Islam Makhachev’s long-awaited UFC return has just been confirmed, and it was by his potential opponent.

Fight fans haven’t seen the Russian compete at UFC 322 since November. That night, the renowned lightweight champion moved up in weight to take on welterweight titlist Jack Della Maddalena. He dominated just like he did at 155 pounds and joined the exclusive club of fighters who have won UFC titles in two divisions.

Since then, there has been speculation as to who he would face in his first defense. Stars like Kamaru Usman, Ian Machado Gary and Michael Morales have been linked to a fight with Makhachev. Still, nothing concrete like the actual date has come to light. Well, that changed on Wednesday.

Michael Morales confirms title fight against Islam Makhachev in August?

“I always make my own luck and that’s why I will be the next champion ✍🏽 15-08-26,” Morales wrote in a new post on his Instagram account. From the caption accompanying a photo of him shaking hands with UFC CEO Dana White, it appears he has signed a contract for the fight to take place on August 15.

This is the tentative date for UFC 330 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. No fights have been announced on the card yet, but it would be a good headliner for the event.

The Ecuadorian will be a worthy challenger for the new champion. His record in the UFC is 19-0 (7-0) and he scored a first-round knockout victory over Sean Brady on the same card on which Makhachev won the welterweight title.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Aaron Rodgers has signed up to play his 22nd season in the NFL, after agreeing to return for another year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The future Hall of Fame quarterback will be 42 years old when the season starts, and on December 2 he will turn 43.

Still, before committing to the Steelers last week, some doubt had grown about whether Rodgers would be suitable for another season. It turns out this was a much more classic discussion of an all-time great fading into the final stages of his career than his Packers predecessor Brett Favre did.

Rodgers returns to the Steelers team he helped lead to the playoffs last season. This time, now in Green Bay, he is looking to take the Steelers even further by teaming up with his old head coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers.

But don’t expect the same kind of gimmicks next offseason. Rodgers now claims he knows when his football career will end.

Speaking on Wednesday, Rodgers acknowledged that he will retire at the end of the 2026 NFL season.

Aaron Rodgers asked if it was last year: “Yeah. That’s it.” https://t.co/VeIC3W3TUw

– Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) 20 May 2026

A four-time NFL MVP winner and former Super Bowl champion, Rodgers has already built the type of resume that will earn him a bronze medal in Canton. However he clearly has the competitive drive to see if he is able to double his Super Bowl ring total, this time, accomplishing the feat with the same head coach, but on a different team.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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

The date for Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is now set for late 2026 after years of failed negotiations. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on 27 April that the fight was “signed, sealed and delivered”. The fight is expected to take place in November, although the exact date has not been announced. This confirmation brings clarity to one of boxing’s most talked-about bouts.

The Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight has been in the news for almost a decade, with both fighters rising to the top of the heavyweight division at different times. Broadcast plans point to a global audience on Netflix, underscoring the program’s expectation of worldwide reach.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date, venue and broadcast plans

The date for Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is currently targeted for November 2026, although officials have not released a full schedule. Site details also remain open. Initial discussions include a larger stadium in the United Kingdom or a Saudi-backed event. Croke Park has already been ruled out as an option.

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight will stream globally on Netflix, which is a huge step forward for boxing broadcasting. This ensures wider reach for fans in different regions.

Before this, Anthony Joshua is scheduled to fight Christian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh. This fight will serve as preparation for the main event.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight background and career record

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two of the most recognizable names in heavyweight boxing. Joshua won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and has won several world titles during his career. Fury retained the WBC title and lineal championship and became world champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko.

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury matchup brings together different styles. Joshua relies on power and direct strikes, while Fury utilizes speed, reach and ring awareness. These contradictions have kept the fight relevant at different stages of his career.

The deal came after talks with Saudi boxing personality Turki Alalshaikh. Reports confirm a two-fight structure for Joshua, including his July return and main event at the end of the year.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight: who will win

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight has been officially confirmed, with key details yet to be announced. Organizers are expected to announce the official venue, full fight card and final event in the coming weeks.

Both the fighters are expected to complete their preparation through scheduled bouts and training camps before the scheduled date.

