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The Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley heavyweight fight at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on May 9 was one of the most brutal boxing matches of 2026. Daniel Dubois went to the canvas twice before stopping Fabio Wardley in the 11th round to win back the WBO world heavyweight title and become a two-time champion.

The fight featured constant exchanges, heavy punches and dramatic momentum shifts that kept fans engaged from start to finish. After the fight, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk shared his honest reaction during an interview with DAZN Boxing.

While Usyk praised Dubois for the victory, he also questioned Wardley’s tactics and raised concerns about the damage both fighters suffered during the intense heavyweight battle. His comments soon became one of the biggest talking points in boxing.

Oleksandr Usyk Criticizes Fabio Wardley’s Tactics in Daniel Dubois Fight

Oleksandr Usyk focused heavily on Fabio Wardley’s lack of basic boxing technique during the Daniel Dubois fight. Speaking to DAZN Boxing, Usyk questioned why Wardley failed to use his jab throughout the contest.

“This is a street fight. Congratulations Dubois, good job, new world champion, but Fabio, where’s the jab? Fabio, where?. [He] Never stabbed. maybe once. Only the right hand, only the right hand. Not working. Very strong chin but I think this is a street fight, it’s a problem for both guys [the] Brain and Health.”

Wardley enters the fight with strong momentum after defending the WBO titles against Justice Hauni and Joseph Parker in 2025. Many expected him to control the fight against Dubois. Instead, Wardley relied primarily on power punches and aggressive exchanges.

Dubois handled the pressure and gradually turned the fight around with body shots and forward movement. As the round continued, Wardley endured more punishment while his offense became less effective.

Daniel Dubois revives heavyweight boxing career after brutal victory over Fabio Wardley

Daniel Dubois’ victory marked another big moment in his return to heavyweight boxing. Dubois had faced criticism after previous losses, including to Oleksandr Usyk. However, the British heavyweight showed toughness and grit against Wardley.

Dubois survived two knockdowns before taking control in the later rounds. His pressure and conditioning ultimately overwhelmed Wardley in the 11th round.

The result also changed the immediate future of the heavyweight division. Usyk has previously expressed interest in fighting the winner as he continues his pursuit of another undisputed heavyweight championship run. That plan will now be put on hold as Wardley has activated the rematch clause in his contract.

Promoters are already discussing a second Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley fight after the first bout received praise from fans and the boxing media.

Oleksandr Usyk warned about health risks after heavyweight fight

Oleksandr Usyk’s biggest concern after the Daniel Dubois fight centered around fighter safety. The Ukrainian champion said the fight looked more like a “street fight” than a technical boxing match.

Both the giants faced clean punches for about 11 rounds. Wardley’s tenacity helped him stay in the fight, but his defensive mistakes allowed Dubois to be landed repeatedly.

Usyk’s comments reflect growing concerns about the long-term health risks associated with repeated head injuries and punishing fighting in boxing. Even though fans applauded the action, Usyk stressed that constant exchanges without smart defense can cause serious problems for fighters later in life.

At 39 years old, Usyk is one of boxing’s top technical fighters. He is preparing to defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza this weekend.

For now, the heavyweight division is focused on Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley and a potential rematch that could shape the next title picture.

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

A bigger conversation could soon begin regarding Connor McDavid and his future with the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid was not pleased with Edmonton’s performance during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs after reaching the finals the previous two seasons. However, what if the NHL superstar decides to leave the Oilers for a better situation?

Below, we’re taking a look at five NHL teams to see if McDavid requests a trade from Edmonton.

san jose sharks

The future is very bright for the San Jose Sharks full of elite prospects. If McDavid is interested in playing alongside Maclin Celebrini, San Jose has the asset pool to satisfy Edmonton. There will be questions as to whether the Oilers will trade McDavid within the division, but not many teams have better trade packages.

utah mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are another team that has a lot of business to do right now. Utah is in the Western Conference, but the Oilers will be able to get the edge thanks to their NHL superstar. Under the leadership of Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, the addition of McDavid will benefit the organization. The question is whether McDavid wants to play in Utah or a bigger market.

