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Last week it was revealed that New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabors had a second surgery on his knee to remove scar tissue from his ACL surgery.

The Giants hope he will be ready for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, but there is no guarantee he will. With his availability for Week 1 in question, they will have to consider the possibility that he will begin the season on the PUP list.

The team will be cautious with Nabors as the goal is to get him back on the field when he is 100%. Head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the Giants executives will be closely monitoring the health of their star receiver as training camp approaches.

If the franchise has to start the year without their best playmaker, there are a number of directions they could go. Here’s a look at three possible scenarios the team could go with if Nabors is unavailable for the start of the season.

RELATED: Eli Manning reveals big secret about refusing to play for Chargers

Sign Odell Beckham Jr.

The Giants showed interest in acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. before it was revealed that Nabors had undergone a second surgery by bringing him in for a workout. With the possibility of starting the year without their star player and Darius Slayton recovering from core muscle surgery, this interest has certainly increased.

At 33 years old, Odell Beckham Jr. won’t be the number one option on any team, but he’s still a solid route runner with reliable hands who could be a dependable replacement for Jackson Dart. It seems likely that if OBJ plays in 2026, it will be with Big Blue, as he has not been linked with any of the other 31 teams.

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

Give current veteran receivers a chance

One of the biggest priorities for New York this offseason was upgrading the receiver position. They accomplished this in free agency by signing Darnell Money and Kelvin Austin III to one-year contracts. They then traded three draft picks with the Cleveland Browns to move up and draft Malachi Fields with the 74 overall pick.^th Overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft

Although neither of them will be considered a true number one option in the passing game, their collection, along with tight end Isaiah, will be enough to keep the passing offense afloat until the Pro Bowl wideout is able to play.

sign deebo samuel

The New York Giants’ offense will be their most physical unit this season with the addition of 300-pound fullback Patrick Rickard. Rickard will create running lanes for Cam Scatebo and Tyrone Jr. Additionally, that would make them one of the most efficient teams in low-yardage situations.

But the team could add a physical presence on the outside if it signs free agent wideout Deebo Samuel. Samuel played with the Washington Commanders last season and had 72 receptions for 727 receiving yards, with five touchdowns.

Samuel’s best attributes are his versatility, his running after the catch and his ability to break tackles. Although he is 30 years old and has missed a step, the six-foot, 215-pound receiver will make the offense even more physical than it currently is. If Harbaugh wants to add another physical playmaker, Samuel would be an excellent option.

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

swansea city Having already secured their survival in the Championship, the club’s internal rebuild now takes center stage.

We previously covered parts of Vitor Matos’ interview regarding the striker zhan vipotnik status. Anyway, full conversation with Portuguese newspaper to ball Provides great insight into Swansea’s structure, identity and long-term planning.

Below, the main themes of that interview are organized and expanded upon, with Matos’s full comments preserved and grouped for clarity.

Arrival and immediate priorities

Vitor Matos moved closer to the relegation zone with Swansea. The initial focus was on survival, but also laying the foundation for something more stable.

“Above all, it was a challenge because of the moment the change happened. It was about the moment that mattered for Marítimo and Swansea. It was a decision driven by ambition, but also something I always wanted, which was to return to England. It’s a positive balance.”

“The first big challenge was to stabilize the club, which had fallen to the bottom of the table, very close to the relegation places. The priority was to stabilise, then gradually improve the quality of play and the individual quality of the players.”

He also highlighted how little time he had to implement the ideas in the beginning.

“It’s not easy in the Championship. We arrived after the Bristol game, did two training sessions and then immediately played the derby. Two days later, West Brom away. Only after that did we have time to train properly.”

“So the priority was to get it right, but already trying to present how we wanted to change some things.”

creating a game identity

One of the clearest messages from the interview is that Swansea are trying to redefine the way they play, moving away from previous formations.

“The team was coming from a less positive period and was also playing in a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 formation, which I clearly wanted to change from day one.”

“It’s about understanding the team, identifying the qualities we can work with and starting to shape our view of the game. Understanding the short and medium-term priorities is fundamental for the team to become more competitive.”

