crystal Palace And Bayer Leverkusen will compete for AS Monaco’s Crepin Diet this summer.

The winger had the chance to arrive in England last summer, when Burnley reportedly made contact.

Last August, Sports Witness broadcast news of a loan offer from the Clarets, while the Ligue 1 side were looking for a sale.

The move never came to fruition and a year later, Crystal Palace are trying to bring him to the Premier League.

The Senegal international’s contract expires at the end of this month and he is likely to leave Monaco as a free agent.

Feud between Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen

Africa Foot Crepin Dieta has a report on the Eagles and the Bundesliga side’s interest. His headline suggests that both of these Cubs are in a battle to sign him.

The report states that both Crystal Palace and the German club are the frontrunners.

Bayer Leverkusen remain in top spot after holding two meetings with their representatives to discuss a potential deal. However, the parties did not come to an agreement.

The outlet has warned they face stiff competition from the UEFA Conference League winners. The Senegal international’s preferred role is on the right wing but he has played mainly as a right wing-back this season.

He can also be used as a left winger/wing-back and as a striker. The Eagles appreciate Dyatta’s versatility and experience and are keen to bring him to Selhurst Park. Africa Foot have not made it clear whether Crystal Palace have yet contacted his camp.

Saudi Arabia are also interested in the 27-year-old, but his desire is to remain in the top five European leagues.

New Crystal Palace manager could be key

Oliver Glasner resigned as Eagles manager following the European success in May.

The Premier League side are in the process of appointing the Austrian’s successor. The incoming manager could make the final decision on whether Crystal Palace should make a strong bid to sign Crepin Dyata.

transfer market The Senegalese is valued at €6m and he has played 1,235 minutes in 22 matches this season.

crystal PalaceThe decision not to sign Cristante Uche on a permanent basis this summer has left Spanish side Getafe ‘in crisis’.

Sports reports that Getafe The 23-year-old could be forced to sell the player this summer to avoid ‘potential financial and sporting sanctions’.

crystal palace decision

The newspaper reports that the ‘saga’ between Getafe and Cristante Uche is set to enter its second chapter. And this time, the result threatens to become a ‘real headache’ for the Spanish side.

Crystal Palace have announced that they will not exercise their purchase option, Around €20m is set for the Nigerian forward. He joined them on loan last summer, but has barely featured this season.

His return to Getafe is now imminent but it would cause problems at the club. At the beginning of the season he faced huge financial difficulties in his attempts to strengthen his team. This was mainly due to La Liga’s salary cap.

Every move had to be calculated ‘down to the millimetre’ and were dependent on exhaust. Various reports have suggested that Kristantas Uche’s move to Crystal Palace was a part of that. They relied heavily on the €20m they received from that deal to balance the books.

This was a ‘major operation’ and Getafe recorded sales of €20m with LaLiga, despite it being only a substitute. This allowed them to increase their team limit to €51.9 million, allowing them to register several new signings.

Now, with a deal not going through, the salary cap has dropped to €34.8m. There is a shortfall of approximately €17m. This blocked all deals in January and will be a problem this summer as well.

financial disaster

Now they will either have to sell Uche immediately or sell several key players. This is a situation that will affect more than just game strategy.

Not only would they face potential financial penalties, but they could also miss out on Europe. They are currently ranked seventh and are set for European competition next season. But to compete, they will need a ‘financial license’ from UEFA and the RFEF.

To receive these, they need to show ‘financial stability, strict adherence to squad spending limits, and strong financial accounts’.

That won’t happen if the current dispute with La Liga remains unresolved. Thus, there is now fear among the Spanish club ahead of the summer.

What was once seen as an ideal financial solution has now turned into a ticking time bomb. Uche’s imminent return from Crystal Palace threatens to implode the entire club.

A new report has calmed New York Knicks fans’ fears that they will struggle in Game 1 of their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to their lengthy layoff ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

There is a lot of hope and excitement about the Knicks right now. On Tuesday night, they begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cavaliers at home and as the favorite. Due to their excellent play over the past few weeks, this could be the franchise’s best chance to win an NBA title in decades.

However, there are some among his fans and basketball experts who wonder if not playing in games since May 10 will have any impact. This question has reignited the rust vs. rest debate and how it relates to the Knicks, as the extra days off will certainly give talented forward OG Anunoby a better chance to return to the field after suffering a hamstring strain in Game 2 of the semifinals.

Well, on Tuesday afternoon Sportico data expert Lev Akabas wanted to end the debate. He recently dug into the numbers and revealed some interesting details in a new X post. According to Akabas, since 1984, teams that received five or more days of rest, while their opponents had one, were 42–23 in Game 1 of a playoff series. Additionally, they were 48–17 in those series.

When it comes to teams with five or more days off, and were at home against an opponent with one day off between series, those teams went 33–9 in Game 1. The record of those teams in series that started with those unique parameters was 39–3.

Although it may not ease the fears of the most anxious Knicks fans, the data should give most of them reason to feel very confident about Game 1 tonight. Beyond how well his team has played over the last two weeks.

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

Justin Allgaier, Corey Day and Sam Mayer finished among the points leaders heading into Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. As that race comes to a close, it’s time to check out the latest NASCAR O’Reilly standings following Saturday’s action.

Here are the O’Reilly Series points leaders after Saturday’s race at Dover.

NASCAR OARS STATUS NOW

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

It took more than half a game for either team to score in Game 2 between the Vegas Golden Knights (1-1) and Anaheim Ducks (1-1). There were no such problems in Game 3, as the Golden Knights scored early and often, including a hat trick from Mitch Marner, to win Game 3, 6–2, and take a 2–1 series lead.

The Golden Knights scored on five-on-five, short-handed and power plays in the first period. It was his third, three-goal period of the playoffs. Just 1:06 into the game, Jack Eichel, stationed near the bottom left wall, delivered a perfect cross-ice pass to defenseman Shea Theodore (3), who beat Anaheim goalie Lucas Dostal from the crease. Anaheim forward Ryan Poehling appeared to screen Dostel and never saw the shot, which was Vegas’ first shot of the game.

The Golden Knights’ top playoff penalty kill unit continued their stellar play and scored their third short-handed goal of the postseason to give Vegas a 2-0 lead. Mitch Marner moved the puck into the Anaheim zone against a tired Anaheim group. Once over the blue line, he dropped the puck to oncoming Braden McNabb (1), who skated down the left wing and flicked a wrist shot from the faceoff dot inside the left circle that went under Dostal’s glove at 12:13 of the first.

Just as the Golden Knights scored early, they also scored late. On his first power play opportunity of the game, and with just 4.6 seconds remaining in the period, Marner (4) got a loose rebound that Dostal could not stop and stuffed it just inside the left post to give the Golden Knights a 3–0 lead. However, the news was not good for the Golden Knights in the first start, as they lost their captain Mark Stone to injury after only 4:24 of play.

It was a disappointing first period for Anaheim, as they had more shots (11 to 8), more power play chances (2 to 1), more hits (15–11), and eight fewer assists than the Golden Knights (11 to 3), yet found themselves in a 3–0 deficit. He also made a goal change to start the second period, pulling Dostal and calling on Ville Husso.

While Husso made some early saves, Marner and the Golden Knights quickly addressed that as well. A tic-tac-toe passing sequence between Brett Howden, Theodore and Marner followed, which ended with Marner (5) taking a stick tackle around Husso and slicing the puck inside the empty net on his backhand at 9:19 of the second to put the Golden Knights up 4–0.

Marner, who moved into the top line in Stone’s absence, continued his dominance and completed a natural hat trick at 17:56 of the second. The combination of William Carlson and Marner wore Anaheim down a lot. Karlsson won a puck battle below the goal line and got the puck to Marner, who then stepped out from behind the net and fired a harmless shot toward Husso that bounced under his right pad to increase the Golden Knights’ lead to five. The goal completed the first postseason career hat trick for Marner and also set a new career high for points in a playoff game with four.

Anaheim finally got a chance to get past Vegas netminder Carter Hart at 6:30 of the third. Alex Killorn took a poorly angled slap shot from just below the right circle that hit Hart under his right armpit and rolled into the net. Both of the Golden Knights’ defensemen struggled to clear the puck, but Anaheim rookie forward Beckett Seneca (3) dived on the loose puck and was able to knock it over the goal line to ruin Hart’s shutout bid and make the score 5–1.

