Aston Villa Goalkeeper Dibou Martínez has a minor fracture in his hand but is not in danger of missing the World Cup.

Journalist Gaston Edul reports The Aston Villa goalkeeper has had his injury checked and the news is positive.

no surgery required

According to the Argentinian journalist, the Aston Villa and Argentina number one does not require surgery on his injury.

The 33-year-old confirmed this week that he injured his hand in pre-match warmups before the win over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

However, he refused to miss that game. Instead he walked away from the warm-up while Aston Villa’s medical staff taped the finger.

“I broke my finger during the warm-up today. But I didn’t see it as a bad thing,” he told reporters after the Aston Villa win.

“I’d never broken a finger before and every time I tried to catch the ball, the finger would slide off in the other direction. But these are just things you have to go through.”

World Cup hopes alive

Edul now said that there is no need for any surgery on the injury. Instead, he will be out for around 20 days to recover from the injury.

According to information from journalists, the Aston Villa goalkeeper aims to be ready for Argentina’s first match at the World Cup. They will begin defending the trophy on June 17^th Against Algeria. They will then face Austria five days later and Jordan on June 28.^th.

Confident he will make it to both those games. But he is ready to put their friendship aside before that. Argentina will face Honduras on June 7^th Then on June 9, Iceland^th.

It seems the plan is to keep the Aston Villa goalkeeper out of those games to ensure he will be fully fit for the World Cup and defend their crown.

Aston Villa Goalkeeper Dibou Martínez has a minor fracture in his hand but is not in danger of missing the World Cup.

Journalist Gaston Edul reports The Aston Villa goalkeeper has had his injury checked and the news is positive.

no surgery required

According to the Argentinian journalist, the Aston Villa and Argentina number one does not require surgery on his injury.

The 33-year-old confirmed this week that he injured his hand in pre-match warmups before the win over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

However, he refused to miss that game. Instead he walked away from the warm-up while Aston Villa’s medical staff taped the finger.

“I broke my finger during the warm-up today. But I didn’t see it as a bad thing,” he told reporters after the Aston Villa win.

“I’d never broken a finger before and every time I tried to catch the ball, the finger would slide off in the other direction. But these are just things you have to go through.”

World Cup hopes alive

Edul now said that there is no need for any surgery on the injury. Instead, he will be out for around 20 days to recover from the injury.

According to information from journalists, the Aston Villa goalkeeper aims to be ready for Argentina’s first match at the World Cup. They will begin defending the trophy on June 17^th Against Algeria. They will then face Austria five days later and Jordan on June 28.^th.

Confident he will make it to both those games. But he is ready to put their friendship aside before that. Argentina will face Honduras on June 7^th Then on June 9, Iceland^th.

It seems the plan is to keep the Aston Villa goalkeeper out of those games to ensure he will be fully fit for the World Cup and defend their crown.

For Philadelphia 76ers fans expecting notable roster changes this summer, a new report from ESPN has mostly bad news for you.

There were high expectations for the Sixers’ postseason chances in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. They made a stunning comeback from down 3-1 in the opening round series and eliminated the Boston Celtics. Several sports analysts also suggested that they were the former favorites to reach the NBA Finals. They then ran into the New York Knicks buzzsaw and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Change was clearly coming, and it came Tuesday when they officially fired president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Head coach Nick Nurse will stay on for at least one more season, but what about his roster? This was clearly not enough to defeat New York. Additionally, busted stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are costly obstacles to improving the roster.

Many have suggested in recent days that the 76ers won’t do much this summer. And it seems that sports officials believe they shouldn’t. A Western executive told ESPN, “Run it back, manage Joel as best you can, be a playoff team and try to stay healthy. I think you can do a lot at the margin.”

Additionally, ESPN NBA insider Tim Bontemps said, “It doesn’t make sense for Philadelphia to pay a heavy price of assets to give up any veteran star.”

Team President’s ‘catchy’ debut thanks to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe

Yet making a move on the sidelines, as the West executive has suggested, may be difficult, because as NBA insider Brian Windhorst points out in the same report, the 76ers are apparently avoiding moving closer to the second NBA tax apron. This is reportedly why they moved Jared McCann before this year’s trade deadline, and has made similar trades in recent years.

However, the ESPN report offers some hope. Although the Sixers have stuck with George and Embiid, teams all around the game have relied heavily on the backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. An East executive told the outlet that they are “arguably the most exciting backcourt in the entire league.”

Additionally, multiple executives who spoke to NBA insiders claimed that the young and talented duo is a major reason why the chance to become the next team president is “tempting” for potential candidates.

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

Stephanie Wacker is reportedly coming back to WWE television, as PWInsider reports that the former Women’s World Champion is expected to return to screens soon.

This update is a change from what was reported in the weeks after Wacker’s injury was confirmed. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select previously reported that Wacker was on the shelf for the foreseeable future, with no widely known return timetable within the company, and internal rumblings pointing to at least a six-week absence, with optimism but no guarantees that she would return for SummerSlam.

Wecker’s injury was legitimized by Bryan Alvarez after the Raw angle, in which Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Pérez, working with Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, attacked Wecker backstage. After Pérez drove a tool box into Wacker’s shoulder during the segment, Michael Cole announced on commentary that she suffered a second-degree AC sprain and would be out for some time.

The exact cause of the injury was never confirmed, leaving open the possibility that it predated the Raw angle and the attack was used to get her off television so that it could be addressed as per the storyline upon her return.

The timing of the injury made it difficult from a creative point of view. Wacker recently lost the Women’s World Championship to Morgan at WrestleMania 42 Night 1 in a match that BodySlam reported was kept shorter than planned due to both performers already dealing with physical problems heading into the show.

Second-degree AC sprains – which involve a partial tear of the acromioclavicular ligament – ​​typically require several weeks to a few months for recovery depending on the severity, making PWInsider’s report of an imminent return a positive update for both Wacker and the women’s division.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, ESPN personality Stephen A. There has been serious internal discussion about Smith coming to WWE.

The report adds to the ongoing conversation about TKO’s impact on WWE programming, with Meltzer stating that those who were critical of Pat McAfee’s involvement in the build-up to WrestleMania 42 are among those favorable to Smith internally.

Meltzer addressed the topic by discussing Kevin Nash’s recent comments urging TKO to stay away from WWE creative. He said that TKO’s intervention happens occasionally but its timing is bad.

Meltzer said, “They don’t really do it a lot, but from what I was told, they don’t do it a lot, but they always seem to do it at the most inopportune times.” “It happened at WrestleMania this year, it definitely happened, yes. We haven’t seen anyone put pressure on them.

“I mean, we haven’t seen anything with Stephen A. Smith — yet, boy, that name has been talked about. And I know it’s serious discussion. To put it this way, a lot of people who weren’t really happy with Pat McAfee are on Stephen A.’s side, as far as internally.”

