavs only have so many days of practice in the second half of the season. What does it take for Cleveland to maintain the momentum it has built after rearranging its roster?

“Enjoying it,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “Enjoy every single game, every single practice, making sure the chemistry is right. We enjoy each other. I think that’s the most important, because if you have great chemistry on and off the court, it goes a long way.”

“We have a lot of talent with this group and high-character guys, I’m not really worried about the basketball. Coming together as a group and as a unit, I think it will make a big, big difference — especially in the playoffs when we go through tough times, and it’s really physical, and part of the mentality of it. I think when we figure that out, we’ll be really good.”

Dennis Schroder and Jordi Fernandez’s appreciation for each other is mutual

After spending just 23 games together in Brooklyn and moving up to the international level, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez is well aware of Schröder’s expertise.

“Dennis is the ultimate professional,” Fernandez told ClutchPoints in his pregame press conference. “We know he’s wearing different jerseys, but the reality is teams want him. Teams want him to win. Wherever he goes, he’s going to be a part of the majority of the success. I think that’s very important.

“Not only in the NBA, but also with the German national team, and I have the opportunity to [coach] against him. When I had great respect for him [coached] Against him, and even more respect because I got the chance to train him. And not just the player, but also the individual and his family. I think the Cavs are very fortunate to have him.”

In 2024, before the Golden State Warriors traded for him, he averaged 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .452/387/.889 shooting splits in less than 34 minutes per game. Schröder appreciates the short time he spent with Fernandez.

“Just one person who understands what I bring to the table,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “He made me feel comfortable. It’s one thing to tell, but it’s one thing to really make sure the players know that.” [have] Having the confidence to actually play and be comfortable in your position counts for a lot. He did this for me.

“I played one of my best seasons there, half a season, whatever you want to call it. But I really liked him as a coach. Also a European guy, we’ve seen FIBA, and we’ve seen the NBA side, and it’s been great.”

The Golden State Warriors fell to 29-27 after a 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins believes the loss underscores a bigger reality: The championship window may be closed with Stephen Curry out.

Perkins shared his stance during Friday’s broadcast of First Take, arguing that Golden State’s inability to make a major roster upgrade has effectively ended its title aspirations.

“Steph Curry actually had a chance to win another championship in Golden State, those days are over. His only hope was to be aggressive and try to get Giannis Antetokounmpo and from my understanding the Bucks didn’t want any part of what they were trying to offer. Because I heard they were trying to include Draymond Green in the deal, that probably ruined the whole deal. Milwaukee probably said we were too good for that kind of dollar.” Are.”

Perkins continued to question the team’s current roster construction and future flexibility.

“So when you think about where they are and what would be available on the market for them – we don’t know about Jimmy Butler and how old he would be for us after his ACL injury. Draymond Green is accomplished when it comes to really being a guy that can give you real production, especially with the dollars he’s making. He’s not delivering… It’s a shame because Steph Curry is playing at an all-time high level.”

“Those days of Steph Curry actually having a chance to win another championship at Golden State, those days are over.”

– Kendrick Perkins 👀

(via @FirstTech)
pic.twitter.com/WSPwaCbNTz

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 20 February 2026

Kendrick Perkins links Warriors’ title concerns to injuries, West competition

Perkins later emphasized the competitive landscape within the Western Conference.

“What friends? [are] What’s going to be free is that you can pair up with Steph who is really going to move the needle? Because I say this: SGA, he’s not going anywhere, Anthony Edwards is not going anywhere, Wembley, Jokic, all these guys, Luka, are still in the Western Conference. So, not being able to go get Giannis and see the production around him right now, the pieces he’s got are dead birds in the tall grass. Those days of Steph winning championships in Golden State are over.”

Questions over Golden State’s roster have intensified following Jimmy Butler III’s torn ACL injury last month, an injury that has clouded the team’s short-term outlook. Butler was viewed internally as a key veteran capable of providing postseason experience and a two-way impact upon his return the following season.

The 37-year-old Curry has continued to produce at a high level despite the team’s uneven results. He averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three in 39 appearances. However, Curry has been sidelined since January 30 after suffering a right knee injury during a 131–124 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Warriors announced he would be reevaluated in 10 days.

At the trade deadline, Golden State made a notable move by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, indicating a desire to rearrange the roster. Additionally, the Warriors remain in eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

Golden State concludes its four-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets (35-21) at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC. Whether Perkins’ announcement proves premature or prophetic will depend on how the rebuilt roster responds once Curry returns and the postseason picture becomes clearer.

Not only did the Cleveland Cavaliers finish in first place in the Eastern Conference last season with a 64-18 record, but they achieved the biggest accomplishment of the offseason by defeating James Harden. Already viewed as legitimate title contenders, Cleveland now has a point to prove, and star man Donovan Mitchell certainly understands that.

