of manchester city It appears that the decision has been made on Vitor Reis. The important thing for the defender is that there has been no change since Pep Guardiola’s departure.

The Brazilian has spent this season proving himself at Barcelona. This came after Manchester City approved a loan move designed to accelerate their development.

There was some uncertainty as to what would happen next. Guardiola was a key figure in the club’s decision to sign Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. Furthermore, he shaped the next plan to send him to Spain for regular football.

according to globo esporteHowever, any doubts can now be put to rest. The outlet reports that Manchester City will re-admit the 20-year-old to their first team for the 2026-27 season following his summer break. Also, the coaching change has had no impact on that strategy.

Guardiola may be gone, but the plan remains

As we covered earlierGuardiola played a direct role in the development of Vitor Reis.

The defender has previously spoken about his admiration for the Catalan coach and revealed how much he learned during his brief stint in Manchester before moving to Verona. Earlier this year, he had also made it clear where he sees his future.

“My intention, my desire is to return to Manchester City, play and get a place.” He said.

Latest information suggests that the wish will come true.

Manchester City’s confidence in the defender has been strengthened by a season in which he has established himself as one of Verona’s most important players.

The loan was never designed as a move away from Etihad. Instead, it was intended to provide minutes that could not realistically be obtained in a team full of senior international players. And this step worked.

The magic of Verona gave what City wanted

Vitor Reis became a regular starter in La Liga and developed into a pillar of Verona’s defence.

He finished the campaign as the Brazilian playing the most minutes in Spain’s top flight. Throughout the season, he made 36 appearances and started 35 matches. He averaged 9,69 defensive actions per match, making him among the best performers in the league.

Equally importantly, he impressed in some of Verona’s biggest matches. spanish report Pointing in particular to his performances against both Real Madrid and Barcelona. These were extraordinary moments during the campaign.

Verona’s place in the City Football Group also allowed Manchester City to keep a close eye on his progress. Globo Esporte reports that performance reports were shared regularly throughout the season. Therefore, Premier League clubs maintain a comprehensive picture of their development.

what happens next

Vitor Reis was not included in Brazil’s final World Cup squad, but made Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary 55-man list. Getting your first senior call-up earlier this year.

That international recognition came with a successful season at club level. As a result, Manchester City now appear ready to take the next step.

For months, the question was whether a managerial change might change the defender’s path. The latest reports indicate that the answer is no.

Guardiola’s exit may have removed one of Vitor Reus’s biggest supporters within the club, but it doesn’t change Manchester City’s belief that he is ready to be part of their first-team plans next season.

Juventus appear to be making rapid progress on this move liverpoolAlison and a deal is now taking shape.

The goalkeeper received a new deal at Anfield in March but is likely to leave.

sports witness Covered how the Brazil international is now keen on a move to Juventus. He wants to reunite with Luciano Spalletti in Turin, having both shared the dressing room at Roma.

Personal terms between the two parties were not expected to be a problem. Liverpool’s approach was obstructive and looks to be changing with time.

diplomatic talks took place

tuttosport Report Alisson has ‘dedicated’ himself completely to Juve. He has great respect for Liverpool for how they have transformed his career but feels it is the right time to move on.

He has agreed terms to a three-year deal €4.5m per season. The next step would be an agreement with Liverpool.

The situation is now slowly changing. Liverpool had initially closed the door on letting the experienced player leave. Soon, Ellison had diplomatic talks about his exit and those discussions went smoothly.

As a result, Erne Slott’s side are more open to letting Alisson go. They want €15m to let him leave.

This move could help Alison

The Italian media seem to be going over the top but a move to Juve should help Alisson. With the departures of Mattia Perin and Michel Di Gregorio, he should be their first choice between the sticks.

Even if Juve fail to qualify for the Champions League, Spalletti’s presence will be vital. He has performed well in the past at Napoli, Roma and Inter, so the same is likely to be the case in Turin.

That could guarantee the club silverware, which would be another positive for Alisson. The backbone of the current Bianconeri squad is youth. This would make the 33-year-old a dressing room leader.

Even though he could earn even more by moving to Saudi Arabia, Juve would allow him to spend his last few years playing at the highest level.

Five years ago, an American Formula 1 fan had two choices on Sunday morning: find ESPN on your cable package or miss the race. The broadcast was good. Commercial-free, Sky Sports commentary, respectable production. It moved the needle from niche to mainstream, especially after drive to survive In 2019, Paddock was adapted into a Netflix drama.

