標籤: Marcus

A fan who racially abused of manchester united Marcus Rashford has been sentenced to nine months in prison at Barcelona.

sports world report A fan who shouted ‘racist insults’ at Rashford has been sentenced by the Provincial Court of Oviedo.

Marcus Rashford’s misbehavior leads to punishment

The newspaper reports that the court handed down its sentence on Wednesday against a man accused of racist insults at the Manchester United forward.

The matter came to light following a complaint filed by La Liga. The defendant has been convicted of the crime of ‘outraging the dignity of persons’ for racist reasons. He was sentenced to the following punishment:

• nine months in jail
• Fined for six months at a daily rate of €5.
• Special disqualification from any profession or occupation relating to education, sports and leisure activities for a period of three years and nine months.
• Ban on entry into football stadiums at any level for a period of three years.

La Liga gets tough on racism

Mundo Deportivo reports that this is the eleventh decision La Liga has received in the fight against racism.

The Spanish league is keen to continue reaffirming its ‘commitment and leadership’ against racism. They have been emphasizing awareness-raising, detection, and legal action since 2020.

The newspaper says they have become a ‘leading organisation’ against racism and hatred both inside and outside the stadium. This is despite the lack of authority to sanction clubs, fans, coaches or players for such conduct.

The conviction over the abuse of the Manchester United forward is being seen as another achievement in his fight against racism.

The 28-year-old joined Barcelona in the summer and has scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists in 45 games in all competitions for the Catalan giants this season. The deal includes an option to buy in the summer transfer window, which Marcus Rashford would prefer.

Barcelona will have to open fresh talks to keep Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford after this season.

The England international had no future at Old Trafford since the start of 2025. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

Last summer, Manchester United allowed the forward to join Barcelona on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.

The purchase clause is €30m and Barça’s sporting director Deco is already confirmed in February about the option of making his stay permanent.

At that time he said: “No, it’s a loan, and we have the option to buy.”

However, the La Liga side’s official did not mention the deadline or deadline for activating the clause.

Latest twist in Manchester United’s future

to be a chain‘QT’Hi Juges has shared the latest information on Barcelona’s stance and purchase clause on Marcus Rashford.

The Catalan club had until 31 March to inform Manchester United that they wished to exercise the €30m buyout clause. However, the deadline has passed, and he did not inform the Red Devils of his desire to buy him until yesterday.

The refreshing twist opens up a new vista. Hansi Flick’s team will now have to open fresh talks with the English club if they want to extend the 27-year-old’s stay.

The Premier League side could set a new price, while the Spanish giants do not intend to attend the auction.

The latter plans to extend his loan for another season while Michael Carrick’s side are not in favour. Therefore, Rashford’s stay at Barcelona beyond this season seems ‘very complicated’.

He has not scored a goal or assisted since January and his performances towards the end of the season could be crucial to his future.

Q.T’Hi Jugs concluded his report by saying: ‘Today, the feeling that is emerging is that the options for Rashford’s continuation are closer to no than yes. There are more doubts than certainties and with one determining factor: the economy. In that sense, in optimistic terms, Rashford would not be a priority right now.’

Rashford could return to Manchester United

At the moment, this claim has not been supported by any other Spanish publication. If Marcus Rashford returns to Old Trafford, the Red Devils will have to make a decision on his future.

There should be more clarity on his long-term stay at Barcelona in the coming weeks. If not, he may have to find another club if Manchester United do not include him in their plans.

On Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will take the field to conclude their East Coast trip with a game against the Indiana Pacers. Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura’s injury reports for this contest list Hachimura as questionable and Smart as questionable. Here’s everything we know about Smart and Hachimura’s injuries and their game status on Wednesday against the Pacers.

Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura playing against Pacers

For the game against the Pacers, Marcus Smart is listed as questionable due to a right ankle injury. Hachimura has been named questionable with right calf soreness. Both Smart and Hachimura missed the Lakers’ last game, a loss against the Detroit Pistons that snapped the team’s nine-game winning streak. The Lakers also include Edou Thirou on the injury report, who is questionable due to knee soreness.

Meanwhile, the Pacers have several players listed on the injury report, with Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith all listed as probable with various ailments. Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac will be out of the lineup with a rib fracture.

In theory, a game against the league’s worst Pacers should give Los Angeles a good chance at a comeback, although if all of Indiana’s prospects end up playing, it’s the same core that made it to the NBA Finals last year, except, of course, the injured Tyrese Haliburton.

