標籤: due

Some would argue that the Kansas City Chiefs were a little thin at the top of their wide receiver corps ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy lead the group, but those two starters are still a bit unproven at the NFL level.

The Chiefs were viewed as a candidate to select a receiver in the first round of the draft. They opted not to do this, instead giving the defense a big boost by going with cornerback Mansur Delaney and defensive tackle Peter Woods. Kansas City, meanwhile, did not select a receiver until the fifth round of the draft.

Now the Chiefs’ already thin receiver room will become even more inexperienced during the team’s OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Rice, 26, will serve 30 days in jail “in May 2024 as part of pleading guilty to felony counts of causing serious bodily injury in a multicar crash in Dallas and felony counts of causing bodily injury by running on a highway.”

Previous reports suggested that Rice had violated his probation after allegedly testing positive for marijuana.

Either way, Rice has been ordered to spend 30 days in jail, meaning he’s in line to miss the Chiefs’ OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Kansas City’s OTAs run from May 26-28 and June 1-3. The team’s mandatory minicamp will run from June 9-11. Based on reports from the Dallas County, Texas Criminal District Court, Rice is scheduled to be released from custody on June 16.

His expected absence will give other Chiefs receivers a chance to gain some valuable reps, yet Kansas City could still add another pass-catcher, potentially reuniting with an old friend.

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

Sporting Clube de Portugal are keeping a close eye on Joao Palinha, who could return to Portugal after his loan spell tottenhamfor personal reasons.

Both to ball And weekend morning mail Report today on the Tottenham loanee and a possible return to his homeland this summer.

Tottenham exit likely

Sport Witness covered a report yesterday stating that there was interest in Sporting The Tottenham midfielder this summer. Correio da Manha Weekend now adds with further information.

He says Sporting are ready to bring Joao Palinha back to the club next season, taking advantage of his desire to return to Portugal to be closer to his children. Benfica are also in the running, but Palinha would prefer to return to his former club.

The Lions intend to use his desire to return home to their advantage. They see him as a business opportunity, as other players in his position are potentially departing.

Palhinha is currently on loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich. Roberto De Zerbi has expressed his desire to keep the 30-year-old long-term.

But the midfielder wants to return to Portugal after his divorce to be closer to his children, who are still young. To do this he has expressed his willingness to reduce his salary.

return to portugal

A Bola report gives similar information. They reveal that Sporting will be restructuring their midfield this summer and Joao Palinha is one of the names they are keeping a close eye on.

According to their information, Palhinha will return from Tottenham to Bayern Munich this summer.

When this happens, they intend to make their move. They would prefer a loan, but believe it is possible to negotiate a permanent deal. Bayern want €30 million but Sporting believe they can reduce it.

The newspaper echoes the view that Palhinha would love to join his former club. And the player will be given a very warm welcome upon returning to Portugal ‘for family reasons’.

Sporting players are also waiting to see what Tottenham does. He has expressed his desire to keep her with him and this may complicate matters. However, ultimately the decision will have to be made by Palhinha. And in Portugal he believes he wants to go home above everything else.

WWE was tasked with cutting millions from its payroll last month, and the way those cuts were handled has caused a lot of disappointment in the wrestling industry.

Fightful Select has published a comprehensive report detailing the scope of the financial cuts, the pressure on talent to make quick decisions, and the broader implications for how wrestlers will approach contract negotiations with TKO going forward.

The cuts were met with immediate criticism from within the industry, primarily because of the timing. The TKO executive pay package was made public around the same time as the release and pay cut requests were made public, with the stock reaching record highs. As noted by Fightful Select, most of the talent and agent world accept that releases under TKO are a reality under WWE’s direction, but talents being asked to take seven-figure pay cuts per year, while executives received substantial compensation packages, was widely criticized and ridiculed.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods – better known as The New Day – were among the talents who were contacted about taking pay cuts on the day of the massive release. Both were given two days to decide and they immediately decided that they would rather leave the company than accept the lower offer. Despite the decline, both walked away with millions of dollars remaining on their deals over the next four years.

Fightful Select also noted that several talents were approached with new contract offers during overseas dates in recent years, sometimes well before negotiations were expected. Some within the industry saw this as an attempt to get talent signed before their representatives could properly review the terms, although this was portrayed as an opinion rather than a confirmed strategy.

The report references Killer Kross as an isolated example of compressed decision timelines, with Kross claiming he was given just one day to decide on his contract offer last year.

Concerns about industry reaction and future negotiations

The broader fallout from this round of cuts is already dictating how talent and their representatives view future deals with TKO. Fightful Select reports that there is now little confidence within the talent and agent communities that wrestlers signing big, life-changing contracts will actually play their full course. The concern is that WWE may continue to approach talent mid-contract with lower offers, weakening the protections those deals provide.

Related frustrations cited in the report center on timing and competitive strategy. Santos Escobar and others signed new deals with WWE last year without involving AEW or other companies, and now they find themselves facing pay cuts with little or no leverage. Several representatives pointed out that cutting those talents also reduces WWE’s competitive advantage, as forcing AEW to spend more money on the same performers would have been a stronger strategic play.

In regards to The New Day, Fightful Select reported that several names within AEW have been pushing internally for the tag team to sign. The report also shot down rumors that Woods could return to WWE on a digital-only deal, noting that such an arrangement would prevent him from working for AEW and effectively cost him millions in the coming years.

A WWE source was also quoted by another outlet, expressing disappointment that the company did not publicly acknowledge The New Day’s contributions upon their departure. A separate WWE source told Fightful Select that the company privately expressed its appreciation and that a joint statement announcing the departures was expected, but no explanation was given as to why it never materialized.

As the Montreal Canadiens prepare to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of their first-round series, it’s hard not to question the NHL’s decision making when drafting the playoff schedule.

Before we go any further, it’s important to remember that leagues don’t revolve around hubs, and there are other factors to consider than just hockey. Arenas outside modern sporting settings have become money makers for their billionaire owners, with concerts providing the majority of the year’s profits. With this in mind, it is always difficult to create an ideal schedule, as there are an endless stream of variables to consider.

And yet, watching the Canadiens crowd entertain themselves after a thrilling Game 3 win, I couldn’t help but wonder how much better the atmosphere would have been on Saturday night.

Len Hutson’s Habs playoff OT winner tonight at Bell Center pic.twitter.com/VpeMujdhjQ

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 25 April 2026

On the surface, perhaps it shouldn’t matter. The Canadiens will have played two games over the weekend, Friday and Sunday, giving the Bell-Centre faithful plenty of opportunities to celebrate the youngest team in the league.

But if the NHL’s goal is to give the game more exposure to the ultimate fan experience, it would be well served by giving new fans a glimpse of the most exciting atmosphere in North America, and that event only happens on Saturday nights, in the playoffs, at the Bell Center.

Of course, this opinion is dripping in ego, as there are other arenas that offer a healthier environment, but there is a reason the Bell Center is ranked as the best rink in the league.

No other arena can match the intensity, and no other fans can maintain that level of intensity during a game of sixty minutes or more.

And given the intensity involved in each game featuring the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, the chances of having a blowout game on a national broadcast will be significantly reduced.

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

Joao Palinha’s future is heading towards uncertainty Tottenham Hotspur At the heart of the issue.

Sport 1’s report on the Tottenham midfielder today And how he faces a difficult summer, given that Bayern Munich do not want him back.

tottenham want a lower price

The German outlet reports that Tottenham are happy with Joao Palinha this season and could entertain the option of purchasing him this summer.

But they will only do so if Bayern agrees to renegotiate the fee. The basic clause sits at €25m guaranteed, potentially rising to €30m with add-ons. It is a fee that Spurs consider too high.