Matos also emphasized how complex the process is in a championship environment.

“Stability in this league comes from a lot of little things. It’s a complex process. It has to do with the number of games, the type of opposition and the variability you face.”

“This is part of the development of tactical maturity that the team needs. We have evolved, become more consistent, but there is still a lot of improvement to be made.”

Culture, identity and relationship with the club

Beyond tactics, Matos repeatedly returned to the importance of rebuilding Swansea’s identity and culture.

“A culture isn’t built in a day. The culture we want to develop is about values, a competitive mentality and the connection between players, fans and staff.”

“Swansea is a club with a very rich history and has a very clear identity from its evolution towards the Premier League. That was lost at some point, and that’s what we’re trying to develop again.”

He clarified that this is beyond the pitch.

“For it to survive, there has to be a recruiting vision that aligns with it, a vision of how the club views and engages with the community.”

“There must come a moment where, beyond belief, there is joy in the club’s identity. That’s how we are building.”

To reconnect with that identity, Swansea turned to figures from their past.

“That cultural side is very strong and still exists, but short-term results can push clubs away from it. That was happening.”

“One of our concerns was to bring in Joe Allen and Leon Britton, who represent that period. We found a development path while respecting the essence of the club.”

Competing with top teams and raising the standards

Matos also talked about changing the mentality within the team, especially in matches against stronger opponents.

“It was important to find a base eleven and continuity to make the team more competitive and more effective.”

“We want to look at the top teams and not only compete, but try to dominate them, whether through possession or through pressure.”

“It was important for the club to realize again that it is possible to stay in high positions and compete with the best teams.”

He emphasized that results remain at the center of everything.

“The most important thing is always to win. That’s the basis on which you are evaluated. The way you do it may change, but winning is always the objective.”

Managing change and dealing with pressure

Despite a long-term contract, Matos made clear that short-term pressures still define his role.

“This is a volatile profession, evaluated in the short term. You have to build the process with the idea that there should be feedback from day one.”

“At the same time, your concern should be to improve the quality of the game. This should be visible to the owners and the fans.”

He also stressed the need for gradual development rather than major changes.

“You can’t change everything at once. Sometimes it’s possible depending on the results, sometimes not. You need care on an individual level when making changes.”

“We managed to find stability. We haven’t used a large number of players and we are the team with the lowest number of muscle injuries in the league. This shows the culture and sensitivity.”

Transfer Strategy and Squad Management

One of the most relevant sections to Swansea’s future and players like Zane Vipotnik is how the club approached the transfer market.

“Our biggest concern was not to lose players in January. It’s not about bringing in 14 players and sending out 14.”

“It’s about looking at the team, understanding the priorities, and starting to build something. Only after building can you understand the path.”

Rather than rebuild, Swansea opted for targeted additions.

“We signed Gustavo Nunes from Brentford, Leo Walta and Joel Ward. Each brought something different and added depth in the short term.”

“Joel brought experience and stability. The team needed that. Gustavo is a huge talent and gave us more options, which helped maintain our mobility.”

Matos also highlighted the internal focus.

“Our main objective was to look at all the players including the academy, the squad and those on loan and start building from there.”

What comes next for Swansea?

With survival secured, attention turns to the next phase of the project.

“You always have to build on the present knowing that the future will shape us. We want the club to continue to grow and move towards a play-off position.”

“But it is a very competitive league with a large number of games. Emotional stability is essential.”

He also spoke about the physical demands of the championship.

“We have more games than Bayern. It’s such a high number that you need emotional stability and a strong process.”

“The team must remain focused on training and recovery, even if training time is limited.”

Finally, he outlined a broader vision for the club.

“It’s about building culture, short-term competitiveness and long-term value. That includes the department, the fans, the community and scouting.”

“Everything should work under the same approach, with a clear process that allows players to arrive fresh and ready to compete.”

What does this mean for Swansea

This entire interview shows that Swansea is no longer operating as a short-term survival project.

There is a clear emphasis on stability, identity and controlled development. Swansea suffered from losing key players in January. With a stronger structure now in place, any summer decision will likely follow the same logic – consistent with the broader project set out by Matos.