The Pacers recently suffered an upset on the road against the Orlando Magic, so this is definitely not a game the Lakers will want to take lightly.

Los Angeles currently sits comfortably in third place in the Western Conference and will look to end their current road trip on a high note before returning to the Crypto.com Arena this weekend.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a big test coming up against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Monday, and they’ll have Luka Doncic in the lineup after his 16th technical was voided by the NBA. But the Lakers may have shortcomings elsewhere as injury reports surfaced on Sunday from key players like Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.

Both Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura were listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report ahead of their upcoming game against the Pistons. Smart is dealing with right ankle soreness while Hachimura has right calf soreness. In addition to Hachimura and Smart, veteran big man Maxi Kleber is also questionable against the Pistons.

Smart missed the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls on March 12 due to a hip problem, and he has been dealing with minor ailments throughout the season. But Smart has been one of the team’s most important players this season, along with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Smart has appeared in 60 games, including 53 starts, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the 3-point line and 81.6 percent from the free-throw line. Smart’s impact goes far beyond his shooting percentage, and he has been one of the league leaders in deflections.

Coincidentally, Hachimura was taken out of the starting lineup by Smart. He has been in a reserve role since returning from a calf injury in December.

He has appeared in 59 games, including 35 starts, at a pace of just over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 11.1 points and 3.2 rebounds with splits of 50.5 percent shooting from the field, 43.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 75.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Lakers have won nine consecutive games against the top team in the Eastern Conference. They are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings, and a full three games ahead of the No. 4 Houston Rockets.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has been on loan at Barcelona since last summer.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has now explained the reason for the forward’s recent struggles.

The England international left Manchester United for the first time to join Aston Villa on loan in January 2025.

Unai Emery was keen to extend his stay as he had no future at Old Trafford. However, Rashford pressed for a move to Barcelona in July 2025.

He scored 10 goals and made 13 assists in 38 appearances in all competitions for Flick, operating primarily on the left wing and occasionally as a number 9. Below are his statistics per game in La Liga.

• expected goal [season]:5.84
• expected assistance [season]: 3.74
• Main pass: 1.6
• Shots on target: 1.0
• Successful dribble: 0.9

The La Liga winners have a €30m clause to buy Rashford and their sporting director, Deco already confirmed purchase option.

Manchester United claim Amid Rashford’s struggles

Since January, the Manchester United-owned player has made six appearances and failed to assist or score. Earlier this week, Sport Witness broadcast news Barca’s decision to retain him will depend on his performance until the end of the season.

The latest claims from the UK state that Manchester United will not offer a discount on the €30m asking price. If Barca decide not to offer the same amount, Rashford would have to return to the Premier League team.

Saturday edition of sports world trusts him and insists that the Catalan club intend to buy him, as long as the fee and salary fit into their financial fair play limits.

The Red Devils player needs to start performing well and will have a new chance against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Before the match, Flick was attending the pre-match press conference uncheck Has released his comments.

He played 79 minutes in the last four La Liga matches and Flick was asked why Rashford did not play more minutes.

“Marcus had some problems in the last few days and we took care of him. Now he is 100% recovered.” He said.

Barça have 12 matches until the end of the season and that will increase if they cross Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Flick wants Rashford and all the other players to stay ahead of the busy schedule after the international break.

“We need all the players until the end, and we don’t know what will happen after that. There is still time. There is the World Cup. I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford, Gerrard… they give us quality. And so do the others. We will talk at the end and see what happens.” Flick explained.

Manchester United is waiting for Barcelona’s decision

Rashford’s contract with the English club expires in 2028, and transfer market He is worth €40 million.

Manchester United will be anxiously waiting to see whether Barca will offer €30m to buy him. If not, he will return to Old Trafford, and the Red Devils will have to decide his future in the summer.