Meanwhile, Bayern would like Tottenham to take him permanently. A deal for the Portuguese midfielder would allow them to limit financial losses on the player who is contracted for €48m in 2024.

Bayern doesn’t want him back

Inside Bayern Munich, Joao Palinha now fits into the club’s long-term strategy. Bayern are moving towards a younger profile, and Vincent Kompany has no room for the 30-year-old.

The German champions are openly hoping that Tottenham will activate this clause. At the very least he hopes Spurs will try and negotiate a permanent deal for the midfielder.

Sporting director Christoph Freund has already spoken clearly about this in public comments this week. He admitted that discussions regarding Palhinha’s future were on hold until the season ended. They have to see whether Tottenham are a Premier League team at the end of the season.

Tottenham’s relegation battle has made everything complicated

Tottenham’s fight for survival is the biggest obstacle to a deal. With the club without a win for several months and with their sights set on the Championship, paying €25-30m for a 30-year-old midfielder is a luxury they may not be able to justify.

If they drop into the Championship, a deal will almost certainly be off the table. Even if they stay up, the fee still seems steep for a player who hasn’t made as many changes to their midfield as they hoped.

what happens next?

Everything ultimately depends on Tottenham’s league position. If they remain, they will likely put pressure on Bayern to reduce the fee. A deal is possible on that front.

If they go down, buying options becomes almost impossible. Even negotiated fees seem unlikely with the need for a major overhaul.

If no deal is reached either way, Joao Palinha returns to Bayern, where he has no place or way into Kompany’s plans. This leaves the midfielder in limbo, with his fate largely in the hands of others.

of liverpool Alisson has been consistently pushed as a target for Serie A clubs by the Italian media. The deal is now proving more difficult than initially thought.

Earlier in March, the goalkeeper signed a new deal at Anfield, tying him down until the end of next season.

Temporarily, this silenced much of the discussion about his future. Soon, this escalated once again as Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti appeared keen to reunite with the Brazilian.

last week, sports witness The cover claims the goalkeeper would indeed be keen to return to his ex-Roma manager. Talks took place and Juve also became optimistic about the signing.

Now, it seems that optimism has been replaced by pessimism and Liverpool could keep Alisson.

Many discussions were held for Alison

Today, tuttosport Let it be clear that doubts are growing in Turin regarding the signing of the 33-year-old player.

Ideally, Spalletti would want Alisson at the club. In fact, he sees him as a dream target, with Mattia Perin and Michele Di Gregorio likely to leave the Old Lady in the summer.

Juve have attempted to meet the manager’s demands by holding talks with Alisson’s squad. They now realize that the deal is more complicated than initially thought.

Alisson earns €8m per season and will demand a significant signing-on fee. This would also include agent fees, with Liverpool themselves demanding €15m to let the Brazilian leave.

The goalkeeper’s team has had several discussions with Juve and now it seems that it will be very difficult for the Turin forward to make a move. Talks were also held with other Serie A clubs but those talks were also met with doubt.

Our opinion: Liverpool would have no objection to this

Alisson may be 33 and has been out of action for the past few weeks, but he still performed well earlier in the campaign.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has also not disappointed anyone but his candidacy as first choice remains unknown. Alisson will only help him grow and his presence will ensure that Georgians are not thrown into the deep end next season.

Furthermore, Liverpool have no need to offer a waiver to let Alisson depart. He has previously been linked to Saudi clubs who would be able to afford his salary and the Reds’ demands. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Juve didn’t make the move.

Santiago Jimenez has been struggling at AC Milan and this could give Sunderland the chance to sign him.

The Mexican joins the Rossoneri in January 2025 for around €35m. Although he impressed in the second half of last season, he has struggled this campaign.

He has yet to score a single goal in Serie A and this has raised doubts over his future in January.

sports witness Sunderland’s interest in the striker was covered when they made an initial approach for his signature. Brentford were also in the mix before Jimenez was ruled out with injury.

There are beliefs that had the 24-year-old not been injured, he would have joined Sunderland.

Day There has been speculation over the Mexico international’s future, with a move away from the San Siro likely.

Black Cats could sign the player

The newspaper highlights how Milan’s attack has failed this season… They are no longer in the running for the Serie A title, with a number of exits likely in the summer.

Niklas Fulkrug is likely to return to West Ham, with Christopher Nkunku also proving disappointing. As for Jiménez, he could also be on the move at the end of the season.

The Milan attack has scored only five goals in 2026 and this is causing concern. Robert Lewandowski is being touted as a target, with players like Jimenez and Nkunku making way for the Barcelona star.

Our opinion: Sunderland can save Jimenez

This season, Regis Le Bris’s side have seen Brian Brobby impress in the Premier League. He put in an impressive performance against Tottenham at the weekend, helping Sunderland to a 1–0 win.

Jimenez could offer something different for the Black Cats and a potential partnership with Brobby.

Milan paid €35m for Jimenez and a deal could be struck with interested clubs for anything around €25m.

A new report suggests The Athletic probably won’t buy NFL insider Diana Russini’s denial of a possible affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

There are a number of nationally little-known NFL insiders who offer frequent reports on rumors and news straight from those who work for the various franchises. Men like Adam Schefter, Albert Breer, Ian Rapoport, and Mike Garafolo have become household names to football-loving fans. There are even fewer women who are star NFL insiders. The Athletic’s Diana Russini is one of them.

However, his credibility was largely questioned this week when the New York Post posted photos of him and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel getting very friendly at a high-priced resort in Arizona. Although it’s not a very good look, if they were single, consenting adults, the world would need to get used to it if they were developing a relationship.

Unfortunately, both are married. So, not surprisingly, these photos went viral and turned into a football scandal. However, both Russini and Vrabel quickly denied speculation of an NFL affair.

“The photos do not represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most NFL reporters, reporters interact with sources away from the stadium and other locations,” the insider said in a statement.

Could Diana Russini be snapped up by The Athletic this summer?

Following this revelation, The Athletic and their parent company, The New York Times, came full circle behind their star insider. Well, that’s not the case now. According to a report from Front Office Sports, the news outlet is now investigating the situation, and she “will not report” to them until the process begins. The report also states that his contract with The Athletic expires in August.

The fact that The Athletic did a complete 180 from support to investigation is very bad news for Russini. Plus, his past comments and rumors of other relationships with individuals inside the league resurfacing don’t help.

After becoming one of the top insiders in the NFL over the years, unless she is completely cleared of any questionable activities by her employer, her credibility in the industry will always be in question. And his brand may be forever damaged in the eyes of fans and football news outlets.

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

Zian Fleming is having a Premier League season that commands attention, even if burnley Have struggled.

With eight goals to his name, exceptional performances and the status of arguably Burnley’s best player, his reputation continues to grow.

If he continues to impress, a big move could be made in the summer. But the Dutch attacker is absolutely clear about one thing, getting back into the top three of the Eredivisie is not an automatic upgrade.

A name emerging at Burnley

Gian Fleming’s rise has been anything but linear. He has gone from Ajax’s academy to PEC Zwolle, NEC Nijmegen and Fortuna Sittard.

He then moved to Millwall for €2.5m in 2022, where he scored 23 goals and eight assists in 92 games, before Burnley signed him on loan two years later. Last summer, he made the move permanent for €8.3m.

He has impressed at Turf Moor, scoring 23 goals and four assists in 62 games, including eight goals in the Premier League this season.

Speaking to Voetbal InternationalHe reflected on that current reality and how unrealistic it feels.

“Sometimes I stop and think about it,” he said.

“PEC Zwolle loaned me to NEC in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Not long ago, I was fighting against relegation from the Eredivisie with Fortona.