Chris Kreider (2) pulled Anaheim to within three when he found himself alone in the crease with the puck on his stick and fired a shot past Hart’s glove at 15:09 of the third. The goal was Kreider’s 50th career playoff goal. However, that was as close as Anaheim got, with Howden (6) scoring into an empty net at 18:04 of the third minute to give the Golden Knights a 6–2 lead.

notes

• The Golden Knights’ penalty kill has killed 27 of 28 penalties so far in the postseason.
• The loss was Anaheim’s first at home in the playoffs. They were ahead 3-0 at Honda Center.

figures

• The shots on goal gave Anaheim a 33–28 victory.
• Hits were 53–23 in favor of Anaheim.
• Power play chances were three for Vegas and two for Anaheim.
• Faceoff winning percentage favored Vegas 56.9% to 43.1%.
• Blocked shots heavily favored Vegas 20-6.
• Vegas had double the gift, 16-8, but the takeaway was also double, 8-4.

Manu Kone’s future at AS Roma is becoming uncertain Newcastle United’s The move may depend on a few key factors.

The Frenchman has become one of the Italian club’s best players over the past few seasons. He has become synonymous with his ability to overcome press and move the ball into advanced areas.

This has made him very important to Gian Piero Gasperini, whose system relies on man-marking and players like Kone have a very special role. He has played 35 times in all competitions this season and scored five goals during this period.

sports witness Newcastle United have covered interest in the midfielder, who was chased by Inter Milan last summer.

Details are now emerging about Kone and how Newcastle United could potentially land him.

Roma Director Anarchy

messenger Look at a potential sale from Roma for FFP reasons and they describe Kone as a prime candidate for departure.

He is seen as one of the ‘players on display’ at the Giallorossi. He is seen as an ‘excellent option’ whose exit would help Roma from a financial perspective.

Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are keen. The Nerazzurri in particular are looking to make a fresh approach and defeat the Magpies. But Roma are in a bit of trouble off the field at the moment.

The future of sporting director Ricky Massara is uncertain, with adviser Claudio Ranieri having left two weeks ago. Massara’s replacement has not yet been found and this will determine Kone’s sales.

Gasperini is going to hold an important meeting with the ownership regarding this. He knows that the appointment of the director will decide the future of many players including Cone. The Italian would ideally not like to lose the French but financial reasons will weigh on him.

Our opinion: Who will add value to the midfield

Newcastle United themselves could lose at least one midfielder in the summer. Sandro Tonali is popular in many clubs and so is Bruno Guimarães.

Manu Kone’s profile makes him suitable for the Premier League, as he can play deep in midfield or as a number eight.

Anything around €45 million could really be a bargain for the France international. Kon is only 24 years old, he has huge European experience, he has also played for France more than ten times. He is a proven midfielder who could truly become one of the best in Europe – if fitness allows.

If everything goes right, this could be one of the best transfers of the summer.

The Dallas Stars were one shot away from sending the rival Minnesota Wild to the brink of elimination.

Instead the Western Conference First Round would return to American Airlines Center tied at two games apiece after Matthew Boldy scored at 19:31 of the first OT, giving the Wild a 3–2 victory at Grand Casino Arena.

Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored once each, and goaltender Jake Oettinger made 40 saves for the Stars.

Dallas did what it needed to by reclaiming home-ice advantage with its double-overtime win in Game 3. But he blew two one-goal leads, and so allowed a great chance to take a 3-1 lead by allowing Marcus Foligno’s goal with just 5:20 remaining in regulation.

Game 5 is Tuesday at Dallas at 7 p.m.

Here are the takeaways from Game 4:

Jason Robertson and the Stars’ power play stay red hot

Dallas entered the game Saturday on a special-teams burner, and its PK didn’t allow a single goal and its man-advantage remained very hot.

Both of Dallas’ goals came on the power play, with Robertson scoring his second man-up goal and Heiskanen scoring his first goal of the series.

“Our power play has been good,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said after the game.

The Stars’ power play is now 8 of 19 (42.1%) in four games and second only to the Anaheim Ducks among all teams. The Ducks have 11 less PP than the Stars due to one less game.

Dallas has scored four consecutive goals on the power play. The Stars have found success moving the puck down high and then taking advantage of diagonal passes and beating Jesper Wallstad on sharp-angle shots – which is what Robertson, Heiskanen and Matt Duchene did on their own goals.

Robertson has now scored in every game of the series and is the only one of the three Star players with multiple PPG in the series. At this point the Stars need to figure out how to score at even strength, as they only have three goals at 5-on-5.

“We just couldn’t get any puck luck,” Gulutzan said. “We just have to start over to finish something.”

Jake Oettinger almost saved the stars

Oettinger has lost Stars games in the past, but their goalie wasn’t the reason for their loss on Saturday.

In Game 4 the Wild finished with a 3.84 expected goals against and outscored the Stars 24–17 in the third period and overtime. Foligno’s goal came from a rebound, where the Minnesota forward got over Oettinger and deposited the puck into the empty cage. Brock Faber’s goal was a shot worth watching.

Oettinger’s numbers in the series may not look impressive, but he has been excellent since Dallas’ 6-1 loss in Game 1. The Stars’ franchise goalie has a 1.38 all-situation goals-against average and a .924 save percentage over his last three games and could use some extra support from his teammates.

“I thought he made some massive saves,” Gulutzan said. “You need it this time of year, and he gave it to us.”

Oettinger made 10-belle saves after 10-belle saves throughout OT – Minnesota could only beat him when Boldy tried to kick the puck for a disallowed goal. But Boldy then redirected Jared Spurgeon’s shot from the point.

The Wild, Stars series deserves to be equal

Game 1 was lopsided, but the series went as we all expected.

The last two games have gone to overtime, including a double-OT affair in Game 3. The investigation is strict. The atmosphere is noisy. Both teams are highly-skilled. This series should be tied at two points after four matches.

It’s easier said than done, but Stars fans should try to enjoy the ride of Stanley Cup playoff hockey. This series seems destined to go seven games, and even Gulutzan has acknowledged that.

“There are a lot of guys playing good hockey in this series,” Gulutzan said. “It’s just two good hockey teams.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

With the third game of the series, the Montreal Canadiens now hold a 2–1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It’s still very early in the series, and things can change quickly, but the fact that the Canadians have the advantage in first place is rather encouraging, as they are clearly the underdogs in the series.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the factors that have helped the Canadiens take the lead in the series.

Quality Scoring Possibilities

The Lightning have controlled the majority of shots at 5v5, shooting 55.4%. However, it is the Montreal Canadiens who have managed to create the most risky scoring opportunities.

And it’s not even a relatively close contest.

In three games, the Canadiens have made 24 high-danger shots, while allowing the Lightning to take just eight. This means hubs has taken control 75% high quality shots Across the series, that isn’t just a modest gain, it marks a major lead in an important statistical category.

To make matters more interesting, the Habs allowed the Lightning to generate a total of two quality scoring chances in Games 1 and 3 combined.

This is coming from a team that ranked 27th in the league in high-danger scoring chances throughout the regular season with a 46.4% share.

Secondary and Tertiary Scoring

With Juraj Slajkowski’s powerplay hat trick in the rearview mirror, it has become clear that the first line is having difficulty generating much aggression at 5v5.

Even at the Bell Centre, where head coach Martin St-Louis controlled the matchup, Montreal’s first line barely broke even in shot shares.

Given that Slafkowski, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield carried much of the load during the regular season, it’s fair to say the rest of the team will have to make up for the lack of goals at 5v5 in the playoffs, but that’s easier said than done.

Heading into Friday’s game, only Josh Anderson (2) managed to find the back of the net at 5v5, making goals from Alexandre Texier, Kirby Dach and Lane Hutson very important from a roster construction standpoint, giving the first line a little more time to work out their issues.

Kirby Dach tied the game after Arbor Zekaj kept the game alive.

2-2 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/AqPB3WOkTX

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 25 April 2026

third pair

When evaluating defense personnel, it is always important to acknowledge that use yields results.

An easier assignment, such as playing on the third pairing, makes life easier on the depth blueliner.

However, Arbor Czekaj and Jaden Struble are not only playing well on the third pairing, but they are also effective physically, and when it comes to keeping the puck away from Jacob Dobbs as much as possible.

To put a fine point on the excellence of Czekaj and Struble, they lead the entire NHL in expected goal share. Xhekaj अभी तक 5v5 के मुकाबले एक उच्च-खतरे वाले स्कोरिंग मौके के लिए बर्फ पर नहीं है, एक अनुस्मारक कि लगातार उपयोग से उन खिलाड़ियों के लिए महान चीजें हो सकती हैं जो NHL में अपनी स्थिरता खोजने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं।

Sure, they face lower quality competition than most, but if it were that easy to produce 80 xGF% on the third pairing, we’d see it more often around the league.