Smith himself addressed the possibility last month, confirming that WWE President Nick Khan had spoken to him about the on-screen role. The 58-year-old said he was not interested in any physical involvement, but did not completely rule out an appearance. Given his respect for old school heel managers like Bobby Heenan, if Smith were to move forward a managerial character would be the most natural fit for him.

WWE’s relationship with ESPN has grown significantly since the two parties reached a PLE deal in September 2025, with WWE receiving prominent daytime coverage during WrestleMania week and stars such as Dannhausen and Seth Rollins making appearances on ESPN in the Backlash build. This relationship makes Smith a more natural crossover candidate than most celebrity names coming forward for WWE roles.

There are many links connecting Danny Rohl ranger people With a move for Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson in recent weeks.

The Scotland international has not always been a regular in Serie A this season. Despite being club captain throughout the campaign, the Rangers target played 24 times. Manager Vincenzo Italiano used him as a regular player in the Europa League, where the midfielder played every single game.

The former Aberdeen man remains an important team player for the Rossoblu, who rely on him especially during big games.

Now, it is becoming clear that Rangers may not be on Ferguson’s transfer agenda.

Agent Ferguson talks transfer

Lewis Ferguson’s agent Bill McMurdo has spoken tutomercatoweb Regarding the 26-year-old’s situation at Bologna and his plans, and it appears they don’t involve Ibrox and Rangers.

The outlet asked McMurdo about the possibility of a renewal at the Italian side. he replied: “Lewis has two years left on his contract. We will be meeting with the club soon to assess whether they want to offer him a contract extension or let it expire.”

Speaking about a possible transfer from Bologna, the agent discouraged suggestions of a transfer to Rangers. He made it clear that Ferguson wants to play at the highest level and is ready for the Premier League

“Luis is ready to play for one of the so-called big Italian clubs if they show interest in him and Bologna is ready to let him leave. He wants to play at the highest level and continue developing his career.”

McMurdo revealed that his client would only play in the top five European leagues.

“He will consider offers from any of the top five football countries, with Italy and England being his first choices. Lewis is very happy to stay in Bologna, but he is equally ready to take on any new challenges to further his career.”

“However, any move must be beneficial to all parties.”

Rangers transfer always a long shot

Lewis Ferguson is easily capable of playing in the Premier League. Their stature has grown to the point where they pay more than Rangers and perhaps offer an even bigger platform than Danny Rohl’s team.

The Rossoblu have developed a habit of selling their best players to England. Dan Ndoye finished at Nottingham Forest last year, a year after Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori also finished in the Premier League.

It is natural for there to be constant discussion about a Scottish player in his country. This will continue to be the case even if the Bologna star ends up in England.

But Ferguson ending up at Rangers soon appears to be a dream inspired by his uncle Barry Ferguson, who has spoken up about the Scotland international in recent weeks.

On Saturday night, the MMA world leaders return to Paramount+ for their latest mega event, UFC 328. The card inside New Jersey’s Prudential Center will feature 13 fights and a pair of championship matchups.

In the main event, middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev defends his title for the first time when he faces the challenge of former champion Sean Strickland. In the co-headlining, new UFC flyweight champion Joshua Vann takes on the challenge of top contender Tatsuro Taira.

Bookies will have a lot of bets for Saturday’s matches. But which has the best chance of a big payout? We look at six potential upsets at UFC 328 to waste your hard-earned money.

Jeremy Stephens defeats King Green

One bout that has Fight of the Night potential is the bout between MMA greybeards King Green and Jeremy Stephens. With both men turning 40 this year, they are far from their prime, and have a combined 39 losses on their cage fighting resumes. That means this fight is completely unpredictable and can go either way.

Green is a big favorite among bookmakers for good reason. Stephens has not won an MMA fight in four years, and Green is on a two-fight win streak. However, they both have a lot of fight on their chin. However, “Lil Heathen” still has reset-button power in his hands, which could be a problem for weak chins.

Green will outlast Stephens, but there is a huge risk of pressing the restart button.

Jim Miller defeated Jared Gordon

UFC 328 features a matchup of tri-state graybeards when 42-year-old Jim Miller takes on 37-year-old Jared Gordon. New York native Gordon is a solid favorite as his New Jersey opponent is trying to squeeze whatever is left out of his body as a professional athlete.

Miller’s win over Damon Jackson in 2024 shows he is still dangerous. And only eight of Gordon’s 21 wins being knockouts is another big plus for Miller’s aging chin. Although he may struggle in Round 1, hopefully Miller will ultimately use his wrestling and pull off an upset victory in front of his home state fans.

Roman Kopylov defeated Marco Tullio Silva

Roman Kopylov is a sleeper underdog to keep an eye on at UFC 328. He has lost his last two and faces a dangerous striker in Marco Tullio Silva, who had scored four consecutive KO wins before a surprise defeat in November. Also, Silva is four years younger.

However, the devil is in the details, and Kopylov’s defeat came against high-level competition in Gregory Rodriguez and Paulo Costa. The Russian is also a very skilled striker with legitimate knockout talent. Look for him to use it and get back in the win column on Saturday.

William Gomis defeated Pat Sabbatini

Talented wrestler Pat Sabbatini returns to action at UFC 328 on Saturday and is the heavy favorite against France’s William Gomis. We all know how Western European talent struggles with wrestlers and maybe that’s why the Americans are the favorites.

However, Sabbatini will turn 36 later this year, and age catches up quickly on fighters, especially in the lower weight classes. Gomis is a skilled striker and good athlete who will do enough to avoid takedowns and earn a decision victory in New Jersey.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeated Alexander Volkov

One of the bigger bouts at UFC 328 – in terms of relevance and sheer size – is the heavyweight bout between top contender Alexander Volkov and red-hot Dominican Waldo Cortes-Acosta. A case could be made that the winner should be next in line for a title fight if Tom Aspinall doesn’t yet have his sights set on a return in the fall.

Volkov’s height is always a big problem for his opponents and he knows how to use it well. However, Cortes-Acosta is a slight underdog as he has scored three consecutive KO wins and is a much better athlete than he looks. Volkov should win due to his length and experience, but we are seeing an upset due to “Salsa Boy’s” speed and athleticism advantages.

Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev

All eyes will be on Saturday’s main event bout between Strickland and Chimaev at UFC 328 as they present huge tests for each other. Can the American be the first to slow down and stop Chimaev’s wrestling attack? What will he do if “Borz” can’t wrestle to victory and has to go into the deep end of the pool with the guy who has the best gas tank in the division?

What’s interesting about this matchup is that they have trained together, so Strickland has a feel for Chimaev’s strengths and techniques. This is a huge benefit for him. Don’t be surprised if the former champion loses the first three rounds, but his gas tank and output turned the tide in the second half of the fight, and he ultimately overpowered Chimaev to score a shocking TKO victory in the fifth round.

Chimaev is a big favorite and should win, but there are some unique elements to this fight that make it a worthwhile risk to bet against him.