tampa bay lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are clearly a good fit for McDavid. If McDavid requests a trade, Tampa will have a bigger chance to get him on the short list because of head coach John Cooper. At the Olympics and Four Nations, Cooper led Canada and McDavid was their star player. If anything changes in Edmonton, the Lightning figure to be paired with McDavid.

montreal canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are on the rise, and may be assured of a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. If McDavid ever wants to move out of Edmonton, Montreal has the ability to make a trade work by linking him to Cole Caufield & Co. This would allow McDavid to remain in Canada during his championship season with the Canadiens.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to add Connor McDavid, and it could be a mutual feeling. McDavid has had ties to Toronto since his childhood, and a trade with the Maple Leafs would help him come home. Toronto may not be an attractive destination after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but McDavid could help the team moving forward.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews traded to Los Angeles Kings? 5 possible business sites

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono has opened the door for compatriot Enzo Fernandez to join the club from Chelsea this summer.

Marca reports 18-year-old’s comments The Real Madrid winger was asked by journalists in Argentina about a potential move to Fernandez this summer.

Mastantuono’s airport moment goes viral

Fresh from Argentine duty during the international break, Franco Mastantuño was mobbed by journalists at Aziza airport.

The questions to him were straightforward, including whether he would like Enzo Fernandez to join him at Real Madrid.

“Franco, you can have Enzo as a teammate, what does that mean? Would you like that?” Journalists asked him.

“Of course I will,” He replied.

Journalists pressed him again, suggesting that Enzo’s recent comments about Real Madrid were a sign Mastantuno shrugged it off as best he could.

“He said he would like to stay in Madrid, that’s a sign, isn’t it?” There was a second question.

“Honestly, I don’t know anything.” He replied. The clip has since spread across Argentina, bringing the Fernandez rumors back into the spotlight.

Chelsea’s future has become a big topic of discussion in Argentina

Enzo Fernandez’s future at Chelsea has become one of the main topics in Argentina during this international break.

He and his wife have made statements hinting at a move to Real Madrid, with the midfielder admitting that he would like to stay in Madrid.

“I would like to live there and experience, I don’t know. I really like Madrid; it reminds me a lot of Buenos Aires,” He said on this subject.

This has reopened the window for a possible transfer this summer. There were reports linking Real Madrid with a move last summer and a midfield rebuild could also take place this summer. The player has also hinted at unrest behind the scenes.

Franco Mastantuono’s comments will only add fuel to the fire. In fairness, it seemed like he was aware of it and was clearly trying to deflect attention. It appears that this is something that has failed miserably.

Bill Self is the greatest coach in the history of the Kansas basketball program. That’s saying something for a team that had coaching icons like Roy Williams and Fogg Allen during their peak periods. However, when you have the most wins in school history and a pair of national championships to your credit, it’s hard to deny his status as the most important sports figure the university has ever produced.

However, all good things come to an end, and the Self era may soon be coming to an end. After a heartbreaking last-second loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the coach seemed unsure whether he would return this fall.

“I haven’t really been able to do much on the court,” Self said after the game. [h/t The Athletic]. “I’ve seen some things off the court. So I’ll come back and visit with the family and see what’s going on. I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy enough to do it well enough.”

At age 63, and after 33 years of coaching (23 at Kansas), it wouldn’t be shocking if Self walked away from the game. Even if it is only for a few years. If he does retire, let’s take a look at six coaches the program could target as Bill Self’s replacement.

Jack Vaughn, Kansas (assistant)

There is a real possibility that if Self walks away from the game, the program could go with an internal alternative. Associate head coach Jeremy Case would be a way for the school to move forward. However, assistant coach Jack Vaughn would be a great move.

Vaughn understands what it means to be a Jayhawk on the court after playing a memorable four-year run as a star for the school in the ’90s. However, what may give him an edge on the case is that he has extensive coaching experience during his stints with the NBA Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets. Although those tenures may not have been good, it is important to have experience in high-pressure jobs. Especially when a living legend is being replaced.

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Although it took some time, Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a legitimate force in the Big Ten. He has 20 or more wins in each of the last seven seasons, went 25-8 in 2025-26, the coach has won a pair of conference tournaments, and his team is in the Sweet 16 this week.