The reality is that few, if any other pairings have managed to control the same percentage of shots, goals, scoring chances and expected goals as Czekaj and Struble.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

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

In a surprising development, the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic continued their stellar performance to take a 2-1 series lead against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Magic got an excellent performance from Paolo Banchero with a near triple-double. The Pistons—who had never really been challenged in the Eastern Conference all year—were now firmly on their heels.

If the Portland Trail Blazers can somehow upset the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals of the NBA playoffs, a new report suggests they could get a boost from one of the greatest players in franchise history.

The Trail Blazers entered their first playoff series against the Spurs in several years as major underdogs. And it’s understandable why. San Antonio appears to be a real threat to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to 2026 Defensive Player of the Year and MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama.

However, in Game 2, the French phenom had a bad leak, causing him to fall on his face and suffer a concussion. While he is traveling with the team, he is unlikely to feature in Game 3, and is likely to return in Game 4. After winning Tuesday’s game, and with Wembayama’s return date unclear, suddenly, this series is looking a lot more winnable for the Trail Blazers.

The door is open for Damian Lillard to return during the 2026 NBA playoffs

Well, if they can somehow accomplish the unthinkable and advance to the next round, it seems like there’s an outside chance they could get the inclusion of a certain Trail Blazers legend.

“Although it may seem unbelievable, the franchise has not completely ruled out the possibility that Damian Lillard could make a surprise appearance in the postseason this year,” multiple sources told The Oregonian. “I wouldn’t rule out any possibilities,” one source said.

Obviously, Lillard won’t progress and become the player he was before tearing his ACL a year ago. However, in a potential series against the Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves, he could at least serve as a rookie. But there’s a possibility he could be a prolific scorer and three-point threat off the bench. The nine-time All-Star won this year’s NBA Three-Point Contest.

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

On Thursday, in a penalty-filled game, the Carolina Hurricanes took a 3-0 lead in the round one series against the Ottawa Senators with a 2-1 win in Game 3.

Since the puck dropped in Canada’s capital for the first time this postseason, the Hurricanes haven’t let off the gas despite two good games on their home floor. They started things off quickly, as Logan Stankoven found the back of the net just five minutes into the game, while Linus Ullmark had only three shots on net.

The other two goals came in the second period. The first came after an accidental nullification of offsides off the stick of Drake Batherson, as Jordan Martinook moved the puck back into the defensive zone, effectively tying the game. The second – the game-winning goal – came off the stick of Jackson Blake, after Taylor Hall’s effort for the secondary assist, and an incredibly deceptive pass from defenseman K’Andre Miller for the primary assist, while Stankoven created chaos in front of Ullmark’s net – screening him with his own teammates.

However, the story of the night did not lie only in crime. The Hurricanes defense was excellent throughout the game.

In the second period, the Hurricanes took five penalties, and they killed every one of them. Midway through the frame, they trailed five-on-three and, surprisingly, did not allow a single shot.

Jacob Slavin led all players on the ice with four blocks throughout the game, while Sean Walker had three blocks.

Both teams finished the game with accurate penalty kills.

storm notes

In the second period, Taylor Hall drew a two-minute minor penalty for an illegal check to the head of Jake Sanderson. The Senators’ top-pairing defenseman pitched two more innings and later left the game.

In the third period, Brady Tkachuk took a dirty hit on Jordan Martinuk, causing him to bounce his elbow while skating at the blue line. The play resulted in a major penalty review, but it was ultimately reduced to a minor two-minute penalty for interference.

All three games of the first-round series between the Hurricanes and Senators started with a goal by Logan Stankoven and an assist by Hall.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Get back on the wagon. The Buffalo Sabers know how to counter-attack.

The Sabers won 3–1 over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in Game 3, taking a 2–1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

After the loss of Ukka Pekka-Luukkonen in Game 2, Lindy Ruff chose goaltender Alex Lyon – who was excellent. Lyon turned down 24 of 25 shots for a .960 save percentage, while the Sabers effectively controlled the game despite a scoreless first period.

Boston had its first bloody play early in the second period when Tanner Jeannott headed past Lyon at 3:26 on an assist from Charlie McAvoy to take a 1–0 lead.

However, the Sabers responded quickly. Bowen Byram tied it 1-1 at 10:58 of the second minute with a wrist shot set up by Noah Ostlund and Owen Power. Buffalo outshot Boston 8–6 in the period and carried the momentum into halftime.

The third period was that of the visitors. Alex Tuch (one of the game’s three stars) gave Buffalo its first lead at 4:03, making snap shots past Peyton Krebs and Byram for a 2–1 lead.

The Sabers played hard defensively and limited Boston’s chances, with Lyon making several key stops. Noah Ostlund—who was making his Stanley Cup playoff debut in place of the injured Josh Norris—sealed the win with an empty-netter at 18:36 off an assist from Jack Quinn, making the score 3–1.

Buffalo scored with 28 shots to Boston’s 25. Neither team converted on the power play (0-for-5 for BUF, 0-for-4 for BOS), but the Sabers were more disciplined overall and won key faceoffs (51% to 49%). The physical game began late on with several scuffles and cross-checking penalties after the whistle in the final minutes.

The Sabers and Bruins will get some rest here, next up for Game 4 on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

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

It’s not every night you watch double overtime… and see the game-winning goal put away… and fill with joy when you hear Nickelback play, but for the Carolina Hurricanes and their fans, Monday night was the night they defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in a heated contest.

In the first period, the second line – which had been the dominant line in Game 1 – struck first as Logan Stankoven, with assists from both his linemates, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake, beat Linus Ullmark through the five-hole.

It wasn’t until the second period that more scoring occurred, starting with Sebastian Aho’s spectacular tip-in goal about eight minutes in, with the only assist from Jordan Staal, just seconds after concluding a successful penalty kill.

However, it didn’t take long for the Senators to pull back, as Drake Batherson gave Ottawa its first goal of the series when he provided a rebound off his own intercepted pass to Claude Giroux.

Soon, Dylan Cozens tied the game with a five-hole goal on Frederick Anderson with assists from Ridley Gregg and Jake Sanderson – the latter of whom intercepted a pass from Logan Stankoven.

There was a flurry of crickets on the scoresheet in the third period, although there was notable pushback from the Senators, who outscored the Hurricanes 8–5 in the frame.

After overtime, chances were there on both ends of the ice, but the Hurricanes got lucky late in the frame… or so they thought.

Controversial offside call wipes out Hurricanes overtime game-winner

With just over three minutes remaining, Staal crossed the blue line and passed to Jordan Martinook, who drew a hooking penalty on Warren Foegele as he prepared to launch the puck on net. Anderson made a strong run to the bench after the extra attacker hit the ice for a delayed penalty, and with 2:42 left in the period, Mark Jankowski put it past Ullmark, which was immediately followed by a celebration by the team and fans.

However, this was followed by an official league review. The referees eventually declared after some discussion that the play was offside, ruling that Staal did not have control of the puck when crossing the blueline, and ruled out a goal that Jankowski had scored.

In addition, the referee also announced that Martinook would take a penalty shot instead of a power play.

Intelligently and humorously, Hurricane’s DJ starts blasting rockstar by Nickelback, whom Martinook has often cited as his favorite band, to try and energize him for the shot. However, the twine was never found in the shot.

The game soon went into a second overtime, and with 13:53 remaining, Martinook sealed the deal with a 3–2 victory – the first overtime game-winning goal of his 12-season career. As they celebrated the victory and walked off the ice, their signature victory song, all I do Is Win Not played by DJ Khaled, and instead, he started yelling rockstar For goalscorers.

storm notes

Throughout the game, the Hurricanes managed their minutes remarkably well, with no skater exceeding 35 minutes of ice-time. The Senators were not so lucky, with three defensemen exceeding that number, one of whom, Sanderson, played over 43 minutes.

The gift was a big issue for Storm. Despite having only two more than the Senators, both goals against them came from them. Additionally, sloppy puck management in the offensive zone led to a few more chances than desirable.

The Nickelback connection to Martinook goes a little deeper than just being a favorite band. During their ‘Get Rollin’ tour, they stopped at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Walnut Creek, Raleigh, on September 14, 2023, where Martinook performed rockstar On stage with him.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

newcastle united And Manchester United They have been given a fresh boost in their pursuit of Ousmane Diomande after the defender performed what is being described as a decisive “transfer audition” against Premier League opposition in Portugal.

The 22-year-old centre-back has already On the radar of English clubs. However, his recent performance against Arsenal in the Champions League has changed his position in the market.

Diomande performed brilliantly in the two-legged quarter-final match. The Portuguese press described his performance in London as impressive and highlighted his anticipation, physical strength and tactical intelligence.

