fulham Still trying to retain Marco Silva, but the Portuguese press now presents Benfica’s pursuit as the most advanced ever.

across reports from record, morning mail And to ball The picture has become clear this Friday. Silva has not yet given his final answer to Fulham. However, Benfica see him as their chosen target if Jose Mourinho leaves for Real Madrid.

The record goes further than most on that point. They say that Silva already knows that he is the man wanted at the Estadio da Luz. The newspaper says that, even without direct contact between Benfica and the Fulham manager, the Lisbon club believes the situation is under control.

This is partly because both Mourinho and Silva share the same agency link through Jorge Mendes. The record claims that Benfica are controlling the situation mainly through that route.

Fulham awaits final answer

Marco Silva is still focused on Fulham’s final Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday.

It is only after that match that he is expected to sit down with Fulham officials and explain his decision. Records show that the London club have offered him a further four years.

This fits in with the Portuguese’s recent line that Fulham are making a big effort to convince him to stay, As we have covered before. A Bola said Silva could respond to the renewal motion by Sunday.

Correio da Manha put Silva’s current salary in London at around €7m (£5.9m) per year. Benfica, meanwhile, are prepared to move up to around €5m (£4.2m), with the possibility of a signing bonus.

So the financial gap is clear. Benfica cannot match Fulham directly. Their hope is to sell Silva a different type of project.

benfica senses opening

Marco Silva has already shown some openness to returning to Portugal. Correio da Manhha quoted him as saying: “I won’t close the door on anything.”

The same outlet now claims Silva has already informed Fulham that he wants another challenge. They also insist that no full deal has yet been reached with Benfica, while reports elsewhere suggest that a deal was close.

Bola is more optimistic about the situation at Benfica. He says that after several weeks of contact, talks with Silva are well advanced and just lack the green light for the decisive phase.

That final step would involve a contract of at least two years.

One also says that Silva feels ready for a new challenge. The newspaper adds that he sees his Fulham cycle, which began in 2021, coming to an end.

Another key detail is from A Bola. Silva’s main concern is not just money. He wants guarantees that Fulham are prepared to make a strong investment in signings to increase the team’s competitive level.

According to the newspaper, this did not happen last season and Silva had complained about it.

A Bola described the situation as one where “white smoke” could arrive at any moment, with Silva’s answer to Fulham and Benfica’s own next move now expected to happen very soon.

mourinho domino still has everything

For Benfica, everything is linked to Mourinho. The Record says Rui Costa wants to resolve Mourinho’s future first. Only then will he take more concrete steps towards Silva.

The same newspaper says that both dossiers are directly linked. Mourinho’s exit from Real Madrid should pave the way for the next step.

There is some disagreement in Portugal over the financial mechanisms involved. Records cite around €7m (£5.9m) as the figure required to activate Mourinho’s exit clause, with the deadline set for Tuesday, May 26.

Meanwhile, A Bola kept the clause at €3m (£2.5m), with Benfica required to make a regulatory disclosure in Portugal before formally moving on to a new manager.

That difference should be noted carefully. What matters to Fulham is the bigger picture: Benfica are preparing, but still waiting.

The record also brings another complication. With Enrique Riquelme entering the Real Madrid election race against Florentino Pérez, the announcement of an official move to Madrid cannot come quickly enough.

However, An Bola says Benfica are still hopeful of movement by Sunday.

Silva’s options

Correio da Manhha also mentions Paulo Fonseca as another name admired by Benfica. Still, that path is difficult as he has a contract with Lyon until 2027 and has recently indicated that he wants to stay.

espn brazil It is also mentioned that Brazilian manager and former left-back Filipe Luís was offered to Benfica, but was rejected because he did not have the ‘playing profile’ that Rui Costa was looking for. He was also linked with Fulham recently.

The next few days look decisive for Fulham. They have offered money, protection and a four-year deal. Benfica is dealing with the situation, the pressure, the return home and the chance to rebuild one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.

Silva now has to decide which challenge matters more.

While talking about his past issues with WWE wrestler Ludwig Kaiser, Ric Flair jokingly said that he had no idea where Kaiser came from or whether he was still on the roster.

First, the back story. The 16-time world champion’s problems with the man who works under the alias of El Grande Americano stem from an incident that took place last year between Tiffany Stratton and her daughter Charlotte Flair. In the lead up to their WrestleMania 41 title match, they had an infamous verbal clash on an episode of SmackDown.

During the segment, Stratton referenced Flair’s three failed marriages. Flair responded by saying that his opponent’s then-boyfriend Kaiser was sending him direct messages on social media. A claim that Kaiser shot down with a hilarious Shawn Michaels meme immediately afterward.

During Wednesday’s appearance ariel helwani showRic Flair called in and noted that he was not invited to WrestleMania 41 and 42 this year because he threatened to “beat up” Caesar over a comment he made on social media about his daughter, which the 76-year-old was not clear about.

“I threatened to beat up Tiffany Stratton’s husband last year, and I wasn’t allowed to go. A 24-year-old kid is being threatened by a 76-year-old man, and I can’t go to WrestleMania. Are you kidding me?” Flair said.

Beyond the idea that Flair had any chance in a fight against Kaiser at the age of nearly 80, there were several things he got wrong in his speech. First of all, he claimed that Kaiser is 24 years old. He is actually 35 years old. The WCW icon then said, “That English kid, he’ll be like a gnat in wrestling. He’ll be a fly on the wall in a year.” Flair apparently doesn’t know that Kaiser is German.

Flair then asked, “Where is he now? Is he even on the roster?” The wrestling great must not have looked too far into the WWE product as he had no idea that Cesar had been playing the character for El Grande Americano for almost a year and had become extremely popular for his work in AAA.

This was one of many senior Ric Flair moments when he complained about WWE not “rolling out the red carpet” for him during WrestleMania weekend for his contributions to the industry. He also claimed that Stratton “wasn’t smart enough” to write the line about his daughter’s divorce and that someone at the company had passed the message on to him.

Still, despite the lengthy criticism and numerous targets, the WWE Hall of Famer suggested, “I’m not mad at anybody. I understand it’s politics now. It’s too much politics and not enough wrestling.”

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

newark – There was no dramatic wake-up call. No single game, no blowout loss, no locker-room explosion that flipped the switch for the New Jersey Devils to fire Tom Fitzgerald.

The Devils introduced new general manager Sunny Mehta on Tuesday. The 48-year-old first-time GM has endeared himself to the media and fans and pointed to an optimistic future under a new regime.

However, this was the first time Devils ownership was available to talk over a split with Fitzgerald.

When Devils managing partner David Blitzer sat down to explain why the organization parted ways with longtime general manager and president of hockey operations Fitzgerald on April 6, his words painted a far more humane and perhaps revealing picture than the usual polished NHL response.

“It’s a complicated [answer],” Blitzer said. “There was never a moment when I woke up in the morning and said, ‘This needs to change.’ I think the reality is that I’ve worked with Tom for 11 years. Tom and his team are excellent and my relationship with them was very strong, and we talked all the time.

“It was a really tough season, but last year wasn’t an easy season either. This year was extremely disappointing. And so there was no eureka moment. I was evaluating the organization and talking with my guys, OK? So talking with Josh. [Harris] And sometimes talking to myself out loud… Eventually, we came to the conclusion that it felt like this was the time when separation made sense.