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

chelsea It has now been revealed that Moises Caicedo will not miss Ecuador’s opening World Cup match. The latest information from South America suggests that FIFA has effectively lifted the midfielder’s suspension.

The Ecuador international was expected to sit out his country’s first match of the tournament. This was after disciplinary trouble during CONMEBOL qualifiers.

Caicedo was sent off against Argentina after receiving a second yellow card early in the second half. This was widely understood to have led to an automatic one-match suspension for Ecuador’s opening World Cup match against Ivory Coast.

This meant Ecuador had little chance of overturning the sentence. Despite examples of FIFA softening sanctions in other cases, their chances were slim.

Instead, the expectation was that Caicedo would only be available again for the matches against Curaçao. Additionally, he will be available against Germany later in the group stage.

Big update from South America

However, now, journalists cesar louis merlo A major twist has been reported. He confirmed that FIFA has announced an apology and that Moises Caicedo has not been suspended for the start of the World Cup.

According to the journalist, Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi and Qatar international Tarek Salman also benefited from the same decision.

This marked a significant change in Ecuador’s plans and removed what would have been a major absence in the opening match.

Chelsea got a timely boost

The news will also be welcomed at Chelsea, especially given Caicedo’s increasing importance at Stamford Bridge. This World Cup is also coming at an important moment in his career.

we followed the conversation Chelsea moved quickly to secure the long-term future of the Ecuador international earlier this year.

Then in mid-April, Caicedo signed a new seven-year contract running until 2033, underscoring both his importance to the project and the club’s desire to protect itself from increasing outside interest.

The deal also reflects his rise in the team hierarchy after becoming one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season. Furthermore, a strong World Cup will only further strengthen Caicedo’s reputation.

For that reason alone, Chelsea will be relieved that he is now expected to be involved from the start of the tournament.

A follow-up report brings even more positive news for New York Knicks fans when it comes to OG Anunoby’s hamstring injury.

On Wednesday night, the Knicks earned a hard-fought win over the Philadelphia 76ers to extend their lead to 2-0 in the semifinal series. In the win, New York got another great game from the guy who has quietly been their MVP these playoffs, OG Anunoby.

The nine-year veteran posted 24 points, five rebounds, four steals and had a +12 when he was on the court. Heading into the 2026 playoffs, Anunoby leads the team in steals (1.5), is second in points (21.4) and blocks (1.1), and is third in rebounds (7.5). However, fans got a big scare in the final minutes of Game 3 when he limped in, went to the locker room and never returned.

It took a long time for Knicks fans to get an update on his condition. However, on Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that he has a right hamstring strain and is listed as day-to-day. This is a huge relief for New York fans, but hamstring injuries are tricky, and Anunoby has dealt with them in the past. It may still take a week or more for him to return to action.

‘Optimism’ OG Anunoby will play in Game 3 or 4 of Knicks vs. 76ers

However, it looks like the Knicks may have actually gotten pretty lucky with one of their most important players. In a follow-up report from SNY Knicks insider Ian Begley, he claimed there is “optimism” in the locker room that Anunoby will not need a week of recovery and could play in Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday.

This is fantastic news for a team coming off one of the most spectacular performances by any Knicks team in the playoffs in decades. Anunoby has played a major role in his dominant play.

With the Knicks holding a 2-0 series lead, they may be wary of the valuable forward and rest him for Game 3. If they somehow manage to win on the road, letting him sit Game 4 again would be a smart move. We’ll see how it all plays out tomorrow night in Philadelphia.

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

The Philadelphia 76ers have already square off against the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Now we’ve learned they’ll be without Joel Embiid for Game 2 on Wednesday night.

The big man will be out of tonight’s game due to soreness in his ankle and hip. He was unable to participate in the team’s morning shootaround. As Shams Charania said, Embiid was “getting treatment around the clock for his efforts to play.”

The Knicks beat Philly 137-98 in Game 1, even with Embiid in the lineup. New York limited the former league MVP to 3-of-11 shooting for 14 points and just four rebounds. He averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in four games against the Boston Celtics in the first round, helping the Sixers win the series in seven games.

Embiid was still recovering from an emergency appendectomy near the end of the regular season, which caused him to miss the first three games of the Boston series.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse expected to return for Game 2

Meanwhile, head coach Nick Nurse is expected to sit out Game 2 after leaving the team under tragic circumstances after Game 1. He attended the funeral of his brother Steve, who was 62. His death was unexpected.

We have bad news for Los Angeles Lakers fans who are hoping that Luka Doncic can return for their semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers surprised many in the NBA when they were able to overcome injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and defeat the Houston Rockets in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. However, they have an even bigger challenge ahead as they climb into the semi-finals against defending champions Thunder.

Unlike previous rounds, the Lakers will have Reaves available from the start. This is a huge boost for a team that could use all the help they can get against a team they went 0-5 against and lost by an average of 29 points this season. If they have any chance of pulling off another major upset, they need to get their MVP candidate Doncic back on the court.

However, it looks like that is not happening in this series. During a media discussion on Wednesday, the six-time All-Star revealed that when he was originally diagnosed with his Grade 2 hamstring injury, doctors told him it would take eight weeks to recover. This would mean no return during the Western Conference Finals.

The five-time All-NBA player recently talked about receiving platelet-rich plasma treatment in Spain and how he hopes the procedure can speed up his recovery. He has also started running. However, no contact work has been done with them yet.

Oklahoma City’s dominance over the Lakers continued on Tuesday as they won 108-90 in Game 1 of their series.

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

The Boston Celtics got some terrible news about their top star just hours before a do-or-die Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Celtics 2025-26 season could surprisingly end in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs if they can’t figure out how to slow down the 76ers in the last two games and get a win at home tonight. Although they struggled in Games 5 and 6, there are still many who think they can pull out a win in Game 7.

However, the prospects for doing so have become increasingly difficult. According to Chris Haynes, “Jason Tatum has been downgraded to questionable for Game 7 tonight because he is dealing with knee stiffness.”

This is terrible news for Boston at the worst time. Still, it’s something the team should be concerned about in the long term, too. In recent days, there has been discussion about Tatum dealing with calf strain. Which makes sense because he made a surprisingly quick return to the floor from a torn Achilles in early March.

However, his knee problems are unexpected. Is this due to overcompensation as he builds confidence in his surgically repaired tendon? Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both suffered similar injuries during last year’s playoffs, and the pair missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Being doubtful does not mean that he will not be able to play Saturday’s match. However, the Celtics have lost by double digits in each of the last two games the six-time All-Star has been on the floor. It’s hard to imagine that they’ll be able to overcome a fully healthy Philly team without him tonight.

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

There are no great replacement options available now for embattled New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

The start to the Mets’ 2026 campaign has been a complete disaster. Heading into tonight’s series opener against the Washington Nationals, they are tied for the worst record in baseball at 9-19. Recently the club has reached its lowest point after losing 12 matches, which will be considered one of the worst in the team’s history.