In direct duels, he took over as one of Sporting’s main attacking threats and imposed himself throughout the match. That demonstration now rapidly spread throughout England.

From goal to proven option

according to ballThe reaction in the Premier League was immediate. After the Arsenal match, the interest of Newcastle United and Manchester United has increased.

Both clubs view Diomande as a prototypical modern centre-back. With a height of 190 cm, he combines physical presence with dynamism and composure. He also provides credibility, already built Over 120 submissions for Sporting Despite his age.

The defender has now shown he can perform at Champions League level against top English opposition.

This matters for clubs like Newcastle and Manchester United, who are both assessing defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer window.

crystal Palace In fact the club have been continuously linked with the defender, keeping an eye on him for a long time and exploring a move last summer, which ultimately failed to materialise. but now The ‘sharks’ are starting to circle.

The price point is becoming clear

Sporting CP renewed Diomande’s contract earlier this year until 2030, retaining his €80m (£69m) release clause.

Despite that figure, the Portuguese club are understood to be willing to negotiate around €50m (£43m), reflecting his current market value and recent rise.

Now, with Diomande’s valuations strengthening, competition has become stronger.

what happens next

Ousmane Diomande is expected to be part of Ivory Coast’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. That tournament could further enhance his status and value.

Aware of the increasing focus on sporting. While they would love to keep the defender for another season, they are also preparing for a possible sale.

Time is becoming critical. Newcastle United and Manchester United now have clear evidence of his level, and a set price range to work within.

Diomande’s situation has changed after passing a high-level test against Arsenal.

Now he is not just being monitored. Now it is being seriously considered.

Marseille, Real Betis and Getafe ready to sign evertonAdam Aznu in summer.

The Premier League team signed the left-back from Bayern Munich in July 2025 and he has struggled this season.

He has yet to appear for Everton in the league as David Moyes has largely left him on the bench, not including him in the squad on a few occasions.

The 19-year-old had to wait until January to make his Toffees debut. This resulted in their FA Cup defeat to Sunderland, and remains his only appearance for the Merseyside club to date.

Last October, Sports Witness broadcast news He seriously considered leaving Everton in the winter market.

The Everton man has no shortage of fans

Adam Aznu is going through a tough time at Everton, but that hasn’t stopped clubs from showing interest in him.

is according to Africa FootWho report the fullback’s profile appeals to Marseille, Real Betis and Getafe. Of these three, the Ligue 1 side is the ‘most consistent favourite’.

Marseille believe he can revive his career in France, while the La Liga pair are keeping a close eye. He has experience playing in Spain from his loan spell at Real Valladolid in 2025.

Spain-born Morocco international’s situation at Everton ‘opens the door’ to a summer transfer. David Moyes’ decision not to hand him minutes may encourage his supporters to submit a concrete proposal in the coming weeks.

Aznu desires to receive regular playing time next season and has interested parties. His priorities and Everton’s stance on sanctioning a move after this season are not yet clear.

Contract, price and agent information

The Moroccan will have three years remaining on his contract after this season. According to its value transfer market€7m and remains unchanged since his transfer to Everton.

Spanish agency Footfell ISM, headed by agent Alejandro Caamaño, is representing Adam Aznu.

Florence may be known as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, a city of art, beauty and invention, but when crystal Palace Fans arriving on Thursday will find a city of security.

With more than 1,300 Crystal Palace fans expected in the city for tomorrow’s Conference League clash with Fiorentina, authorities have activated a full-scale plan to protect both public order and the city’s priceless monuments.

Florence is on alert regarding the Crystal Palace

La Nazione reports on variousAnd very extreme security measures are being taken for the game.

Firstly, Florence will operate under tight security from early in the morning. There will be barriers around the Duomo, Biancone (Neptune Fountain), Loggia dei Lanzi and other sites. This is due to concerns about English fans gathering in the historic centre.

Police, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza units, some of whom are in riot gear, will patrol the city throughout the day. Their mission is clear; Prevent skirmishes, keep the wings separated and protect the busiest and most delicate areas of Florence.

Monument under special protection

The city’s artistic treasures are being given unprecedented attention.

Following orders from the Prefecture and Questura, municipal teams have set up anti-ram barriers around various monuments in the city.

This security will be in effect from Wednesday 8 am to Thursday midnight. The plan is to create a secure perimeter designed to prevent vandalism or accidental damage.

There are also parking restrictions in place in the historic centre. Any vehicle abandoned inside the protected area, unless a handicapped permit is displayed, will be towed and impounded. The goal is complete visibility and control for the police.

action on alcohol

As is often the case in fixtures deemed high-risk, Florence has also banned off-premise alcohol sales for the entire match day. The hope is that this will reduce the likelihood of disorder or rowdy behaviour.

Florence will act as a ‘fortified city’ for 48 hours. He is very focused on protecting his legacy.

This would involve Crystal Palace traveling parties taking buses directly to the away leg. The plan is to prevent roaming groups and reduce the risk of collision.

So, while Crystal Palace are heading into Italy feeling safe with their 3-0 win in the first leg, they will be entering a city that is also safe.

Maybe a little more. But then again, English fans should be used to criticism from top officials at this point.

of manchester city Palmeiras teenager Eduardo Conceição has been promoted at a time when Premier League clubs have already spent months circling one of Brazil’s most highly-rated prospects.

Newcastle United have tested the waters With a formal proposal. Arsenal were among the first to contact the player’s camp. Chelsea also remained alert the entire time.

As a result, the 16-year-old has become a well-known name in English recruitment departments even before making his senior debut for Palmeiras.

English clubs are increasingly courting elite Brazilian talent, often securing deals years before players are eligible to transfer.

The Andrique and Estevao deals set that pattern, and Eduardo now appears to be following the same trajectory.

Manchester City is trying to get ahead of rivals

Manchester City is now stepping into the situation and attempting to take control of the situation.

espn brazil Indications are that City are trying to accelerate talks and put themselves ahead of their domestic rivals. They intend to move quickly to prevent interest from rising further, especially from other Premier League sides already in the picture.

The club are believed to be working around a valuation of £34 million (€40 million), a figure It has also been mentioned by other English teams as a possible starting point for negotiations.

The city’s trust may be linked to their ties with Palmeiras. Previous deals, including Gabriel Jesus in 2016 and Vitor Reis in 2025, have helped establish a direct line between the two clubs.

Familiar Premier League names remain involved

Despite City’s current pressure, this is far from a one-club race.

Arsenal have maintained their long-term interest After a quick contact with Eduardo’s representatives. Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to keep a close eye on developments, and Newcastle United have already shown a willingness to act with a concrete bid.

It creates a familiar Premier League dynamic. Several top clubs are tracking the same player, each trying to gain an advantage before the situation escalates.

European pressure increases around the player

Interest extended far beyond England. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are both involved, with Barcelona recently re-entering the race after a quiet period.

Club officials from across Europe are currently in Paraguay, where Eduardo is representing Brazil at the South American Under-17 Championships. The tournament has become another important point of contact for discussions with the player’s camp.

Palmeiras maintains strong negotiating position

Despite the increased attention Palmeiras remained quiet. Eduardo’s contract includes a release clause of £86 million (€100 million), and the club have already rejected offers of around £21.5 million (€25 million).

Financial stability provides leverage to Palmeiras. There is no pressure to sell, and any deal would have to be well above the figures currently being discussed.

There is also a time factor in this. Eduardo can’t move to Europe until December 2027, when he turns 18. This allows the Brazilian side to develop the player internally while the market builds around him.

what happens next

Additional details are emerging about how City are moving forward on the deal. Hugo Viana appears to be personally leading the negotiations, as also covered by ESPN.

He is aware of interest from Barcelona, ​​Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, who have all been in contact with the player’s camp. Despite this, suggestions are that City are gradually preparing themselves to “steal” a deal, as they did with Vitor Reus.

But in the short term, Eduardo’s focus remains on football. As Kishore himself saidHe doesn’t usually read news about him. He is playing for the Brazil under-17 team, wearing the number 10 shirt and constantly attracting the attention of scouts.

Back in Brazil, Palmeiras is preparing for the next phase of its development. Plans are already in place for his gradual integration into the first team under Abel Ferreira.

Manchester City may be at the forefront of the current pressure, but the overall picture remains shaky. With Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle still engaged, it is shaping up to be a long-term Premier League battle for one of the most promising talents in South America.

With their latest win over the Washington Wizards, Ben Stiller’s favorite team, the New York Knicks, have made it six wins in a row, and as the last nine of the regular season approach, they are on fire.

After losing to the Brooklyn Nets by nearly a single point, the Knicks came back strongly and defeated the Wizards by 32 points on Sunday, March 22.