“And as soon as that happened, I sat down with Tom to have a really open discussion. And we both left that discussion agreeing that it would be appropriate to make that decision as time required [to part ways]”

These words echo the statement Blitzer made when the Devils publicly announced they were firing Fitzgerald.

“Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed that now is the time to move in a new direction,” Blitzer said. “Tom changed the direction of our team here, including setting the franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination. He is a respected leader in the Devils organization and in the NHL, and I am grateful for our friendship. I wish Tom and his family all the best. As we prepare to move forward, it is important that I thank our fans. I recognize that we have not performed as well as you expect and “I understand and share your frustration. This is an important offseason for our franchise, and we will explore all avenues that best position the Devils to compete for the Stanley Cup once again.”

The Devils finished the 2025–26 season with a 42–37–3 record and 87 points, good for 7th in the Metropolitan Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference – seven points out of the final wild-card spot when Fitzgerald’s departure was announced with five games remaining. He was officially fired the next day. This marked the second time in three seasons the team missed the playoffs, despite entering the year with expectations of legitimate contention around Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and a young core and many believing the roster was ready to take the next step.

11 year old weight

Fitzgerald joined the Devils organization in 2015 and became GM in 2020, while later assuming the duties of President of Hockey Operations duties. His tenure included real highs — a franchise-record 112-point season in 2022-23 that brought playoff hockey back to Newark and reestablished the Devils as a relevant, exciting team. He helped build around the Hughes brothers and guided post-COVID roster construction.

But the last two seasons told a different story. The 2024–25 campaign was already “not the easiest”, admitting that inconsistencies prevented a deeper post-season campaign. The 2025–26 season exacerbated those issues: defensive lapses, goalscoring questions, and an inability to score consistently at Championship level – as they had previously – forced the team to once again look on the outside.

Blitzer was careful to praise Fitzgerald and his staff as “excellent,” while acknowledging the bottom line: Results matter. In a results-driven league, even strong relationships and competent management have an expiration date when wins don’t materialize.

What makes this departure feel different from many NHL firings is the apparent lack of acrimony. Blitzer described sitting down with Fitzgerald for an “open discussion” after the decision became clear, after which both men agreed on the timing. Fitzgerald reiterated that sentiment in his own statement, noting that it was “clear to everyone that the best course of action is to move forward for the benefit of the team.”

This was no mid-season scandal or public power struggle. It was ownership’s recognition that, after more than a decade of collaboration, fresh eyes and new ideas were needed in a critical off-season.

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

newcastle united Midfielder Bruno Guimarães has revealed he has spent two months out due to his injury analyzing xG and how he can improve his goalscoring tally.

GE Globo has an interview with the Brazilian today. He admits that he believes he is in a blessed period for scoring goals and intends to score more in the future.

newcastle return

Bruno Guimaraes returned to action for Newcastle on Saturday after a two-month absence. The 28-year-old player was out of action since February due to a hamstring injury.

This resulted in him spending 63 days on the treatment table and missing 12 games during that time. It was a blow to Eddie Howe’s team, who missed their captain dearly.

Guimaraes has again been a key player this season. But he has added another dimension to his game, goals. He has scored nine goals and five assists in 24 appearances in the Premier League this season. Morgan Gibbs-White is the only midfielder with more than 12.

This is his best goalscoring total in the Premier League so far, surpassing his previous best of seven in 2023/24. A better tally, according to the Newcastle midfielder, simply comes from taking more shots.

“The freedom I have to step into the box, attack and attack the ball inside the penalty area are things I have always loved to do, since my beginning at Athletico,” he said.

“Finally, I am more mature now, more experienced, and I know how to score runs more effectively. And, without a doubt, I am taking a lot more shots as well.

“I think the more shots you take, the better your chances of scoring goals – although I also think I’m in a “blessed moment” right now, I would say.”

XG numbers analyzed

The recent injury break may have been a blow, but it provided the Newcastle midfielder with ample opportunity to analyze his game.

This saw the Brazilian take a deep dip in his XG numbers. And when he did he discovered something interesting.

“Man, during that time I was sidelined, I actually took a look at my “expected goals” (xG) stats, and my expected goals figure was sitting at four. [per season]“He said.

“I have nine goals; the ball is connecting, and it’s going into the back of the net. So, you just have to keep shooting, no matter what.

“Even if there’s an unmarked teammate available, take the shot, because right now, it’s resulting in goals. The goals are flowing; I feel like I’m in a moment of divine inspiration.”

special goal vs burnley

The standout goal of this season was undoubtedly the striker’s header from a corner kick against Burnley.

That moment seemed to be of divine inspiration. But Bruno Guimaraes says it was actually part of a targeted plan by Newcastle.

“Of course, full credit for the execution of the kick goes to me,” he concluded.

“However, it was something we really worked on during the week; we noticed that Burnley were struggling quite a bit against direct balls into the box. So, I spent practically the whole week practicing hitting the ball towards goal, and it paid off beautifully.

“It was a brilliant strike, the most beautiful goal of my entire career. I’ve actually tried it a few more times since then, twice the ball hit the post, so who knows? Maybe there will be another one coming soon!”

Jose Alvarado faced his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, for the first time on Tuesday night since being traded to the New York Knicks at the deadline nearly two months ago. Alvarado was a beloved member of the locker room and was a bundle of energy whenever he was on the court, and when the two teams met on Tuesday it was clear that he remains great friends with several people in the opposing locker room.

Before the Knicks’ 121-116 win, Alvarado go and meet People he became friends with during his time with Pelican. The Knicks guard hugged the Pelicans’ commentary duo of Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels, exchanged some encouraging words with Dejounte Murray, and flirted with Trey Murphy III, as caught on camera via the Pelicans Film Room on X (formerly Twitter).

Jose Alvarado hugging his former teammates this morning pic.twitter.com/PMd9kTjviy

– Pelican Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) 24 March 2026

The Pelicans may ultimately not want to lose Alvarado, but given his plight during the 2025-26 season, they had to get whatever assets they could for someone who could leave in free agency at the end of the season.

With the Knicks, Alvarado once again gets a chance to compete in the playoffs, although Pelicans fans feel a strange tug in their hearts every time they see him traded to another team.

Jose Alvarado will play big playoff minutes for the Knicks

The Knicks have been interested in bringing in Alvarado for some time, and Miles McBride’s injury has further encouraged them to acquire the beloved Pelicans guard via trade.

Alvarado has his place in the playoff rotation for being a defensive pest, and he doesn’t shy away from the moment. They also have a tendency to be forceful to some extent. The Knicks will need to make open shots in the playoffs to justify giving him minutes.

Not many people know that New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and former NBA star Andre Iguodala have known each other for years.

These days, Brunson is having a great season with the Knicks, while Iguodala is enjoying his retirement after a 19-year career.

Iguodala debuted with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2004 when they selected him as the No. 9 pick. In 2006, the team added Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, to the preseason roster. That’s when the lives of the younger Brunson and Iguodala intertwined.

On the “Roommates Show,” Brunson, 29, recalled a story when he was rebounding for the 76ers during a shootaround, and he accidentally peed on Iguodala.

“I think of it like this: If the ball goes in the hoop and you see where that ball came from, you give it back to the guy who made that shot,” the lefty guard said.