To make matters worse, at this time a year ago they had the best record in baseball. That is, they suffered a massive decline at the end of the season under manager Carlos Mendoza. The captain needed a fast start with this hugely expensive team to quell speculation about his job. Now, it looks like it’s only going to be a matter of time before he’s ousted.

Changing a manager during a season is a very difficult task. However, last week the Boston Red Sox presented a golden opportunity for the Mets when they surprisingly fired manager Alex Cora after a 10–17 start. Most people in and around Boston feel that their struggles are due to the team built by CBO Craig Breslow, not Cora’s coaching.

Alex Cora is no longer an option for the New York Mets’ replacement for Carlos Mendoza

The Red Sox’s decision opened the door for the Mets to go with a manager who has a World Series win (2018) and three trips to the playoffs on his resume. Unfortunately, Cora will no longer be an option for New York. At least not for the rest of the season.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported, “Alex Cora was offered the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job before Don Mattingly, but he declined it.” “He has decided to spend time with his family.”

The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday after leading his team to an equally poor 9-19 start this season.

If Cora wasn’t willing to take the job for a talent-rich Phillies team, it’s highly unlikely he would take the same position with the Mets. Although he could still become the next manager of either team, this would not happen until after the season.

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

The Toronto Raptors picked up an impressive and convincing win in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The home team led 47–23 in the second half and won 126–104. They are now trailing 2-1 in the series.

However, the team received some bad news on the injury front on Friday, as they learned they will be without point guard Immanuel Quickley for the remainder of the series, no matter how long it takes.

Quickley has apparently suffered a setback in his rehab with a right hamstring injury and will remain on the sidelines indefinitely.

The 26-year-old player averaged 16.4 points per game in 70 contests this season. He had a career-high 5.9 assists, while also adding 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 37.4% from three-point range.

Quickley will miss the entire first round series

The speedy guard’s presence was missed in the first two matches of the series. In Game 3, however, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett exploded for 33 points apiece, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles came off the bench with 22 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes.

Backup point Jamal Sheed will continue to see starter’s minutes in Quickley’s absence. After playing an average of 22 minutes per night during the regular season, Shead has played 32 minutes per contest in the first three games of the series.

Additionally, players like Ja’Kobe Walter (27.2 mpg) and Jamison Battle will see an increase in usage. After playing only three minutes total in the first two games, Battle broke out in Game 3 by finishing four three-pointers in clutch minutes to help ice the game for the Raptors. They will need both of them to continue to pick up the slack for Quickley, especially shooting from beyond the arc. Sheed has hit 6 of 12 three-pointers in the series, while Battle is now 4 of 5.

The only way Quickley gets a chance to play again this season is if the Raptors pull off a massive upset of the Cavs and advance to the second round.

Sunderland Manager Regis Le Bris is ‘absolutely not a candidate’ to replace Liam Rosenior at Chelsea.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports The French coach is happy at Sunderland and neither have any desire to part ways at the moment.

chelsea manager search

Chelsea are looking for a new manager after sacking Liam Rosenior this week. The report has already named a long list of candidates, many of whom are already in the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris can be found in some, but Tavolieri says that’s not the target. He says that although the Sunderland manager is on Chelsea’s shortlist, he is ‘absolutely not a candidate’ for the job.

He then adds that Le Bris is currently happy at Sunderland. According to their information, the Black Cats want to retain him, and the French coach is keen for him to stay and continue his ongoing project.

This is in contrast to reports this week. He said Le Bris could lose his job this summer if Sunderland fail to secure European football. It has since been widely rejected, and Tavolieri continues that trend.

Sunderland in safe hands

It’s easy to imagine that Regis Le Bris would be on Chelsea’s list given the work he has done so far at Sunderland.

He took the Black Cats into the Championship and has since led them to promotion to the Premier League. they now sit 11^th Defeating the odds in the table this season.

Many had predicted a relegation battle but instead Le Bris and his side were never part of that conversation. The fact that they are just three points off seventh place is testament to how good they have been.

The French coach has offered consistency, noticeable improvement year after year and the kind of tactical understanding that will benefit his current Chelsea team. But it appears that, despite being on his shortlist, the Sunderland manager will not be moving to Stamford Bridge.

The Tennessee Volunteers have already produced one of the best classes of talent in the college basketball transfer portal this month with five commitments. Now it appears the class could be even stronger with the program still having guard Juke Harris in the mix.

According to Pete Nakos of On3.com, Tennessee remains in the final three to land Harris, but neither program has given a timeline for when a decision will be made. However, there are some factors that can improve a volunteer’s chances.

RELATED: Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker

• Jukes Harris Stats (2025-26): 21.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 44.4% FG, 2.5 3s per game, 33.2% 3pts

Nakos said there would “probably be a cutoff date” for Harris’ pursuit in North Carolina and that if the decision was pushed forward he would step back to focus on other targets. According to NACOS sources, new coach Michael Malone wants more help on the wing, and given the reported cost of landing Harris, the Tar Heels will have to choose between him or NC State wings Paul McNeil or Matt Able.

North Carolina’s opting out in the near future could set up a potential bidding war between Michigan and Tennessee, which could prove fitting, as the two schools went head-to-head last year for a five-star running back. The newcomer has been a standout for the Wolverines this spring.

RELATED: Tennessee Volunteers willing to pay heavy price for Juke Harris

As for Tennessee basketball, Nakos reported that Harris’ family and Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes have “some familiarity” with each other. Not only did he originally recruit her out of high school and finish as a finalist, but Barnes also has a friendly relationship with Steve Forbes, Harris’ former coach at Wake Forest.

Tennessee must also consider another factor. Freshman forward Nate Ament has not yet decided whether he will officially enter the 2026 NBA Draft. He is a projected lottery pick, but returning to school could give him a chance to be selected even higher next year as the 2027 NBA Draft class is considered very weak. If the Volunteers can lure Ament to stay with a strong zero offer, it could force Harris out of their price range.

RELATED: Tennessee Volunteers to spend big bucks on basketball

That said, adding the reigning ACC Most Improved Player is a top priority for Tennessee after the program confirmed the commitment of guard Terrence Hill Jr. on Sunday. Harris will be the final addition to the Volunteers’ backcourt next season, giving them a wealth of scorers who can score from all three levels and impact the game in different ways.

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

Tottenham Hotspur’s Randal Kolo Muani could extend his stay in the Premier League liverpool.

Last summer, Tottenham signed the striker on loan from Paris Saint-Germain with no purchase clause.

Liverpool have set their sights on the 27-year-old despite poor performances with Tottenham.

The France international has five goals and four assists in 36 appearances for the North London club.

His Premier League statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 25
• Start: 17
• Total minutes: 1,382
• Minutes per game: 55
• Target: 1
• Help: 1
• Expected target: 1.89
• Expected Support: 1,49
• Big chances made: 1
• Big chances missed: 6

Liverpool keen on Tottenham player

Arne Slott’s team have joined the pursuit of Randal Kolo Muani ahead of the summer. is according to calciomercato.itWho cover the latest on Liverpool.