Stiller was in high spirits after the game. He responded to the Knicks Beast’s post about the latest win over the X’s Earlier on Twitter, the New York bench posted six fire emojis celebrating.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/o7Wb2eijna

– Ben Stiller (@benstiller) 23 March 2026

As usual, Stiller was live-posting throughout the game. He was very high on Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the game, leading the team with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Knicks are flying high after crushing Wizards

On Sunday, March 22, the Knicks defeated the Wizards 145–113. Granted, the Wizards have the second-worst record in the NBA. They are 16-55 with losses and the Indiana Pacers are the only team with a worse record (15-56).

Meanwhile, the Knicks are 47-25 and still competing for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics are 47-24, and New York can still catch them. They are still five games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (51-19) in the conference.

Towns was the game’s leading scorer against the Wizards. He made nine of his 13 shots in the game, and he made all seven free throws.

Jalen Brunson was also not far behind, scoring 23 points in the win. He also had four assists and one steal. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.

There are 10 games left in the 2025-26 NBA season. The Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans before a four-game road trip. They will play the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Texans and Memphis Grizzlies before returning home to host the Chicago Bulls on April 3.

Jaylen Brown said his leadership approach with the Boston Celtics has taken an unconventional turn this season, incorporating astrology and numerology to better communicate with teammates.

Brown revealed the method after Boston’s 120-99 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, a performance in which he led the team with 32 points while adding six rebounds, five assists and two steals. He shot a perfect 11 of 20 from the field and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line, and finished 1 of 4 from three-point range in 35 minutes.

Speaking after the game with CelticsBlog’s Noah Dalzell, Brown detailed how studying the personalities of teammates through astrology and numerology has helped him hone his communication style.

“I learned a lot about each of our guys, even down to liking astrology – everything. I learned the communication styles that work best for each person, and started using those when I talk to each person… I didn’t know that would work before the season started but that thing definitely works.”

Brown said he has gone so far as to memorize specific traits associated with teammates’ zodiac signs and numerology profiles.

“I remember like Neemias, he’s the year of the rabbit so his communication is different from D-White. D-White is the year of the dog so his communication style is different. Hugo is also a dog, Peyton is a tiger, JT is a tiger, Ron is a dragon, who is a dragon. Nicola he’s new to our team, he’s the year of the horse right now. Each of them have different communication styles and you can go into that like numerology as well.”

Jaylen Brown explains how she memorized all of her peers’ astrology and numerology to learn a better way to communicate:

“I learned the communication styles that work best for each person, and started using them when I talk to each person.” pic.twitter.com/GkVfutJcMa

– Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) 19 March 2026

Jaylen Brown’s astrology, numerology outlook aligns with career year, Celtics’ success

He also explained how numerology influences his leadership approach.

“Sam is five, I’m five… so, different breakdowns and you can even go into star signs. Like JT, he’s Pisces, etc. I learned all different kinds of things, so I was able to communicate to people in different ways to help my leadership this year.”

This approach coincided with one of the most productive seasons of Brown’s career. Through 62 games, the 28-year-old has averaged 28.5 points, seven rebounds, 5.1 assists and one steal per contest, while shooting 48% from the field and 34.2% from three-point range in 34.1 minutes per game.

Brown’s performance has helped Boston achieve a 46–23 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics have maintained that position despite star forward Jayson Tatum recently returning from an Achilles injury and playing only six games since his return.

As the regular season progressed, Brown’s combination of on-court production and off-court leadership has played a central role in Boston’s success. His willingness to explore unconventional ways to connect with teammates has become a defining element of his approach during a season in which the Celtics have remained one of the conference’s top contenders.

Liverpool could once again find themselves drawn into the Italian goalkeeper market this summer. Juventus are increasingly looking to Alisson Becker as the central solution to their problems between the posts.

The Brazilian has been linked with the Turin club in recent weeksInitially as a substitute for Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario. However, it seems that talks in Italy have moved beyond that stage. Inside Juventus, talk about rebuilding the goalkeeping department is increasingly pointing towards Liverpool being the No. 1.

Juventus want to start a new cycle and avoid another reconstruction that fails to provide stability. For many inside the club, that reset starts with the goalkeeper position.

The idea has now also gained more popularity in Italy as a local outlet. magazine There have been suggestions that the Brazilian keeper may not remain at the center of Liverpool’s long-term project. For the Bianconeri, as they say, “all roads lead to Alisson”.

He still has a contract at Anfield until 2027, so there is no immediate pressure for a change. However, speculation regarding Liverpool’s succession planning has inevitably fueled discussion in Serie A.

Spalletti revives connection idea

One factor that helped trigger this idea is Luciano Spalletti.

The Italian manager worked with Alisson during his time at Roma. This was before the goalkeeper’s €75m (£64m) transfer to Liverpool in 2018. During that period, Alisson established the form that would later make him one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers.

That existing relationship is now being seen as a potential lever in Italy. If Juventus were able to initiate negotiations, Spalletti is seen as someone who could help convince the player to consider a move.

Alisson, now 33, remains under contract with Liverpool until 2027 and remains Arne Slot’s first-choice replacement whenever he is fit. There is no suggestion that Liverpool are actively courting him.

Yet, the broader context of the club’s succession planning has not gone unnoticed.

salary and succession

The latest Italian report claims that the financial side of a potential deal would not be prohibitive for Juventus.

Alisson earns around €6m (£5.1m) per season, a figure considered manageable in Turin. Importantly, it would remain below the club’s current salary cap of around €7m (£6m). That limit is set by Kenan Yildiz’s contract.

That combination – experience, availability and financial feasibility – is why Alison has quickly emerged as the idea that many discuss.

On Liverpool’s side, the question remains of timing. Sporting director Richard Hughes approved the signing of Mamardashvili As part of the club’s future plans. However, the Brazilian remains one of the most reliable goalkeepers in world football.

At the moment, there is no sign that Liverpool are ready to open the door. However, the feeling inside Juventus is that if Liverpool were ever willing to discuss a sale and Spalletti managed to convince the goalkeeper, talks could move forward quickly.

In other words, while there is nothing imminent yet, the idea of ​​Alisson becoming Juventus’ next No. 1 is no longer being considered a distant scenario in Italy.

The LA Clippers came into Friday night’s clash against the San Antonio Spurs having won three games in a row and were looking for a big win against the second seed in the Western Conference. With another game on Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers needed a big win.

Unfortunately, just the opposite happened.

The Clippers dominated the Spurs in the first half and led 69–49 at halftime. They took their largest lead, 75–50, with a little over nine minutes left in the game and LA looked to be headed for an easy second half.

But San Antonio came roaring back behind Julian Champagnie, Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Champagnie recorded 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor in the third quarter, cutting the Clippers’ 25-point lead to 11 entering the fourth quarter.

The Spurs then started the fourth quarter with an 18-5 run and took a 99-97 lead over the Clippers. Both teams exchanged buckets until the final seconds, when the Clippers had a costly turnover inbounding the ball with 14.9 seconds remaining.

Nevertheless, Julien Champaign missed two free throws for a three-point lead, giving the Clippers a chance to win, only for San Antonio to secure an offensive rebound and send Stephen Cassel to the free throw line to put the Clippers up by three points.

Cassel made the first free throw to put the Spurs up by two, but missed the second free throw, giving the Clippers their last chance to go the length of the court to tie at the buzzer or win. Well, that’s what would have happened had they been able to grab a defensive rebound. Cassel came up with the loose ball rebound and scored at the rim to give the Spurs a four-point lead with 1.4 seconds remaining.

The Clippers lost to the Spurs 116–112, a game in which their key players played heavy minutes – Kawhi Leonard at 37, Brook Lopez at 34, Derrick Jones Jr. at 34 – in the first night of a back-to-back set with the visiting Giants.

Clippers in Friday’s game Perfect 108-0 record Leading by 20 or more points at halftime. In doing so, L.A. lost its first game in franchise history, according to Clippers radio host Adam Osland.

The Clippers were 108–0 when up by 20 at halftime.

Were

– Adam Oslund (@followAdamA) 7 March 2026

Additionally, ESPN’s Michael Wright reported that the Clippers’ 25-point lead was the largest increased lead in franchise history in the play-by-play era.

Return of 25 points. This was the Clippers’ largest lead in the play-by-play era.

– Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) 7 March 2026

The 25-point lead is tied for the largest lead of the season with the Rockets blowing a 25-point lead against the Pelicans on December 18, 2025. Strangely, the largest blown lead was last season, 26 points, when the Clippers came back from being down 26 points to defeat the San Antonio Spurs.