“Now I play in the stadiums where I used to go with my parents and brothers during the Christmas holidays.”

With Burnley battling relegation, his performances have sparked speculation about a move. This also includes a possible return to the Netherlands. However, Fleming was not shy about addressing it directly.

“It seems a bit unrealistic, but the top three in the Netherlands are not even a step forward at the moment,” he said.

“The Champions League, competing for titles: that’s for sure. But the Eredivisie, with all due respect, offers much less resistance than the Premier League. I don’t know, and I’m not ruling out anything. But don’t say that: it’s a dream move too.”

Premier League ambitions take priority

Zian Fleming’s current contract at Burnley runs until 2029, and his intentions are clear. He wants to remain at the top level and keep proving that he belongs there.

He concluded, “The Premier League has made me want more. I would like to play there in the years to come.”

For that to happen with Burnley, survival is essential. Scott Parker’s side are currently 17 points apart from Tottenham on 10 points.^thThis seems unlikely.

Fleming has been clear that he wants to remain at the top level, with his comments perhaps opening the door for other Premier League teams to make moves.

Marcus Thuram has had one of the disappointing parts of Inter Milan’s Serie A season. Newcastle United are being increasingly tipped as a contender to sign the Frenchman.

The striker has scored 12 times in all competitions, finding the net seven times in Serie A. But his general performances have declined, with him being criticized for missing big chances throughout the campaign.

due to this corriere dello sport It was reported earlier this week that his release clause of €85 million might no longer even be relevant. Sport Witness covered interest from Newcastle United, with Aston Villa also in the running.

Now, there is growing talk in Italy that Thuram will be on his way out of Inter. Big question marks are also emerging regarding his general attitude and motivation.

The Magpies are very keen on Thuram

The Interista Learn more about the France International situation that is spiraling out of control.

His partnership with Lautaro Martínez flourished for two seasons. Inter fans had also developed a great admiration for Marcus Thuram, but that has now evaporated this season.

The striker is believed to have ‘lost all motivation’ for the Nerazzurri, having found his attitude poor in big games. He is often seen flailing around in the final third, not putting in enough effort.

His last league goal came on 8 February against Sassuolo, causing Inter to question his future at the club.

The outlet believes €65 million would be enough for the suitors, with Newcastle United ‘particularly interested’ in a summer transfer. There is a belief that the striker’s hefty release clause will not apply, especially if he fails to step up his performances.

That clause is actually only valid until the end of July. This is causing Inter to consider the situation as they look to earn as much as possible from the sale.

Our opinion: Deal could be cheaper than €65m

Inter signed Marcus Thuram on a free transfer, meaning whatever they earn will go as capital gains. Since they failed in the Champions League this season, it is very possible that they consider a major exit.

From a financial point of view, Thuram’s departure would make perfect sense. He could provide Inter with the biggest capital gain, and Newcastle United could potentially sign him for less than €65m.

A lot will depend on how he ends the season but the Italian media are now seriously questioning the player. This has never happened before and it looks like this is the beginning of the end for Thuram at San Siro.

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their top player for the remainder of the campaign as it was announced on Tuesday that Ja Morant will undergo a procedure for his elbow injury.

Morant was limited to only 20 games this season due to his elbow injury and other ailments. The Grizzlies said that while the athletic guard was making good progressThey have decided to err on the side of caution.

“After a recent consultation to advise on prolonged discomfort, it was recommended that Morant receive PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to further optimize ligament healing. Morant will begin to wear the elbow following the injection and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026-27 season,” the team statement said.

@memgrizz The following medical updates were announced today for Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Zach Eddy: pic.twitter.com/gV8rLPlwbs

– Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) 25 March 2026

The Grizzlies are likely to miss the playoffs with a 24-47 record, and they probably don’t see any benefit in playing the 26-year-old Morant at this point. They are 1-11 in their last 12 assignments.

Many thought Memphis would part ways with Morant at the trade deadline. However, despite numerous controversies, no deal was made, keeping him with the Grizzlies.

He averaged 19.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season.

Over the past three campaigns, Morant has played in just 79 games combined.

Even without him, the Grizzlies are currently stacked in the backcourt, with Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashek splitting minutes.

Memphis was defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 146-107 on Monday and will return to action on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.

The LA Clippers have been playing shorthanded for several weeks as one key player has been injured. However, the Clippers are likely to be very shorthanded on Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

John Collins, who was initially listed as ‘probable’ to play with a left ankle sprain on Sunday evening against the Bucks, was downgraded to ‘doubtful’ on Monday afternoon after being evaluated by the team in the morning.

Collins’ appearance on the injury report comes after the Clippers forward injured his ankle with 1:11 remaining in the team’s fourth game of the quarterfinal against the Dallas Mavericks. John Collins, attempting to stop the Mavs from advancing on Nazi Marshall, takes a step and appears to twist his ankle, immediately falling to the ground and fouling Marshall in the process.

Collins left the game after picking up his sixth personal foul, finishing with eight points, three rebounds, one steal and two blocked shots in 29 minutes of play.

This is the play where John Collins turned his ankle and fouled out in Dallas.

He has been downgraded to questionable tonight with Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/DtQGkqfdhy

– Grant “Money” Mona (@Gmona48) 23 March 2026

Collins is now joined by Kawhi Leonard, who is also listed as ‘doubtful’ to play on Monday due to a left ankle sprain.

Leonard was able to finish Saturday night’s game against the Mavs, scoring 34 points on 12-of-22 shooting with three rebounds, five assists and two steals in 36 minutes of action.

The Milwaukee Bucks will also be significantly shorthanded on Monday night, playing the game without star Giannis Antetokounmpo as he deals with a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. Kevin Porter Jr. is also out for the Bucks, while Kyle Kuzma and Gary Harris are both considered ‘questionable’.

Monday night’s game will start at 7:30 pm PST.

The Los Angeles Lakers come into their matchup with the Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons with a lot of positives. They are currently on an eight-game winning streak and have enjoyed some great basketball from their offensive unit led by Luka Doncic.

However, his performance continued despite minor injury issues and the same appears to be true for the Detroit game. According to Benjamin Royer of the OC Register, both Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura are now scheduled to miss this contest, with Smart dealing with right ankle soreness and Hachimura dealing with right calf soreness. This comes on the heels of Luka Doncic’s one-game suspension that came as a result of his 16th technical foul in their recent win over the Orlando Magic.

However, it’s not only negative news for the Lakers, Maxi Kleber has been upgraded to available despite his back strain. Of course, the Pistons have their own injury concerns despite the current three-game winning streak.

Cade Cunningham suffered a ‘constricted lung’ during the Pistons’ win over the Washington Wizards and will be reevaluated in about two weeks. Marcus Sasser is out with a hip injury, while Isaiah Stewart is also recovering from a calf strain and will be out for the time being.

Nonetheless, even in Cunningham’s absence, Detroit looked comfortable in their win against the Golden State Warriors. Jalen Duren and Dennis Jenkins combined for 45 points against Golden State and will once again be expected to handle the offensive responsibilities.

The Lakers are in the middle of a six-game road trip and have won four games in a row. They have undoubtedly found their offensive rhythm with Deandre Ayton, showing a greater willingness to anchor the paint and run the floor for LA. Luka Doncic is in absolute form and is getting points with ease even on his off days.

He returned with 33 points in a win against the Orlando Magic despite going 12-30 from the field and 3-13 from the three-point zone. The Lakers’ attack will undoubtedly be tested in his absence, although they will be confident about their firepower even in the absence of the Slovenian international.

Sunday’s Brooklyn Nets-Sacrmato Kings matchup will have a significant impact on the NBA’s draft lottery race. The Kings will be without Russell Westbrook, one of their top contributors, during the game. Westbrook was forced out of the game due to right leg pain.