Underwood has done a lot with a second-tier school in a conference that has about half the Sweet 16 teams. With Kansas’ resources and brand recognition, he could soon make the Jayhawks a title contender again.

Michael Malone, former Nuggets head coach

A few years ago, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was viewed as one of the best in the NBA. He developed Denver into a consistent title contender, helped elevate Nikola Jokic to superstar status and led the Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. However, disagreements with the front office led to his surprise exit at the end of last season.

After the way he was fired in 2024, Malone could be angry at the NBA experience and big personalities involved on and off the court. Bringing in a coach who recently won an NBA title would be a coup for Kansas.

TJ Otzelbarger, Iowa State

Since arriving at Iowa State five years ago, TJ Otzelbarger has done nothing but win and lead the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every year, including this week’s trip to the Sweet 16. Similar to Brad Underwood at Illinois, if given the resources Kansas has, Otzelburger could get the program back to the Final Four in a year or two.

Danny Manning, Louisville (assistant)

If basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain weren’t a Jayhawk, Danny Manning would be the greatest player in team history. Bringing back the legend and former Kansas assistant to replace Bill Self would be a huge story.

Yet his notoriety within the program is not the only reason he would be a candidate to become their next head coach. He has a wealth of experience as an assistant and currently serves as Pat Kelsey’s top assistant at Louisville. A team that has made consecutive trips to the tournament over the last two years.

Nate Oates, Alabama

Another interesting option that could be on Kansas’ radar is Alabama head coach Nate Oats. ‘Bama has been a football-first school for generations. However, in his first season out of a rebuilding year, Oats has led the Crimson Tide to the tournament in six consecutive seasons. Which includes a Sweet 16 birth this month.

Oats turned ‘Bama into a powerhouse in the SEC. However, no matter what happens, the basketball program will be secondary. However, at Kansas, he could be the top coach at a major college with a proud history.

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

Aston Villa won 2-0 over West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday. The result at Villa Park saw the Villans end their five-match winless streak, which has included four defeats.

Unai Emery left Victor Lindelof out of the squad in Aston Villa’s latest win and it has caused concern in Sweden.

The national team boss, Graham Potter, has a centre-back in his squad for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

He ended his eight-year spell at Manchester United and left as a free agent last summer.

The Sweden international waited until September to join Aston Villa on a free transfer and played 1,272 minutes in 21 matches. Below are his per game statistics from the Premier League for the Villa Park club.

Aston Villa’s lack of clarity worries Sweden

Last Thursday, the 31-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Aston Villa’s 2-0 Europa League win over Lille. soccer channel Take a look at his miss against West Ham and cover the latest.

On 16 September 2025, Unai Emery left the defender out of the squad in the EFL Cup defeat to Brentford. Since then, the manager has included Victor Lindelof in the squad in every match until yesterday.

Neither the Spaniard nor the Birmingham club have given any explanation for his absence from the team. Therefore, the outlet says his latest omission is ‘unusual’.

Another Swedish source, evening paperIt is said that Emery’s decision to leave Lindelof out of the team is a matter of concern for Sweden. The main reason for this is the lack of communication from Aston Villa over the player’s absence.

As of now, it is unclear whether Emery’s decision was from a tactical perspective or due to fitness/injury concerns.

Either way, the national team is concerned about Lindelof’s fitness ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers on March 26. The Lindelof situation should be clarified in the next few hours.

Aston Villa player has a few points to prove

The previous October, John Dahl Tomasson became the first manager to be sacked by Sweden and was replaced by Potter. His poor run under the Dane prompted him to take the step.

After the defeat to Kosovo in October, national team fans were critical of the players. Victor Lindelof thumbs up sarcastically To the supporters who scolded him and his comrades, and a month later, issued a half apology Them.

So, Aston Villa man [if he’s fit] And Sweden’s other players have a point to prove against Ukraine this weekend.

Lindelof’s contract is until 2027, with the option of a further year, and transfer market He is worth €6 million.

🇮🇹Marcus Thuram Newcastle United and Aston Villa initiate contact ➡️ Entourage now in transfer mixhttps://t.co/BBPaGSTspg #nufc #avfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 20 March 2026

Neither Jonathan Kuminga nor his former team, the Golden State Warriors, looked that good in their highly anticipated reunion performance.