🇧🇷Casemiro | It won’t end until it’s over…

⚠️ From Brazil: Second thoughts on Manchester United
➡️ Possibility of surprise renewal talks
📈 Recent form has helped
❌ Brazil refuses to return
📉 Have to accept less salaryhttps://t.co/nT440VyTF8 #free

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 21 March 2026

洛杉矶——休赛期期间，洛杉矶湖人队签下马库斯·斯玛特可能不是自由球员市场上最大的举动，但随着常规赛最后阶段的临近，这绝对是最具影响力的举动之一。只要问问湖人队队友杰克·拉拉维亚就知道了。拉拉维亚第一次与斯玛特一起回归孟菲斯灰熊队，作为新秀，他可以立即看出斯玛特对球队的价值。

在拥有卢卡·东契奇、勒布朗·詹姆斯和奥斯汀·里维斯的球队中，马库斯·斯马特有理由成为湖人队第四好的球员。根据杰克·拉拉维亚的说法，斯玛特打篮球的方式往往会渗透到球队的其他成员身上。

“我已经谈了很多斯玛特对我和我的防守之旅的影响。当我在孟菲斯时，他是一个非常直言不讳的领导者，帮助我跳入防守角色，”拉拉维亚在最近的湖人训练中说道。 “当我第一次进入联盟时，这并不是我真正擅长的。他帮助了我很多，让我在防守上变得更好，并且非常直言不讳。

“很明显，他把这一点带到了这里，以及他所在的每支球队。他的声音、他带来的能量，然后这是一种连锁反应。这会影响到所有其他球员。当他这样做时，我们都想努力打球。”

斯玛特在湖人队最近的几场重大胜利中发挥了重要作用。 3月8日，在战胜纽约尼克斯队的比赛中，斯马特的投篮命中率仅为10投1中。但赛后，由于他整场比赛的防守破坏和强度，他被主教练 JJ Redick 点名批评。尽管只投中一球，他最终还是打出了+27的成绩。

紧接着，在对阵明尼苏达森林狼队的比赛中，斯马特在防守安东尼·爱德华兹的回合中，让安东尼·爱德华兹的投篮命中率为5投0中。爱德华兹全场15投2中。那场比赛斯玛特的三分球只有 4 投 1 中，但你很难找到任何人相信他对比赛没有产生影响。

斯玛特产生重大影响的一个领域是进攻犯规。据《Basketball Reference》报道，他目前以 36 次进攻犯规领先湖人队。正如拉拉维亚所说，这产生了连锁反应，奥斯汀·里夫斯（34 岁）和卢卡·东契奇（18 岁）等球员也加入了这一行列。

斯玛特带来了湖人队上赛季所缺乏的东西；这是真正的进攻点防守者，可以在不得分的情况下影响比赛。虽然没有人认为湖人队会得到这位赢得 2021-22 年度最佳防守球员奖的球员，但他也产生了类似的影响。随着NBA季后赛的临近，看看斯玛特扮演的角色有多大将会很有趣。

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers’ signing of Marcus Smart may not have been the biggest move in free agency during the offseason, but with the final stretch of the regular season approaching, it has certainly been one of the most impressive. Just ask Lakers teammate Jake Laravia. Laravia first played with Smart at running back with the Memphis Grizzlies, and as a rookie, he could immediately tell Smart’s value to a team.

On a team with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, it can be claimed that Marcus Smart has been the Lakers’ fourth-best player. According to Jake Laravia, the way Smart goes about playing basketball rubs off on the rest of the team.

“I’ve talked a lot about Smart’s impact on me and my journey with defense. He was a very vocal leader when I was at Memphis, so that helped me jump into that defensive role,” Laravia said during a recent Lakers practice. “When I first came into the league, I wasn’t really good at it. He helped me a lot in getting better at defense and being very vocal with it.

“And then obviously, he brings it here, and whatever team he’s on. How vocal he is, how much energy he brings and then it’s kind of an impact. It rubs off on all the other players. When he does that we all want to play harder.”

Smart has made an impact in some big recent wins for the Lakers. In a win against the New York Knicks on March 8, Smart shot only 1 of 10 from the field. But after the game, head coach JJ Redick benched him due to defensive interference and intensity throughout the game. He was plus-27 despite making only one shot.

Shortly thereafter, in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Smart held Anthony Edwards to 0-of-5 shooting from the field where he had guarded Edwards. Edwards made 2 of 15 shots overall. Smart was only 1 of 4 from 3-point range in that game, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes he had no impact on the game.

One area where Smart has had a big impact is drawing offensive fouls. According to Basketball Reference, he currently leads the Lakers in offensive fouls with 36. As Laravia says, this has had a widespread impact, with players like Austin Reeves (34) and Luka Doncic (18) also getting in on the action.

Smart brings something that the Lakers lacked last season; This is a true point of attack defender who can impact the game without scoring a single point. While no one thought the Lakers were getting the player who won the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year award, he has had the same impact. With the NBA playoffs approaching, it will be interesting to see how important a role Smart plays.