That era ended on March 7, 2026, when the Australian Grand Prix became the first F1 race to be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV in the United States.

The game didn’t just change the platform. It really changed what it meant to watch Formula 1 in America.

Watch Formula 1 action live at the Miami Grand Prix: Now available on Apple TV

From Netflix to Apple TV: how the door opened

drive to survive did something that no broadcast deal could do on its own. It introduced F1 to an audience that had no idea it was missing. By the time Netflix released season one in 2019, the game’s US fan base was approximately 25 million. By 2025, it was up to 52 million – up 11% a year – and growing faster than any other major sport on the planet.

ESPN rode that wave well. Formula 1 averaged 1.32 million viewers per race across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC during the 2025 season, its last year on the network, with 16 individual races setting event viewership records. The Abu Dhabi closing ceremony alone attracted 1.5 million people. This is up 53% from last year’s closing. Growth was real and accelerating.

Apple then paid $750 million over five years to acquire it exclusively. No cable bundle. No channel flipping. One app, one subscription, $12.99 per month.

The skeptics had a point – taking games to a paywall has historically reduced viewership. Ask NASCAR, which saw a 14% decline in revenue in 2025 when it moved some races to Amazon Prime. But Apple was betting on something different: The F1 fan created by ESPN was a streaming-native, device-forward consumer who would follow the sport anywhere. Apple’s senior vice president of services, Eddie Cue, confirmed after the Australian Grand Prix that viewership had increased year-on-year compared to 2025, exceeding the expectations of both F1 and Apple.

So far the bet is succeeding.

Apple TV’s approach to Formula 1 coverage

The production difference between what ESPN delivered and what Apple launched is not subtle.

ESPN shows Sky Sports’ feed with British commentary and a ticker at the bottom. This was fine for fans who already knew the game. It wasn’t designed to draw in newcomers.

Apple redesigned the entire viewing experience. Each Grand Prix is ​​now streamed in 4K with Dolby Vision and 5.1 surround sound – the first time F1 has been broadcast in that format in the United States. That alone is important. An F1 car at full speed in 4K Dolby Vision is a fundamentally different visual experience than American fans have had before.

But the big change is what lies beneath the main broadcast. Apple TV offers up to 30 live feeds simultaneously across all sessions – Driver Tracker for a bird’s-eye view of the race, real-time telemetry, a mixed onboard feed that automatically switches between driver cameras as the action unfolds, and a podium feed that dynamically follows the top three. Fans can watch up to four feeds simultaneously via Multiview, with pre-configured team layouts or a fully customized setup. Apple Vision Pro users get five simultaneous feeds.

The casual fan taps a button and gets a curated experience. Hardcore fans create their own broadcasts. No other sport in America offers this.

And it goes beyond the screen. The Apple Sports app offers real-time leaderboards and live updates. Apple Maps features custom circuit guides with 3D grandstand and turn-by-turn navigation for fans attending in person. Apple Music plays a free live audio broadcast during the race. They have also partnered with free streaming service Tubi to offer exclusive live F1 altcasts for several races, available at no cost on every device. Yahoo Sports gets practice and qualifying streams. The Canadian Grand Prix will be simulcast on Netflix.

This is not a broadcast deal. It’s an ecosystem game.

Apple was built for an audience

Here’s the thing about American F1 fans drive to survive Built: He didn’t love the lap time. American fans fell in love with Lewis Hamilton’s championship hunt in 2021. He fell in love with being a constant competitor to Max Verstappen. The audience fell in love with the paddock politics, team orders, driver fights and the overall dramatic production.

In other words, they’re exactly the same audience Apple has spent a decade developing — streaming-native, content-forward, device-loyal, and accustomed to paying for premium experiences they actually use.

Apple launches an expanded Apple Maps experience with immersive 3D landmarks for the F1 Miami Grand Prix!

It will take place on May 3 in Miami pic.twitter.com/77ZKZALzzC

– Apple Cycle (@theapplecycle) 24 April 2026

The United States is now Formula 1’s largest market for YouTube viewers, with 171 million video views in 2025, and social media followers are up 17% year on year. The 18-49 demographic – which every advertiser and platform covets – watched F1 on ESPN last season, averaging 511,000 viewers per race, a jump of 24% from 2024. These fans weren’t watching because F1 was on cable. Despite this they were watching.