This makes it much more than a standard transfer case. It is part of a wider rebuild that will define Swansea’s next steps.

tottenham hotspur Dejan Kulusevski has not featured for a Premier League team since May 2025.

The Sweden international had surgery that month and has been on the sidelines since.

The initial expectation was that the Tottenham player would regain full fitness within a few months and then again before the end of last year.

However, the attacking midfielder has yet to return to the pitch and Sport Witness has given a timeline Regarding the recovery process and delays.

• On 1 October, John Dahl Tomasson, who was the national team manager at the time, Spurs attacker explained He is in “a different phase of his rehabilitation”. Later that month, Sweden dismissed him and appointed Graham Potter as his successor.
• On 20 November, the former Chelsea boss Grad Kulusevski May return “around the New Year”.
• A month later, Potter told the player can back for the March international break, but optimism vanished in February. “It will be difficult to return in March,” the coach admitted.

Sweden achieved World Cup qualification in March.

That time, the 25-year-old said He is confident of representing his national team in the summer and this is despite recently undergoing another surgery.

Tottenham has no plans to sell

transfer market Here’s a report on Dejan Kulusevski and Spurs’ future plans after this season.

Before his failure, there were rumors that the former Juventus player was returning to Italy with AC Milan as their suitors.

Kulusevski has not yet played under Roberto De Zerbi, but the coach is keen to keep him. The Italian manager wants to keep him even if the north London club loses in the Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur, for their part, are not planning to sell him in the summer, while the player has also ‘never expressed a desire’ to leave.

Sources close to him insist his focus is on regaining full fitness as he is ‘determined to return to the pitch and return to the highest level.’

However, Calciomercato has warned that Spurs’ expulsion from the Premier League could impact on the Swede’s future.

Spurs’ remaining fixtures

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are now 18th in the table, two points behind 17th-placed West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur have five more matches left in the Premier League this season. they are against

• v wolves [away] on 25th April
• vs aston villa [away] on 3 may
• v leeds united [home] on 11th may
• in chelsea [away] tbd
• vs everton [home] on 24th may

Shanahan not thrilled about Australia opener

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear on Monday that he is not at all overreacting to the NFL’s decision to start the 2026 season in Australia.

Speaking at the league owners meeting in Phoenix, Shanahan was asked about the historic matchup against the division rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10.

“I don’t see any professionals,” he told reporters.

Now, to be clear, he’s coming at this from a coach’s perspective. And football players and coaches alike have often expressed approval for the exclusivity of international games and the opportunity they give them to experience new things, while also stating very clearly that it is not good in terms of the quality of the game. Or for the team moving forward.

Shanahan echoed those widespread sentiments. He acknowledged that the game is “good for the league to play globally” and “wonderful” for international fans to get a taste of NFL action. Nevertheless, he still does not see any positive benefits for his team.

He said, “But as far as the team is concerned in doing this, there is no special benefit in it.” “Sometimes it’s nice to have a bye after a week, but not in the first week.”

Highlights from Kyle Shanahan’s press conference today:

• Kyle feels good about where the roster is. Says it’s definitely been a better offseason than last year

• He is not a fan of the 49ers playing in Australia

• They’re in no rush to release Brandon Aiyuk. Keep hope… pic.twitter.com/Eg659RocVN

– Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) 30 March 2026

Yeah, they’re not giving bye week after week. MLB usually gives its opening day game participants a short break after playing the first game of the season. But taking a day off in a 162-game schedule is a lot different than what the NFL would have to do if it gave a Week 2 bye.

The 49ers will face a grueling 14-hour flight and significant time-zone juggling for a 10:35 a.m. local kick-off in Melbourne.

Needless to say, Americans forget such early games. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard friends ask, ‘Was there any play today?’ After one regular season game in the UK.

Read more:

Shanahan’s sarcasm during a discussion of travel logistics for the game immediately hit the charts.

“Oh, very excited. So, are we going back in time or into the future? I guess we gain a day or lose a day? Not sure yet which, but it is what it is,” he joked before noting very seriously, “We’ll deal with it.”