When the Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent Marcus Smart over the summer, they were determined to prove he could still compete for a championship contender. And while his team hasn’t been consistent enough this season to earn that label, Smart and the Lakers have the third-best record in the Western Conference standings. Marcus knows he is fortunate to still have an NBA career.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, after helping the Lakers earn a 127-125 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets, Smart reflected on his 2022 injury that resulted in him nearly losing his right arm.

“I was taken to the ER and lost a lot of blood,” Smart told ESPN. “I passed out. …That’s how I lost a lot.”

Smart, who missed the game-winning shot against the Lakers during his time with the Boston Celtics in 2018, regained consciousness after receiving 20 stitches.

“The doctor looked me in the eyes and told me, ‘I don’t know how you still use your right hand,'” Smart said. “‘You should thank God sincerely every day.'” The piece of glass that had cut into his hand was just millimeters away from ceasing its use completely.

“They said it fit perfectly between every tendon in my hand without causing any damage,” Smart said. “And they had to leave the extra piece in, because they said it would cause more damage if we took it out.”

That piece of glass is still in Smart’s right hand.

“For six years after the incident with the glass, I still had the glass in my hand and I used to play with it. And there were times when my hand would go numb because of it. Many times, in many games, I couldn’t control it. I had to play and there were times when I was shooting the ball and just, I had no feeling in the arm, in the hand.”

Still, the 32-year-old Smart can impact wins at a high level, which he proved by finishing with 21 points and five steals against the Nuggets.

Marcus Smart criticizes Lakers haters

Lakers veteran Marcus Smart hasn’t let the haters stop him. Reflecting on the most horrific injury of his career, Smart had time to reflect on those who do not consider the Lakers a legitimate threat to win a title.

“Basically, we’re tired of listening to people,” Smart said. “I know I am. And if you’re competitive, if you have any kind of competitor in you, you’re going to get tired of that too. So you want to try to prove them wrong.”

The Lakers beat the Rockets 100-92 on Monday, extending their winning streak to six.

Recently, Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart raised eyebrows when he claimed he was pressured to return to the lineup prematurely while he was injured during his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart was a member of the Grizzlies for two seasons before joining the Washington Wizards and then the Lakers.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Smart said, “I wanted to be 100%, give it everything I got.” “As I’m still working out and getting ready, they’re just like, ‘No, your doctor said you’re ready now.’ And I’m like, ‘I hear what my doctor said, but… this is how I feel.’ Yes, the finger is fine after surgery. But physically, no.”

Now, McMenamin reports that “when contacted by ESPN about Smart’s claims, the Grizzlies had no comment.”

If those claims prove true, it certainly wouldn’t look good for the Grizzlies and their medical staff, although Smart acknowledged that the finger was fine from a surgical standpoint.

The Grizzlies are in full-on tank mode at the moment, having recently removed their starters from a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss, and many believe the team will once again explore trade scenarios for point guard Ja Morant this summer after they sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline.

Meanwhile, Smart has fit in well with the Lakers, who are currently on a six-game winning streak, having defeated the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

It remains to be seen if the Grizzlies will ever break their silence on Smart’s claims, but for now, this doesn’t bode too well for the franchise.

The Los Angeles Lakers not only beat the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night; He defeated them. While Luka Doncic made headlines with his game-winning block, the Lakers had that edge thanks to the high-IQ game of Austin Reaves and some veteran guidance from Marcus Smart.

With the game hanging in the balance, Reeves found himself at the charity stripe. Instead of the usual routine, Smart pulled the young guard aside with some very specific instructions.

“I told him to miss it,” Smart explained after the 127-125 overtime win. “I said listen, don’t go out there, don’t do your routine. As soon as you get the ball, one dribble if anything, but shoot it quickly. Nobody’s expecting it, they’re not going to have time to time it.”

“He read one side well.”

Marcus Smart on Austin Reeves’ heads-up play at the free throw line

(via @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/uKBo2vbZXS

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 15 March 2026

Reeves executed the plan to perfection. He deliberately suppressed free throws, caught the Nuggets off guard, and “read the single side” forcing the Los Angeles Lakers to tie the game and force overtime. It was the kind of savvy play that doesn’t always show up in the box score but wins games against elite competition like Denver.