The Kings are already without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, De’Andre Hunter and Drew Eubanks.

Westbrook played 28 minutes during the Kings’ 139-118 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. He posted 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting, three rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal. The veteran guard has appeared in 64 games with 58 starts this season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists on .427/.338/.694 shooting splits.

Russell Westbrook out of Kings-Nets matchup due to foot illness

Sacramento entered Sunday’s game one spot behind Brooklyn in the draft lottery standings. The Kings have lost their last two games 4-1, slipping from first place to fourth. They have one more win than the Nets in third.

The Nets have lost six games after consecutive wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies earlier this month. They recently ruled out Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season, while Michael Porter Jr. is out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain. Brooklyn also will be without Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain) and Nic Claxton (rest) on Sunday. Terrence Mann (illness) is probable for the matchup.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Kings enter Sunday’s game as 5.5-point favorites. They have another meeting with the Nets in Brooklyn a week from Sunday.

March Madness is probably the highlight of every college basketball player’s career. Where else can you experience the atmosphere that the tournament brings? Very few sporting events match the intensity of March Madness. Unfortunately, there are a whole group of players who were not able to play in the tournament, like Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey.

With March Madness in full swing once again, Maxi took to X to express his thoughts about the tournament. The 76ers star lamented the fact that he was not able to play in the NCAA Tournament.

“Every year during March Madness I get sad that I don’t get a chance to play in the tournament…” Maxi wrote.

Maxey then went on to say that things worked out great anyway, as he was drafted by the 76ers in part because he missed the March Madness tournament.

“Then I remembered… I probably wouldn’t be a Sixer… so it worked out perfectly!” He said.

Maxi was drafted by the 76ers with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The Kentucky product fell down the draft board largely due to a lack of game film. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 March Madness was canceled entirely. Not wanting to stay in college another year, Maxi decided to declare for the draft and take his chance there.

This decision was very good for Maxi. Although it took some time for him to find his feet, the 76ers guard eventually became one of the best guards in the league. He was named to his second All-Star Game this season and has been a key player for the 76ers alongside Joel Embiid. This season, Maxi is averaging 29 points per game while making 37.1% of his three-point attempts, as well as 4.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.

Maxi, unfortunately, will be out for the next two weeks after suffering a finger injury last week. The Sixers currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference, are still in the play-in tournament, but have a long shot at making the playoffs outright.

The Brooklyn Nets have Noah Clowney on the injured list. The third-year forward missed Wednesday’s 121-92 loss to Oklahoma City with a sprained wrist. He was ruled out of Friday’s game with the New York Knicks.

Jordi Fernandez said Clowney likely will miss Sunday’s game with the Sacramento Kings. The Nets are already without Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring strain), Igor Demin (plantar fasciitis) and Deron Sharp (thumb surgery).

“I had to take him out because he was in so much pain. Sometimes, as I remember with De’Ron, I’d say, ‘Are you OK?’ And he wanted to play through it, and then I had to take him outside and look, and then he went back in, and all of a sudden, he needed surgery. And Noah, immediately when I saw he was in pain, I said, ‘Do you need a sub?’ And I’m asking guys to pick fouls to be able to get him out, and I ended up calling a timeout. That’s why he was very sad. He has sprained his wrist. He’ll be out tonight, most likely he’ll be out the next game, and then we’ll go from there.”

Clowney has appeared in 62 games with 56 starts this season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists on .396/.333/.804 shooting splits.

Noah Clowney likely to join several key Nets sidelined for Kings matchup

Sunday’s Kings matchup will have a significant impact on the NBA’s draft lottery race. The Nets are in third place in the lottery standings entering the game. Sacramento is fourth with one more win than Brooklyn.

The Nets are coming off a five-game losing streak entering Friday’s matchup with the New York Knicks. They have posted the NBA’s worst offense during that span, sidelining Porter, Demin and Sharp, averaging 96.2 points on 39.7 percent shooting.

Meanwhile, the Kings have lost their last two games 4-1, dropping them from first to fourth in the lottery standings. After Thursday’s 139-118 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento will have two days off before the Brooklyn matchup.

The impact of Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult season is now beginning to extend beyond north London, with Richarlison’s status for Brazil becoming a topic of discussion ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The striker has long been a reliable option for Carlo Ancelotti. Their relationship dates back to their time together at Everton, when the Italian became increasingly dependent on Richarlison as a key attacking figure.

This relationship carried over to the Brazil setup, where the Tottenham forward continued to receive opportunities even during an inconsistent period at club level.

Richarlison featured in Ancelotti’s first four call-ups. Despite not scoring he appeared in six matches, including two starts.

Even as his minutes fluctuated at Tottenham, the Brazilian coach continued to value his profile – physical presence, aerial ability and work rate – as something different within the team.

Tottenham struggling to lose weight

Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of turbulent. The club is suffering a poor run of results, struggling for consistency and getting uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

The situation in Europe has not been very good. Spurs suffered a heavy 5–2 defeat to Atlético Madrid, effectively ending their Champions League hopes despite the formalities of the second leg still pending.

In that environment, Richardson is trying to rebuild momentum after another injury setback. The Brazilian missed several weeks between January and February due to a thigh problem.

Since returning under Igor Tudor, he has appeared in five matches. During that spell, he scored twice – including a decisive goal against Liverpool – and also added an assist. Although he has not changed Tottenham’s collective form, He has at least shown signs of personal acuity.

There is also increasing clarity regarding the future of his club. As we recently coveredTottenham and Richarlison have already agreed that he will leave at the end of the season.

The decision is said to have been taken after internal talks, with both sides considering June 2026 as the right time to move forward. There is no pressure involved, but rather a shared understanding about what will happen next in their careers.

Tottenham have also scheduled an assessment ahead of the summer window. The club are expected to demand around £21.5m (€25m) for the striker, with this figure likely to guide negotiations.

Ancelotti and Richardson: trust built over time

Richarlison’s importance to Brazil is not based on numbers alone. He was the team’s key striker at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three goals and establishing himself as a reference point in attack.

Since then, despite injuries and irregular club form, he has largely maintained Ancelotti’s support. The Italian has often shown a willingness to prioritize familiarity and tactical fit over pure club performance, particularly in transitional periods.

This context helps explain why their absence from the list of Brazil’s final international friendlies before the 2026 World Cup has been highlighted this week.

Brazil’s decision confirmed

As highlighted in this news bolavip In Brazil, for the first time under Ancelotti, Richarlison has been left out of the squad despite being fit and available.

The report suggests that his absence says more about the current situation at Tottenham than the player himself. With Spurs struggling badly, it appears the wider context has influenced the decision.

This marks a clear change. Prior to this, Richarlison had remained a part of the team even without strong club momentum. Now, with competition for the No. 9 role increasing and the World Cup approaching, the margin for error has become less.

what happens next

Richardson is now entering the decisive phase. With the World Cup around the corner, every performance takes on extra importance.

Tottenham’s clash may complicate his case, but the Brazilian is at least beginning to show signs of life after returning from injury. If he continues to contribute goals and assists, he may yet be forced back into Ancelotti’s plans.

However, for the first time, there is a clear indication that trust in the past alone may no longer be enough.

🇦🇷 Christian Romero | respect and affection for tottenham

🤍 Defender questioned over transfer – changes angle
💬 Explains the feelings for Spurs, but doesn’t rule out the summer being gone… 👇https://t.co/HvSTngEh6z #thfc #Happiness

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026

As the Cleveland Cavaliers have players like Max Strus returning from injury, the latest news from the team has revealed a key star who will miss time. While Cavs star Jarrett Allen is absent due to a knee injury, the team has sketched out a tentative timetable for his return.