The 27-year-old will leave Tottenham Hotspur and return to PSG after this season. He no longer has a future under Luis Enrique with the Ligue 1 winners and will be on the move again.

Kolo Muani spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus. He wanted to return last summer, but could not reach an agreement with Serie A side PSG. The Old Lady wants to make another attempt after this season.

Liverpool have entered the race, and will be ‘willing to accelerate’ their efforts to secure his services. This is ‘bad news’ for the Italian club.

Should the Anfield club get his signature, it would be a blow to Luciano Spalletti’s team and their fans, who have been dreaming of his return.

Liverpool star Hugo Akitié suffered a serious injury during last week’s Champions League defeat to PSG.

Akitike will be on the sidelines for a long time and this will force the slot team to sign a new striker. It remains to be seen whether he will be a Tottenham player or another number 9.

Contract, price and agent information

Randal Kolo Muani’s contract with PSG expires in 2028. transfer market He is valued at €22m and had a high of €80m in June 2023. Agent Moussa Sissoko is representing the Tottenham Hotspur player.

Earlier this month, Sport Witness broadcast news The Frenchman is looking for a permanent transfer in the summer.

If Liverpool are really keen, there should be no problem for them to persuade PSG with an offer.

The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the most active programs in the men’s college basketball transfer portal this offseason, going all out on Rick Barnes after three consecutive Elite Eight trips. This effort may soon be rewarded with another massive hike.

Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that there is “growing confidence” in Knoxville that Tennessee will be able to close things out with star guard Juke Harris and pry him away from the Michigan Wolverines and North Carolina Tar Heels.

RELATED: Leading to top G in Tennessee transfer portal

In the first recruiting cycle, Harris seemed certain to attend Michigan. He reportedly visited Ann Arbor because the event celebrated the men’s basketball national championship, and a commitment seemed inevitable. Since then, things have changed a lot.

Tennessee and North Carolina held home-and-home visits with Harris suddenly making it a three-program battle for one of the top players in the college basketball transfer portal. While the opportunity to play close to home may prove attractive, it is also reported that Tennessee was originally a finalist for him after coming out of high school. Further strengthening the Volunteers’ chances, as Nacos noted, head coach Rick Barnes has a good relationship with Harris’ former coach at Wake Forest, Steve Forbes.

RELATED: Tennessee Volunteers to spend big bucks on basketball

Of course, landing one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal comes at a price. Nakos reports that Harris is expected to earn a deal “north of $3 million” for the 2026-27 season. This is a price that volunteers are “willing to pay” even with additional payments already made.

If he does commit, with the decision potentially taking more than a week, Harris will be the starting shooting guard for Tennessee next season, with fellow transfer Tyler Lundblad coming off the bench behind him. The Volunteers have also added guard Dai Dai Ames to the transfer portal and remain in the active search for a point guard to replace Ja’Coby Gillespie.

RELATED: Insider sheds light on Tennessee’s approach to transfer portal

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

College basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has been a recognizable and lovingly emulated voice of the game for more than 40 years. When someone has been in your living room for decades, you feel like you know them a little bit.

So when someone like that goes through tough times, it impacts the fans too. Such is the case with Vitale, who delivered serious news on Monday by announcing that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.

Fifth time. (voice) Cancer, as they say.

The 86-year-old icon revealed that a recent biopsy confirmed melanoma in his lung and liver cavity.

Dick Vitale Just Delivered Grim News — And He’s Already Fighting Back

Vitale shared the update via a statement released to ESPN and social media after several days of medical testing, which included scans, MRI, bloodwork and a biopsy. He noted that the results were not what he had hoped for when his oncologist called, but now he knows exactly what he is facing and will begin immunotherapy treatment immediately.

“I beat melanoma,” Vitale said. “I’ve beat lymphoma. I’ve beat vocal-rod cancer. I’ve beat lymph-node cancer. I’m 4 for 4, and I’m pretty confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5.”

Yes, Dickie Wee! Millions of your fans are also attracted towards you.

“I obviously didn’t get the report I was expecting today when my oncologist called,” he said. “At least now I know what I have to face.”

I obviously didn’t get the report I was expecting today when my oncologist called. It’s been 10 days of multiple exams – PET scan – CAT scan – 2 MRI’s – biopsy – multiple bloodwork – now at least I know what I’m facing. Melanoma lung and liver cavity cancer would mean that I…

– Dick Vitale (@DickieV) 13 April 2026

The longtime voice of college basketball, who began his career as a high school coach before rising to prominence at ESPN in 1979, said he feels “fantastic” and remains motivated at age 86. He expressed gratitude for his life and emphasized his commitment to continue his work to raise funds for children battling cancer.

“At 86, I’ve lived a hell of a life and I’m more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said.

The man is still thinking about how he can help others. This is certainly a testament to his character.

Dick Vitale’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with scares that would have defied the spirit of lesser people. From melanoma to lymphoma to vocal cord cancer, Dickie V has faced it all.

And he has done so with utmost grace.

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

The Detroit Tigers placed starting pitcher Justin Verlander on the 15-day injured list (IL) due to left hip inflammation on Saturday, April 6. The news comes after Verlander had a poor start to the 2026 MLB season with Detroit, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. So, what’s the latest on the status of the three-time Cy Young Award winner?

Verlander is scheduled to throw a bullpen session for the Tigers on Saturday, the organization reports. In Verlander’s place, Kidder Montero will take the field on Friday night against the Miami Marlins. This means the Detroit pitcher likely won’t start a game until Thursday, April 16 against the Kansas City Royals.

It has been well documented that Verlander’s hip injury isn’t bad and if it weren’t for April he probably would have recovered from it. Verlander was placed on the IL a day before returning to Comerica Park, which would have been against the St. Louis Cardinals during an Easter Night game at the Peacocks.

This is a great step in the right direction for the 43-year-old pitcher. It’s unclear what will happen with Verlander after the bullpen session. As long as he can return soon, he won’t need rehab at Triple-A Toledo. However, there is no reason to recall Verlander right now.

While the Tigers have struggled to start the 2026 MLB season, they need Verlander. Montero played well in his debut against St. Louis and has a lot of experience in MLB over the past few seasons. As long as it doesn’t lose against Miami, Detroit should be in good shape.

Verlander will pitch at Comerica Park soon, but not until the Tigers feel confident he is ready.

READ MORE: Justin Verlander opens up about retirement plans ahead of 2026 season

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Most people assume the NBA will do something to stop the massive tanking going on at the bottom of the standings. However, a new report suggests there isn’t much traction in the league for potential reforms.

Tanking is nothing new in the NBA. However, the 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best prospect classes in years, with nearly a dozen teams fully embracing the strategy in the final two minutes of the season. It’s gotten to the point where teams like the Utah Jazz have even inserted healthy impact players in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss.