“So I’m pretty sure you made a shot, and I’m thinking, ‘Right back at him.’ You looked away for a second, and swiftly, he got hit in the head, hit you in the head. I went, ‘Oh s***.’ You were hot. You didn’t look back at me. He was hot. I was very scared.”

Iguodala said he did not remember it happening, but he was intrigued by Brunson’s story.

The elder Brunson, an assistant coach with the Knicks, was omitted from the final roster that year. Meanwhile, Iguodala had a breakout campaign averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists.

Twelve years later, in a full-circle moment, Iguodala, then with the Golden State Warriors, played against the young Brunson for the first time when he was a rookie on the Dallas Mavericks.

Deandre Ayton has had a mixed start to life with the Los Angeles Lakers, largely due to his new role with the team. Accustomed to being the focal point on offense, it’s no secret that Ayton has faced his struggles being the defensive lynchpin on an offensively stacked roster.

There was even a feud with Houston Rockets star Clint Capela, with Ayton claiming after a game that the Lakers were trying to make him play like the former Atlanta Hawks man. However, things have changed recently, with the 27-year-old recently telling The Athletic that he has taken a part out of his game.

“That’s a fact. That’s a true fact. But I, I scratched him, I took him out. I said… when it comes to scoring, we don’t need that. We need you to put that energy into offense and defense,” he said.

Lakers fans have been saying this since the beginning. However, it appears Ayton needed a ‘mirror session’ to get it on his game.

“I just started looking in the mirror and saying ‘Yo bro, … you’re not that guy. You don’t need to be on this team at all to do this. This team, you’re here to try and be the guy to shut down possessions, get rebounds, run the floor very hard, do big things, outwork superstars,'” he revealed.

And well, even though it came late, the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft claimed he’s finally “having fun with it,” which also seems like the way to go. The Lakers are one of the most offensively talented teams in recent NBA history, featuring players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as their Big-3, all three of whom have recently returned to form.

This means that Ayton’s job in the team is to shore up the defense and ensure that his team is not weak inside. This undoubtedly represents a huge difference in what a successful game could look like for Ayton.

“I’m telling you, once I sit that long, that’s usually what happens. It’s like… ‘You got kicked out (of the game) for some reason – think about it. But lately it’s been like, ‘No, DA. You’re good.'” he said.

Ayton said he has ‘completely bought in, 110%’, claiming that he was hoping fans would also be able to see the work he was doing. This coincides with the Lakers’ stellar performance recently, with Ayton finishing with a positive plus/minus in each of his last five games.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Snapping a 63-year-old streak with his 127 consecutive 20+ point performances in a 104-102 win against the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost saw his streak end there. Midway through the fourth quarter, despite maintaining a 12-point lead, it was still behind by 10 points. Then, Gilgeous-Alexander went into closeout mode, helping them save their streak and lead a 116–103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After scoring five points on back-to-back possessions, including a contested 3-pointer from Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander drew a shooting foul on Edwards to complete a 3-point game to reach 20 points. During the Timberwolves’ ensuing timeout, Gilgeous-Alexander looked up and realized What was the standing ovation at the Paycom Center for?

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “I didn’t realize until they were yelling after the free throws. I was a little confused.” “Then I realized, ‘Oh, this, the 20-point streak.’ Hello friends tonight. He did a great job of taking what the game gave him and being prepared. I had 10 assists tonight, and they were ready to hit shots. So, hats off to those guys.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on when he realized he extended his 20+ point streak to 128: “I didn’t realize until they were yelling after the free throws. I was a little confused…

Then I realized, ‘Oh, this, the 20-point streak.” pic.twitter.com/pigozVokah

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 15 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20 points made him one of three Thunder players to finish with 20+ points in Sunday’s win, joining All-Star Chet Holmgren (21 points) and Isaiah Joe (20 points), who shot 8 of 14 from the floor, including four threes. Jared McCain added 15 points on 5 of 9 3-point attempts.

SGA extends 20+ point streak to 128 in Thunder win

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of consecutive 20+ point games to the most in NBA history by scoring 10 points in the final six minutes of Sunday’s 13-point win (116-103) against the Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander extended his 20+ point streak from the free-throw line on a 3-point play, drawing a shooting foul on Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards.

After the win, Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on the final frame, reminding reporters that the Thunder would go beyond doing everything in their power to ensure a win to continue their historic 20+ point game streak.

“I didn’t care about anything other than winning the game, like always,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Tonight’s game was very sloppy, low-scoring, they’re obviously a good defense, we’re a good defense; so, it’s no surprise. To me, these types of things never matter. It’s always about getting out of here with a W.

“If I have a night like tonight, and we win for the rest of the season like we won tonight, I’ll be the happiest person on Earth. So, all that matters is winning.”

The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak when they begin their five-game road trip with Tuesday’s matchup against the Magic.

The Chicago Bulls may have lost 142-130 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, but it was still a memorable evening for Yuki Kawamura.

Kawamura played 10 minutes off the bench, adding three points, one rebound and two assists. But what happened after the game was special for Japan’s undersized guard.

He reunited with his national team teammate Rui Hachimura and they shared a memorable moment – ​​literally.

Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network on

Kawamura, 24, immediately became a fan favorite in Chicago when he joined the team in Summer League last year. However, he was released during training camp after suffering a foot injury.

Many were saddened by his departure, some even imploring the Bulls to reverse the decision. In January, the team brought back Kawamura on a two-way deal.

He’s not just a novelty, as Kawamura’s vision and athleticism are up there with some of the NBA’s top level generals. He is a prototypical point guard, as he likes to set up his teammates.

Kawamura and Hachimura last represented Japan together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They did not win in three matches. Hachimura led the team with 22.0 points, while Kawamura was not far behind with 20.3 points. Kawamura also averaged 7.7 assists.

Hachimura had 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in their win over the Bulls.

Not even the threat of an automatic suspension stopped Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic from playing with some attitude, at least for a moment, in Thursday night’s home game against the visiting Chicago Bulls.

During one possession in the first half, Doncic swung a step-back jumper past the outstretched arm of Bulls forward Matas Bouzelis in his face.

After missing a 3-point shot, Doncic turned to Buzelis and said a few words toward the Bulls forward as the two made their way to the other end of the court. Bouzelis also appeared to say something to Doncic, who smiled as he prepared to play defense.

You can watch their exchange here.

Luca has words for Matas Buzelis after stepback trey

Doncic is one technical away from automatic suspension.pic.twitter.com/cMpQDODafo

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 13 March 2026

Dončić is difficult enough to guard, and dealing with his antics can make the job even more difficult for anyone who tries to guard him. The thought of getting cooked by Doncic and talking trash every now and then can break a person, though that doesn’t seem to be the case with Bouzelis.

If Doncic looked a little more confident than usual against the Bulls, it’s probably because of what he did against them the last time the two teams met. In late January, the former NBA scoring champion gave Chicago 46 points on 15-25 shooting from the field with 12 assists and seven rebounds along with eight 3-pointers in 38 minutes of action in a 129-118 Los Angeles victory in the Windy City.

Doncic entered the Bulls rematch with season averages of 32.5 points, 8.5 assists and 7.9 rebounds.

It was a historic night for the Miami Heat and especially Bam Adebayo. He scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards. moving forward late Kobe Bryant For scoring the second most points in an NBA game.