Apple gives them a reason to lean in more. The Multiview feature is designed for a single fan who follows a specific driver. It’s got what the viewer wants: George Russell’s onboard in the corner, the main feed in the center and drivers championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s telemetry in the third window. He is not a traditional sports spectator. He’s a fan who got into it through a streaming show and now wants to delve as deep into the game as it will allow.

2026 Miami Grand Prix: where it all comes together

Coverage and spectacle are now co-designed. This is the part that gets overlooked in broadcast conversations.

Miami’s visual identity – the fake marina, the palm trees inside the stadium complex, the paddock that looks like a luxury brand activation – was always created for the cameras. But now it is specially designed for the cameras brought by Apple. The cinematic 4K production deployed by Apple in Australia, China and Japan was not accidental. It was purpose-built for a circuit that was purpose-built for television.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said at Apple’s press day in February that Apple’s reach through its streaming and connectivity platforms would ultimately be bigger for Formula 1 than that of ESPN. It’s a significant statement from the man who helped ESPN transform its sport from a niche European import to a 52-million-fan American phenomenon.

The Miami Grand Prix week is a clear expression of what F1 has become in America, and now it has a broadcast partner whose entire business model is built around exactly the type of fans it came for. Celebrities, 4K cameras, 30 simultaneous feeds, multiview layout, Tubi Altcast for fans who don’t want to pay, Netflix partnership for fans who already want to pay.

drive to survive Opened the door. Apple passed by and renovated the house.

American fans no longer watch F1 on cable. They open an app, select their camera feed, and watch a 19-year-old break records in 4K Dolby Vision on a circuit built specifically to look good.

This is the new normal. Miami is the clearest proof of this.

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

Former Italian striker Eder has taken the wraps off almost as soon as he joined leicester city But then ended up at Inter Milan instead.

Gianluca Di Marzio Report Comments Following the 39-year-old’s appearance on Sky’s Calcio Unplugged program today.

After a sensational spell at Sampdoria, where he pushed Gonzalo Higuain into the race for top goalscorer in Serie A, Eder revealed he was on the verge of joining Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City.

“I could have gone to Leicester with coach Ranieri, it was almost done… I left Genoa to go to Milan and almost signed for Leicester.”

The deal was well advanced by now, in fact, the striker had already begun preparations for life in England. But then came the twist.

Mancini’s call changed his career

Just as Leicester City were closing in, Inter Milan made their move. And this effort came from the top at the Italian club.

He added, “Then I got a call from coach Mancini and also from Ausilio for Inter.”

He emphasizes that the decision was not just about the club’s reputation. It was about time, visibility and a bigger goal: making Italy’s squad for Euro 2016.

“It was also a decision based on the idea of ​​going to the European Championships with the national team… I was a little worried about going to England and not playing,” he concluded.

No regrets at rejecting Leicester

This decision also proved to be the right one for Eder, even though he missed out on winning the Premier League that year.

He secured his place in the Italy squad for Euro 2016 by scoring one of his most memorable goals at that tournament in a win over Sweden and a place in the last 16.

However, he has admitted that he regrets his decision, as he found himself out of the picture at Inter between January and the end of the season. Now he is left to wonder what could have been under Claudio Rainieri and his Leicester giants.

PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi is ‘severely disappointed’ by Fulham’s decision to withdraw from a deal for him.

espn netherland Report the striker could change his stance on a move to Fulham after last week’s drama.

Fulham’s move for Pepi was ‘almost finalized’ after the Premier League team agreed a €40m deal with PSV for him. The striker also traveled to London for a medical, which he is believed to have passed.

This was the conclusion of several weeks of negotiations after a move failed in the January transfer window.

Why did the deal fail?

Yet the deal fell through at the last minute as the club could not agree on transfer responsibility. This was a major element of the conversation. The two clubs had different views on when the ‘transfer of responsibility’ would take place.

Fulham wanted this to happen as soon as the Premier League transfer window opened. That’s during the World Cup, which is too late from PSV’s point of view.

Both clubs made concessions, but they proved insufficient to reach an agreement. Thus, the transfer collapsed at the last minute. Fulham simply considered the risk too great.