The game capped a great night for Reeves, who led all scorers with 32 points on an efficient shooting performance of 12-of-21. His backcourt partner, Smart, was equally important, providing 21 points and five steals while serving as a defensive orchestrator. Their combined efforts supported Doncic’s 30-point triple-double and helped neutralize Nikola Jokic’s 24-point, 16-rebound masterclass.

For head coach JJ Redick, it’s a dream to see his veteran leader and rising star collaborate on such a nuanced game. The Lakers are proving they have more than just star power; He has the situational awareness needed to grind out tough matches against the best players in the West.

When the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report came out for their game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, veteran guard Marcus Smart had a surprising addition. Smart played just 31 minutes, providing his usual energy and intensity in the team’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Marcus Smart was originally listed as questionable for the Lakers’ game against the Bulls, then ruled out just hours before tip-off. Before the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that Smart had been dealing with a hip injury for the past few games, and the team wanted him to get some rest before another abbreviated stretch of the schedule, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The LA Times.

Redick also mentioned that the team is hoping Smart can make his return to the lineup for the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. This is the team’s last home game before embarking on a six-game road trip.

Smart has been one of the Lakers’ most impactful players this season after signing a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards over the summer. While Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the team’s top players, it can be argued that Smart is the Lakers’ fourth-best player in terms of overall impact.

Although he began the season on the bench, Smart moved into the starting lineup when Reeves was sidelined with injury. Upon his return, Smart remained among the starting players with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench.

Smart has appeared in 55 games this season, including 48 starts, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the 3-point line and 80.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Although Smart’s shooting efficiency hasn’t been great, his statistics don’t tell the whole story. During the Lakers’ win against the New York Knicks last Sunday, Smart shot just 1 of 10 from the field, but the Lakers were clearly excited by his defensive intensity and overall toughness.

After the win against the Knicks again, Redick explained how Smart’s impact was not measured in shots made or missed.

“Smart was 1-of-10 and plus-27. He had a really, really impressive game,” Redick said. “I think by the end of the third quarter, we had a comfortable lead, but when we turned the ball over at the end of the quarter, it saved two points. [Jordan] “Clarkson has to pass it.”

The Lakers will certainly hope Smart is back in the lineup when they face off against the Nuggets on Saturday, a big game with potential playoff seeding on the line.

The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business against the New York Knicks on Sunday despite missing LeBron James due to left elbow and left foot injuries.

The Lakers won a hard-fought 110–97 victory and improved to 39–25. The Knicks were held under 100 points for only the second time in 13 games, underscoring the Lakers’ commitment to defense.

Marcus Smart expressed the Purple and Gold’s determination against New York. Although he shot poorly with 1 of 10 field goals, including 0 of 5 from three-point range, he was weak on defense.

Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Bresnahan stressed that Smart’s value may not be easily seen, but he can set the tone even without scoring. he registered a game-high plus-27 Despite only making one basket vs. the Knicks.

“Marcus Smart, 1 of 10, I don’t even care about that. (Especially) when you’re plus-27 despite a terrible shooting night,” Bresnahan said.

“There was a lot of aggressiveness on his part, and that’s why the Lakers went out and got him. They needed that toughness on the perimeter.”

Marcus Smart sets the tone defensively in win over Knicks, finishing at +27 🔒@Mike_Bresnahan ‘Access Sportsnet: Breaks Down His Impact on the Lakers’. pic.twitter.com/O8eoeYXjJx

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 10 March 2026

The 32-year-old Smart, who also had three rebounds, four assists and two steals, faced criticism for attempting back-to-back three-pointers instead of passing the ball to James or Luka Doncic during a key stretch in Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.

However, Smart never lacks confidence, even in pressure-filled moments. Bresnahan said the former Defensive Player of the Year has regained his feeling with the Lakers.

“He’s healthy, and I’ll keep saying that because I think he’s been good for years. We didn’t get to see that the last two years. He was working hard in Memphis (Grizzlies), and then he got traded to the (Washington) Wizards,” Bresnahan said.

“It’s good to see him healthy and playing like the old Marcus Smart on defense.”

The Lakers signed Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason. He had a slow start, but has since carved out a regular starting role due to his overall impact.

It was a tough night for the Los Angeles Lakers as they lost to the Denver Nuggets 120-113 with DeAndre Ayton out with a knee injury. Before the injury, Ayton had received criticism from fans for his effort on the court. Marcus Smart discusses the criticism and talks about Ayton’s play.