This is something they will have to deal with if they want to maintain some momentum from last season.

The 49ers posted a solid 12–5 record last season and finished third in the stacked NFC West. After missing the playoffs the previous year, they returned to the postseason and earned a wild card win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

But their run ended with a lopsided loss in the divisional round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

Heading into 2026, expectations remain high for Shanahan’s team as they look to build on last year’s resiliency, stay healthy, and take advantage of key stars like Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa, as well as key additions like veteran wide receiver Mike Evans.

Will they get the year off to the right start with a win in Australia?

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

Will the New Jersey Devils need a new head coach at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season? A shocking firing this weekend has now made the head coach a hot name on the free agency market, one that could certainly tempt general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

The Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy on Sunday despite the team’s playoff position and his longtime success with the organization. In a shocking turn of events he is replaced by John Tortorella.

In his Vegas tenure, Cassidy has boasted an incredible 178–99–43 record (fifth most in that span), 24 playoff wins (fourth most), two Pacific Division titles and one Stanley Cup.

It’s easy to see why Cassidy might only be unemployed for a short period of time.

However, the season is not over, and the Devils still employ Sheldon Keefe.

How long will this continue? It’s really anyone’s guess, but Fitzgerald revealed at the height of the New Jersey clashes in January that he and Keef are “in lockstep,” and despite fan opinion, there’s no reason to believe Fitzgerald’s in the hot seat.

Still, in a situation where the Devils decide to move on from Keefe, is Cassidy the Devils’ best option?

On the surface, his Vegas resume is certainly attractive. However, zooming the lens a little more may prove otherwise.

In Vegas, Cassidy relied on an elite defensive blueline and strong goaltending en route to winning the Stanley Cup. They didn’t have a lot of elite talent other than Jack Eichel and 60% Mark Stone.

Add in the fact that Cassidy’s style runs counter to New Jersey’s strengths, you can imagine the Devils could look similar for the majority of 2025-26.

Cassidy’s system is generally simple. Chip pucks behind the defense, win puck battles, and try for goals. The defense, meanwhile, relies on goaltending to outscore the opposition – although that has been a struggle for Vegas this season.

However, the Devils are a high speed and skill team that thrives on hustle.

Just look at how the Devils have performed this season. In the first 17 games when Jack Hughes was healthy, New Jersey compiled a 12–4–1 record and played a more open style. After Jack’s injury in November, the system took off on itself, becoming less about speed and skill and more about defensive structure. Like Vegas, New Jersey’s goaltending—particularly Jacob Markstrom—did not hold up.

Still, after the Olympic break, the Devils’ system has reopened. This was due to Jack’s return to form as his arm is back to 100%. Keefe also noted after Sunday’s 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks that Luke Hughes’ improved play in the latter half of the year is another obvious factor.

“Since coming back from the Olympic break, we’ve been focusing a lot on our game on sprinting and things like that,” Keefe said. “I looked at it the other day and one of the things that drives the game in the crowd is the controlled entries and the momentum coming from the neutral zone. Jack leads our team by a country mile on individual entries since the Olympic break, and indeed that will be the case throughout the season. But Jack is also perfect in assisting others in moving the game from the crowd and controlled entries.

“Luke is there too. [Jack] And Luke is on another level than everyone else. That’s a statistical way of looking at it. What those guys can bring in terms of getting our offense moving, and when we get both of them healthy and feeling good, we look pretty much like we are, OK, there’s a lot of focus on how we’ve improved offensively here over these 16 games. Go back and look at the previous 17 games when Jack got hurt, and it looks pretty much the same.”

Hiring Cassidy would continue the move away from who the Devils are. In fact, credit goes to Keefe where it’s due. He has brought them back to that style of play.

Maybe it’s too late, but they’re at it again, and it’s clearly working with 10 wins in their last 14 games.

So, will Cassidy be an upgrade behind the bench in New Jersey? Maybe on paper. However, it’s very possible that Keefe is doing enough to save his job at the end of the season.

After all, he’s not wrong when he says that when we look at the Devils’ performance before Jack’s injury in November and after the Olympic break. Everything in between was injury-related chaos that may not impact Keefe.