Continuing on his ex’s, formerly Twitter, page, Cleveland would say Allen would miss the next three games due to “right knee tendonitis.”

“Allen will be listed out for the Cavaliers’ upcoming three-game road trip due to right knee tendonitis,” the team said. “He suffered the injury during the second half of Cleveland’s March 3 game versus Detroit and has missed the last five games. He will continue treatment and rehabilitation, and will be updated on his return to play as appropriate.”

pic.twitter.com/LmxAtuTrLB

-Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) 16 March 2026

With Allen already missing time due to a knee injury, his last game was played on March 3, where Cleveland won 113–109 over the Detroit Pistons. The veteran center played 21 minutes in that game, recording eight points on four-of-seven shooting from the field with three rebounds.

With the news of missing the upcoming three-game road trip, Allen will miss his eighth consecutive game. So far this season, Allen is averaging 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on 63.6 shooting from the field in his ninth year in the association.

At any rate, it remains to be seen when Allen is ready to return as the upcoming road trip begins on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, with a hoped-for return when the Cavs return home to take on the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, March 24. Cleveland currently holds a record of 41–27, placing them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a blow against the Miami Heat on Thursday at Kasia Center when Ousmane Dieng missed the remainder of the contest due to an illness.

Dieng has been playing well since the Bucks acquired him from the Chicago Bulls before the trade deadline, even earning a starting spot right away.

Milwaukee announced on the air that he would not return to the game. Dieng, who was subbed out in the third quarter, failed to score in 14 minutes.

The Bucks are trying to snap a two-game slump, while the Heat are coming off a memorable win against the Washington Wizards, with Bam Adebayo leading the way with 83 points.

Dieng probably has a chip on his shoulder after the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him to the Charlotte Hornets with a second-round pick in February, despite helping them win last season’s championship. In return the Thunder received Mason Plumlee.

Dieng was traded to the Bulls along with Collin Sexton and three second-round picks in exchange for Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. Two days later, Dieng arrived at the Bucks in a three-team deal that also included the Phoenix Suns.

The feeling of being pinballed wasn’t good for Dieng’s morale, but since landing in Milwaukee, he has seen a bigger role, averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 22.9 minutes.

At the age of 22, he has a lot to offer. Being moved to the Bucks, where he could learn from Giannis Antetokounmpo, looks like a blessing in disguise for the 11th overall pick.

At the time of writing, Miami leads Milwaukee in the fourth quarter.

On Tuesday night, two of the NBA’s best teams faced off when the Boston Celtics visited the San Antonio Spurs. As expected, both teams brought their A-game, with the game tied 58-58 at the half. However, the odds may have been in the Spurs’ favor, especially when Jaylen Brown received an early trip to the locker room after picking up two technical fouls in quick succession in the second quarter.

With less than four minutes remaining in the period, Brown took the rock with a right elbow while navigating Stephen Cassel’s defense. However, the Celtics star proceeded to turn the ball over after losing space on the sideline. Enraged, Brown confronted crew chief Tyler Ford in animated fashion, yelling and pointing at him to try to make his case that, in fact, he was pushed by the Spurs second-year student.

After this, Ford gave Brown a technical briefing and blew the whistle on him. But the Celtics star did not create a ruckus to the point where umpire Suyyash Mehta felt that a technical glitch There wasn’t enough of that.

Jaylen Brown has been ejected after being assessed a double technical foul for his reaction to the no-call.

Dishonesty or not? 🤔
pic.twitter.com/1SzvGD4edW

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

Before exiting the game, Brown had eight points, seven assists and one steal in 15 minutes of play. The Celtics will now be without Brown for the final 27 minutes of the contest, pushing Jayson Tatum into unquestioned first option duties.

Celtics look to continue punching up the weight class

Throughout the season, the Celtics have surprised the NBA world. Even without Tatum and after gutting the roster for luxury tax reasons, the Celtics remain one of the best teams in the league. So while losing Brown to ejection certainly hurts, this kind of adversity is nothing the team hasn’t seen in the past.

The Spurs are now clear favorites for the remaining games, but no one should be surprised if the Celtics pick up an emphatic win on the road.

In the January transfer window, Napoli’s interest in Wolves star Joao Gomes was quite clear.

The Italian side reached an agreement on personal terms with the player and his entourage. it was covered extensively sports witnessA summer move is being considered by the Partenopei.

Any deal in winter was always going to be complicated. Wolves had given up hope of remaining in the Premier League and had limited time to find a replacement.

It is believed that Rob Edwards’ side will need €40m to convince a summer sale. Napoli were not going to give up that amount of money in the middle of the season and saw him as a summer target.

More background on the potential deal is now emerging. Today’s Il Matino takes a closer look at Brazil.

Gomes’ Wolves contract is causing concern

Naples-based newspaper – via arianapoliExplain that Antonio Conte was desperate for the midfielder in January. Napoli faced a midfield injury crisis and looked to the 25-year-old as a solution to the problem.

The Italian giants’ interest in the player remains ‘very strong’ even on a summer deal. The midfielder is being closely monitored by Napoli, with sporting director Giovanni Manna showing a keen interest.

Gomes’ contract at Wolves is likely to present a challenge. It will run until 2030, which could lead to increased demand from AdWords for a potential sale in the summer. It could also attract other suitors and dash Napoli’s hopes.

Furthermore, Gomes would enjoy non-EU status in the current Napoli team. They signed two Brazilians in Alison Santos and Gioven in January.

Our take on Wolves’ Joao Gomes to Napoli

Signing the midfielder would be a classic Napoli deal. The Partenopei have sniffed out opportunistic Premier League deals for the likes of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, David Gilmour and Scott McTominay over the past few seasons. All of them have performed well.

Gomes could be similar and Wolves’ potential demotion could also help.

In such a situation, competition from other clubs could be harmful for Napoli. When it came to Zambo Anguilla, Gilmour and McTominay, the line up of contenders was much less frightening. It would be no surprise if Gomes is of interest to Atletico Madrid and Manchester United in the summer, as there have already been links.

Financially, Napoli will struggle to compete with those two clubs.

The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a loss in their latest game against the Atlanta Hawks, and their star player also suffered an injury at the end of the fourth quarter. Tyrese Maxey collided with his own teammate, causing him to fall to the floor, and it looked like his hand was injured as he walked off the court writhing in pain.

According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, many wanted to know how serious the injury was, and it seemed likely that he would miss a few games before returning.

“The 76ers say Tyrese Maxey has a right hamstring injury and will miss at least the next two games,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote on Twitter.

This is good news for the 76ers as it doesn’t look like he’ll miss much time, but it also isn’t the best news given his current situation. Joel Embiid will be out for at least another week with an injury, and VJ Edgecombe has recently been sidelined with an injury.

Needless to mention, the 76ers have been without Paul George as he is still serving his 25-game suspension.

This means that over the next few games, the 76ers will have to rely on their depth to help them win. The 76ers’ next game will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers, against whom they have not had much success. After this, things get easier in the game as they face the Memphis Grizzlies.

The hope is that Maxey won’t have to miss any more games after that as the 76ers fight to stay atop the Eastern Conference standings. With the loss to the Hawks, they dropped from sixth to eighth in the standings, and could continue to fall if they don’t pick up some wins soon.

Injuries were something that hurt the 76ers last season, and it looks like it’s affecting them once again.

The Boston Celtics had high expectations for Jayson Tatum’s return to the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. But just as the team moved on from their superstar, they lost their valuable NBA trade deadline acquisition.