Speaking on SiriusXM, Mitchell claimed there was a sense of urgency to win the championship, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints.

“This could be one of my last chances, maybe James [Harden’s] Last chance… We understand what’s ahead of us, we understand what’s in front of us.”

Donovan Mitchell on being ready to win a championship for the Cavs 🏆

(via @SiriusXMNBA)pic.twitter.com/vypGBeqca9

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 19 February 2026

“As far as pressure, there’s obviously a sense of urgency. It’s like, hey you know, when you add a guy that’s just as hungry as the group. The way it was last year, it was either us or OKC. So how do you respond now?” He began by suggesting that Harden’s move means this could be his last chance to emerge as champion before questions are asked.

“I wouldn’t say there’s extra pressure, but there’s a sense of urgency. This could be one of my last chances, maybe James [Harden’s] Last chance…we understand what’s ahead of us, we understand what’s in front of us,” Donovan Mitchell said.

Cleveland is 34-21 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but the record only tells part of the story. The decision to acquire Harden in exchange for Darius Garland and a future second-round pick indicates that the front office is looking to win now, and wants the roster to move beyond the development phase starting this campaign.

The acquisition of Harden directly addresses Cleveland’s biggest postseason issue: offensive stagnation and secondary shot creation in the half-court. Even at 36 years old, Harden is averaging 25.0 points and 8.2 assists per game this season, his most productive scoring in five seasons.

Of course, Mitchell remains the star man despite Harden’s arrival. The 7-time All-Star is producing 29.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game and finished fifth in MVP voting last campaign. This time, he will not only want his team to emerge as a genuine title threat but will also have his eye on individual accolades.

Giannis Antetokounmpo said he is still committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, a sentiment that could potentially change when it comes to the offseason. As the Bucks retain Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline on February 5, the star will be asked about his mindset regarding an integral decision regarding his future with the franchise.

In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Antetokounmpo said he would not want to stay in Milwaukee and would never have the feeling of winning a championship. Continuing to say that he wants to win a title with the franchise, he would consider it if “it’s not on the table or in the plans.”

“The most important thing is I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if it’s not on the table or in the plans, that’s when you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe I have to move on,’ because I really want to win,” Antetokounmpo said.

“The most important thing is I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if that’s not on the table or in the plans, then only if you’re OK, maybe I’ve got to pivot because I really want to win.”

– Giannis Antetokounmpo 👀
pic.twitter.com/c6qcd5CNNc

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 February 2026

In the same interview, Antetokounmpo talked about how “committed” he is to the Bucks and how “extremely loyal” he is as a person.

“To this day, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m committed to the people I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc [Rivers]and john [Horst] In the front office…you’ll never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I’m a winner, and I’m extremely loyal,” Antetokounmpo said.

Giannis:

“As of today I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m committed to the people I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc and John in the front office… You’ll never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I’m a winner and I’m extremely… pic.twitter.com/ihRNC7zw3q

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 15 February 2026

At any rate, it remains to be seen what happens with Antetokounmpo and his future with Milwaukee, as there will be a number of teams that pursue the team in the offseason. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo looks to help the Bucks as the team is currently 23-20, placing them in 12th place in the Eastern Conference as they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe has officially added the first of many awards to his NBA career: Rising Stars MVP.

Taking the court for Team Vince Carter, Edgecombe scored back-to-back game winners and clearly looked like the best player on the court whenever he wore the jersey, which is high praise indeed, considering players like Derrick Queen were also participating in the event.

And yet, as pleasing as it is for Edgecombe to secure the tournament, as was the MVP trophy that came with it, Edgecombe was not ready to rest on his laurels. No. When asked about his win after the game, Edgecombe explained that he was happy to get his first championship win of the calendar year, even though he would like to add another win to his resume in a few months.

“It feels so good, man. It feels so good, baby. For Philly, baby,” Edgecombe declared. “You know, hopefully that championship at Rising Stars will be the first championship I get this season.”

On paper, Edgecombe’s confidence was evident in terms of both his individual performances and the quality of his team. While Daryl Morey famously didn’t add a player to his roster before the trade deadline, instead opting to trade forward Jared McCann for four draft picks and Eric Gordon with one pick, the 76ers are still a top-6 team in the Eastern Conference and could theoretically punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time in the Joel Embiid era if things don’t go their way this spring. Given that Edgecomb ranks second on the team in minutes, it’s safe to say that Philly will be counting on him to deliver them to the promised land early and often in May and June.

“Hopefully that championship win at Castrol Rising Stars will be my first win this season.”

VJ Edgecombe after winning Rising Stars MVP 🗣️

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/9qygMltJk2

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

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.