The Warriors were defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 126–110, their eighth loss in nine games, while Kuminga went 1 of 9 from the field for just two points, four rebounds, two turnovers and a -6 plus/minus in 22 minutes of action.

Instead, the highlights of the game were Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum as the duo scored 28 and 23 points to lead Golden State in the backcourt. While the Warriors outscored the Hawks for most of the first half, Atlanta outscored Golden State with a 48–16 run from 6:16 in the second quarter to 6:16 in the third quarter. From there, the Dubs were helpless, lacking enough firepower to get back into the game.

The loss dropped Golden State to 33–38 on the season, its lowest mark under .500 all season. After the game, Steve Kerr acknowledged where the Warriors are at the moment.

“This is the hardest thing to go through,” Kerr said. “Losing and getting destroyed by injuries. And feeling like you’re pushing, you’re trying, you’re competing, but things aren’t going your way. It’s definitely a tough, tough time for everybody. It’s human nature to get down, hang your head.”

With a storm of injuries sidelining not only their stars, Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, but also key role players like Moses Moody and Al Horford, the Warriors have completely collapsed after the All-Star break. After taking a strong hold on the eighth seed in the West, they now find themselves in 10th place, a game and a half behind the Clippers.

Are reinforcements on the way for the Warriors?

The good news for the Warriors is that they should get some firepower soon in the coming days. Curry’s re-evaluation on Saturday gave him the all-clear to resume live-action work in team practice in the coming days.

It’s another step in the right direction after Curry resumed working non-contact shooting drills with the team on the road this week. Before traveling with the team to Dallas, Curry will participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages with available coaches and players in Atlanta on Sunday morning.

Kerr called this specific checkpoint a “big day” because the team will have a better understanding of when he can return after Rick Celebrini evaluates him. Curry has missed 21 consecutive games due to patellofemoral pain syndrome and a right kneecap injury. Golden State is 6-15 since Curry was sidelined.

As far as Moody’s is concerned, their recent reassessment has also brought positive results. According to the team he is making “good progress”, and they have stepped up his work on the court with shooting drills after not being able to shoot due to his sprained right wrist. He will also be cast in live-action work in the coming days.

Moody missed the last 10 games due to a wrist injury, derailing his productive season. He is averaging 11.9 points on 40.2 percent 3-point shooting in 59 games this year.

Can Golden State rally?

At the end of the day, it seems like it’s a season from hell for Golden State. A team can only do so much when it loses its best performance due to an ACL tear.

But it is not that they have lagged behind like other teams this season. To his credit, he has battled and competed in every game since Curry went out. Two-way players have given him as much as two players can give. Youngsters like Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski have shown how good they would look if they were next to the stars. It’s just that their efforts and patience have not been rewarded.

“I’m just trying to encourage guys to keep competing,” Kerr said after the game. “But to try to bring energy and stay positive because reinforcements will come, and we have to be ready for that. But in the meantime, I’m proud of the way they’re playing. They’re working hard, but they’re in a tough situation. We’re all in a tough situation.”

The Warriors will look to complete their 1-4 road trip with a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.

Leicester City’s Bilal El Khanous will leave the Championship club to join VfB Stuttgart on a permanent transfer.

he has brought imageWhich covers the latest information regarding the Leicester City player’s future.

The attacking midfielder joins the Foxes from KRC Genk for a reported fee of £21 million [€24.3m] In August 2024.

Following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League, he left them last summer to join Stuttgart on loan in August 2024.

As part of the loan deal, the Bundesliga side have a conditional obligation to make his stay permanent.

Permanent Leicester City Exit

in december Morocco international revealed Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were both showing interest in him. However, the Championship side refused to let him join another English club.

This allowed Stuttgart to pounce on a temporary deal, and his stay will now become permanent.

El Khanous has played 1,954 minutes in 30 matches [18 in the Bundesliga] In all competitions for Stuttgart, scored eight goals and provided four assists.

The build states that after a certain number of appearances, the conditions necessary to make their stay permanent have been achieved. In other words, the compulsory purchase obligation is now automatically ‘triggered’.