This was a moment that instantly went viral with no Who’s celebrating in the NBA?. They also include LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki. Also, Adebayo’s fiancée, Aja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, was right there in the court Celebrating achievement.

After the game, Adebayo took time to celebrate With Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, according to SM Highlights. As Adebayo came off the floor, Spoelstra was waiting for him with open arms and he gave him a big hug.

Bam Adebayo gave his head coach Erik Spoelstra a big gift after the 83-run loss, it’s love.

❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PR48GY7ZrK

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

Adebayo before breaking Kobe’s record Surpasses LeBron James’ mark of 61 pointsMost points scored by a Heat player in a game. In the end, the Heat defeated the weak Washington Wizards 150–129.

Overall, Adebayo was 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 at the 3-point line, and 36 of 43 at the foul line.

Furthermore, Adebayo is averaging 18.9 points per game. On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors. He was 28 of 46 from the field, 7 of 13 at the 3-point line and 18 of 20 at the foul line.

The most points in an NBA game were scored by Wilt Chamberlain in March 1962. That day, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain and his Philadelphia Warriors were playing the New York Knicks.

Overall, Chamberlain was 36 of 63 from the field and 28 of 32 from the free throw line. The Warriors won 169–147.

It was a moment that still remains the standard for NBA individual excellence.

Adebayo has been with the Heat for nine seasons, beginning with the 2017–18 NBA season.

Draymond Green is often viewed as one of the dirtiest players in the NBA, and his actions came to light again recently during the Golden State Warriors’ 115-113 win over the Houston Rockets. During the third quarter, Green caught Jabari Smith Jr.’s ankle during a dead-ball sequence, resulting in a technical foul.

The incident occurred with 9:49 minutes remaining in the third quarter when Smith was called for an offensive foul on a moving screen that sent Green to the floor. Now, the Warriors veteran has addressed the incident, claiming it was Smith Jr.’s trash talk that prompted him to commit the foul.

“So Jabari fouled, he just stood there going, ‘Oh yeah, get more physical. Yeah, I pushed him down.’ Well being who I am, I don’t think anyone should let that happen, but I’m definitely not letting that happen. At that moment I can only do what I did. I think one thing that people don’t understand about this game is that you can’t give people an edge in the NBA. You give somebody the lead and lose, and I wasn’t going to give him the lead and we won,” Green told the Draymond Green Show.

Although Green did not reveal what the Rockets player said, the Warriors veteran could be seen pulling his ankle while walking back to the court.

“In a situation where Jabari was struggling strongly, you would not be able to find your edge in that game, and I would not be the guy that you would foul, and I would fall down and you would stand over me and walk over me and talk,” he concluded.

Smith had missed the past two games with a right ankle sprain and entered the matchup listed as questionable before ultimately being cleared following pregame warmups. Since the incident, many have called for the NBA to impose harsher punishment, especially given Green’s problematic history.

However, the player himself appeared to have no regrets and played his part in a surprise win with 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds on the night.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat have had an important week in their effort to solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference, with momentum at its peak as the team extended its winning streak to five games in a 121-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Despite the Heat’s injuries to Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the team has been excelling on both ends of the floor, which has led to a positive change in the locker room, as noted by head coach Erik Spoelstra.

With only a few games remaining in the Middle East, Miami getting a convincing win over the conference-leading Pistons was a huge deal for the team, proving that the conversation of counting them out should be null and void. Since the goal is still to avoid the play-in tournament, Spoelstra would say how the team is “trying to take advantage of the moment right now.”

“We have our own motivations in what we’re trying to do, and Detroit has had its own season that will get everyone you know excited to compete against them,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints. “You can sense that our locker room, you know, is just trying to seize the moment right now, have a lot of fun, compete with each other and play for a consistent identity on both ends. So it was a very strong week to finish, rest up tomorrow and then start planning for Tuesday.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the Heat’s energy being evident in tonight’s win over the Pistons:

“You can sense that our locker room is trying to seize this moment right now…” #HeatNation

Full response: pic.twitter.com/THhrjAGPP3

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

It marks the second time the Heat have defeated the Pistons, which started with the defense holding Detroit to just 16 points on Sunday. For Adebayo, “handling our business on the defensive end” is what leads to victory.

“We have beaten the number one teams in both conferences,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints, citing the Jan. 17 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. “It shows us we can compete with anyone… We’ve just got to do it on a consistent basis and keep handling our business on the defensive end. That’s why we’re actually winning games… It makes our offense easier.”

Bam Adebayo was asked what the win over the Pistons shows him at this point in the season:

“We’ve beaten both No. 1 teams in both conferences. It shows we can compete with anybody…just keep handling our business on the defensive end. That’s why we’re winning games…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/zWbKhjfe8p

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro focus for Heat after win over Pistons

Of course, as the Heat’s captain in Adebayo continues to make achievements, he and Tyler Herro are leading the team in this home stretch of the season, trying to bring a certain degree of continuity. As a result, the numbers look good on the surface as the offense is averaging 120.1 points per game (second in the NBA behind the Denver Nuggets’ 120.2) and fourth in defensive rating (111.4).

“I think we’re all tired of being in that midfield, and obviously, the road isn’t over yet,” Adebayo said after recording 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a win over the Pistons. “We’ve got to keep these winning streaks going. Got to keep piling up these W’s. Got to keep winning at home.”

Bam Adebayo asked if it was a coincidence that the team is on a five-game winning streak as he talked about no longer being in the play-in tournament:

“I feel like we’re all tired of living in that middle ground. Apparently the roads aren’t over yet…” #Heatnation pic.twitter.com/U9BuQZ7IGr

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

If there’s one thing Miami has shown this season, it’s that they can win against the top teams in the league, but the same can be said about playing with a lack of competition, as Herro would echo the same sentiments.

“We’ve been saying this for years, we can beat anybody. We can lose to anybody,” Herro told ClutchPoints after leading the Heat with 25 points on Sunday. “So it’s just keep coming here, and just keep piling up the good days. It’s boring. It can be boring, but ultimately leads to wins and leads to a good thing.”

Tyler Herro talks about his performance after the huge win over the Pistons, asks him what this win means for Miami, and more: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/XKATC85b5n

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

As a result, Adebayo and Herro have helped lead these collective wins, with everyone on the team contributing massively, like Jaime Jacquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, Kel’El Ware and others. At any rate, Miami looks to continue the winning streak and protect home court when the Washington Wizards visit on Tuesday night.

Last Friday, Victor Wembanyama scored 25 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 116-112 win over the LA Clippers. Vembanyama finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

After this, Vembanyama looked very emotional after the victory. However, not everyone was particularly impressed.

Former NBA player Patrick Beverley openly criticized the perceived double standard regarding players’ expression of emotions on Twitter (formerly Twitter). Beverley mentioned shedding tears over winning an NBA play-in game in 2022 while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Asking for a friend.

It makes me cry when we win play-in games, people say, “He’s overreacting.”

Wembley cries after regular season game, people say, “It’s the love of the game”

“You love moving the goal posts.”

Asking for a friend.

It makes me cry when we win play-in games, people say, “He’s overreacting.”

Wembley cries after regular season game, people say, “It’s the love of the game”

You love moving goal posts 🤦🏾‍♂️🔥

-Patrick Beverly (@patbev21) 9 March 2026

This was not the first time that Beverley had shed tears in reference to a sport. During the 2017 NBA playoffs, Beverley played with the Houston Rockets. In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, he played in the game right after his grandfather passed away. When he came onto the court and sat on the bench after scoring his first basket, he was seen crying.