In fact, the top two biggest comeback/burst leads each year since the 2020-21 season have involved either the LA Clippers or San Antonio Spurs.

Been digging around and found some interesting stats…

The Clippers took a 25-point lead against the Spurs last night, which is equivalent to the largest lead of this 2025-26 regular season.

Last season, the Spurs blew a 26-point lead against the Clippers, which was tied…

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 7 March 2026

The Clippers will have a chance to erase the sour taste left from this game in less than 24 hours when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 5pm PST. Meanwhile, the Spurs will take Saturday off before returning to action against the Houston Rockets on Sunday night at 5 p.m. PST.

In what has become a familiar result, the Vancouver Canucks lost again. This time, it was a 6–4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Arena.

The Canucks held the first-period lead for a while. Nevertheless, Nikolaj Ehlers scored a hat trick for Carolina, including an empty-netter with 14 seconds remaining, concluding the victory.

The Hurricanes came out flying and put the pressure on Vancouver almost immediately, with Carolina outscoring the Canucks 12-1 in the first nine minutes. Still, the Canucks answered, at least early on, and for any fans looking for a glimmer of hope, that part matters.

Andrei Svechnikov opened the scoring on a Carolina power play 1:17 into the game, but Marco Rossi tied it on the man advantage at 16:31, and Filip Hronek later scored to put the Canucks up 2–1 before intermission.

Hronek finished with a goal and two assists, while Elias Pettersson added two assists in one of Vancouver’s better offensive nights in weeks.

when things went wrong

It broke in the second period. again.

Sean Walker made it 2-2 at 2:30, Ehlers made it 3-2 at 4:19, and Sebastian Aho pushed it to 4-2 on another quick chance at 11:53.

NHL.com noted that Kevin Lankinen was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots, and the switch did not settle things as Ehlers scored on the first shot faced by Nikita Tolopilo for a 5–2 lead less than a minute later.

That explosive sequence was fatal. The Canucks pushed back, but the hole was already deep.

Brock Boeser scored on a 5-on-3 late in the second, then Nils Hoglander made it 5-4 on Pettersson’s one-timer at 6:45 of the third.

For a moment, it looked like the Canucks might steal some of the chaos back. Brandon Bussey made a late save for Carolina, and Ehlers completed a hat trick with an empty-net goal.

A slim bright spot for Canucks fans

The one real positive was the power play. The Canucks scored twice with the man advantage, the first time the Canucks have done so since January 2 against Seattle.

Foote said the group is working on it, and with so many bad nights, an increase in confidence is at least something to point to.

It’s also the second 10-goal Canucks game this season, following a wild 8-5 loss at Florida in November. It’s not exactly the kind of category Canucks fans want to revisit, but it does underline how loose the game has become.

nhl draft lottery update

The Canucks sit at 43 points, and the NHL Draft Lottery conversation is no longer a background topic. It’s front and center now.

The standings changed Wednesday night and St. Louis beat Seattle 3-2, moving the Rangers to 31st with 54 points, while the Canucks remained buried in the high-pick mix.

With the March 7 trade deadline approaching, this matters. Advancing in the playoffs no longer seems realistic, and the conversation has clearly shifted toward what can be built from here.

last month, sports witness Repeated claims about Fulham making a move for Moise Kean in the winter transfer window were covered.

The London club had expressed interest in January. Barcelona, ​​Paris FC and AC Milan were also interested.

With no concrete offers made, the striker turned things around for himself in 2026. It has also helped Fiorentina regain some form to avoid relegation.

The former Everton player’s situation is being talked about again. It seems Fulham are in the running to bring him back to the Premier League.

A deal could be possible for Fulham

tutomercatoweb Italy International report that Milan have made an ongoing search for him over the past few weeks.

Rossoneri manager Max Allegri has been important in Keane’s career during his time at Juve. They would be interested in a reunification but a deal seems too difficult for the Serie A giants.

At the moment, the player is completely focused on Fiorentina and is not thinking about his future. But a deal may be more viable for Fulham, who are still interested.

This is because Keane has a release clause of €62m in his La Viola contract. This will be in place between July 1 and 15, which will fall during the World Cup period. The ex-Juventus player is likely to be in action at that time and there could be increased attention on him.

That price is quite high for Milan and for Italian sides in general. If suitors come forward, Fiorentina are likely to point to a release clause, and it would only suit Fulham.

Keane could be a good replacement for Marco Silva

While Keane’s first shot at the Premier League did not go to plan, he has since developed as a player.

Physically, he has matured considerably and has become a real hunter in the final third. Sometimes he is criticized for missing chances but he keeps scoring the right runs to get those chances.

Keane struggled at the start of the season but now has three goals in four Serie A games. Last season, he found the net 19 times in the league, which led to his recall to the Azzurri.

He is a player who now knows his best role and Fulham could benefit from that. The release clause is arguably still higher than it should be, but at 26, Keane has a lot to offer.

There are a lot of worthy candidates and compelling storylines in the 2025-26 NBA MVP race, so much so that some fans think the award is theirs. The latest ESPN straw poll suggests otherwise. Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in position to retain his crown.

A panel consisting of 100 local, national and international media members believe the 27-year-old guard is the man responsible for the beating. Gilgeous-Alexander received 78 first-place votes, surpassing Nikola Jokic (18), Cade Cunningham (1), Victor Vembanyama (3) and the rest of the field. With a lead of 230 points, the consensus is that a player will earn MVP honors in back-to-back seasons for the seventh time since 2006.

A lot has changed since ESPN’s initial survey in December. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were locked in a tight battle, with only 15 first-place votes and 43 total points separating the former from the latter. Luka Doncic also secured third place. Due to another injury, the NBA’s scoring leader (points per game) lost much of the lead and fell to fifth in the second poll. The Los Angeles Lakers’ position in the Western Conference standings (fifth) may be a factor.

The Thunder have held first place in the West throughout the season (although the San Antonio Spurs are close). Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player predicted by many to become the league’s first repeat champion in eight years. Stability is also working in their favor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can easily overtake his competitors

Although the 2025 NBA Finals MVP is currently dealing with an abdominal strain, he has only missed seven games to this point in the campaign. Jokic is dangerously close to falling below the mandatory 65-game requirement (with only one more contest to go), and Wembanyama and Doncic don’t have much room for themselves. Cunningham, who has played in 48 of 54 possible games, could emerge as Gilgeous-Alexander’s biggest competition.

It’s important to note that these votes were tallied before the Detroit Pistons cornerstone rolled into Madison Square Garden and torched the New York Knicks for 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to recover from his injury, Cade Cunningham has the perfect opportunity to delight voters with his superbly versatile skill set. He is also leading the team that currently has the best record in the NBA.

The Thunder and Pistons face off next Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena, but based on the latest updates, OKC could be without their top man for that potential MVP showcase. Cunningham can still dominate and find grace, which he will need a lot of if there is to be any suspense around this awards race.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 55.4 percent from the field (career high) and 39.0 percent from 3-point range. The three-time All-NBA First-Team selection is truly in the midst of a stellar performance, and his trophy collection reflects as much. Assuming he can return to action soon, Gilgeous-Alexander may need to make room for more hardware.

Washington Capitals stars Tom Wilson, Logan Thompson and Martin Fehrvary will all have a chance to win a medal. It came after both Canada and Slovakia won their Olympic quarterfinal matches on Wednesday.

Canada’s game was absolutely thrilling, as they defeated Czechia 4–3 in overtime. The Canadiens trailed 3–2 until Nick Suzuki equalized, and Mitch Marner scored the OT game-winner.

Wilson received two penalty minutes in the win and currently has three points in four games, along with multiple hits. Thompson was the backup goaltender behind Jordan Binnington, allowing three goals. The 28-year-old Capitals netminder has started one game for Canada, coming away with a win and a .960 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Fehrváry recorded his first Olympic point (an assist) in Slovakia’s 6–2 win over Germany. The 26-year-old defenseman recorded a secondary assist on the team’s first goal, scored by Pavol Regenda.

Fehrváry led Slovakia in ice time on Wednesday with 22:01. He is the country’s leader in TOI as part of the top shutout pair so far through the tournament.

For now, Canada and Slovakia will wait to see who they play in the semi-finals. The last two quarterfinal matches of the day are Finland-Switzerland and USA-Sweden.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

LOS ANGELES – Bernie Bickerstaff coached in nearly 1,000 NBA games over 14 seasons and also served as an assistant coach. The only time he coached in the NBA All-Star Game was as an assistant coach back in 1979.

So, when Bickerstaff’s son, J.B., finally became an NBA All-Star Game head coach in his fourth head coaching position, the Detroit Pistons head coach truly had appreciation to be the first in his family to achieve that honor.