“I know he’s been getting a lot of feedback lately for his effort and his play. He understands it. I know it might not seem like it, but he does and he wants to do well and he wants to help this team” – Marcus Smart on DeAndre Ayton pic.twitter.com/Sw8UGm30rz

-Dave McMenamin (@mcten) 6 March 2026

Smart was referring to both the injury and earlier criticism. The Lakers struggled to keep up with the Nuggets, and Ayton was unable to stay on the court, playing only four minutes. The good news right now is that Ayton’s injury isn’t serious, but that hasn’t diminished the comments about his overall effort.

Ayton faced some controversy recently due to comments he made about not wanting to be Clint Capela. He made these comments specifically referring to his role with the Lakers. Even Capela clapped back for Ayton’s comment, which set off a league-wide frenzy of players and fans at the Lakers Center.

Ayton is currently averaging 12.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 66.7% from the floor. These numbers are lower than his previous statistics with other teams, as he has surpassed LeBron James, Austin Reeves, and Luka Doncic. Many in the league are encouraging Ayton to accept this role and help the Lakers in any way he can.

Only time will tell if Ayton can accept this role and adapt to his situation with the Lakers. With the Lakers currently sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference, they will need everyone to do their part to have a chance to climb out of the scary Western Conference.

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

主教练马库斯·弗里曼的新评论使得从圣母大学退出到 NFL 球队似乎不再是“是否”的问题，而是“何时”的问题。

去年年底，橄榄球界的一件大事就是弗里曼与美国国家橄榄球联盟(NFL)的暧昧关系。在南本德的五个赛季中，这位 40 岁的教练已成为全国最好的教练之一，并在他的简历中写下了冠军赛之旅。可以理解的是，他在第一个主教练职位上取得的令人印象深刻的成功引起了 NFL 高管的注意。

当联盟各支球队在 12 月份寻找主教练空缺的潜在候选人时，弗里曼与多个职位联系在一起，其中包括纽约巨人队。离开圣母大学从事职业工作似乎是一种真正的可能性。然而，本月末，弗里曼宣称他不会去任何地方，并且实际上从大学获得了一份新协议。

尽管如此，仍然有传言称，作为一名 NFL 教练迟早会带来太多的吸引力，他会让爱尔兰战斗队陷入困境。在本周的一次新采访中，弗里曼并没有缓解圣母院球迷对即将退出的担忧。

马库斯·弗里曼战绩：43胜12负

周四，弗里曼告诉 NFL Network 的迈克·加拉弗洛 (Mike Garafolo)，对于加入 NFL 的想法“永远不要说永远”，而且他确实经常对这个想法进行“白日梦”。此外，他承认，当他在 12 月与球队进行介绍性对话时，他用它来了解球队和高管对未来主教练的期望。

“如果有合适的时间和机会，我们将看看未来会怎样，”弗里曼说。不过，他确实表示，他觉得自己拥有“美国最好的工作”，并且对自己的角色感到满足。

对于圣母大学的球迷来说不幸的是，许多伟大的教练在领导全国各地的各种顶级项目时也说过同样的话，然后全部离开了。爱尔兰球迷需要在拥有弗里曼的同时享受和欣赏他，因为他即将转会到 NFL；这只是需要多长时间。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

LOS ANGELES – Former Boston Celtics legend and current Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has a unique perspective. He is one of 42 players to wear the green and white And Purple and gold in his NBA career. He is one of the few players to play for and against Celtics head coach Joe Majulla.

That potential inside information didn’t help the Lakers when they hosted the Celtics on Sunday afternoon, as Boston left L.A. with an emphatic 111-89 win over its hated rival. However, this helped Smart come to a conclusion that others eventually began to understand as well: Mazzulla is one of the top minds in the association.

“Joe’s a great coach,” Smart said in the locker room before the second meeting of the season between the Celtics and Lakers. “And he’s been on the team, he’s watched these teams in the past, and he’s had a chance to take notes from there and make his adjustments. So, Joe is doing a really good job.”

Before Mazzulla was a head coach winning a ring and multiple 60-plus seasons, he was an assistant coach with the Celtics. And while he was largely unknown in the basketball world before Green became the team’s head coach in 2022, Smart isn’t surprised by what he’s been able to accomplish in Boston, especially this season when the Celtics were expected to struggle without star forward Jayson Tatum.

“I mean, for me personally, I’m not surprised,” Smart said. “They’ve got a lot of great players there. These guys have been playing together for a while… I definitely think they’re doing what I expected them to do, but it’s fun to watch.”