Dogley Wilberforce is a boxing writer for SportsNaught, covering fight news, fighter reactions and major bouts in the sport… More about Dogley Wilberforce

tottenham hotspur Luka Vuckovic has enjoyed good performances since joining Hamburg SV on loan last summer.

The centre-back has been an integral part of their back line this season and has been one of their standout players.

His form has already attracted the attention of the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, raising question marks over his Tottenham future.

The Croatia international has played 27 matches for the Bundesliga team and even scored five goals and contributed one assist.

His Bundesliga statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 25
• Interceptions per game: 1.2
• Tackles per game: 0.8
• Balls recovered per game: 4.4
• Clearance per game: 9.1
• Duels won per game: 7.6

He appeared once since the last international break and has been on the sidelines since then.

Last Wednesday, Hamburg Manager Marilyn Polzin said He received intensive treatment for a knee injury.

Two days later, witness the game Covered claims from Germany That the defender did not train last week. Despite this, Polzin wanted to risk him for the derby against Werder Bremen.

Update on Tottenham player’s injury

Luka Vuckovic traveled with the team but did not feature in Hamburg’s 3-1 defeat to Werder Bremen on Saturday.

image Now report that his condition is worrying as the Tottenham Hotspur man’s injury is ‘much worse’ than initially anticipated.

The 19-year-old’s joint is ‘much more damaged than before’ and hence, he is likely to miss the clash against TSG Hoffenheim on April 25.

In fact, the Spurs-owned player has not been training with the rest of the team since April 7.

His absence is a big blow for the German club, who have scored 13 goals in the last 11 matches they have played. In his absence, they have conceded seven goals in the last two matches.

The newspaper makes no mention or indication of when the defender will return to action.

What’s next for Vuckovic and Tottenham?

Roberto De Zerbi’s team and their medical staff will keep a close eye on Luka Vuckovic’s injury situation.

As things stand, the player will have to return to the North London club after this season and the player has already indicated This recently. After this, Tottenham will have to decide on his future in the summer.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Thursday.

montreal canadiens news

We now know when the Habs and Lightning will play Game One of their first-round series. Well, we know what day it will be on Sunday, but the league has not released the actual start time yet. Oh, and we haven’t yet been advised when games two, three, four, five, six or seven will take place. Classic NHL! [NHL Playoff Schedule: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Begins Sunday]

ICYMI: There is no doubt, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the better team at 5v5 this season. However, when the numbers between Montreal and the Lightning are evaluated against each other in their four games, the discrepancy is less noticeable, with the Canadiens managing to control more shots than the Bolts. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Head-To-Head]

Check out this awesome playoff pump-up video made by Danielle Lapierre! There was a time when editing at this level was reserved for a few expensive videos per year, but now we’re seeing fan-driven content that trumps the content produced by teams, which is nothing short of excellent. Keep up the good work, Danielle!

I’m not saying Lane Hutson should win the Norris Trophy, but it’s a little ridiculous that he’s not ranked among the top candidates by the NHL voters. Most data-based analysis shows that Hutson should be considered one of the front-runners when it comes to selecting the best defenseman in the league.

With the regular season ending tomorrow night, who is your vote for the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman? 🗳️ #NHLAAwards

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/0NxHNBlLNm pic.twitter.com/qdbkUkyDY7

– NHL Media (@NHLMedia) 15 April 2026

Even though it seems clear that the Canadiens do not intend to use Patrik Laine any time soon, head coach Martin Saint-Louis is keeping a close eye on the situation, which may not be easy for the Finnish forward.

What do Martin St. Louis and Patrik Laine say to each other before training starts? 🤔🧐@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #line #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/sLSNVkZeZs

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 16 April 2026

As for players looking to make their mark, rookie David Rickenbacker spent a lot of time with skills coach Adam Nicholls on Thursday.

David Rickenbacker worked alone with Adam Nichols for several minutes after practice.

The Austrian defender wanted to improve his handling and protection of the puck near his net.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #reinbacher #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/6ux0E1z3N5

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 16 April 2026

Shockingly or not, Hutson and Ivan Demidov were among the first players to jump onto the ice during practice.