“I rub it in his face all the time,” a joking J.B. Bickerstaff said with a laugh recently to Andscape. “No, I don’t, but you realize that as long as he was in the NBA, nothing for us is guaranteed and nothing is promised. So, it’s one of those things where it’s like, you cherish the opportunity to get where you are. As an assistant coach or in the NBA period, it was nine years before I participated with anybody in the playoffs. The first eight years of my career, we were done in March or April.

“You understand that no matter whatever happened the season before doesn’t mean that next season is promised to you, the opportunities are there or whatever it may be. So, you just don’t take those things for granted. And it’s special for me to be able to walk in my dad’s shoes and continue to even push that forward.”

Bickerstaff earned the 2026 NBA All-Star Game head coach honor after the Pistons locked in in the Eastern Conference’s best record through Feb. 1. This marks his first All-Star selection and the first for a Pistons coach since 2006. Bickerstaff will be coaching the USA Star team in a new three-team format at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Simply put, Bickerstaff described the opportunity as “awesome.”

“It is. I’m not going to lie,” Bickerstaff said. “Again, just taking a moment to look back to where you come from to get to where you are now and the people that it impacts. All your assistant coaches, their families, all that stuff matters the most and the experiences that you’ll get going through it all.

“I hope what people can learn from my story is resilience. Interviews that I’ve done for jobs, been fired, never laying down and giving in, showing up every single day with the right attitude. The way you treat people, the way you care about people, it matters. And it’s put me in a place where I’m at now and I’m extremely lucky.”

Bickerstaff has turned the Pistons from a rebuilding franchise to a championship contender this season since being hired as head coach on June 30, 2024. The Denver native has previously held interim head coaching positions with the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers before being named head coach. The Pistons entered the NBA All-Star Break with an Eastern Conference-best 40 wins.

The following is a Q&A in which Bickerstaff talks about the challenges of his coaching career, Pistons All-Stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duran, the influence of his father, the importance of Black History Month and his pride as an African American, teaching his biracial children about the beauty and challenges that come with being Black, the ups and downs of his coaching career, coaching in predominately Black Detroit, advice he would give aspiring Black coaches and more in two separate interviews with Andscape.

What’s your appreciation for being an NBA All-Star head coach from where you came from?

You don’t think about it a lot when you’re in it. So, things happen like this and then it gives you an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened. Just thinking about being an interim head coach in Houston, making it to the playoffs with that team, the expectation of, well, now there’s an opportunity where you have shown that you could do the job to get another job and then that doesn’t happen. So, then I go to Memphis with Fiz [David Fizdale], interim [head coach] again, coach for a year, and then let go at the end of the year. Again, not getting another opportunity, go to Cleveland as an assistant, get that job and then build a program the way that we did, a program that we were proud of.

I was coach [John] Beilein’s assistant [in Cleveland], and he resigned 50 games in. And then I was elevated to coach at that point. There was no interim, it was just coach. And then we built something there. Thought we did a great job. They made the decision to let me go. I ended up [in Detroit]. It’s worked out in a way that I don’t think was imaginable. We talk about it as coaches in our group [chat]. Things happen to you when you go through difficult times and if you handle them the right way, when you come out on the other side, you’ll be in a better position. And that’s where I feel like we are now. Being here with this team, with [Pistons general manager] Trajan [Langdon], with [Pistons owner] Tom [Gores], this is where we were supposed to be.

Do you think that it’s probably not well-known that Detroit was the first full-time head coach job you got without being an interim first?

I think you’re always hunting that idea of like, okay, people view me as a head coach now. I think that’s when it’s either you’re in one place for a long enough time and you accomplish enough or someone else makes the decision to bring you in and hire you and then it makes the job different. When you find a level of success or you get a job in that way, it makes you feel viewed as a head coach in the league, if that makes sense.

When you got let go from Cleveland, where were you at mentally at that time? Was it pretty tough? Months later, you landed the Pistons job.

It wasn’t easy, I’ll say that. And for me, it’s never easy because there’s other people involved in it. If it was just me, you can handle things differently. But when you got a wife and kids and assistant coaches who have wives and kids, all of that eventually comes on you. I think that’s what it’s been in all the situations where I’ve been let go, that’s the most difficult part about it. I feel confident that I would be okay one way or another, but all your assistant coaches are let go also. Especially when you don’t have a job and an opportunity to just bring them with you and make sure they’re taken care of, it isn’t an easy move in your family. Your kids have to go through so much, especially depending on their age. All that stuff made it difficult.

I was at peace with the job that we had done there. So, it wasn’t like a thing where I felt like we failed. We did the job we were asked to do. It wasn’t a matter of like, ‘Okay, we failed.’ It was a matter of they made a decision, you did the job you were supposed to do. What do you learn from it? How do you get better from it? I think there was about a month in between there where I was just kind of like, ‘What am I doing every day?’ But it helped me get to a place of like extreme comfort with myself and clarity to know when the next opportunity came what it would look like.

The Pistons were a struggling franchise when you took the job in 2024. Did anybody try to disparage you from taking this job?

No, because obviously I talked to my dad a ton. And he was on the road scouting and watching a ton of these games and he was like, ‘That team suits you and it’s where your strengths lie.’ What I believe my strengths are is allowing young players to grow and help them reach their potential and impacting an environment where you breed competition, you breed confidence and you breed trust and there was opportunity here for that. Some people you would hear saying, ‘Don’t take that job because you wait a year, you’re going to get a better one with a better team.’ But you just watched this group and studied this group and there was something that just drew me to them and it felt like it was going to be a match.

Did you expect the Pistons to go from rebuilding to best record in the East this fast?

When you were with the group every day, you knew there was a ton of potential there. I couldn’t tell you that I would say that a year and a half later we’d be coaching the All-Star Game and be in first place, but I knew we were going to grow, I knew we were going to continue to get better and we had the pieces. The biggest thing for me also I trust Trajan totally because Trajan is the type of person that understands team and how to construct a roster. I think the small, subtle moves that he made last [season] and then even this [season], that helped elevate this team and I trusted his vision and plan.

Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering an on-court altercation, and fighting during a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets. Jalen Duren was also suspended two games for initiating the altercation and fighting. Is there any message needed to be given to Isaiah and Jalen about the importance of keeping their emotions with is at stake for the Pistons this season?

We need to move on from that.

How do the Pistons move forward from those suspensions?

Our guys have done it all year long. They stay moment to moment and take advantage of the opportunity that is in front of them. Whether it has been injury or adversity when guys have been called upon they have stepped up. Think of guys like Daniss [Jenkins] and Paul Reed. Whenever they have been called upon, they have lived up to the moment and the team has supported them and helped them be successful. That’s how we move forward. We hold the fort down until our guys get back. We will miss those guys while they are out but the strength of our team has been our depth and we will contribute to use that as a weapon.

What it means to have two of your players, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, in the NBA All-Star Game?

It’s awesome, man. Again, I think about them a ton and what they went through the year before we got here. What they went through that year was not easy. And for them to still have the resolve to want to stick together and improve together, they deserve all the awards that they can possibly receive. They could have very easily been frustrated and be like, ‘Man, I’m not doing this. This is our third or fourth coach in three years.’ Or whatever the heck it was. ‘Let’s go somewhere else together.’ But they didn’t.

They stuck together. They work out together in the summers. They spend time together. They lift each other up. And I think that’s the most important part and the fun part about it, watching guys go through that and then finding a way on the back end of it to work their way to where they are now.

The only time your father coached in the NBA All-Star game was as an Eastern Conference coach assistant in 1979 under then-Washington Bullets head coach Dick Motta. Has your father told you any stories about that appearance?

He was with the Bullets at the time and it was in Pontiac, Michigan. It was February 1979 and my mom was pregnant with me and she was there. So, I was there.

With the Pistons having the East’s best record, do you talk about trying to win the franchise’s first title since 2004?

We’re all about the process. We talk about today every single day. That helps control the emotional ups and downs. If you’re looking at big picture views of 10 games and all that, there’s so many different things that can vary. But if you can stay in the moment and focused on that, it helps your team continue to get better because you’re just attacking the problem that’s in front of you.

Your players were excited that you earned a spot as an NBA All-Star head coach. What did that mean to you?

It’s just the nature of this group. Text messages, phone calls, hugs. They are so happy for everyone. They want to see everybody succeed. We have guys that play different roles. They come in, like Dannis Jenkins, for example, comes in and nobody’s mad that he’s taking somebody else’s minutes. They’re cheering them on.