We’ll see what the offseason brings, but proceed with caution with Cassidy. In fact, don’t be surprised if the current Devils regime gets its last blow in 2026-27.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Recently, the Denver Nuggets got a boost when wing Peyton Watson returned to the lineup for their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at home. Denver won that game in spectacular fashion, with Watson finishing the night with 14 points in limited action off the bench.

The Nuggets will next take the field on Tuesday night for a road game against the Phoenix Suns, but unfortunately, Watson will be held out of this matchup due to hamstring injury management, as indicated by the latest official NBA injury report.

It’s certainly understandable that the Nuggets would want to be cautious in getting Watson back into the lineup amid an injury that kept him out of the lineup for nearly a month. For a time, both Watson and fellow Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon were sidelined with hamstring injuries, Gordon’s second such ailment of the season, and third in the past year, tied to the 2025 playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

When healthy this season, Watson has established himself as a key part of the Nuggets rotation, showing an improved offensive game and helping Denver hold down the fort in the absence of Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury.

He has the potential to significantly increase his value in the restricted free agent market this upcoming offseason, with some fans expecting him to take over Cameron Johnson’s starting job amid his struggles.

The Nuggets are currently tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fourth place in the Western Conference, and two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed.

Denver’s game against the Suns on Tuesday night kicks off at 11:00 PM ET from Phoenix.

Despite having one of the best seasons of his impressive career, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is not receiving serious MVP consideration this year. His coach explained the reason: saying the quiet part out loud.

Thursday night, Doncic once again showed why he truly is a special talent on the offensive side of the ball. In the Lakers’ 134-126 win over the Miami Heat, the six-time All-Star scored 60 points. It’s the second time he’s scored 60 — but it’s a far cry from the 73 he scored in a game against the Atlanta Hawks two years ago.

His latest offensive outburst comes a day after scoring 40 in a win over the Houston Rockets and a week after a 51-point night in a win against the Chicago Bulls. Still, these are not the results of a few weeks of heated play. Doncic has been the NBA’s best offensive player all year.

Doncic currently leads the NBA in points per game (33.4) after averaging a league leading 35.8 minutes per night. The 27-year-old also ranks second in made threes (4.0) and free throws (7.9) and third in assists (8.9). There is no better player on offense in the NBA, and with the Lakers in third place in the Western Conference, Doncic seems worthy of MVP consideration.

However, as we approach the final few weeks of the regular season, the Slovenian doesn’t appear to be in the conversation for the award with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham.

Is Luka Doncic’s reputation for complaining ruining his MVP chances?

Lakers head coach JJ Redick explains why Luka Doncic isn’t featured more prominently in MVP discussions: “Because he complains to the refs, I don’t know”
By u/oat38 in the nba

After Doncic’s 60-point night, Lakers head coach JJ Redick was asked by a reporter why his top star does not appear in the NBA MVP discussion. His one simple response was saying the quiet part out loud. “Because he complains to the refs? I don’t know,” Redick said.

Redick’s nervousness is understandable, but Luka Doncic’s night arguing with the refs seemed to be at an annoying extreme and has been a topic of conversation during the season. Additionally, he has been the focus of several viral videos this season regarding his complete lack of effort on defense.

Still, is his offense and defensive effort still enough to warrant NBA MVP consideration given the kind of numbers he’s posting on offense? It will be interesting to see how the final votes look in a month.

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

Kevin Durant is not expected to finish his career in Seattle, even as the NBA moves toward a potential expansion that could bring a franchise back to the city.

The league is reportedly targeting both Las Vegas and Seattle for expansion, with a Board of Governors meeting scheduled for next week where an initial vote is expected to take place. Seattle, where the SuperSonics were based before the franchise relocated in 2008, has long been seen as a leading candidate for a comeback.

This possibility has naturally given rise to speculation about Durant, who was originally drafted by Seattle in 2007, possibly ending his career where it began. However, a recent report from The Ringer’s Michael Lee suggests that outcome is unlikely.

Lee wrote, “With the NBA potentially trying to add an expansion franchise in Seattle in 2028 – when he is set to become a free agent and will turn 40 – Durant could be setting himself up for a potential storybook ending with the SuperSonics, the organization that drafted him.”