Even in the playoffs, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov’s habits don’t change: They’re the first two players on the ice this morning in Brossard.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #hutsan #Demidov #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/laqm9hAMWQ

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 16 April 2026

Sportsknot Network

Anders Lee spent 14 of his NHL seasons wearing a New York Islanders sweater. This may be about to change soon. Lee spoke about his future on Islanders breakup day on Wednesday and why his exit interview with GM Matthew Darche was important. [New York Islanders]

It’s official, folks, the Ottawa Senators will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. This places the Senators in the metropolitan portion of the bracket for the first two rounds, along with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. [Ottawa Senators]

The Detroit Red Wings need to make a move during the 2026 NHL offseason. After a late-season collapse, the Red Wings fell from leading the Eastern Conference to falling out of playoff contention. However, could Detroit consider making a blockbuster trade during the 2026 NHL offseason? [Detroit Red Wings]

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

sene lamens made him Manchester United debut in October, a month after joining the Premier League team.

The Belgian has been the No. 1 for the Red Devils ever since and there has been no change since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January.

Lammens will remain Manchester United’s No. 1 after this season, meaning Altay Bayindir will have to settle for a backup role.

Bayinder started the season ahead of Andre Onana, who is now on loan at Trabzonspor, before taking over the role of Lamen’s main goalkeeper.

The Türkiye international’s Premier League statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 6
• Start: 6
• Clean Sheets: 0
• Targets allowed: 11
• Savings: 13

He has not made an appearance for the Premier League team since September and was offered the opportunity to return to his country in the winter market. Besiktas showed strong interest, but the Old Trafford club banned from going out at the last minute.

Manchester United player’s future possible in Türkiye

The Turkish media continued to push the 27-year-old towards the Istanbul club, to the extent that Besiktas manager Sergen Yalkin had to put the matter to rest in March.

At that time, he Said: : “This is not the time to answer these questions. We play cups, leagues. We will talk about these issues when the transfer window comes.”

Later that month, Sport Witness broadcast news The Black Eagles hope to sign him for free in the summer. However, Manchester United are unlikely to accept this.

fan Now cover the latest on the Turkish club’s ongoing efforts to sign the stopper, following his failed January move.

Ersin Destanoglu is their current number 1 and his contract expires at the end of this season. It appears that Yalkin’s side are keen to work on a contract extension with the Manchester United player.

Besiktas has started preparations to reshape the team and finalize the goalkeeping position.

They have reached an agreement in principle with Alte Bayindir for personal terms and the newspaper says the transfer will be made official at the end of this season.

The Fanatic says Michael Carrick is unlikely to cause difficulties for Michael Carrick’s side in the next window, indicating that agreeing terms with Manchester United will not be an issue.

Our opinion: Manchester United must sell

Altay Bayindir joined Manchester United from Fenerbahçe in September 2023 and has not enjoyed regular minutes since.

This will not change next season. Therefore, it would be in the Red Devils’ interests to sell him in the next window, and for the player to leave Old Trafford.

His contract expires in 2027, with the option of a further year, and transfer market He is worth €7 million.

The New York Knicks have been on the rise lately, currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, but have a real chance to unseat the Boston Celtics for second place. The Knicks have played the last portion of the schedule without Miles McBride, who is sidelined after sports hernia surgery.

Recently, Knicks insider James L. Edwards III provided an update on McBride’s status, which should get New York fans excited.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Deuce McBride returns Sunday against OKC,” Edwards III, formerly of the Ax, reported on Twitter.

It will certainly be a welcome sight for Knicks fans to have McBride back in the lineup as soon as possible. When healthy, the former West Virginia star provides New York with elite outside shooting, solid on-ball defense and the ability to facilitate play for his teammates.

The Knicks have largely been operating without a consistent backup point guard behind Jalen Brunson in recent weeks, as Tyler Kolek hasn’t seen much playing time after a midseason bounce. However, McBride is projected to return to his normal workload before the playoffs, which are scheduled to begin next month.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have a big game on the road against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday evening. The Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA over the past few months, emerging from NBA purgatory and looking like a real threat to scare a potential playoff opponent, should they reach that stage.