This has disappointed NBA fans and infuriated Commissioner Adam Silver. Now, preventing the 2026 fight from happening in future seasons is a top priority for the governors, and late last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed three ideas to be presented at the next governors meeting in an effort to end the practice.

All three proposals expand the lottery to 18 teams and level the NBA lottery odds to varying degrees, and include other elements. Nevertheless, the trio of ideas is not gaining popularity in the game. “None of them have been embraced very warmly around the league,” sources told ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

General Manager explains why tanking works, even though it’s ugly

Slater’s new report details the current tanking drama and shows why many people associated with the idea hate the practice. This also includes coaches and players who want to improve their value before entering NBA free agency. However, while this practice is an ugly one, there are many around the game who feel it is a working formula, including one Western Conference general manager.

“These teams are doing a whole lot of work: sitting guys on fourth down, playing bad lineups analytically, setting up plays for bad shots,” the West GM told Slater. “Creativity is impressive, and I don’t blame them. It’s the best strategy for getting better.”

“Look at all the most promising teams in the league: the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, the Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets, the Charlotte Hornets. After years of being bad and building on high picks. It’s painful but worthwhile.”

For NBA fans and those inside the league who hate the growing practice of tanking, it certainly doesn’t seem like there’s much momentum behind making serious improvements any time soon.

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

Dutch side NEC Nijmegen are looking at the summer of Robinhood Sunderland Closely because they stand to benefit from a ‘substantial’ sales volume.

Voetbal 4 U covers the 23-year-old goalkeeper today And how a €70 million move this summer could massively benefit his old club.

NEC sold Roughs to Sunderland in a €10.5m deal last year, a ‘shocking’ fee for them at the time. But he has performed so well for the Black Cats since then that it now looks like a bargain.

Roffs is now valued at €25m but is being linked with a potential €70m transfer to Chelsea this summer. They’re not the only big clubs looking.

Great news for NEC Nijmegen

While this would be a huge move for Sunderland, it would also be ‘excellent news’ for NEC Nijmegen.

This is because he negotiated a ‘substantial’ sell clause during transfer talks with Sunderland last summer. Reportedly, this clause entitles him to the full 10% of any profits Sunderland makes. /

Based on the figures mentioned, Sunderland will make a profit of €58.2m. NEC will then receive a further €5.82 million from the deal. But the profits don’t stop here.

If Robinhood completes the transfer of €68.7m, NEC is also entitled to a solidarity contribution of the substantial amount of €3.09m. When combined with the proceeds from the initial sale, NEC’s total earnings from Sunderland for the Roughs would amount to more than €19m.

Would Sunderland agree a Roofes transfer?

The question is whether Sunderland will sell Robin Roughs this summer. Losing him after his impressive first season would be a huge blow.

But the prospect of making a big profit on a player who costs just over €10 million will be attractive to the Black Cats, who will likely look to spend big again this summer.

Either way, the NEC will keep a close eye. The Dutch club would stand to gain massively if Rolf leaves the Stadium of Light this summer.

The Chicago Bears made some stealth-solid moves in the offseason, but ultimately took L off the field. They lost a key piece of the front office when Ian Cunningham applied for the Atlanta Falcons GM job, and now the comp pick they’re counting on? Yep… looks like there’s no action to be taken.

Chicago was hoping the NFL would give them a compensatory pick after Cunningham opted out. However, since Matt Ryan is running the show as president of football ops in Atlanta, Cunningham does not technically hold the role of top football authority.

The NFL has just made it official. No compensatory selection. Case closed. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin on X, the league told Chicago that their appeal did not remove the chains: Cunningham’s opting out is not eligible for the draft comp, and this is the final whistle on that debate.

The Bears tried to make the case that Ian Cunningham’s move into the GM role with the Falcons should count, but the league was not convinced. Even though Cunningham took over GM duties and showed up in the annual GM photo, the NFL said it was not enough to meet the criteria.

Chicago reportedly played hard even after the league withdrew its 2026 draft order in March (with zero comp picks for them), but the replay didn’t go their way. Now, they head into the 2026 NFL Draft with their original seven picks. Headlined by the No. 25 overall pick and a pair of second-rounders.

No bonus selection. No dole. He was disposed of with just that hand. And now it’s up to the Bears front office to make every snap count heading into draft weekend.

Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe fans will ever see a third fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.

Speaking with MMA Junkie, Sonnen assessed the current status of one of MMA’s most anticipated trilogies for nearly a decade and concluded that the rubber match is never going to be possible due to the circumstances surrounding both fighters.

The talks follow Diaz’s recent revelation that he was in talks with the UFC about a return, with a trilogy fight against McGregor being the centerpiece of those discussions. Diaz passed up the opportunity, saying he wanted to fight Charles Oliveira for the BMF title instead, and eventually accepted a fight against Mike Perry on May 16 on Netflix.

Diaz said that his reason for leaving McGregor was that he only wanted a trilogy when both men were moving forward, not when one of them was on the way out.

Chael Sonnen says Nate Diaz isn’t cheating

Sonnen said, “Nate Diaz lives by a code, and you won’t be able to escape it.” “You won’t bribe him, you won’t pressure him. He lives by a code. It just gets complicated, but that’s not his negotiating strategy. He’s serious when he says, ‘I don’t want to fight Conor, Conor has been out for five years, and by the way, he’s got a leg injury. Let him come back, get a win and then I’ll come in.’

He said, “He wants to fight Charles Oliveira. Nobody wants to fight Charles Oliveira. Nate is serious.” “And it’s not just about Charles. It’s not just a jiu-jitsu fight. It’s the belt that escaped him. That BMF belt means something to him, and Charles is the guy to wear it. Nate is honest. Could he lose that fight to Mike Perry? Could the UFC lose interest in him over time? Of course. But that’s not going to change Nate’s mind.”

Diaz and McGregor split their two-fight series in 2016, with Diaz handing McGregor his first UFC defeat at UFC 196, before losing the rematch via majority decision at UFC 202. The unresolved nature of that rivalry has kept speculation about a third fight alive for the better part of a decade, but both men’s timelines are pulling in opposite directions.

Chael Sonnen predicts Conor McGregor has one UFC fight left

On the McGregor side of the equation, there is momentum building behind a return fight at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11, which will take place almost exactly five years after he last competed against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and suffered a broken leg.

Max Holloway has emerged as a potential opponent for that return. McGregor currently has two fights remaining on his deal, barring a new contract, putting him on a timeline that may not align with Diaz’s leadership. Sonnen thinks McGregor has a limited runway left, no matter what he says publicly.

“My guess on Conor is we’re going to get him another one, and I think we can really enjoy it,” Sonnen said. “Now, if you talk to Conor, and I did, you’ll get him at least three more times. He’ll make some fights and box. I think we’re going to get Conor for one more fight. I think we’ll probably miss the trilogy. Sadly.”

Stel Solbakken says Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is progressing but the manager is unsure of his return date.

The 27-year-old was substituted off the bench in Arsenal’s 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 22 February.