” But Durant has never been interested in getting back to where he was. When he approached free agency in 2016, he fended off overwhelming offers from his hometown Wizards, and he rejected a deal that would have reunited him with the Warriors last season. He may be more open to nostalgia because being on the Rockets has brought him back to Texas, where he starred in college. But even Joe Athletes are able to leave sports on their own terms, they don’t always choose the ending that makes the most sense, if that were the case, Jordan would have stopped playing after Brian Russell’s bust in 1998.

Kevin Durant focused on Rockets’ playoff push amid Seattle speculation

Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, is focusing on the present as Houston continues its push into the Western Conference. The Rockets currently have a record of 41-26, which ranks them in fourth place in the standings after a 100-92 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

The 37-year-old has continued to produce at an excellent level in his 17th NBA season. Through 64 games, Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while shooting 51.4% from the field, 40.2% from three-point range and 88.6% from the free-throw line in 36.5 minutes per contest.

While the idea of ​​a return to Seattle may hold sentimental appeal, Durant’s career decisions have historically prioritized fit and competitiveness over nostalgia.

For now, his focus is on helping Houston maintain its position in the competitive Western Conference race. The Rockets will try to respond in a rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm PT as they continue a five-game homestand.

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James has been out of the Los Angeles Lakers lineup for three consecutive games due to a groin injury heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James has been dealing with some ailments, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick isn’t really surprised that the Lakers star needs some time off this week.

Before the Lakers’ game against the Timberwolves, JJ Redick reported that the team was always looking to give LeBron James some rest this stretch. That plan got a little intense after he collapsed on the court during the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets last Thursday.

Redick said during his postgame press conference, “We obviously want him in the lineup. As we’re approaching this stretch, and you look at six days in eight nights and two back-to-backs last week, you never know how his body will react to a game and how his foot will react.” “So that doesn’t mean I expected him to miss a game, it wouldn’t surprise me if he needed a day or two to let his body heal.

“The truth is that he collapsed in Denver, he’s just trying to move on. He wants to be there, and so do we, and hopefully he’ll be back soon.”

Redick reiterated that James is currently day-to-day, but that could mean anywhere between two days and five or six days. James has battled foot injuries all season, but was recently listed on the Lakers’ injury report with both elbow and hip soreness. Elbow and hip problems were caused by a fall against the Nuggets.

James drove to the basket and was hit by Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. No foul was called and he was briefly out of the game before returning.

James is in the midst of a historic 23rd season in the NBA. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. James has appeared in 44 games this season, and his streak of consecutive All-NBA teams will end at 21 seasons.

James was selected to his 22nd All-Star appearance this year, while he averaged 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.1 steals, including 50.4 percent shooting from the field, 31.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line, and 74.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second consecutive loss on Tuesday with a home loss to the Orlando Magic. Luka Doncic had a chance to win it late, but he picked up his dribble and passed the ball to teammate LeBron James, who saw his desperation miss the rim.

Doncic later took responsibility for the mistake, which damaged his reputation as one of the NBA’s most lethal scorers. In fact, Doncic hasn’t appeared in the clutch with any consistency over the last two seasons, including during his time with the Dallas Mavericks.

“Over the past two seasons, 207 NBA players have made a shot to tie or take the lead in the final minute of a game,” according to the former stathead via Tom Haberstroh on Twitter. “Luka Doncic is not one of those 207 players. Tuesday night’s bizarre grenade on LeBron is no exception.”

Doncic has made a number of big plays at the buzzer throughout his career, including his shot to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals, but the trend has diminished significantly over the past two years, which is difficult to explain.

The Slovenian star can hit his shot against any defender in the league, and has a wide range of moves he can use to get to his position. For the most part the Lakers have specialized in close games this season, which largely helps explain their solid record despite a mediocre Nets rating, so Doncic’s clutch shortcomings aren’t affecting the team much, other than the loss against the Magic.

However, Los Angeles will definitely want to get Doncic a last-second shot once the playoffs begin.

The Lakers next play against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.