The report emphasizes that these conditions were not difficult to meet. As it is now effective, the German club will have to pay a €18m fee to Gary Rowett’s side. The fee could rise further with bonuses, and the English club have also secured a sell-on clause.

Financial benefits for the city of Leicester

El Khanous will sign a contract until 2030. That deal includes a salary of €3 million, it is unclear whether before or after tax.

Stuttgart has already paid €3.5m in loan fees to the Championship side. From its sale, the latter will earn an additional €18m, bringing the total deal so far to €21.5m.

This allowed Leicester City to recoup most of the fee invested to purchase the Moroccan two years earlier.

The Foxes are now 21st in the table and are going through financial struggles. At these difficult times, the funds raised from the sale of El Khanous to Stuttgart will be a welcome boost for Leicester City.

Even if contractual agreements state that the full money is not yet due, or the first payment is delayed until the summer, Championship clubs will be able to borrow against it.

Phoenix Suns’ Dillon Brooks never shies away from a challenge on and off the court. The 30-year-old is confident in himself and has taken part in feuds with many of the game’s greats in recent years, including Draymond Green and LeBron James.

Well, during his recent appearance on Million Dollar’s Worth of Game in front of Gilly Da King and Valo267, Brooks threw shade at a series of NBA stars. When reviewing the list of the league’s top-50 players by Complex, Brooks was asked if he felt he deserved to be ranked higher than the No. 48 spot he garnered.

“No, even though he’s having a great year,” he said of Keyontae George before labeling him ‘soft’. Brooks called Austin Reeves of the Los Angeles Lakers dishonest, and claimed that Cooper Flagg had no better year than him, while acknowledging that he deserved a higher finish.

“No, it’s not a better year than me because if I was there we would be in the playoff race, that’s what I do,” Brooks said.

Regarding Trey Murphy, Brooks claimed he “can’t stand losing”, claiming that Karl-Anthony Towns was “too sweet”. Brooks also said “no” outright to Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren, and responded similarly to Scottie Barnes, claiming the Toronto Raptors star couldn’t shoot. Brooks also said ‘no’ outright to Joel Embiid.

“No. Hurt too bad. He just got hurt. Like you could probably go to sleep for a week and wake up and he’s probably hurt again,” he said. Finally, Brooks also believes that he is having a better season than LeBron James.

“No, he didn’t have a better year than me,” he said.

Brooks is averaging nearly 21 points, 3.7 rebounds and nearly 2 assists per game this season, a career-high scoring rate for the veteran wing. Most of the players he mentioned undoubtedly have better numbers, including Cooper Flagg and LeBron James, who are in the midst of historic seasons for different reasons.

While some of those claims may be worth considering Brooks’ logic, most fans may think he has overstated his current form, especially as the Suns still only sit in 7th place in the Western Conference with a 36–27 record.

With new comments from head coach Marcus Freeman it seems like a move from Notre Dame to an NFL team is not a matter of if, but when.

One of the big stories in football late last year was Freeman’s flirtation with the NFL. During his five seasons in South Bend, the 40-year-old has emerged as one of the best coaches in the country and his resume includes a trip to the championship game. Obviously, his impressive success in his first head coaching role caught the attention of NFL executives.

As the league’s teams searched for potential candidates for their head coach positions in December, Freeman was linked to several jobs, including the New York Giants. It started to seem like leaving Notre Dame for a pro job was a real possibility. However, at the end of the month, Freeman announced that he was not going anywhere and had in fact received a new deal from the university.

Nevertheless, there are still rumors that soon, the benefits of becoming an NFL coach will be too much, and he will leave the Fighting Irish in a bad way. During a new interview this week, Freeman didn’t allay the fears of Notre Dame fans who were worried an exit was on the way.

Marcus Freeman Record: 43-12

On Thursday, Freeman told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo to “never say never” on the idea of ​​jumping to the NFL, and that he “daydreams” about the idea with some regularity. Furthermore, he admitted that when he had introductory talks with teams in December, he used it to find out what franchises and executives wanted from prospective head coaches.