No deal is possible in future. In fact, PSV technical director Ernests has insisted that he would not rule out this happening.

Pepi’s attitude may have changed

Whether Fulham will return or not is a big question at the Dutch club. The same applies to Ricardo Pepi’s attitude towards any move.

He had wanted to move to the Premier League for a long time and had made his stance clear. This move was seen as A good deal for all parties.

But how will he feel about Fulham now? According to ESPN Netherlands, sources close to the striker say he ‘disappointed him greatly.’ In other words, given everything that has happened, he may not be so keen on the London club anymore.

If Fulham decide to return for Pepi in the coming months, this is probably something they will need to work on. As of right now, the deal is off and the striker is seriously disappointed.

Victor Orta has lived the ups and downs of football intimately, but the Director of Football, best known for his time at Leeds United, says both the game and life have changed him.

In a candid interview with AS GaliciaOrta reflected on what held him back amid promotion, European nights and the praise that followed his most famous signings.

“I’ve lost that ego”: Orta opens up on self-awareness

Asked who keeps his feet on the ground? When success threatened to inflate his egoOrta did not hesitate.

“My wife,” He said. “She’s my anchor. Anyway, I’ve lost that ego.”

The Raphinha transfer that defined Orta’s Leeds reign

This is a surprising admission from a man known for his intensity and conviction.

Victor Orta acknowledged that football can attract even the most self-conscious operators, especially when the praise comes from highlighting specific talents.

“Certainly, you feel those butterflies when you see your name mentioned as the discoverer of so-and-so,” He accepted.

“Or someone says to you, ‘Ah, you brought Raphinha (to Leeds), now he can win the Ballon d’Or.'”

From £17 million gamble to Barcelona captain

The deal marks one of Leeds United’s finest pieces of business in the Premier League era.

The Brazilian moved to Elland Road from Rennes in October 2020 in a £17m deal.

He scored 17 goals and recorded 12 assists in 67 games for the club, including a crucial penalty on the final day against Bournemouth in 2022. This helped prevent Leeds from relegation.

He moved to Barcelona in the summer for £50 million and after early struggles, he was named team captain amid a stellar campaign last season, in which he recorded 34 goals and 25 assists in 56 games and broke Lionel Messi’s record for goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign for the club.

He is, perhaps, the standout example of Orta’s eye for value and upside. But he insists that perspective now matters more than individual credit.

“I think there are more important things,” He concluded.

For Leeds fans, Raphinha’s legacy speaks for itself. Orta’s legacy at Elland Road is a different matter altogether.

However, the Spaniard says he is a changed man. Now, the legacy that Victor Orta values ​​most may be one that was created far away from the spotlight.

Benito Carbone’s football journey spans countries, cultures and generations, but one chapter still stands above all the others: Sheffield Wednesday.

Long before Inter Milan trained the youth and shaped Italy’s next generation, a teammate and a club changed everything.

It was teammate Paolo Di Canio who helped Sheffield Wednesday become a second home. Now he has explained everything to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Paolo Di Canio and the partnership that changed everything

Carbone doesn’t hesitate when he talks about Di Canio. The pair played together for one and a half seasons at the Oval, from August 1997 to September 1998.

Carbone was already at Hillsborough, having joined in October 1996. Di Canio arrived in August 1997, and the connection was immediate. First, there was the famous unveiling photo in which the pair were seen sharing an uncooked frozen pizza. Then the connection came on the pitch.

Together the two Italians formed one of the most creative and fondly remembered partnerships in Sheffield Wednesday’s modern history. In his only full season, Di Canio led the club with 14 goals, while Carbone contributed nine goals of his own.

According to the latter, the connection was immediate, intuitive and almost telepathic.

“Our families were always together, our kids were the same age,” He remembers.

“On the pitch, we understood each other immediately, just one look was enough. Di Canio was the best partner I have ever played with.”

Why did surviving Sheffield Wednesday feel like winning the title?

Yet despite the brilliance of the partnership, Sheffield Wednesday had a struggling season.

There were high expectations following Di Canio’s arrival but instead the Owls struggled for consistency. The club spent most of the campaign fighting relegation, ultimately finishing 16th and surviving by the narrowest of margins.

Most fans don’t remember it fondly, but Carbone has a different take. For the Italian, surviving Sheffield Wednesday was no footnote, it was a triumph.