Overall, Beverley played in the NBA from 2013 to 2024. He is currently playing for PAOK BC in the Greek Basketball League.

Meanwhile, the Spurs are 46-17, which is the second-best record in the Western Conference. Vembanyama is averaging 23.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

Additionally, he received the NBA Player of the Month and Defensive Player of the Month awards for February. A month in which Spurs did not lose a single game.

The Spurs defeated the Rockets 145-120 on Sunday. Vembanyama scored 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Los Angeles Lakers face the New York Knicks without LeBron James as he battles multiple injuries. According to ESPN’s Malik Andrews, the most recent injury he suffered came in his latest matchup against the Denver Nuggets, where he suffered an elbow injury, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the injury that’s particularly holding him back.

Andrews said, “He was taken out of the game an hour before tip. I’ve been told it’s more the foot than the elbow, which is something that’s going to be day-to-day.”

🚨Malika Andrews says LeBron’s status tonight was determined more by his foot injury than his elbow pic.twitter.com/odJ2Tv3hmi

– ReavesMuse (@MuseReaves) 8 March 2026

James was able to warm up the day before the game, but he may not have been good enough to play in the game. Additionally, the Lakers want to be cautious of James, which is something they have tried to do during the season.

It is uncertain how many more games James may miss or whether he will return in the next game. The Lakers can afford to be without James for a few games with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves playing good basketball this season, but having someone like James on the court makes everything a little easier.

With about 20 or so games left in the regular season and the Lakers still fighting for seeding in the Western Conference, staying healthy will be important. The fact that James was able to get some work done before the game shows that he shouldn’t be out long, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he returns sometime next week.

For now, the Lakers will have to rely on Doncic to lead them to victory, which he has no problem doing. If other key players like Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart can step up, the Lakers should be in good shape as James continues to recover.

The Intuit Dome felt a bit like home for Darius Garland on Saturday night. The Los Angeles Clippers’ mid-season acquisition put on a show in a 123-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, but the highlight for Garland happened after the final buzzer.

For the first time since his trade to Los Angeles, Garland’s family was in the building to watch him suit up in the Clippers’ jerseys. Following the handshake line, the star guard bypassed the locker room to head straight to the sideline. Garland shared an emotional moment with his parents and siblings, posing for photos on the court and soaking in the atmosphere of a successful home debut in front of his inner circle.

The Garland family’s first time seeing DG as a Clipper was a success ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7qG8hefg1h

– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) 8 March 2026

On the court, Garland looked like he’d been playing in Tyronn Lue’s system for years. He finished the night with 21 points and six assists, stifling the Memphis defense with his trademark floaters and accurate passing. Garland shot an impressive 8 of 20 from the field and knocked down three triples, keeping the Clippers’ offense going even as the Grizzlies tried to take a lead late in the game.

Isaiah Jackson was the beneficiary of several Garland lobs, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies struggled to find a rhythm without Ja Morant, although Ty Jerome led Memphis with 23 points in the losing effort. Taylor Hendricks added 18 points, but the Grizzlies had no answer to the Clippers’ balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures.

With the win, the Clippers continued to climb the Western Conference standings. More importantly, Garland has found his comfort zone in Southern California.

The Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Friday night in a game that held personal significance for rookie forward Cooper Flagg. While Dallas lost 120-100, that night meant more than the score for the 19-year-old Maine native, who played his first professional game in Boston against someone he has idolized for years, Jayson Tatum.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, received an unusual welcome during pregame introductions. Boston fans, who typically criticize opposing starters at TD Garden, instead greeted the rookie with loud cheers. This reaction surprised Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Many family members and friends from Maine were in attendance near the flag for the homecoming game.

Facing Tatum added emotional weight to the matchup. Flagg grew up watching the Celtics and followed Tatum’s development closely, including his college career at the Duke Blue Devils under coach John Scheyer. Flagg also played one season at Duke before entering the NBA.

“It was unbelievable. There’s a lot of levels to it,” Flagg said after the game when asked about playing against Tatum. “He’s someone I’ve idolized growing up, watching him come up through the ranks and ranks. I’ve watched him at Duke, and have been inspired to follow in his footsteps and play [Jon] Scheyer, and then obviously getting into the league is just unrealistic. It was really special for me to have this experience tonight.”

Sharing with Cooper Flagg/Tonight Jayson Tatum on the reception from the Boston/Maine crowd:

“There are so many levels to it. He’s a guy I idolized growing up…to see him at Duke and follow in his footsteps…it’s surreal. It’s really special for me to get this… pic.twitter.com/jq2CMbYptK

– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) 7 March 2026

The rookie finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes, but his efficiency wasn’t there, shooting 7 of 23 from the field and 0 of 4 from three-point range. He also committed three turnovers and had a minus-17 rating. The performance came just two games in after an eight-game absence due to a left medial sprain and returned for the second consecutive night.

Although his numbers were modest, Flagg continued to carry a heavy workload for Dallas. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward often serves as the team’s point-forward, running several offensive sets despite the Mavericks’ 21–42 record.

Tatum’s return to action was another major storyline. Playing his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon last May, he finished the night with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes, and shot 6 of 16 from the field.

Next, the Mavericks will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors on Sunday, while the Celtics will visit Cleveland to face the Cavaliers.

Kon Nueppel isn’t looking like a rookie at all despite it being his first season in the NBA. What a ride the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has been for the Charlotte Hornets. Still, there have been moments this season where Knueppel has really had a rude awakening that, in fact, he is in the premier league for basketball in the entire world – facing the best players in the world.

One such player who gave Knueppel a “Welcome to the NBA” moment was Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Hornets newbie revealed in an appearance on SportsCenter that defending the freight train that is Antetokounmpo in transition was like scary prospect It reminded him that he really belongs in the NBA.

“There’s something there. Just coming back in transition and Giannis is running at you, full throttle. I think he scored,” Knueppel told Scott Van Pelt in a very funny way.

Con Knueppel joins @notthefakesvp Joins fellow Duke teammate Cooper Flagg to talk about the Hornets’ potential for a playoff berth, Durham and missing out on the Rookie of the Year race 👀 pic.twitter.com/EE8yspLupO

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 4 March 2026

Knueppel also recalled defending Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic as particularly memorable moments.

“I think about Steph Curry closing in and thinking ‘There’s no chance this isn’t going in.’ Or like Luka getting a switch and an ISO on the wing, Knueppel said.

Hornets’ Kon Knueppel welcomes future players to the NBA

Knueppel is already so advanced in his development that it’s not hard to see him already being nominated for future All-Star Games and even future All-NBA teams. At just 20 years old, his shooting is already elite, and he’s going to be such a big problem for opposing defenses – as if he wasn’t already.

The Hornets are nearly above the .500 mark after a rough start to the 2025-26 season, as they now have a 31-31 record heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.

Luka Doncic had a birthday he’ll never forget, and he ended it by sharing a laugh with the greatest shooter of all time. After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-101 on Saturday night, Doncic and Stephen Curry met with each other for a warm hug and some banter, even after a blowout.