We had a game in the fourth quarter where Chaz [Lanier] came in against the [Chicago] Bulls and we end up winning that game because he’s making huge shots for us down the stretch. And nobody’s pulling away from that in his moment. They’re all pushing and cheering for him. So, it’s one of those things where that’s the nature of the group. They just want everyone to get what they’ve got coming to them.

How do you handle the chip on the shoulder of this tough-minded group and keep it moving in a positive direction?

I don’t. This is who we are. And we’ve grown this year from last year at being able to control our emotions in it. So, coming into the year, we always have these themes. So, this year’s theme is, ‘Control the chaos.’ So, we want to push people to that level, but then we want to be in control of our emotions while they’re scrambling. And our defense is based on that. Our offense is built on that. Our identity is built on that. We’re trying to push people’s limits in all ways we can.

Who in your family’s most excited about you coaching the NBA All-Star Game?

My mom. She still watches every game. She lives it, she breathes it. I get text messages from her about it. My dad and I talk every single day. But I know my mom, and this is like with me being the youngest and being the youngest boy, she’s invested in it in a different way.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

It’s a celebration of accomplishments of people who have knocked down barriers, people who have been resilient, people who have opened doors and created opportunities for all of us to be in the positions that we’re in now. It’s a celebration of the story of people overcoming such difficult circumstances and being able to continue to fight and find the good in a lot of places that were very dark at times. And it’s just an important part of all of our history, but the fact that it’s highlighted in the way that it’s highlighted in February allows others to share in it as well.

How did your parents teach you about Black history as a child?

It was every day. It was told to us through stories of our parents and of our grandparents and their shared experiences. For me, I’m still of an age where some people may think it was so long ago. But my father in particular was in school in segregated schools and living in Kentucky where race relations weren’t always the best. So, [it was] being able to have conversations with him about the journeys that he went through, the experiences that he went through, the changes that he was able to see over time.

Similarly with my mom, my mom was in San Diego but was from Louisiana and they would drive back from San Diego to Louisiana and have to go through those Southern states. And the stories she would tell us of her travels and what her father would have to do to make sure that they were safe and the places that they could stay in the hotels or rooms that they could rent for the night. That’s where it became such a part of our life and how much it meant to them from what they’ve been able to see to where they’ve been able to go and then what they were able to provide for their kids because of it. It just became a part of our life that we cherished and valued.

Any story that stands out that your mother and father told you?

My grandfather [my mother’s father] would literally have to leave them parked on the side of the road and walk up somewhere to see if they were allowed to stay in a certain place or a hotel. My dad, he’s told the story before about he was playing at one of the white schools and he dove into the stands and one of the white kids tried to pull his pants down. And their coach of the other team told his coach not to worry about it because those kids were told that Black people had tails and they were trying to see what my dad’s tail looked like.

You and your wife, Nikki, have three biracial children. How do you talk about race with your children?

They’re at an age now where just literally [recently] we sat down and had a conversation about it. They are very fortunate in their experiences and the opportunities that they have. But I want them to be mindful of the difficult things and the beautiful things that our history has shown us and the pride that they should take in being a part of that story and making sure that that story isn’t lost with them. That they continue to be a part of the story and share the stories with their friends, with their families moving forward, because there is so much value in it and it’s something to be proud of.

What is the beauty and also the challenge of being in an interracial marriage with biracial kids in terms of learning your history?

That’s the thing. To me, in a time where I feel like it’s much needed, there’s opportunities to learn from our differences, accept our differences. But at the end of the day, you find love where you find love. And that’s what I think is an important story to tell. We come from different places just in our country in general right now. And right now, I feel like those differences are being used to divide us instead of us appreciating those differences and being able to respect those differences and come together. That’s where I am with my wife and my family is like, we are learning each other’s experiences in a different way, the way that it impacts our kids. You hear both sides — their relationships with other Black kids, their relationship with white kids.

There is good and bad in both. Some of the things, that colorism amongst Black kids, you still hear the acceptant piece of it. You still hear no matter who you are, if you look like us, you’re one of us. So, it’s a very interesting dynamic that I’ve had to learn and navigate, and my family’s had to learn and navigate. But I’ve been blessed with three amazing kids because of it and [I’m] trying to help them through their journey, with the message of being proud of who you are, allowing others to be proud of who they are, but accepting them for who they are at the same time.

Because of the wealth that you’ve attained and the status as an NBA head coach while also living in a predominantly Black town in greater Detroit, do you try to seek out things where they could have Black experiences or is it just naturally a part of your environment?

It’s more of a family thing, to be honest with you. Because of the sports that they’re in and the level of competition of sports, they don’t have much free time. My sister and her daughters just moved out here. So, for us, it’s more about putting them around family. And then through sports also, they meet people and experience people that look like them. And that’s where they find the majority of it is through sports, school, and family.

What’s the coolest thing about being Black in Detroit?

Just the love that you get from the city of Detroit is amazing. No matter where I am, it’s a sign of pride from the city and the people that I’ve met that I’ve been able to get to the position that I’m in and coach their team. And I don’t take that for granted. We try to do a job with the mindset of how many people are out there pouring into this Pistons team and how many people from our community love this Pistons team. I feel that love every time I’m out in the streets or anywhere.

You can just feel how proud people are and how much they want to be a part of this Pistons group and the Pistons history as a whole. You go all the way back for me into ‘The Bad Boy’ eras. There’s a connectedness to the community here that’s loud and they wear it proudly.

What notable Black athletes or figures did you get a chance to meet because of your father that stays with you today?

Magic Johnson. Julius Erving. Those were guys that when I was really young, they were bigger than life to me. And those are people who I got enabled to meet through my dad because of it. K.C. Jones was my brother’s godfather and one of my dad’s closest friends who gave my dad his first job in the NBA. So, there’s so many people that I was fortunate enough to meet because of him that it was weird because it was almost normal.

I was a ball boy for his teams in Seattle and it was guys like Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Shawn Kemp, Derek McKey and all those guys like Nate McMillan. I would just be at practice every day, so they just felt like regular guys to me. One of the guys who I have a great relationship here who’s from Detroit is Jalen Rose. My dad drafted Jalen Rose when he was in Denver and I used to wear Jalen Rose’s shoe. He would give me his shoes to play basketball in when I was in high school. So, it’s like what was normal for us, I sit back now and think about just how abnormal it was and how fortunate I was to be in that position.

There are going to be two Black head coaches in this NBA All-Star Game. San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson won the honor in the Western Conference. What does it mean to you to have two African American coaches and what do you hope comes from people seeing that?

Of all the major sports league, the NBA and the owners of teams in the NBA have gotten it most right as far as allowing and providing opportunities and trusting Black coaches to lead their franchises and to lead their organizations. When given equal opportunity, there’s so many qualified people out there who are capable of doing the job. To me, that’s what’s changed over time is just the opportunity.

I think about guys like my dad, Wes Unseld Sr., Al Attles, K.C. Jones, all these guys that broke down barriers for people like myself to be in the position that I’m in, that Mitch is in. When you get the opportunity, you need to be mindful of that, of all those people that came before you, you do have a responsibility to continue that and push that forward.

What did you think of Lenny Wilkens’ legacy and also his passing last year?

It was sad, obviously, when he passed away. I’ve knew Lenny since I was probably six years old. He gave my dad his first head coaching job with the Seattle SuperSonics. He went on a trip to the Bahamas with us. It was like a celebrity game that was put on, and he and my dad were the coaches. I believe Magic Johnson put that celebrity game on, if I’m not mistaken. So, I’ve known him literally the majority of my life and admired him at a level because of the way he carried himself, the class at which he did the job, how long he survived and lasted in a tough business. He was the President of the Basketball Coaches Association for a long time. So, I have a ton of respect for him. And even when I was in Cleveland, he would call me and check on me and see how I was doing and ask me if I needed anything.

It’s guys like that and mentors like that, that just opened doors for us but then took care of you afterwards. They didn’t just bust it down. They busted it down and stayed around to make sure that we were all okay in moving through the process.

What advice would you give a young Black man or young Black woman considering trying to get into the basketball coaching ranks?

I’ll give the same advice that I was given by my dad, and that was to work twice as hard as everybody else around you and work to be twice as good. I would find every opportunity that existed to work and show people that I was willing to work. My dad set me up when I was younger. Every summer I would work the Euro Camp and then I would work the Chicago Pre-Draft camp every time I was given the opportunity. We used to do those group draft workouts and I would run the group draft workouts that all the executives would come to. We had ‘Grg’s Camp’ [Tim Grgurich] in the summer that we would all go to and the executives would be there. It opened opportunities where people got a chance to see you as an assistant coach to and see what your talents were and what your skillset was. That would be my thing: wherever there is work to be found, go find it and go do a great job at it.