He has since been sidelined with a knee injury and Solbakken had to leave the Arsenal star out of his squad for this international break.

Earlier this month, Sport Witness Covered Claims From Norway that his condition is causing concern for the national team. The World Cup is approaching and now is the time to start worrying.

The former Real Madrid player has often struggled with injuries this season. This caused him to miss matches not only for the Gunners but also for his country. He has not appeared for Norway since September.

last week, the manager said Odegaard is clearly not happy with his injury situation.

Arsenal players are making progress

daily newspaper Ståle Solbakken was contacted again for an update on Martin Odegaard’s progress after his recovery from the shock.

The national team boss confirmed that he has connected with the player via SMS and is sharing the current status of his recovery.

“I haven’t talked to him. But we’ve texted a little bit. The most important thing is that he’s making progress.” He said.

Ahead of the international break, Mikel Arteta said the Norway international should return to the field in a few weeks.

The newspaper has now asked the manager exclusively if the Arsenal man could return after Easter [April 5th].

Responding to that, Solbakken explained: “When he’ll be ready, I don’t know. But it’s good progress.”

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsson hopes Odegaard will be in top shape for the World Cup.

“Definitely, we should have kept him here. Like everyone, he knows his body best. There’s a lot going on about his injury situation. We need to prepare him for the World Cup. He’s probably using the time well to get ready for it,” He added.

Norway fixtures and results for the March international break

• 2–1 defeat to Netherlands on 27 March
• Friendly vs Switzerland on 31 March

Martin Odegaard’s situation is certainly worrying for both his club and country. Mikel Arteta can only hope for his quick return to help Arsenal in their title challenge.

If that were the case, it would help him enjoy minutes, which could also benefit Norway for the World Cup.

A new report about a potential Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft target is bad news for fans hoping for the return of longtime team great Tyreek Hill.

The Chiefs did not want to lose Hill after the 2021 season. After making him the 165th pick in the 2016 draft, the speedster developed into one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NFL. And during his six seasons in Kansas City, Hill was a Pro Bowler every year and posted four seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving.

However, with great success also comes big paydays, and having the highest-paid pass catcher in the game did not help the team’s roster construction. So they decided to send him to the Miami Dolphins ahead of the 2022 season for an impressive return of five draft picks, including a first-rounder.

Still, the Chiefs’ passing attack has never been the same since Hill left. That’s why, when he was cut by the Dolphins this offseason, many longtime KC fans expected the return of the greatest receiver in team history. But a new report on Wednesday suggests the franchise could be looking for a WR1 in the draft.

Kansas City Chiefs meet Carnell Tate

Top wide receiver prospect Carnell Tate has upcoming meetings scheduled with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reported Wednesday.

The Chiefs have the ninth overall pick in April, and there’s a real possibility they land the Ohio State pass catcher. The junior had a breakout year in 2025 as he had 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. For many draft experts, he is the best player at his position in 2026.

If the Chiefs select Tate next month, it would be highly unlikely they would sign Hill in NFL free agency.

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

Moses Moody suffered a really serious injury last night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Golden State Warriors fell to the ground in pain after trying to go up for a routine dunk attempt late in overtime. MRI tests revealed that Moody had a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, ending his 2025-2026 season and potentially ruling him out parts of next season.

It’s a devastating blow for the Warriors forward, who was looking to get back into form against the Mavericks. That being said, head coach Steve Kerr did offer some good news about Moody. While his patellar tendon needs work, an MRI showed that his bones and cartilage were clean, according to 95.7 The Game.

“The MRI was clean,” Kerr said in a radio interview. “it is [patellar] Tendon. There was no damage to the cartilage or bone, so that’s good news. “That makes it a very basic surgery.”

Other notable NBA players who have suffered patellar tendon tears include Jeremy Lin, Victor Oladipo, and Caron Butler. Typically, these types of injuries take a long time to heal, taking up to a year for complete recovery. However, perhaps even more concerning for the Warriors is the decline in production players have experienced following this injury. Butler is the only exception, but most players who suffer from a torn patellar tendon never reach the level they did in previous years.

That being said, there is still plenty of optimism that Moody can return to the level he performed at. This season was his best year in five years playing with the Warriors. He averaged double figures in points while shooting 40% from three-point range for the first time in his career and has been an effective defender for the team. Moody had 23 points in that Mavericks game, filling up the stat sheet in many ways.

The Warriors play the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow. They are preparing for the postseason play-in tournament.

Amid All-Star Stephen Curry’s recovery from a right knee injury, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has taken on an increased role. As head coach Steve Kerr said after the three-game losing streak, the newfound opportunity has given Podziemski a boost in confidence. While Kerr’s reality check regarding the Warriors’ playoff approach was considered challenging, Kerr cannot ignore how beneficial it has been to Brandin.

Without Curry, Podziemski, in only his third season, will be one of the Warriors players Kerr will rely on, as these regular season reps will only make him better, Kerr said, according to Danny Ammerman of the San Francisco Standard.

“It’s a great experience for Brandin,” Kerr said Saturday in Atlanta. “I mean, 20 games without Steph.”

As for Podziemski, he’s learned a very important lesson amid Curry’s absence.

“[That] I can do it,” Podziemski said.

Brandin Podziemski struggled in the Warriors’ 126-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with five points and one assist on 2-for-6 shooting. However, he has been playing consistently well throughout March for the Warriors, averaging 16.2 points on 42.8% shooting, including 37.% from deep, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 11 games.

Steve Kerr’s blunt opinion on Warriors’ ‘tough times’

Head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back about the Warriors struggling toward the finish line of the 2025-26 regular season without Stephen Curry. Kerr says Warriors have suffered eight defeats in nine tries this is the hardest part According to Warriors reporter Joseph Dykes, he talked about being an NBA coach for a team struggling with injuries.

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

“Certainly, it’s a tough, tough time, for everybody, it’s human nature to, you know, kind of keep your head down.”

Steve Kerr after the Warriors’ loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/nqpCMusnkI

-Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) 22 March 2026

The Warriors, 33-38, have dropped to 10th, 1.5 games behind the Blazers for ninth in the Western Conference standings.

Lorenzo Lucca has not played for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League for several weeks. He scored on his debut against Leeds United but things have not gone according to plan since.

There was a mystery surrounding his absence earlier this month. sports witness Covered that his absence was due to an ankle injury. He went to Italy to assess the situation, with the issue ruling him out for a few games.

He immediately returned to action last week against Midtjylland, playing the full 120 minutes. Despite this, he was left out of the squad against Tottenham at the weekend.

Nottingham Forest won easily 3–0, appearing to spare the striker at all.

The situation now appears worrying for many in Italy arianapoli Covering the former Pisa player.

Difficulties are increasing for Lucca

The outlet believes the boycott against Spurs was ‘difficult’ for Napoli. This is now being described as the most critical part of Lucca’s career, which was derailed in Naples.