The Slovenian superstar turned 27 on Friday, but the real party took place at the Chase Center. Doncic dominated right from the start and put up a massive line of 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He carved out the Warriors’ defense with surgical precision, shooting 9 of 17 from the field and connecting on four triples. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why the Lakers pushed all of their chips into the middle to get him.

Steph Curry and Luka Doncic share some laughs after Lakers’ win over Warriors 🔥

pic.twitter.com/4OCdHHq84s

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 1 March 2026

While the Lakers took care of business, Gui Santos did his best to keep Golden State in the hunt. The Brazilian finished 6 of 12 from the field with 14 points and two assists. The Warriors had no answer to the Lakers’ size and transition game, as Los Angeles outscored them in fast-break points.

This win is a big momentum boost for a Lakers team that has faced a lot of criticism recently. LeBron James anchored the interior with 22 points and nine assists, while Austin Reaves scored 18 points to provide the needed scoring balance.

For the Lakers, seeing their franchise cornerstone share a light-hearted moment with a legend like Curry signals a changing of the guard in the Western Conference. If Doncic continues to play at this MVP level, Los Angeles could be the “contender” everyone expected.

After Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo expressed disappointment with his place in the Eastern Conference standings this season, he has something to celebrate, which was mentioned jokingly with Prime Video’s Udonis Haslem. Haslem, the Heat veteran who holds the franchise record for most rebounds in a career (5,791), will soon be tied for second in franchise history for most rebounds.

When Adebayo joined the squad for his postgame interview following Saturday’s 115–105 win against the Houston Rockets, host Steve Nash joked that Haslem was disappointed to see Adebayo take his heat. franchise recordAccording to NBA on Prime.

Nash said, “UD is so salty here that you’re going to pass him on the all-time rebound list with the Heat,” to which Adebayo asked Crews how close he was to surpassing Haslem.

Adebayo is 245 rebounds away from reaching Haslem’s franchise record.

“Sorry, OG,” Adebayo said. “I love you to death. I’ll give you the game ball if you want. But you know the record is mine, buddy.”

“You know the record is mine, buddy.”

Bam Adebayo says he will give @ThisIsUD Game ball the day he breaks UD’s franchise rebounding record ??? pic.twitter.com/XsbSG4Gr60

– NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) 28 February 2026

Udonis Haslem expressed zero interest in collecting Adebayo’s game ball when he eventually surpasses Haslem’s all-time Heat record, which he anticipates will happen before the end of the regular season. Adebayo finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s win against the Rockets.

Dwyane Wade questions Bam Adebayo’s Heat claim

Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade questioned Bam Adebayo’s opinion on the Heat, who are considered a talented team beyond the play-in round of the postseason. Wade also addressed Adebayo’s speech during Prime Video’s pregame broadcast Discussing his team’s recent defeat.

“The same thing I asked Bam… Are you there? That was my voice note to Bam.”

Wade continued by emphasizing that results ultimately determine where a team stands in the hierarchy.

“Because men lie, women lie, numbers don’t lie. But I will say this, what Bam told me was – I think his disbelief and probably the team’s disbelief is due to them being first in overall pace, top five in scoring, top in defense so all the numbers are there. They have three guys now. [Norman Powell]balm, [Tyler] Heroes who have been All-Stars, so you also have guys who have talent. So, I believe there is some mistrust coming from that.

DeWade sent a voice note to Bam Adebayo regarding his comments on the Heat being better than a play-in team:

“Do you?… Because men lie, women lie, numbers don’t lie.”

(via @NBAonPrimeh/t @heatculture13)pic.twitter.com/cnd3NOtctw

– Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) 28 February 2026

Adebayo and the Heat responded with a 10-point win against the Rockets on Saturday.

When Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets flew to South Beach for an afternoon showdown against the Miami Heat, fans knew they were in for a show.

Sure, the Heat are in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference, sitting as the eighth seed with a 31-29 record, but Erik Spoelstra teams are always a fierce player, especially at home, where they have a 17-11 record so far in 2025-26. With the Rockets working hard to keep their third seed in the highly contested Western Conference, getting a win in Miami seemed important as the season came to a close.

And not surprisingly, when the rubber hit the hardwood, that consciousness veered into the realm of technical fouls, after a war of words on the court resulted in both Tyler Herro and Durant getting separated.

They had to be stopped as more words were exchanged between Tyler Herro and Kevin Durant. Tech for both. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/mWEFk3xDAQ

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 28 February 2026

While players never want to commit technical fouls, especially during timeouts, his interaction with Herro was nothing more than a minor hindrance in the way of KD getting his work done for KD. The future Hall of Famer led all scorers with 14 points in just 19 minutes, while putting up the best plus-minus of any player in the game at +17. The Durant Rockets outscored the Heat 24–19 in the second quarter and entered the half with a one-point lead at 52–51.

Will the Rockets win in Miami? Only time will tell, but with 24 minutes left to play at the time of publication, things are likely to get even more heated in South Beach before the final buzzer.

PHOENIX – Before Rasheer Fleming’s NBA campaign began, there was one player he wanted to protect.

“LeBron James,” Fleming said emphatically during a Phoenix Suns fan event before the season started.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix have met three times, Fleming has never had a chance to guard James or Doncic. He has spent those games either with the Valley Suns (Phoenix’s G-League affiliate) or playing trash.

Due to frequent injuries, he has seen his workload increase. Being mostly a defender, his offensive game has increased rapidly.

He may not surprise anyone yet, but confidence is building. Fleming’s athleticism, wingspan and defense make him a worthy addition to the rotation.

The emerging offensive game—and the 3-point shot in particular—has intrigued fans as well as the Suns’ coaching staff.

Head coach Jordan Ott matched Fleming up against Boston Celtics guard Peyton Pritchard on Tuesday, where the latter shot 1 of 11 from the field.

Two days later, the coach spoke about the rookie’s responsibility to guard “some of the best players in the world”, in reference to James and Luka Doncic. The starry nature was not disturbing him at all.

“I think later,” Fleming said when asked about matching up with James and Doncic. “Like, I’m going to go home and maybe think about it more. But during the game, I’m too competitive to focus on it.”

I asked Rasheer Fleming if he gets starstruck in the middle of a game or does it happen after.

He’s been guarding Luka Doncic regularly and had his eye on LeBron James tonight.

“I think later. Like, I’m going to go home and maybe think about it more. But during the game, I also… pic.twitter.com/KVcKFD89Wx

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 27 February 2026

Suns teammates see Rasheer Fleming’s emerging potential

Fleming has all the tools to become an elite NBA defender. But an elite offensive player? Apart from his colleagues, this thing has not come to the mind of many people.

He has been hired for Valley Sons, and is reaping the rewards of his labor. There can be slight fluctuations between G-League and NBA games, sometimes on the same day.

But it’s all part of the process and Fleming took it seriously. Since the start of the new year, his work ethic and commitment to being prepared has paid off.

In the second half, Ott replaced the starters with the second unit, of which Fleming was part. He hit two 3-point shots and fired up the Phoenix crowd.

His aggressive play further increased his influence.

While he sat on the bench cheering, it was another game for Fleming in the eyes of Colin Gillespie, who raved about his rookie’s potential for about 30 seconds after the game.

“We always tell him he doesn’t know how good he can be,” Gillespie told reporters.

“He can be so, so good. I don’t even think he’s (close to) his ceiling. He probably doesn’t even know what the ceiling is. I don’t even know what his ceiling is. He still has a lot to discover offensively, but defensively, just on the ball, his length, deflections. He does everything.”