“Staying at Sheffield Wednesday was like winning the title,” He adds.

An era of the Premier League that produced a footballer

Benito Carbone, perhaps, is looking back on his experiences beyond Sheffield Wednesday. His playing years in England were defined by challenges and successes.

He faced defenders such as Tony Adams, earned praise from Rio Ferdinand and built a reputation as one of the league’s most unpredictable midfielders.

At Sheffield Wednesday, he found freedom, and the partnership with Di Canio brought him joy. Purpose was also added to the fight for survival. And he fondly remembers the time when the Premier League was still being formed.

“It was not such a global league yet, but it was a very tough championship,” He concluded.

“There were a lot of English players there, and the game was all about the second ball: passing, aggression, heart. I had to face very tough defenders like Tony Adams. Rio Ferdinand once told me he didn’t sleep all night before playing against me. What a compliment!”

For Carbone, Sheffield Wednesday was never going to be just another milestone in his career.

It was where football became family and where the help of a teammate changed the course of his life. That’s why survival felt like victory, and that’s why this chapter still means everything.

Donovan Mitchell participated fully in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ latest practice, meaning he is likely to return before the team hosts the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson offered an update on the status of his All-Star guards as well as Max Strus, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade.

Both Mitchell and Wade were fully engaged in Friday’s session, with Strus performing at about “90 percent” and Allen not practicing.

After missing the last four games with a right groin strain, Mitchell appears to be on his way to returning for Cleveland’s showdown with the Celtics. The same can be said for Wade, who hasn’t played in Milwaukee since Feb. 25 because of a right ankle sprain.

Strus got even tougher on Friday, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, although he likely won’t suit up for the Boston game in two days.

“He could have gone higher,” Atkinson said. “He and I got closer today in a loving way. He’s always going to challenge you. He always brings an energy. He gives 100 percent every practice. Obviously we missed the player, but we missed his personality.

“He and James [Harden] Worked out in a small group before starting, so that was good. It makes you feel optimistic, doesn’t it? You are becoming complete. If you look at it that way, adding Max is like adding another excellent free agent.

How serious is Jarrett Allen’s injury for the Cavs?

Atkinson assured the media that Allen’s right knee injury was “absolutely not long-term.”

“He did some conditioning and treatment, so we’ll see about that,” Atkinson said. “If he is out, it is a short-term thing.”

Allen suffered the illness while attempting to grab a rebound in the opening moments of the second half against the Detroit Pistons and was ruled out for the remainder of Tuesday’s contest.

It doesn’t look like the Cavs’ big man will suit up on Sunday, but we’ll get a clearer picture on Saturday.

last week, sports witness TuttoSport’s claims on Manchester United’s interest in Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu covered.

The Turin newspaper was certain about the Red Devils’ presence at San Siro for Juve’s big game against Inter Milan. Scouts were expected to keep a close eye on the Frenchman, who has been key for the Bianconeri under Luciano Spalletti.

The match did not go well for Kalulu and he became the center of controversy. He received a second yellow card for a dive by Alessandro Bastoni in the first half and was sent off.

The dismissal changed the game, as Inter ran out 3–2 winners. This doesn’t seem to have affected Manchester United too much, but other developments have certainly had an impact.

Manchester United unlikely to get Kalulu

today’s tuttosport Take another look at the France international, who featured in Juve’s 5-2 defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday.

They are confident that he is ready to stay in Turin, despite a scouting mission from Manchester United. It has been clarified that the defender played well against Inter despite being sent off.

In fact, Juve do not consider Kalulu ‘sellable’ and are working to hand him a new contract. The foundations for a deal have been laid, with the 25-year-old expected to remain at the club until 2030.

His current contract runs until 2029, which could be a reason for interest from Manchester United. But as things stand, the Red Devils’ name has potentially been used in talks over a renewal.

Utility player can add value

Since his time at AC Milan, Kalulu has always been a reliable and versatile defender. Also at Juventus, he has played at centre-back, right and wing-back and has done a very good job everywhere.

Furthermore, he can perform equally well in the back four and back three.

This shows that he can be an important player at any top club in Europe. Manchester United’s interest is no surprise but the chances may not be high.

last month, sports witness Norwich City’s interest in Bodø/Glimt striker Casper Hogg was widely covered.

The Championship side made a formal offer to sign the player in January, as he was seen as a replacement for Josh Sergeant.