Nikola Vucevic came off the Celtics bench Friday night and played just two minutes without recording a single stat before getting injured. Late in the first quarter, Vucevic was attempting to post up Mavs center Moussa Cisse when he suddenly grabbed his right arm as he received the ball.

Vucevic then continued to catch the same hand multiple times and appeared to be in pain on the next few possessions, causing Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout.

Celtics reporter Bobby Manning was able to pinpoint the exact spot where Vucevic was hurt.

https://x.com/RealBobManning/status/2030084774170177771

The Celtics announced early in the second quarter that Vucevic would be out for the remainder of the game with a fractured right ring finger.

Nikola Vucevic was acquired by the Boston Celtics from the Chicago Bulls at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. In the deal, the Celtics traded guard Anfernee Simmons and a 2026 second-round pick to the Bulls for Vucevic and a 2027 second-round pick.

In 11 games so far with the Celtics, Vucevic has averaged 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three.

Ben Godfrey has explained why his spells at both Sheffield United and Ipswich Town failed, as he wants to start again at Brøndby.

BOLD had an interview with the 28-year-old today. He’s looking to move away from the disastrous 2025 and the past few years in general.

The defender moved to Brøndby in the winter, joining Steve Cooper at the Danish club. He joined Atalanta on loan until the end of the season.

It has been a challenging few years for the defender following his move to Atalanta from Everton in 2024. He struggled to establish himself at the Serie A club, ultimately spending the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town.

Loan to Brøndby

Godfrey made only three appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side as they were relegated from the Premier League. The first half of the season was spent on loan with Sheffield United in the Championship.

But his time at Bramall Lane was cut short in December After making only four appearances for the Blades in all competitions. It has now been explained to him that matters off the field may have played a role.

“I was a little lost when it came time to play,” He said.

“It was a period when some personal things were probably a little different for me, and that happens sometimes in life.

“And then I think players in my position were guaranteed playing time for the remainder of the season. We had an open and honest conversation, and have full respect for Sheffield United for that. They made it clear that I would no longer be part of their plans for the remainder of the season.

“Obviously it was a difficult period in my career. But also on a broader level. It’s not always just about football. You never know what problems other people are going through.”

“There will always be ups and downs. The last few years, or 2025, may have been a period where I had to reflect, learn or where circumstances did not work out favorably for me.”

Contract at Atalanta until 2028

There’s certainly no denying that the last few years have been difficult for Godfrey, even looking back at his time at Everton.

He appeared to be in a strong position with the Toffees following a €27.5m move from Norwich City in 2020 and particularly impressed playing under Carlo Ancelotti. That was until COVID struck and affected him significantly.

He then continued to open up about his struggles, even saying that at times it felt like he was playing ‘in someone else’s body’. It appears he is still struggling with this.

Anyone who watched him at Ipswich Town or Sheffield United will confirm this. The hope now is that he can find his feet at Brøndby and perhaps resolve his long-term future in the summer.

The LA Clippers have been trending in the right direction over the past few months and were finding their rhythm after acquiring Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson at the trade deadline. But the franchise was dealt a blow on Thursday when they received news of his latest injury.

With 8:32 minutes remaining in the second quarter of the Clippers’ home win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, center Yannick Konan Niederhauser went up for a blocked shot and landed very strangely On his right leg. The Clippers’ promising young backup center immediately began screaming in pain and clutching his right ankle.

Conan Niederhauser had to be helped off the floor by head athletic trainer Jason Powell after he was unable to put any weight on his injured right leg. The team immediately ruled Konan Niederhauser out for the remainder of the game with an undisclosed right foot injury.

Yannick Konan Niederhauser comes off awkwardly from the chased block, as his foot got caught during it (with replays). He was taken to the locker room, but did not return.

Poor man 🙁 pic.twitter.com/vnzzEPKlJZ

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 5 March 2026

After the game, the team announced that Penn State’s 22-year-old big man would not travel on the team’s upcoming two-game road trip, but would instead remain in Los Angeles for further evaluation of his injured right foot.

on thursday night Clippers announced Yannick Konan Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. He will undergo surgery and be out for the rest of the 2025-26 season

Yannick Konan Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot.

The Clippers center will require surgery and be out for the remainder of the season.

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 6 March 2026

In 41 appearances this season, Yannick Konan Niederhauser averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes per game off the bench. Over his last 12 games, Konan Niederhauser was averaging 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 15.7 minutes per game.

Brook Lopez has been the Clippers’ starting center since the trade of Ivica Zubac at the NBA trade deadline, and will likely play a bigger role with more playing time. Since December 20, 2025, López has started 19 of his 34 games played, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

The Los Angeles Clippers are unable to catch any breaks this season. The Clippers were playing against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. The game also marked former Clipper Ivica Zubac’s debut with his new Indiana team. However, during the game, LA lost one of its key centers to injury. According to Tomer Azzarly of ClutchPoints, Yannick Konan Niederhauser, who backed up Zubac in LA, missed the game with a foot injury.

“Yannick Konan Niederhauser is out for the remainder of Clippers-Pacers with a right foot injury,” Azarly posted.

More coming soon.

Sheffield United are currently 13th in the Championship, but still have a chance of reaching the playoffs. Having finished third last season they would have expected better.

Missing out on promotion was a major blow to the Yorkshire club, especially in the manner in which it happened. The contrast in the latter’s fortunes with Sunderland, who sit 11th in the Premier League, is stark.

That 2025 effort will be led in part by players identified by Steven VanHaaren, who worked in transfers for Sheffield United until 2023. That was as part of the United World Group.

He is currently the sporting director at Hungarian club György ETO FC and is leading a project to keep them at the top of the table.

Sheffield United’s goal wasn’t high enough

Vanharen was at Sheffield United when they were last promoted to the Premier League. He then left the club, stating that he did so because he saw no way forward.

Speaking to a Belgian newspaper antwerp gazetteOld people got: “Promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield was a highlight. In 2023, I resigned because I didn’t feel supported enough and didn’t see any upward trend. Yes, it was quite a journey. I’ve done all sorts of things in football, which means I can now speak to many members of the coaching staff at a high level.”

As part of the interview, the director repeatedly made it clear that money is not everything, and a strong plan is more important.

On his general view, Vanharen described choosing a manager as an important aspect.

“Success doesn’t always cost money.” He said. “It’s a matter of approach, structures, people’s qualities and developing and using them adequately. First of all, you ask yourself: ‘What kind of football do I want to see my team playing?’ So that a club has an identity, a recognizable style of football. Then you think about how you want to develop it. Which method do you apply?

“The most important transfer in this regard is your head coach, who must develop players within the club’s philosophy. The next step is to determine what player profile you need. Then you ask yourself how you want to develop the scouting around him and link that to data. Of course, it is more complex than it seems. But many clubs do not work according to those four simple steps.”

Something about that process clearly didn’t make him happy at Sheffield United.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from injury will give the Bucks an extra boost when the Boston Celtics face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. While the Bucks will be getting a boost, the Celtics will be lacking as star wing Jaylen Brown is going to miss the game due to illness according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Brown has been the driving force behind the Celtics’ success this season, playing at an MVP level in the absence of Jayson Tatum. The Celtics have surprised many people this season and have exceeded expectations. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Celtics say Jaylen Brown (illness), Neemias Quetta (rest) and Jayson Tatum (Achilles) will all miss tonight’s game against Milwaukee … while the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable after a five-week absence.

– Mark Stein (@TheSteinLine) 2 March 2026

Cooper Flagg has missed six consecutive games with a left medial sprain. Although the walking boot was recently removed, it appears there is still no timetable for the Dallas Mavericks star’s return.

According to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoop Journal, reports indicate the 19-year-old rookie will miss Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It marked Flagg’s seventh consecutive game missed since suffering an injury in the Mavericks’ 120–111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 10.

“Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg (left medial sprain) has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

The news that the former No. 1 overall pick was rejected on Saturday may not be so surprising. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Friday that he doesn’t expect Cooper Flagg to be available for the March 3 game against Kon Nueppel and the Charlotte Hornets. If so, Flagg could be out for at least two more games.

Despite injury issues in recent weeks, Flagg has looked every bit like a franchise cornerstone during his rookie season. He is still in consideration for the Rookie of the Year award, as he has played at a high level while healthy. In 49 games played, Flagg has averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

With Cooper Flagg out once again, RJ Nembhard Jr. and Brandon Williams should see some action at the point guard position. With PJ Washington and Marvin Bagley III also out for the game against the Thunder, the Mavericks will likely rely on Max Christie, Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford.

After some dynamic performances following the All-Star break, Joel Embiid is expected to miss several games due to a right oblique strain.

Taking to social media to highlight Embiid’s latest injury in a stop-and-start season, The Athletic’s Tony Jones revealed that “The Process” will miss the next three games due to a right oblique strain he suffered in the team’s Thursday night win over the Miami Heat.

“Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with a right oblique strain and will miss the next three games.”,” Jones wrote on social media.

Initially starting the season on the shelf as he recovered from offseason surgery, and moving forward, when Embiid actually took the court for the 76ers, he largely recaptured his MVP form. “The Process” is averaging 26.6 points in just 31.2 minutes of action per game, recording 3.9 assists to go with 7.5 rebounds each night, and allowing Tyrese Maxey to take over the offense at times, clearing the floor as a 31.8 percent 3-point shooter while power forwards like Dominic Barlow and Jabari Walker do the dirty work in the painted zone.

Can the 76ers keep things on hold against the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz until Embiid potentially returns on March 7 against the Atlanta Hawks? Considering that the team has a 12-14 record with Embiid off the court, that may be tough, but considering that this injury occurred during a game rather than being his knee or any other lower-body malfunction, it’s safe to assume that “The Process” won’t need too much of a ramp-up to return to his old form over the next month.

NBA games are usually decided by the person who puts the ball in the hoop the most times, but Friday night at Little Caesars Arena, the biggest opponent wasn’t a player; It was a bad buzzer. During the third quarter between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, a sudden power surge caused a continuous, loud horn sound, halting the action.

Players and fans sat in awkward positions for about 20 minutes as ground technicians struggled to silence the noise. The glitch did more than just block the sound; This wiped out game clocks and shot clocks, forcing officiating crews to take more manual measures.

To keep the game going, arena staff eventually resorted to hand-held air horns to signal the end of possessions and quarters. It was a scene more reminiscent of a local rec league than a professional NBA environment, but officials had to make it work.

A horn delay? 📣

This is what’s currently going on with Cavs-Pistons 🔊

(via @omarisankofa)pic.twitter.com/D4QVx9G2HL

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 28 February 2026

Despite the “Street Ball” atmosphere, the stakes remain incredibly high. The Detroit Pistons entered the night 43-14, trying to tighten their grip on the top seed in the East. They currently hold a slight lead in a game that has become an entirely defensive situation. Jalen Duren has been a monster for Detroit, taking advantage of a Cleveland Cavaliers frontcourt that has been working overtime.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling hard without their primary star power. Donovan Mitchell is out with a groin strain, and the team just announced that James Harden is out with a fracture in his right thumb. In his absence, Evan Mobley has stepped up as a playmaker, keeping Cleveland within striking distance despite the lack of a functioning scoreboard.

As we approach the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the score is tense at 96-91 in favor of the Cavaliers, but the way this night has gone, anything can happen.

Between the manual air horn blasts and the lack of a game clock, this game has officially gone off the rails. One thing’s for sure: Whoever walks away with a win tonight will have earned it in the strangest atmosphere of the season.

KNThe Cleveland Cavaliers will need less time for their showdown against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Friday as star guard James Harden has been sidelined with a thumb injury, according to the team. Harden was the Cavs’ major trade deadline acquisition in hopes of making a jump in the East standings and making a push into the postseason.

James Harden initially suffered the injury during the Cavs’ win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, and has been sidelined since. Shortly after the Cavs traded for the former All-Star guard, the team won five consecutive games before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder last weekend.

The Cavs lost 118-116 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday with Harden out due to injury. Overall, the Cavs have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, and are currently in fourth place in the East standings. They are 37-23, and only a half-game behind the No. 3 Knicks.

Since the deal, Harden has appeared in seven games at a rate of just over 32 minutes per game. He averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists with splits of 49.4 percent shooting from the field, 48.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 86.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line. It’s a small sample size, but if those field goal and 3-point shooting percentages hold up, they’ll be career highs for the 17-year veteran.

Before the trade, Harden had spent the previous three and a half seasons playing for his hometown LA Clippers. He was acquired by the Clippers in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers at the beginning of the 2023–24 season.

The Miami Heat will try to beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday without their top scorer, as Norman Powell was forced to exit early with a groin injury.

Powell, who was a late addition to the injury report, finished with three points on 1-5 shooting, three rebounds and two assists.

According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the 32-year-old Powell was bothered by a groin injury before the game, but decided to recover anyway.

“Norman Powell (right groin strain) is treated for the rest of the night. He was questionable with a groin problem and tried to play through it, but his night was over after 11 minutes,” Chiang wrote on the X.

The Heat will have to be more creative offensively to fill the void left by Powell, who is averaging 22.9 points on 47.5% shooting.

It would be a huge blow to Miami if Powell is sidelined for an extended period of time, especially as the playoffs approach.

Powell is having the best year of his career, earning his first nod to the All-Star Game and the Heat were right to sign him in the offseason. Many were confused as to why the Los Angeles Clippers let him walk after a breakout season.

If he remains out in the coming days, the Heat have enough depth to cover him. Tyler Herro’s recent return from a rib injury was also timely.

At the time of writing, the Heat are trailing the 76ers by a slim margin in the fourth quarter.

The 2025-26 season remains as unfavorable as ever on the injury front for the Denver Nuggets. Most of their key men have missed significant time due to injuries, and on Wednesday night, it was Jamal Murray’s turn to suffer an illness as he was forced out of the contest against the Boston Celtics early.

The good news is that the Nuggets still took care of business against the Celtics at home, earning a 103-84 win over one of the hottest teams in the association, and the team has proven time and again that they can handle the absence of their key players.

But it seems like Murray should never have suited up for the Nuggets on opening night. After the game, head coach David Edelman revealed that Murray had been heavily medicated beforehand to try to get him healthy enough to play, but he couldn’t move forward easily For the entire game.

“He looked terrible. They gave him all the medications. It didn’t help. All kinds of physical things were happening,” Edelman said, via Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

Jamal Murray could be in line for a few days’ rest with the Nuggets

Murray deserves credit for trying to carry on and play despite the illness. But the Nuggets need to prioritize the long game.

The battle for position in the West is as heated as ever, but there’s no reason to risk life and limb in a regular season game.

Murray scored only two points in eight minutes of play, before exiting the game due to illness. The Nuggets have a day off before facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, though it remains to be seen whether Murray will be healthy enough by then.

LOS ANGELES – Just when the Los Angeles Lakers were starting to get back to 100 percent healthy, they were informed of another injury, this time to backup center Jackson Hayes. Hayes suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the Lakers’ loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday and did not return. Before the Lakers’ game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick lamented the fact that Hayes’ absence means the team is losing this special ability that only LeBron James could possess.