New York, led by rookie standout Kon Nueppel and former All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball, will have to do its best to guard the Hornets’ range of three-point shooters.

Tipoff between the Knicks and Hornets is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET from Charlotte.

With the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date coming soon, new patch notes are likely to arrive before the Season 6 update. Overall, this brand new season brings new content in various modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, it brings new content for other modes like The W. Without any further delay, let’s take a look at the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Release Date

Don’t miss the exclusive NBA 2K26 content pack available to GTA+ members!

Join GTA+ now to gain access to playing NBA 2K26 + bonus content! 👇https://t.co/o4RGTrRnNu pic.twitter.com/GwdGZ6RNhG

– NBA 2K (@NBA2K) 20 March 2026

NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date is Friday, April 3, 2026 8am PT/11am ET.

Like a normal NBA 2K season, players can expect to see new content in MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, there will be a brand new Season Pass, filled with 80 free rewards that you can earn over time. Check back with us when Season 6 launches to see all the rewards.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Patch Notes

At the time of writing, the developers have not yet revealed any updates or patch notes for Season 6. Earlier this month, the developers released a new patch to combat cheaters. But I think we can expect to see things that revolve around gameplay and different modes.

What to expect in season 6?

As previously mentioned, Season 6 will come with a new Season Pass that includes rewards for MyTEAM and MyCAREER. Luckily, you don’t have to play both modes to earn XP. If you like MyCAREER, all you have to do to earn MyTEAM rewards is play MyCAREER. Additionally, we can expect another Pro Pass, which will bring even more rewards when purchased.

Additionally, the new season will likely include new content for W Mode, including seasonal and weekly challenges. We may also see more community builds, as well as an update to MyTEAM Mobile.

Courtside report for Season 6 should be coming soon. We can expect to hear more details about the season’s cover athlete as well. Stay tuned for the latest report, which should come before the season ends.

Overall, that covers everything you need to know about the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes. We are looking forward to a brand new season full of rewards for players. If you’re looking for more NBA 2K content, try redeeming the latest locker code. Also, watch last week’s episode of NBA 2KTV to earn some VC.

Finally, for more gaming and NBA news, visit ClutchPoints. Also, subscribe to our own gaming newsletter for more weekly updates.

Tottenham Hotspur are enduring one of the most turbulent stretches of their season – and about their entire history, to be fair. The team is weakening due to the worrying domestic and continental situation.

In that context, the possible return of Rodrigo Bentancur becomes even more important. The Uruguay international has been sidelined From 8th JanuaryWhen he suffered a thigh injury that required surgery.

This means he has still not appeared under the leadership of Igor Tudor, who took charge a month ago. But he has already worked with the Croatian at Juventus in the 2020/21 season. Tudor was Andrea Pirlo’s assistant manager at the time.

Since then, Tottenham have had to go through a difficult period without one of their most experienced midfielders. However, now there are encouraging signs about his recovery.

Bentencur recovery ahead of schedule

Bentancur’s personal fitness coach, Daniel Fernandez, has provided a detailed update on the midfielder’s condition.

According to Fernandez, the recovery process has progressed faster than initially expected. he explained to Uruguayan radio 100% game That the surgical wound has healed well. The rehabilitation of Bentancur is currently about 15 days ahead of the original forecast.

The Tottenham player has already returned to field-based work, which is an important step in the process. That phase allows the player to resume football-specific activities. This comes after weeks focused mainly on rehabilitation and strength training.

Fernandez also revealed that Bentancur is currently following an intense routine designed to accelerate his recovery while maintaining control over the workload.

The midfielder has been completing three training sessions per day, focusing on muscle strengthening and progressive conditioning. The program is being coordinated between Tottenham’s medical staff and the physiotherapist involved following the surgery. In addition, external experts are working on specific aspects of the recovery.

Nevertheless, the coach stressed that gym work alone could not meet the demands of football.

Lifting weights or repeating physical exercises does not reproduce the intensity and unpredictability of match situations. For this reason, a gradual return to football activity is considered an important step in Bentancur’s rehabilitation.