This forced Norwegian club manager Kjetil Knutsen to close the door upon his exit. They were sure that Hog was growing well and had no reason to leave.

This led Norwich City manager Philip Clement to suggest that Bodo/Glimt’s unexpected Champions League progress was the reason behind the failed transfer.

Belgium said: “Everyone at the club agreed and we were really close to signing a striker who wanted to come, but the situation changed when his team won a game no one expected them to win.

With Bodø/Glimt facing Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs, Hogg’s situation in Norway is being further explored.

No clarity on failed Norwich City deal

Today, Dagbladet Adding to Clement’s comments for context, check out Norwich City’s pursuit of the 25-year-old.

He speaks to Bodø/Glimt sporting director Howard Sakariasen about whether his European progress was the reason for Hogg’s stay.

He told the outlet: “We’re not talking about player logistics [transfers] In Bodo/Glimt on general basis.”

Sakariasen was also asked whether playing in the Champions League helps Bodø/Glimt retain their best players.

he replied: “We’re trying to pick up the pace and work better every day, then we’ll see where it takes us.

The director also expressed confidence that the current squad is ready for the game against Inter.

“I would like to believe that the players who are here preparing for the match against Inter feel that they are in good shape at the moment.”

Hog should have no regrets

Hogg has scored four Champions League goals so far this season and provided two assists in the competition.

The two games against Inter allow him to further showcase his quality and potentially attract bigger clubs. If Bodo/Glimt pulls off an upset win, their stock could rise further.

That’s why the Norwegian should have no regrets about not joining Norwich City. That ship has sailed and focusing on the present could help him get more opportunities – possibly in the Premier League.

Chris Bosh said Goran Dragic’s injury during the 2020 NBA Finals significantly impacted the Miami Heat’s series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speaking on the latest episode of the All That Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, the Hall of Famer reflected on Dragic’s plantar fascia tear in Game 1 of the Finals inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble.

“The hardest part was watching the Heat battle injuries. Seeing my guy Goran Dragic finally get there and not be able to play. It broke my heart. I can’t say they win, but it definitely would have been a different series if he played. Just to be able to play in the Finals, I don’t care where they’re playing — if it’s the Finals and the NBA, it’s a dream come true. They don’t get that whole experience. It was tough. Like he said, they still went out there and fought. I know the message was definitely there for both sides, but especially for the Heat,” Bosh said.

Bosh continued:

“I know a lot of people were writing them off and not really paying much attention to them, but you know, when you get there, you don’t get there just to lose. You don’t get there to say, ‘Ah, nice weather.’ I definitely knew they were going to prepare, they were going to fight to the last man and you have to beat those guys. And it happened, but pain is pain. I know they’ll be able to overcome this and it will make them a better team and put the Lakers down, man one. Let’s see if they can keep it going.”

Dragic entered the 2020 postseason as Miami’s second-leading scorer behind Jimmy Butler III. In 17 playoff games, he averaged 19.1 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal while shooting 44% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range in 32.5 minutes per contest.

Chris Bosh believes if Goran Dragic didn’t get injured in the 2020 NBA Finals, it would have been a different series:

“The hardest part was watching the Heat battle injuries. Seeing my man Goran Dragic finally get there and not be able to play. It broke my heart man. Not like… https://t.co/5UKntMUerb pic.twitter.com/1bOzN5UWJc

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 13 February 2026

Chris Bosh says Goran Dragic injury changed the fate of Heat’s Finals against Lakers

Due to injury, Dragic was limited to only two brief appearances at the end of the series. Miami ultimately lost to the Lakers in six games as James captured his fourth NBA Championship and fourth Finals MVP.

Despite the setback, the Heat remained competitive throughout the series, with Butler’s 40-point triple-double in Game 3 and 35-point performance in Game 5 forcing a sixth game.

Miami later returned to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022 and lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games. The franchise made another Finals appearance in 2023 but lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games. Dragic was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kyle Lowry as the Heat reshaped their roster around Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

With the Butler-led era now concluding, Miami enters All-Star weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles with a 29–27 record, eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat have advanced from the play-in tournament in each of the past three seasons and remain in contention for another postseason berth this spring.

Bosh’s comments provided perspective on how injuries, particularly Dragic’s injuries, shaped Miami’s chances against James and the Lakers during the unique bubble finals.