Smart’s comments came shortly after the Celtics continued their winning ways, completing a season sweep of the Lakers for the first time since the 2022–23 campaign (Smart’s final season with the C’s) and holding their historical foes to their worst offensive output of 2026.

After the 22-point win, the Celtics are 37–19 overall, an impressive 19–10 on the road, and in second place in the Eastern Conference. What they’ve been able to do with Tatum’s rehabilitation from a torn Achilles and several starters missing last season is quite impressive.

What JJ Redick had to say about Joe Mazzulla’s ‘phenomenal’ season

Even Lakers head coach JJ Redick said as much, pointing to Mazzulla’s role in the success.

“I think that’s what — there’s a handful of coaches that I think are doing tier-one jobs this year,” Redick said during his pregame press conference. “And whoever is in that group of coaches is really doing a phenomenal job.”

JJ Redick on the job that Joe Mazzulla has done with the Celtics this season:

“I think what is — I think there are some coaches who are doing a tier-one job this year. And Joe is in that group of coaches, he’s really doing a phenomenal job.” pic.twitter.com/1c66auE6A1

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 22 February 2026

While Smart and Redick, whom Mazzulla tried to hire in Boston several times, both share a relationship with the Celtics captain, their admiration is genuine and not tainted by a personal relationship. They’re just two basketball experts who have an understanding of why Mazzulla is a candidate for true Coach of the Year.

But, in Mazzulla’s mind, the Celtics haven’t accomplished much.

When asked how to summarize the Celtics’ 2025–26 season, he said after the game, “The story isn’t done yet.” “We’re just a result of what we do yesterday and what we do the next day…We haven’t done anything. All we’ve done is stick to the process of winning on both ends of the floor.”

Joe Mazzulla asked if he was angry, tired or pleased by the praise the Celtics received for their extreme accomplishments:

“Season’s 82 not 55… You can’t get stuck in what you’ve done in the past, whether it was good or bad.” pic.twitter.com/9lOWZNxzhg

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 22 February 2026

The next chapter in the Celtics’ unfinished story will feature Tuesday night’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns, who in some ways are Boston’s Western Conference counterpart, given their surprising 33-25 record.

As always, Mazzulla will use this matchup as an opportunity to improve regardless of the outcome.

“Don’t overreact to a good win or a bad loss and be better in the next game,” Mazzulla reiterated.

LOS ANGELES – During the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-122 win against the LA Clippers on Friday, Marcus Smart didn’t attempt a shot until the fourth quarter. When he finally got a chance to shoot the ball, he hit some clutch shots to stop the Clippers, going 3-4 in the final period. And for Smart, getting players into their roles is vital to the Lakers’ success.

After Lakers practice on Monday, Marcus Smart acknowledged that it’s not always easy to get players to buy into roles, especially when shot attempts and playing time are involved.

“Just understanding the game. Understanding what the game requires and how the game flows. Sometimes you might get a shot, maybe not. You might get more shots than last night, Smart said. “And in minutes, you might get more minutes than last night, you might not. It just depends on the game.”

“And it sucks sometimes because we’re competitive,” Smart added. “We want to win and we want to always be there to help our team. But you have to take advantage of whatever the game requires and understand what the game is giving you.”

Without Smart’s contributions, the Lakers cannot win that game against the Clippers. And before the team’s game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick talked about the sacrifices Smart has made as the fifth starter who won’t necessarily get as many shots playing with other starters.

“I think it’s important to embrace how smart it is,” Redick said. “I think it’s all on the line for all of our guys, in some ways, we’re going back to free agency stuff and having a lot of guys with uncertain futures, I think that’s something we’re going to have to deal with all season. But it’s on the line, we just have to play the game. The game will dictate how many shots you get.”

Smart was one of the Lakers’ major free agent acquisitions in the offseason. He signed a two-year contract that includes a player option for the next season. He has appeared in 46 games, including 39 starts, at a pace of just over 28 minutes per game.

He averaged 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals on 39.8 percent shooting from the field, 32.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Now that the Lakers have a solid full rotation, Redick appears to have settled on Smart as the eventual starter alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton.

For Lakers guard Marcus Smart, the best is yet to come for his team, as he offered an optimistic outlook in practice on Monday. While coach JJ Redick took responsibility for the Lakers’ offensive shortcomings, Smart identified the bigger picture for Los Angeles.