Despite those limitations, the Tottenham midfielder has been able to tolerate greater physical loads than initially expected, which the team sees as a positive sign.

Club and country are monitoring the situation closely

According to Fernandez, the Uruguay national team also receives regular medical reports, scans and updates to monitor Bentancur’s progress. He will be an important part of their World Cup team.

Additionally, Tottenham are managing this process and are in constant contact with the player and his recovery team. Spurs’ interest is obvious given the current state of the team and lack of experienced first team options.

Based on the current timeline the expectation is that Bentancur should be technically ready by the end of March.

However, returning to competitive matches is a different matter. Fernandez believes the midfielder could be realistically available for first-team action by the end of April. Provided that recovery continues without interruption.

Mental motivation is also important

Fernandez also highlighted the psychological aspect of the recovery process. He explained that early in his career, most of the training focused heavily on the body. However, modern preparation is increasingly recognizing the role of the mind.

According to him, the brain acts as the “conductor of the orchestra” in their performance. It is therefore important to have clear goals during the long rehabilitation period.

For Bentancur, one of those goals is the possibility of playing in his third World Cup with Uruguay, a feat only a limited number of players are able to achieve. Continuing to compete at the highest level in the Premier League is another strong source of motivation.

Because of that, while both Tottenham and the player naturally want a quick return, the priority is to avoid any recurrence.

The aim is to ensure that Bentancur is back fully fit and able to help Spurs in the decisive stages of the season.

Stephen Curry is close to returning to the court for the Golden State Warriors this season.

Curry has not appeared in a game since his performance against the Detroit Pistons on January 30. He is suffering from a knee injury which has kept him away from the game for the whole of February and half of March.

NBA insider Brett Siegel provided an update on the veteran superstar’s timeline during his appearance with Tomer Azrali on the Clutch Scoops show on March 12. His sources told him that Curry can expect to return in the last week of March to complete his recovery.

“Stephen Curry wants to return before the season ends and I’ve heard there’s optimism looking at the Saturday March 21 game, right after that 10 day window. That’s when things open up as to when he could potentially return. Or see if he travels on a six-game road trip because that will tell a lot about whether he can or not. But I’m told the Wednesday March 25 game starts seven of his last 10 at home, that’s really it. That’s the game in what’s probably the last period of this timeline,” Siegel said at the 42:23 mark.

Stephen Curry, what’s next for the Warriors

It is clear that the Warriors need the services of Stephen Curry. They’ve gone 23-16 with him and 9-17 without him, knowing he’ll be vital to their chances in the playoffs this year.

In the 39 games played by Curry, he averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He is shooting 46.8% from the field, including 39.1% from beyond the arc and 93.1% from the free-throw line.

Golden State has a 32–33 record on the season, tied for ninth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies while trailing the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns.

After three consecutive defeats, the Warriors will be looking to get back into the win column in their next match. They will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 13, tip-off at 10 PM ET.

The Denver Nuggets have had to deal with a lot of adversity in terms of injuries this season and Aaron Gordon has been no exception. Gordon has played only 23 games due to several injuries, and he has not played since January 23 due to a right hamstring injury that has troubled him throughout the season.

However, it ultimately looks like Gordon’s absence will end after just six weeks, as according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, he aims to return on Friday night when the Nuggets take on the New York Knicks.

Although this is Gordon’s target date, he will still need to be cleared by the Nuggets’ medical team, as they have taken a cautious approach with him and fourth-year forward Peyton Watson, who has been sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring strain. Given their championship hopes this season, the Nuggets are in no rush to add any players back into the mix.

This is especially true for Gordon, who returned in January from a hamstring injury suffered in November, only to play 10 games before restarting the process. His staying healthy is essential for the Nuggets in the postseason.

On Sunday, league sources told ClutchPoints that both Gordon and Watson are recovering from their respective injuries and will be re-evaluated by Denver sometime this week, with the expectation that they can return to the field along with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in 7-10 days.

If Gordon is cleared to play and return against the Knicks on Friday night, he would immediately provide a boost that the Nuggets are missing.