With injuries plaguing the team, this could be a legitimate opportunity for Fleming to fully integrate himself onto the Phoenix Suns roster.

The Denver Nuggets were at their best in a 103–84 win over the Boston Celtics, improving their record to 37–22 for the season. Nikola Jokic delivered 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as the Celtics suffered an overall poor shooting night, converting only 34.9% of their total field goal attempts.

Regardless, Tim Hardaway Jr. was involved in a ridiculous moment during the post-game press conference. Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was attended by only one reporter, Rachel Strand of ClutchPoints, with the announcer initially canvassing the room for questions.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was 20 seconds long, and I wasn’t about to stop him 🙂 (The ones asking good questions were in the locker room, by the way) #milehighbasketball pic.twitter.com/gP4PxnOI8r

– Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) 26 February 2026

“Is anyone back there?” he said, before Hardaway Jr. tried to end the conference.

“Well, you all had a great evening. All good? All good? All right,” she said, getting up, when the announcer once again nudged Strand to ask his question.

“No, it’s okay. I think everyone was in the locker room,” Strand commented on a post on X.

“Tim Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was 20 seconds long, and I couldn’t stop him 🔥 (well the ones asking good questions were in the locker room) #MileHighBasketball,” she wrote later, clearly seeing the funny side of things.

The Nuggets held the Celtics to a season-low 84 points, outrebounded Boston 54–48 (including 14 offensive boards) and dominated the paint by a 42–28 margin. Boston was limited to just 36 points in the second half, generating 11 of 17 rebounds.

Hardaway Jr. played a key role himself, coming off the bench and dropping 14 points on 5-9 shooting, the second-highest total for Denver in the game. Jokic’s 30 points came despite an overall average shooting night as he went 11-28 from the field, while Julian Strother and Cameron Johnson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

On the other hand, with Jayson Tatum sidelined, Jaylen Brown scored 23 points on 21 attempts, while Derrick White added 20 points and six rebounds. Neemias Queta was the third and final Boston player to finish in double figures with 10 points.

Coby White made an emotional return to the United Center, this time as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. His new team scored a big win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, 131-99.

White was traded to Charlotte before the deadline in a deal that brought Collin Sexton and some second-round picks to Chicago. Due to a calf injury, White was eased into his first game with the Hornets. He scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

After Charlotte’s impressive win against Chicago, White did not hesitate to meet with his old teammates.

Coby White reunites with some of his former Bulls teammates (who remain). The Hornets handed the Bulls their 10th straight loss, and Chicago is still winless after the deadline. His 99 points tonight tied for his third-fewest points of the season. pic.twitter.com/jijnN7ZybX

– Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) 25 February 2026

Additionally, the former Bulls guard received a warm welcome on the court. During a first quarter timeout, the team played a tribute video for Coby White on the big screen. The montage traces his journey from being drafted out of North Carolina in 2019 to becoming one of the most beloved players among Chicago fans.

Reflecting on the warm reception he received from the crowd, White expressed how much the moment meant to him.

“You really don’t know how much of an impact you have on people. And what an impact people have on me. I get a lot of applause and whatever, but so many people are here tonight, wearing my jersey, calling my name. For me, it’s just trying to be in the moment. And just trying to stay grounded. It’s very humbling to find out how many people you impact through this beautiful game that we play,” the 26-year-old told CHSN. Said through.

The Bulls tried to snap a nine-game losing streak on Tuesday, but the Hornets pushed it to 10. Chicago fell to 24-35 and remains winless this month, while Charlotte improved to 28-31 with seven wins in its last 10 contests.

Before the game, White talked about the direction of Chicago’s season and his understanding of the team’s decision to trade him.

“The way the season was going, we weren’t getting enough wins in a row,” White told the media. “Like I said from the beginning, I support whatever they think is best for the team. This organization believed in me. They gave me the chance and the opportunity to live out my dreams. So, I just want to see the organization succeed.”

Only time will tell how the Bulls’ decision to trade White will turn out. The move gives Chicago an opportunity to reshape the roster, but it remains to be seen if it will lead to better results in the long run.

Meanwhile, the Hornets will aim to keep their momentum going with Coby White back in the lineup after returning from injury. Charlotte will take on the Indiana Pacers in their next game on Thursday.

The nice thing about watching the NBA is that you’ll always get a chance to see something you haven’t seen before. Even if that thing is completely unnecessary. Just ask New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby.

The Knicks host the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Thursday in a potential preview of the conference finals. It was an up-and-down affair from the start, with both teams refusing to budge.

In the second quarter, Anunoby took it a little too literally. He went up for a dunk, but Cade Cunningham intercepted the ball, which stuck to the side of the rim for a classic, all-time favorite, soul-enriching wedgie.

The great commentator Ian Eagle, in all his gusto, proudly exclaimed: “Oh! A dunk wedgie! That doesn’t happen often!”

“It doesn’t happen often!”

Cade blocks a dunk attempt at the rim for a wedgie 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/AnRdLR3S1n

– NBA (@NBA) 20 February 2026

If that doesn’t get you excited, nothing will.

Of course, fans had to react to the unusual moment, with some insisting that Cunningham escaped the foul.

@PratikGroth said, “The veggie block is crazy. Cade is doing everything there.”

@B82Scottie said, “At least it’s not a high school game where the ref has to use a ladder or a broom.”

“Posting this obvious foul as a highlight is crazy,” @Nafta456 wrote.

@dj_immy_ echoed, “Show the replays closer. That’s a foul.”

“This game is so much fun,” @KOYIN_CENTRAL posted.

Anunoby’s wedgie was a bad omen, as the Knicks fell to the Pistons, 126–111. They went 35-21, including 21-8 at home.

Anunoby struggled with eight points on 3 of 13 shooting, including 1 of 8 from long range. He also had four blocks.

Jalen Brunson had 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals. They also had six turnovers.

The biggest story in the NBA has been the immediate future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as it appears he is nearing the end of his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks. The potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo caused an uproar across the league, even prompting teams to make a trade to see if the two-time MVP was available to acquire.

In the days leading up to the trade deadline, one team picked up steam as a prime destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s services: the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves, led by charismatic star Anthony Edwards, have made runs to the Western Conference Finals the past two seasons, but it appears they don’t have enough runs to overcome this loss. So, the Timberwolves aggressively pursued Antetokounmpo, and it appeared that playing with Edwards was uppermost in the Bucks star’s mind.

This conversation between the Greek Freak and Ant-Man at All-Star Weekend:

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “We’re gonna go viral again, man.”

Anthony Edwards: “We’re always going to go viral, take you and me together. We’re going to go viral.”

(via @timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/DFnmFXHKc1

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 19 February 2026

Ultimately, negotiations failed as Milwaukee chose to keep Antetokounmpo through the remainder of the season and explore his future in the off-season. At the All-Star break, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards fueled trade rumors.

In a video posted by the Timberwolves, the two All-Stars were seen chatting in the tunnel at the Intuit Dome and mentioned how they knew their video together would go viral.

“We’re gonna go viral again, man,” Antetokounmpo said.

Edwards replied, “We’re always going to go viral, you get me and you together. We’re going to go viral.”