“Unfortunately, no one on our team except LeBron can jump as high as him. So we’ll have to make do with Maxi.” [Kleber] And Wando,” Redick said. “And the good news is he’s going day by day. And he has already improved. He did a light court workout today. “Still a little sore, but we’re hopeful he’ll be back this week.”

Jackson Hayes was initially listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report for their game against the Magic, but he was downgraded to out just hours before tip-off. Hayes has struggled with ankle problems this season, but for the most part has been an integral part of the Lakers’ rotation.

Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers after initially signing as a free agent in the 2023 offseason. He originally signed a two-year contract with the team, and then re-signed to a one-year contract last offseason. Hayes played admirably as the starting center last year following the departure of Anthony Davis, but Redick ultimately ousted him amid the Lakers’ disappointing playoff run against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This season, Hayes has appeared in 47 games, including seven starts, in just over 17 minutes per game. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds with a split of 77 percent shooting from the field and 64.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Hayes represented the Lakers in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, but was eliminated in the opening round.

With Hayes out of the lineup, the backup center role will fall to the combination of Maxi Kleber and Jared Vanderbilt. Kleber represents the Lakers as a traditional big man in terms of size, while Vanderbilt has operated in small-ball lineups.

In addition to the veteran leadership that Khris Middleton can bring to the Dallas Mavericks, the 2021 NBA champions can still punish defenses on any given night. Although he is unlikely to remain with the team beyond this season, the franchise should still try to absorb all the wisdom the three-time All-Star has to share. Unfortunately, he injured his right shoulder during Tuesday’s road matchup against the Brooklyn Nets and will not return, according to NBA correspondent Marc Stein.

Middleton helped the Mavs end a 10-game losing streak by scoring a team-high 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting against the Indiana Pacers.

The Dallas Mavericks are scheduled to face the Brooklyn Nets on the road Tuesday, but that could be up in the air. Following the team’s game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Mavericks stayed overnight in Indiana due to severe weather storms that hit the New York area. Although nothing has been announced yet regarding the games, Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s Jimmy Fallon Show appearance is in doubt.

Cooper Flagg was scheduled to appear on the Jimmy Fallon show on Monday night during the Mavericks’ visit to New York before their game against the Nets. But according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News, his appearance was canceled because the team could not travel to New York after the Pacers game.

It is currently unknown whether Flagg’s appearance on the show will be rescheduled. The Mavericks have already made their only trip to Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, and this is their only trip to see the Nets.

In any case, Flagg’s pending appearance on the show is proof that he is one of the rising faces of the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been one of the frontrunners for the flag league’s Rookie of the Year award. His only competition is Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

Flagg is currently dealing with a foot injury, and has not played since the Mavericks season resumed after the All-Star break.

He has appeared in 49 games this season, a little over 34 minutes per game. Flagg averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals, shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 30.2 percent from the field and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks are currently 20-36, and are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. Their win against the Pacers on Sunday broke their 10-match losing streak.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were without one of their key players against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center on Sunday, as running back Naz Reed was out with a shoulder injury.

Reid has been out in recent weeks, and sitting out against the 76ers was a big blow for the Timberwolves, who are looking for their fourth consecutive win.

It is unclear when Reid suffered the shoulder injury. He finished Friday’s 122-111 win against the Dallas Mavericks with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 30 minutes off the bench.

The 26-year-old Reed has a strong case to win his second Sixth Man of the Year trophy, as he has career averages of 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals.

He signed a five-year extension worth $125 million in the offseason.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has often praised Reed’s work ethic, which has helped him remain competitive in recent years.

“I don’t remember the exact timing, but it was definitely within the first window of the season. I would say he’s started to really, really rebound at a high level and make a lot of those types of plays. Get out and run, rebound, just play with more activity. That’s what’s really gotten him going offensively,” Finch said in a report by Timberwolves reporter Liam Willerup.

In addition to Reed, Minnesota also battled Philadelphia without Rudy Gobert, who served a one-game suspension.

Jon Beringer, Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. have earned additional minutes without Reed and Gobert.

It is still unclear how long Reid will be out.

Ziare Williams will miss his second consecutive game for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Brooklyn ruled Williams out of the match with the Atlanta Hawks due to personal reasons.

Williams played 22 minutes during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Nets ruled him out of Friday’s 105–86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to personal reasons.

Williams has played a featured role with Brooklyn’s second unit this season. He has recorded the seventh-most minutes on the team, averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on .407/.313/.859 shooting splits in 39 appearances.

Ziaire Williams missing Nets vs. Hawks due to personal reasons

Ochai Agbaji has seen extended minutes in the Nets’ second unit over the last two games during Williams’ absence. The trade deadline acquisition recorded his best performance of the season on Thursday vs. the Cavs. He posted 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, three rebounds, three assists and one block and 3-of-6 from three in 28 minutes.

Nic Claxton will return from a two-game absence vs. Atlanta due to an ankle injury. The Hawks, who have lost four of their last five games, will be without Jonathan Kuminga because of a knee injury.

After three consecutive losses, the Nets have dropped to third in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and second in the loss column behind the Indiana Pacers.

After Sunday’s game against the Hawks, Brooklyn will return home for matchups with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

As the Sacramento Kings have lost their last 15 games, the team is now facing more bad news regarding star forward De’Andre Hunter’s eye injury. Hunter will miss time with the Kings due to an eye injury, with the latest report suggesting he will miss significant time.

According to NBA insiders Chris Haynes and Marc Stein, Hunter “will have to have eye surgery at the end of the season”, which will lock him down for Sacramento, as he played only two games with the team after being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the deadline.

“BREAKING: Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter to have season-ending eye surgery, league sources say”. [Marc Stein] And me,” Haynes, formerly of X, wrote on Twitter.

In terms of what exactly he’s dealing with, it’s been diagnosed as “iritis,” as he suffered an injury to his left eye during a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last February 6. Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reported that he will be reevaluated in 10 days, with the ultimate conclusion being season-ending surgery.

Anderson wrote on the

The way Hunter was talking about how good his progress was, it was a profound change in pace, almost speaking as if a comeback could be around the corner.

“It’s not quite there yet, but it’s definitely better than it was,” Hunter said Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated. “I’ve been able to actually play, train and do things like that, so it’s progressing really well.”

At any rate, Hunter looks to be fully healthy for next season and will contribute for the Kings.

The Phoenix Suns were hoping to get off to a great start to the second half of the season, but those plans hit a major roadblock Thursday night.

Devin Booker, the heartbeat of the Suns’ offense, fouled out early during a high-stakes Western Conference showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. The team later confirmed that the five-time All-Star would not return due to a sore right hip, leaving a large void in the lineup.

The Phoenix Suns guard was trying to find his rhythm after the All-Star break before his night was cut short due to injury. Booker checked out, playing only 9 minutes, finishing with five points and 1 rebound. He struggled to find his stroke from deep, going 0-of-2 from beyond the arc, but he was active at the rim and the charity stripe to keep the Suns competitive early.

After the break, the Suns (32-24) are locked in a tight race to avoid the play-in tournament. Facing a red-hot San Antonio Spurs team that entered the night with a seven-game winning streak, the Suns already suffered a loss due to Dillon Brooks’ one-game suspension.

With Booker sidelined, the onus falls on Jalen Green and Mark Williams. The Spurs took full advantage of Booker’s absence, fueled by impressive performances from Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell, who all posted 20+ points in the third quarter. The Spurs lead 89-63 heading into the third quarter at the Moody Center.

Attention has now turned to the severity of Booker’s hip issue. He has already dealt with managing a right ankle injury throughout February, and any extended absence of the Suns’ leading scorer, who averages 25.2 points per game, could be devastating to their seeding hopes.

The Sons are back in action soon, and Wally will be holding his breath for an update on his superstar’s status.