“If the time and opportunity is right, we’ll see what happens in the future,” Freeman said. However, he said he feels he has “the best job in America” ​​and feels fulfilled in his role.

Unfortunately for Notre Dame fans, several great coaches leading various top programs across the country have said the same thing and all left. Fighting Irish fans need to enjoy and appreciate Freeman while they have him, because a move to the NFL is going to happen; It’s just about how long it takes.

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

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

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

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

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

Sheffield United’s goal wasn’t high enough

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

on sunday, sports witness Italy’s claims about doubts over Lorenzo Lucca’s attitude at Nottingham Forest covered up claims.

Journalist Luca Marchetti explained that similar concerns remained at Napoli. It didn’t stop at the Midlands club, leaving doubts over the striker’s future at the City Ground.

Lucca scored on his Nottingham Forest debut but has barely made an impact since. He also received a lot of criticism and all of this resulted in his ouster over the weekend.

The striker was left out of the squad completely against Brighton and this has attracted attention in Italy.

Mystery over nottingham forest player

arianapoli Note that there is no clear reason why the 25-year-old has been dropped by Vitor Pereira.

They clarify that the player is unlikely to be injured. He performed against Fenerbahce in the Europa League without any apparent concerns.

This is being considered as another blow to Napoli’s hopes of making money from player sales. He financed this largely on loan to Lucca, initially signing the loan with an obligation to buy himself.

Awaiting clarity on Lucca

A few weeks ago, it became clear that Antonio Conte did not always get along with the Italian at Napoli. There were question marks over his application and work-ethic, as the ex-Tottenham manager physically interrogated many of his players.

Lucca wasn’t fitting in and that was one of the main reasons he was let go in January. Napoli fans were also angered by his poor performance.

It remains to be seen whether Nottingham Forest have similar problems. But everything suggests that the 25-year-old is unlikely to stay with Vitor Pereira for very long.

Not long ago, the forward was seen as the next big thing in Italian football. The way things unfolded is unfortunate but the player may have to bear the brunt of it.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder got off to a hot start and won 24 of their first 25 games, it seemed like it was a foregone conclusion that they would return to the NBA Finals.

But while the Thunder still have the best record in the league at 45-15, they have looked strong over the past few weeks, especially with injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Oklahoma City is eager to defend its championship, but that won’t be the case for NBA legend Dwyane Wade, as he predicted on “The Zach Lowe Show” that the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons will face off in this year’s NBA Finals.

“I’ve watched the Spurs, I’ve watched some of their games. Even though I don’t think they should be ready, they should be a team over the next three years, but they do things sometimes. You look at their roster, you look at their players, with the right matchups, they’ll be tough to beat,” Wade said.

The Thunder have lost three times in four meetings with the Spurs this season, including the NBA Cup semifinals, in which San Antonio ended OKC’s 16-game winning streak.

As for the Pistons, Wade, who works as an analyst for NBC and Prime, said their depth will carry them to the final round.

“I watched Detroit the other night in New York without (Jalen) Duren and without (Isaiah) Stewart, and I didn’t see them lose once. I said, ‘This team is too deep.’ They know their style, they know their game, they know how to win. It’s hard when a team doesn’t have to figure it out,” the three-time champion explained.

The Thunder lost to the Pistons on Wednesday, although they were significantly weaker without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell.

Oklahoma City will have another tough test on Friday against the Denver Nuggets.

The city of Detroit hasn’t had this kind of hope basketball-wise since the mid-2000s. But thanks to Cade Cunningham’s emergence as one of the best players in the association, the Pistons have become one of the best teams in the NBA. Their relentless defense and constant physicality makes them really troublesome to play against and it helped them to a 124-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While the Thunder were missing some key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the win over the defending champions is nothing to scoff at. OKC has been very competitive no matter who they have on the court, and the Pistons did well not to let their defense down in the trap game.

Fans at Little Caesars Arena knew how much it meant for the Pistons to beat the Thunder. After the game, they were so excited and expressing so much of their affection for their star man in Cunningham as were the fans. pounce on him As soon as he gave some autographs.

“We love you! Oh my god!” Some fans can be heard yelling toward the Pistons star.