Smart believes in the Lakers have enough talent According to Khobi Price of the California Post, he said, he is looking to reach his full potential, and he is confident he will find his stride between now and the end of the regular season.

“We’re good. The talent is there, we have the pieces. It’s just netting them. We’re not healthy, which is a big part when you’re trying to get the pieces to the net. You have to stay healthy. Different lineups in the game, but I think it’s going to help us in the long run because we’ve got to see different lineups — guys in different spots and different roles that they’re not used to. We definitely have some work to do.

“Everyone knows that. But we’re hanging in there. The goal is to have everyone in this league coming in at the right time, and getting ready to play the best basketball you can play.”

Marcus Smart explained how good the Lakers are and how close the group is to its best version: “We’re good. The talent is there, we have the pieces. It’s just netting them. We haven’t been healthy, which is a big part when you’re trying to net the pieces.” pic.twitter.com/2xlR7CE262

– Khobi Price (@khobi_price) 23 February 2026

Marcus Smart and the Lakers scored a season-low 89 points in their blowout loss to the Boston Celtics (111-89) on Sunday.

JJ Redick takes responsibility for Lakers’ offensive shortcomings

Blamed head coach JJ Redick for the Lakers’ inability to find their offensive rhythm in a 22-point loss to the Celtics. After Lakers forward Rui Hachimura discussed his failed offense, Redick took responsibility.

As for the Lakers head coach, he has to prepare his team to be ready to take on an elite defense like the Celtics, as Redick said, he failed to do soAs noted by Khobi Price of the California Post.

“When teams play deep drops, we have our counters, and we just got there [execute],” Reddick said. “I took ownership of it. We have our counters for deep decline. We have to do a better job…we noticed that today. Our lowest potential assist games are against deep downs, so I have to do a better job.

JJ Redick’s response when asked about the Lakers’ ball movement, and whether the lack of it makes them more predictable on defense:

“When teams play deep drops, we have our counters and we just get [execute]…I took ownership of it. We have our counters for depth… pic.twitter.com/wwfRZ1OAXl

– Khobi Price (@khobi_price) 23 February 2026

The Lakers will host the Magic on Tuesday.

印第安納波利斯小馬隊即將進入 2026 年休賽期，他們的明確目標是留住四分衛丹尼爾·瓊斯，儘管他因跟腱嚴重受傷而縮短了 2025 年 MVP 賽季的表現。湯姆·佩利塞羅表示，該組織打算啟動關於多年續約的討論，儘管特許經營標籤仍然是確保他留在印第安納波利斯的可行的次要選擇。

瓊斯在健康狀況惡化之前帶領球隊取得了8勝2負的開局，據報導他渴望留在球隊。

小馬隊目前的薪金空間約為 3560 萬美元，並且預計 2027 年的薪金空間將顯著增加，因此小馬隊擁有足夠的財務靈活性來長期簽下瓊斯，儘管他們因索斯·加德納 (Sauce Gardner) 的高調交易而面臨首輪選秀權的缺乏。

然而，跟腱撕裂的恢復時間表對即將到來的賽季開始構成了重大障礙。

據 ESPN 報導，假設小馬隊簽下丹尼爾·瓊斯，他們仍可能在市場上尋找一位老將來代替萊利·倫納德，而瓊斯逐漸恢復健康。

該報告表明，該團隊非常適合像馬庫斯·馬里奧塔或喬·弗拉科這樣經驗豐富的信號呼叫者，作為可靠的橋樑。

如果沒有與瓊斯達成協議，小馬隊將發現自己擁有聯盟中最大量的四分衛需求，儘管內部人士認為雙方都致力於合作。

為了進一步增強這些舉措的財務狀況，小馬隊正在評估幾名被裁掉的候選人。

雖然球隊以 7 勝 1 負的開局慘敗，錯過了 2025 年季后賽，但總經理克里斯巴拉德現在必須就老將做出艱難的決定，以創造深度。

受到密切關注的主要球員包括外接手邁克爾·皮特曼（Michael Pittman Jr.）和阿什頓·杜林（Ashton Dulin），前者的未來取決於他是否願意簽署長期合同，後者的釋放可能會促進接球隊的必要重組。

此外，儘管 2024 年賽季完成了 173 次搶斷，但由於管理層優先保留喬納森·泰勒和昆頓·尼爾森等基礎明星，線衛扎伊爾·富蘭克林被認為是潛在的工資犧牲品。

對於小馬隊來說，下個賽季會是更好的賽季嗎？