Over their last 16 games, the Nuggets have gone just 7-9, winning back-to-back games just once during that span. Without Gordon and Watson, as well as Cam Johnson at times, Denver has been left extremely weak at the forward position. More importantly, Gordon’s absence has left a void on defense that the Nuggets have shown no answer to addressing without him.

While Gordon may not be an All-Star level talent, the little things he does on both ends of the court have made his impact synonymous with the league’s stars.

In addition to being able to guard multiple positions and take a huge amount of pressure off everyone else in Denver, Gordon always plays an aggressive game in terms of making the extra pass or creating second chance scoring opportunities.

This season, he is averaging a career-high 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from 3-point range. The Nuggets ranked near the top in the league when it came to offensive efficiency before Gordon’s injury, and that’s no coincidence.

As good as Jokic and Murray have been, their presence is vital to Denver’s overall success, which is why the team has been patient on Gordon’s road to recovery. Whether Gordon will make his return on Friday, his target date, is still unknown.

The Nuggets are currently 38-24 this season and are a full game behind both the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied for the 3-seed in the Western Conference standings.

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s difficult to say when Kristaps Porzingis will return to the field for the Golden State Warriors.

After debuting against the Boston Celtics, the Dubs’ trade deadline acquisition has missed the last five games due to an illness that the team has not publicly classified or defined, with details about what Porzingis specifically is doing remain sparse.

Before the Warriors’ game with the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Steve Kerr described the nature of Porzingis’ illness in non-descriptive terms.

“It’s a little mysterious,” Kerr told reporters. “We’re obviously working with him and hoping he can get some clarity, and he can kind of move forward and get to a point where he’s going to be consistently healthy. But it’s something the medical staff is working hard with him on, and, yes, I won’t even offer any theories now, any medical theories.”

The last part of Kerr’s answer stems from the confusion he caused regarding Porzingis’ illness when he said in a radio interview that his previous postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis was “misinformation”, and that a different illness had forced him to miss a game for Atlanta last year.

Kerr later walked back those comments, and told reporters that what he said was a “stupid mistake” and that he regretted trying to talk about something he is not able to talk about professionally. Now, Kerr’s return doesn’t mean Porzingis’ current ailment is due to POTS. However, this creates a bleak picture about his condition, the nature of his illness and when he will return.

What we know about Porzingis’ situation

We know very little about Porzingis’ condition, as Kerr declined to share specific information about his condition. But what we do know is that Porzingis was able to practice on Friday of last week, when the Dubs returned from their quick two-game, back-to-back road trip. It was his first practice since falling ill, which seemed like an encouraging development ahead of their Saturday game with the Los Angeles Lakers.

But things apparently took a turn for the worse as he was ejected from the Lakers game the next day. And then today before the Clippers game, Porzingis was not at the Warriors’ shootaround this morning.

As for how he’s doing emotionally, Kerr said the two of them talked today.

“Spoke to him today. We had a good conversation and he’s OK,” Kerr shared. “I mean, he obviously wants to come back and wants answers. And we’re going to continue to support him.”

Despite this, this is a precarious situation for the Warriors as they were counting on him to get a boost after the trade deadline. They finally sealed the Jonathan Kuminga era and hope to turn over a new leaf with the size, skill and defense that Porzingis is capable of when fully healthy.

But he is not healthy. And while the Warriors made this trade knowing full well the risk, as Kerr and Mike Dunleavy have said publicly, it’s clear that the gamble hasn’t paid off at all so far.

For now, the Dubs will continue to monitor Porzingis’ health as uncertainty looms over his return date.

Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma has revealed when he expects to return from injury, while also admitting that he is not currently playing in his preferred role.

talking to espnThe Colombia international provided an update on his recovery from the hamstring problem that forced him to play against Burnley. Palace manager Oliver Glasner had already confirmed that he would be sidelined for around three weeks due to the problem.

This update comes after colombian press Considerable concern was expressed over the severity of his injury last week, especially as the March international break approaches. There were fears that he might miss the upcoming call-up window. Now, Lerma has offered more clarity on the timeline.

“I’m fine. Unfortunately we had a little setback at four weeks, but as these days go by we feel better sensations. We believe we will be back around the 7th or 13th week.” he told ESPN.