These interactions between players in the All-Star Game are always seen as potential precursors to future team-ups. During the 2019 All-Star Game, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were caught on video talking privately with each other, which many speculated at the time as possibly being the reason they were teaming up to play each other. And the speculations appeared to be true.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last night 👀

(@jpizzy15 sent me the video) pic.twitter.com/xKXT8MPnwm

– Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) 18 February 2019

On Kevin Durant’s Podcast ETC with Kevin Durant In September 2020, Durant indicated that the conversation solidified their intention to play with each other, although he did not know which team he would be joining.

“The All-Star Game video where they caught us in the hallway. That’s when it cemented that we were going somewhere. They didn’t really know where it was, but it was somewhere.”

Durant said the conversation at All-Star Weekend was not the first time they discussed his future.

“Like we’ll have these types of [basketball related] Conversation all day, every day. And it evolved from there. It just grew from there, it was organic, you know what I’m saying? And it wasn’t something you could point to and say, this was the moment. That’s it, that’s it.”

It’s unknown whether Edwards and Antetokounmpo were having the same conversation, and they certainly weren’t doing so in that video. But, there is a possibility that we may see two All-Stars team up together in the future.

Both the Bucks and Timberwolves are back in action on Friday night. Minnesota will host Dallas at 7:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN. Meanwhile, the Bucks will travel to New Orleans for tip-off at 8 p.m.

While Aston Villa fans cursed and wondered what Marco Bizot was doing against Newcastle United, others were much less surprised.

Analyst René van der Gijp was one of them. And he has come forward to defend the Aston Villa goalkeeper today Comments broadcast by Voetbal Primeur.

Bizot received a red card against Newcastle United during a 3–1 FA Cup defeat on Valentine’s Day. The referee showed the 34-year-old a straight red for a moment in first-half stoppage time, which will likely haunt him for some time.

a moment of madness

He went 40 yards from his goal before bringing down Jacob Murphy in a reckless challenge near the halfway line.

Aston Villa were leading 1–0 at the time and looked set to progress, thanks to Tammy Abraham’s opener.

Instead, the departure turned the game upside down. Aston Villa conceded goals in the second half, resulting in their elimination in the fourth round.

Bizot will now serve a domestic suspension and will miss Villa’s upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United as a result.

“Goalkeepers do strange things”

He has already apologized publicly through social media. He called the incident a “moment of madness” and expressed regret.

Unai Emery later defended his number two. He labeled the goalkeeper “brilliant” and insisted he would learn from the experience.

Now Van der Gijp has stepped forward to defend him. According to him, such incidents happen only for the goalkeeper to show off.

“They’re goalkeepers, Wilfred, you were one yourself,” he told host Wilfred Zinni. “It never surprised me, you know.

“You’ve seen them too, Johan (Derksen). I never thought it would be strange when a goalkeeper did something like that. It’s in their nature. Goalkeepers always do strange things. It’s in their nature.”

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell accomplished another personal milestone after playing in his first All-Star Game on Sunday.

He prepared for Team Worlds in the mini-tournament, losing both of his assignments in the round robin and failing to advance to the finals. In two games, Powell, who has Jamaican heritage, went scoreless against Team Stars before giving up five points, two rebounds and one assist.

No matter the result, it was a memorable evening for Powell, who is enjoying a breakout campaign with the Heat. Starting out as a bench player for the Toronto Raptors in 2015, he has really come a long way.

The 32-year-old marksman also recalled being in disbelief about working with then-Raptors star DeMar DeRozan for the first time at UCLA. after the draft is ready.

“Just being a So Cal (Southern California) kid, knowing everything DeMar did in Compton, watching highlight videos of him when I was in high school, so sharing the court with him, working out with him, playing one-on-one, it was one of those moments,” Powell said in a video posted by The Score.

“After we were done, I called my guys, like, ‘Yeah, I just worked out with DeMar, I just scored on him.’ So that’s probably my first moment of ‘Man, I can’t believe this.'”

Norman Powell couldn’t believe he got a chance to work out with DeMar DeRozan before he was drafted: “I called my guys like ‘I just got to work out with DeMar and I worked on it.’ ❤️

Presented by @TangerineBank pic.twitter.com/mR2sN5RkSF

-TheScore (@theScore) 15 February 2026

Powell fulfilled his childhood dream, becoming teammates with DeRozan for four years before being transferred to the San Antonio Spurs along with Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

While Powell was sad to see his idol go, Leonard led the Raptors to a championship in 2019.

Now that he and DeRozan, now with the Sacramento Kings, are in different stages of their careers, it’s great to hear Powell talk about their humble beginnings.

Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey may be bursting with gravity-defying highlights in his first professional season, but even the league’s brightest young stars have to be humble eventually.

During the Rising Stars media availability at the Intuit Dome on Friday night, the 19-year-old forward finally opened up about his official “Welcome to the NBA” moment. Unsurprisingly, it featured one of the league’s most lethal scoring machines: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.

That moment was a simple, cold-blooded masterclass in mid-range. Bailey explained that trying to guard the four-time All-Star is a nightmare for any defender, let alone a rookie.

He said when it comes to Devin Booker, you’re dealing with a signature fadeaway shot that is almost impossible to stop without fouling. Bailey jokingly recalled thinking, “Bro, come on,” as he realized the level of difficulty he now faced every night.

NBA’s rising stars share their “Welcome to the League” moments pic.twitter.com/xZ0oxtOUMC

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) 14 February 2026

Bailey, who stepped in as an injury replacement for Cooper Flagg on Team Melo in the Rising Stars game, is certainly playing the way he plays. Over his last 15 games, the fifth overall pick has averaged 11.7 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 45.0 percent from the floor. He brought that momentum to the Rising Stars Tournament, leading the Carmelo Anthony-led team to a 65-60 victory over Team Austin in the semifinals.

While Dylan Harper stole the spotlight with the game-winning bucket, Bailey’s defensive versatility was on full display throughout the evening. Team Melo ultimately fell short in the championship game and lost to Team Vince 25–24 after VJ Edgecombe iced the game at the free-throw line.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derrick Queen has been one of the pleasant surprises this season with his impressive all-around play. After a slow start, he has learned to adjust and has become a consistent performer for the Pelicans.

Queen was named as one of the participants in the Rising Stars at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. This is a major accomplishment for the 21-year-old center, as the NBA has acknowledged his hard work and talent.

While Queen has certainly held his own against the giants, he admitted that his welcome moments in the NBA were against two established big men.

“I got cooked twice. By Embiid and by AD (Anthony Davis),” Queens said in a video posted by Yahoo. game.

NBA’s rising stars share their “Welcome to the League” moments pic.twitter.com/xZ0oxtOUMC

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) 14 February 2026

Queen didn’t point to a game where he was embarrassed by Embiid, but it was certainly fresh in his mind, as the Pelicans and 76ers had just faced each other on Feb. 1.

Queen had nine points on 3-of-8 shooting, six rebounds and two assists. Embiid, on the other hand, had a game-high 40 points on 13-of-27 shooting, 11 points, four assists and two blocks.

The Pelicans and Mavericks have met three times this season, with Davis scoring only once and scoring a game-high 35 points on 16 of 28 shooting. He also grabbed 17 rebounds and two assists. Queen was not too weak with 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Queen, who starred for Maryland, with the 13th overall pick. He was traded to the Pelicans on draft day in exchange for Asa Newell and a first-round pick.