Via The Detroit Times on X (formerly Twitter):

Cade Cunningham signing autographs for fans after tonight’s game ❤️

pic.twitter.com/aDn2oonCz1

— 26 February 2026

Pistons remain favorites in the East

The Pistons are being slightly underrated by some fans, given that they have not been very proven on the grand stage yet. They made the playoffs last year and lost to the New York Knicks in six games, but mounting a deep playoff run is going to be a different beast than the team has experienced yet.

But their play throughout the season should lead many to believe they are a legitimate contending team. They carry themselves with a lot of swag and their best player is a genuine superstar who steps up in big moments.

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

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

After starting the season in historic fashion, the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit with injuries. After starting the year without All-Star forward Jalen Williams, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has missed the last few games.

Although the team has been able to “maintain service” in the Western Conference playoff race – maintaining its top spot in the conference – Stephen A. Smith believes the team is in trouble if SGA doesn’t bounce back soon. On the latest edition of ESPN’s First Take, the panel discussed the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs under Victor Wembanyama after a 114-103 win over the Pistons. While praising the Spurs, Smith expressed doubt about the Thunder without Alexander.

“Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, I wouldn’t have Oklahoma City [Thunder] As a top 8 team,” Smith said boldly.

Currently, the Thunder have a 6-3 record without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season, which includes wins over playoff contenders in the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. But before the All-Star break, they suffered two consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Alexander has another season worthy of an MVP finish. He is averaging 31.8 points per game and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 55% from the field and 39% from three. He has emerged as a steady hand for the Thunder offense when it needs the basket. With Alexander out of the rotation, the Thunder have had to rely on their trademark effective defense, team basketball and three-point shooting to maintain their edge over their recent opponents.

The Thunder are in for an interesting run of games as they face the playoff contenders Toronto Raptors on the first night of a back-to-back, before they play a nationally televised game against the Detroit Pistons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is no longer backing the New York Knicks to win the Eastern Conference, shifting his support to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During ESPN’s Inside the NBA broadcast on Friday night, Barkley announced he was no longer choosing New York over coming out of the East.

“I’m changing my choice Ernie. I told you all I thought the Knicks were coming from the East… the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming from the Eastern Conference,” Barkley said.

Cleveland has improved its position after trading with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland at this season’s deadline. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 118-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, improving to 36-21 on the season. Cleveland is now in third place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the second-seeded Boston Celtics.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Harden has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, five rebounds and one steal per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range in five contests in 31.8 minutes per game.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming out of the Eastern Conference,” – Charles Barkley 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/xF7XkMXzuG

– ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) 21 February 2026

Charles Barkley moves East pick as Cavaliers lead ahead of Knicks matchup

Harden’s presence coincides with increased production from center Jarrett Allen. Over that same five-game span, Allen has averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one block while shooting 76.3 percent from the field in 30 minutes per contest. For the season, the 27-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 62.7 percent in 45 games.

Meanwhile, New York has experienced a strong stretch of its own despite Barkley’s transfer. The Knicks went 10–3 from late January to early February, including an eight-game winning streak. However, they dropped to the fourth seed after a 126–111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, falling to 35–21 on the year.

The two Eastern Conference contenders are scheduled to meet during New York’s upcoming three-game road trip. The Knicks visit Cleveland next Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET on Peacock.

With the Cavaliers gaining momentum and climbing the standings, Barkley’s revised prediction underscores how rapidly the Eastern Conference hierarchy has shifted in the weeks since the trade deadline.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has been in decline for some time, with most of the league’s best players refusing to compete in the dunking exhibition. It certainly feels like the NBA has had to beg some players to go out and compete, and this year, there were plenty of throwbacks — from Jaxon Hayes’ routine tomahawk dunk, to Jace Richardson’s hard fall, to San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant’s timeout, to reigning Dunk Contest champion Keshad Johnson’s eccentric dance moves.

But it looks like a rising star in Spurs rookie Dylan Harper could at least bring a little name recognition to the dunk contest. In an appearance on the Cousins ​​Podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Harper, who was accompanied by his father and three-time NBA champion Ron and his brother, current Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., was perhaps inspired to attend the 2027 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Phoenix.