That time frame would see him return in mid-March, possibly for Colombia’s upcoming international fixtures against France and Croatia in the United States. However, Palace are focused on getting him fit for the final stages of the campaign.

Crystal Palace players are in no rush

Lerma acknowledged the emotional importance of international football, but stressed that logic must prevail during the recovery.

“Being with the national team brings up a lot of emotions because of everything it means. But in the end the cause comes first and you have to be strong. The first days are always an emotional shock, but you know the sun will come out tomorrow.” He said.

His rehabilitation is progressing well, and Palace are hopeful that if there are no setbacks he will rejoin the team in the second week of March.

Why is his current role not his best?

This season, Lerma has also been used as a centre-back. Although he has filled in capably, he has made it clear where he feels most comfortable.

“It was nothing new, I had already done it. If you choose me, I would like to play as a defensive midfielder.” He added.

This priority could be relevant as Crystal Palace approaches decisive matches in Europe and the league. The tie against Zrinjski is tied 1-1, and victory in London would send Palace into the last 16 of their first continental competition.

However, the priority right now is recovery. If Lerma returns around March 13, Palace will again have an experienced option for the run-in – and he could still try to re-establish himself in his preferred midfield role.

It’s funny how a team’s record can affect a star’s injury return timeline. If the Boston Celtics were struggling to maintain a playoff position like many expected, fans probably wouldn’t expect Jayson Tatum to play this season. Although Jaylen Brown led the team to second place in the Eastern Conference, the public consensus is that number zero will speed up his recovery process and try to help the C’s win another championship.

Well, one should not jump to conclusions just yet. Despite making progress in his rehab for the torn Achilles he suffered during last year’s playoffs, Tatum isn’t ready to commit to anything.

“I don’t have a return date in mind,” he told the Celtics’ Bobby Manning on CLNS. “I take it one day at a time. I feel better than I did yesterday, and that’s the most important.”

.@RealBobManning Asked Jayson Tatum if he has a return date in mind:

“I don’t have a date… I just take one day at a time. I’m feeling better than yesterday.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/67bsMB4ubj

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 21 February 2026

The four-time All-NBA first-team selection continued during his lengthy recovery. While it’s probably tempting to look toward the playoffs, he realizes the dangers of rushing the process. If Tatum comes back well below full strength he won’t be any help for Boston. Nevertheless, the 2024 NBA champion is still making every effort to reunite with his teammates before the end of the campaign.

Tatum, by his own admission, has participated in “a little 5-on-5”, giving fans some hope that he could get on the floor this spring. If the 27-year-old is able to get fit before the playoffs, the Celtics will immediately become a popular NBA Finals pick. But for now they are doing just fine without the franchise pillar.

Boston has done a great job of staying focused on the task at hand as they continue to win. Speculation will not benefit anyone. C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla himself said: “I don’t live on experience. I live on principle.”

Here’s what we know. The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and Jayson Tatum is getting stronger every day. The fans will take it.

Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are headlining the first UFC event of 2026 this weekend.

The top-ranked lightweight stars are set to meet in the main event of UFC 324 with the interim lightweight title on the line.

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Gaethje proved he could still mix it up at the top when he defeated Rafael Fiziev last March, having been brutally knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300.

The American is hoping to reclaim the interim strap at 155lbs that he previously held for five months in 2020.

He lost his opportunity to secure the division’s undisputed belt against Khabib Nurmagomedov in the same year – the Russian legend’s last ever fight.

Pimblett, meanwhile, has been calling for his chance to challenge for gold at lightweight since he beat up Michael Chandler in Miami nine months ago.

Should the Liverpudlian overcome Gaethje, he may finally get the opportunity to fight his long-term, bitter rival and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Topuria is currently taking a break from the sport due to a personal matter.

This will provide Pimblett and Gaethje with extra motivation heading into their fight, as they will know there is a chance they could get elevated to undisputed status if Topuria vacates his belt.

The pair are set to kick off an exciting 2026 schedule in Dana White’s promotion, with UFC White House on the horizon and the Paramount+ deal already underway.