“I could have done every dunk you did in that contest,” Dylan told his father, referring to Ron’s appearances in the 1987 and 1989 dunk contests. “[But] “I’m not doing a no-dunk contest.”

“Don’t you think you’re good enough?” McGrady asked, provoking a reaction.

“No, I guess I don’t know that many tricks,” the Spurs guard replied. “[But] We can see like a year. We can see next year.

Can Spurs guard Dylan Harper at least outperform his father?

In 1987, Ron Harper, still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, self-lobed and tapped to the front rim for a reverse dunk before a reverse dunk for his second of two of the night. He finished fifth in the competition.

Two years later, he executed a one-handed, 360 Statue of Liberty jam (which he made on the second attempt) followed by a self-lob, a high toss off the ground, which he punctuated with a thrusting one-handed tomahawk.

The Spurs guard doesn’t have a high enough bar to clear given the dunks his father did.

Over the weekend, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was in attendance for the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Jokic played very little for Team World at the festival as he is recovering from a recent knee injury, but he still seemed to enjoy most of the time during the weekend.

Jokic has long been known to be friends with fellow international NBA star Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, and at one point, the Serbian big man cracked a joke at Doncic’s expense.

“Do you know why Luca [Doncic] Everything follows? Because he bets on everything. Gambling, gambling,” Jokic said on Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam’s Instagram page.

Doncic can only be seen shaking his head On digging.

“Do you know why Luca [Doncic] Everything follows? Because he bets on everything. Gamble, gamble.”

– Nikola Jokic ???

(via @pskills43/ig)pic.twitter.com/lQWRQkqLbr

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 February 2026

The NBA may be a bit sensitive to gambling-related jokes at the moment due to the recent arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for alleged gambling activities.

However, that hasn’t stopped the league from going full force on its partnerships with various sportsbooks, with All-Star Saturday Night featuring live betting odds on NBC’s broadcast for various events.

Meanwhile, Jokic and the Nuggets are hoping to make a strong stretch run in the season after enduring a bit of a tough stretch leading up to the All-Star break. Injury problems have not been good for Denver this year, as both Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon are currently out with hamstring injuries.

The team recently brought back Jokic and Cameron Johnson from their injuries, and Jamal Murray has also been in and out of the lineup at times due to various ailments.

In any case, the Nuggets’ regular season resumes on Friday evening on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jalen Brunson remains a central figure to the New York Knicks’ success, both on and off the court. During the recent All-Star Saturday festivities, Brunson led the Knicks trio of Karl-Anthony Towns and Allen Houston to victory in the return of the Shooting Stars competition. Despite the win, the All-Star guard joked that he was not having any fun due to the presence of the team’s “celebrity” passer, his father and assistant coach, Rick Brunson.

The younger Brunson jokingly roasted his father during the trophy presentation, noting that the elder Brunson did his job, but being around him was never a good time.

The momentum comes as the Knicks enter the break with a 35-20 record and the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

These types of interactions often highlight the team’s chemistry, although some teammates test Brunson’s patience more than others.

In a video posted by ClutchPoints via NBA, the Knicks leader revealed his choice for a specific superlative.

“I’m not going to tell his name, but the number 3 [Josh Hart] On the Knicks…he’s the most annoying guy ever,” Brunson joked.

“I’m not going to tell his name, but the number 3 [Josh Hart] On the Knicks…he’s the most annoying guy ever.”

-Jalen Brunson ???

(via @nba)
pic.twitter.com/4re547kgzb

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 February 2026

The bond between the former Villanova teammates is well-documented, and this latest comment adds another chapter to their ongoing public banter.

While Hart may be a nuisance in the locker room, his presence has been vital for a Knicks team that has won 8 of their last 10 games.

The surge came after an important players-only meeting called by Brunson following a disappointing loss to the Mavericks.

The star guard has embraced his role as the team’s undisputed leader, emphasizing that his motivation comes from proving to himself that he belongs at the highest level.

Brunson said he is not afraid to fail as he pushes the Knicks toward championship aspirations.

He challenged his teammates to show enough care to put in the effort required, a demand that has clearly resonated as the team prepares for the final stretch of the regular season.