The Italian champions put a purchase option on the loan at Nottingham Forest and were hoping things would turn around. In fact, they have moved further south and Lucca has fallen out of Vitor Pereira’s plans.

It is also used in England to highlight the difficulties in adapting to life. Those struggles are not only physical but also mental, even if the 25-year-old has been away from Italy for some time in the past. All this has been presented as ‘bad news’ for Napoli’s chances of selling him.

A return from Nottingham Forest looks likely

sports witness Has covered claims in Italy that have questioned Lucca’s attitude and work ethic. This was always in doubt even at Napoli, where Antonio Conte always wanted players to perform more physically.

With all this in mind, the Italian press is no surprise at how things are going.

Any player reaching England in January may face difficulties in settling there. If Nottingham Forest had signed Lucca in the summer, it would have been easier for the player.

Now, getting his career back at another club next season is the most logical option for the player.

The news wasn’t surprising on Thursday when it was announced that the Toronto Blue Jays would place top young starter Trey Yesavage on the injured list to start the season. They had been playing gently with him all spring. He reported feeling something was not right at the camp.

But with the announcement that he’s going on the IL to start the year with a “shoulder impingement,” it’s perfectly clear what the issue is.

Let’s all remember that Yesways is still only 22 years old. He came in as a rookie at the end of last season, and got in only 14 regular season innings before arriving on the biggest stage in baseball in the postseason. He was incredible in his 27.2 playoff innings, and not the least bit fazed by the bright lights of the World Series. But at 125 total innings, that was nearly 30% more than the year before in his last NCAA season.

So what happens with the Blue Jays’ rotation now? This news follows the news that Jose Berrios will also start on the IL as he works through a stress fracture in his elbow. And we all know about Justin Bieber, who was kicked out of Opening Days plans long ago.

What does the Blue Jays’ five-man rotation look like now after Yesway’s injury?

Thankfully, the Jays prepared themselves for these types of pitching injuries (as every MLB team should!). The late re-signing of Max Scherzer and the continued presence of swingman Eric Lauer means Toronto could still start a rotation that looks like this:

• Kevin Gausman
• dialing off
• max shazer
• Cody Ponce
• Eric Lauer

So, let’s take a look: The two-time All-Star and recent AL strikeout champion on Opening Day. The $210 million freshman with five consecutive 200-K seasons is next. Then there’s a left-hander (Lauer) who completely reworked himself into the rotation last season (3.77 ERA).

Next comes Cody Ponce. He is returning to North America after completely dominating Korea last season. He has continued this into spring training as well. He allowed only one hit in 5.2 scoreless innings against the NY Yankees on Thursday, dropping his Grapefruit League ERA to 0.66 in 13.2 innings.

And ultimately, the Jays completed their cycle with the only three-time Cy Young winner.

Blue Jays’ impressive pitching depth could survive 3 starters on IL

And as the Jays beat writer Keegan Matheson on TSN’s Overdrive, many teams around baseball couldn’t escape defeat Three The Blue Jays can do just as well with the starters in their rotation.

“This depth is really impressive. I remember we were talking a few weeks ago, ‘Where is Max Scherzer going to pitch?’ Well, he’s going to pitch right here. These things work on their own all the time, Matheson said. “If they had signed 20 starters, 15 of them would have got hurt. That’s just the way it works.”

As for Yesvez, he said that after working on his shoulder throughout the spring, he is “feeling good now” and the pain is gone. He’s still pitching, and, according to Sportsnet’s Shea Davidy, “Yesvez is scheduled to be back on a mound next Wednesday, with his upcoming steps being ‘building, building innings, getting pitch counts to a comfortable spot so I can be a starter,'” the young pitcher concluded.

So, there is no reason to panic at all at this point in the Toronto camp. The rotation should be in very good hands until all of the injured walking backs return. Then we’ll have another problem to worry about. But this whole “too many beginners” dilemma can only be a good thing.

Crescencio Somerville will have to wait for his long-awaited Netherlands debut.

The West Ham United winger has been forced to withdraw from the Oranje squad with a minor calf injury and will be unavailable to face Aston Villa. It ended up being what seemed like a pivotal moment for the 22-year-old.

Ronald Koeman plans first Netherlands call-up

The Telegraph reports Ronald Koeman chose Somerville for his first senior call-up and that too The winger was hopeful of a comeback For West Ham against Aston Villa this weekend.

However, time has worked against them. After discussions between West Ham and the Netherlands, both sides agreed not to take any risks.

As a result, Somerville will miss the Premier League tie and the Netherlands’ upcoming friendlies against Norway and Ecuador.

Injury setback doesn’t impact World Cup ambitions

The setback has disappointed the forward, but it has not derailed his progress. De Telegraaf reports that he remains firmly in Koeman’s World Cup plans, and has made clear his commitment to the Netherlands.

Suriname’s new national coach Henk ten Cate approached the West Ham star, but Somerville chose to remain with the Oranje. Internally, executives continue to support that decision.

West Ham are hopeful of a quick recovery and Koeman believes Somerville’s opportunity will come soon.

For now, everyone involved will focus on getting him fully fit for the race and preventing this small problem from becoming a bigger problem.

Somerville’s importance to West Ham is increasing

His importance to West Ham’s survival hopes is undeniable. He has established himself as a key creative force for the Hammers this season and has found his scoring touch since the turn of the year.

He has scored five goals this year alone and leads the team in several metrics, including 33 successful dribbles and 91 touches in the opposition box.

Statistically, he is one of West Ham’s most direct attacking threats.

Those stats have caught the Netherlands’ attention, but his international opportunity will have to wait. Fortunately, the delay has not ruled them out of the World Cup picture.

🇨🇿 Tomas Soucek | Check outlook on renewal

⏸️ West Ham star renewal put on hold, not canceled – agent ready to contacthttps://t.co/E7SraAlI2J #whufc #koi

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 20 March 2026

The Detroit Pistons are in serious trouble after Cade Cunningham suffered a lung injury. He will be reevaluated in two weeks and is expected to miss at least eight games.

The Pistons didn’t miss him much in Thursday’s 117-95 win over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. They improved to 50–19 and reached 50 wins for the first time in 18 years.

While fans are concerned about Cunningham missing for an extended period of time, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said there is no need to panic.

“The good news is they’ve got a four-game lead for a seed in the Eastern Conference standings. I think seeding is less important this year than health, obviously, but the Pistons played very hard. It would be great if they could get a seed so they have some cushion. They’ve played OK without Cade, they’re 5-2 without him,” Windhorst said.

“There are some tankers left on that schedule. There’s no doubt some tough games, but they should get some wins.”

Windhorst also raised the possibility of the 24-year-old guard returning sooner than later.

Windhorst said, “When the Pistons announced this injury, they didn’t announce the rib injury. Now, maybe they’re not giving it all out, but if he survived the big rib injury, it could potentially be more positive for him to come back in a shorter time frame.”

The team’s next five assignments aren’t exactly a walk in the park: the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Cunningham, who is in danger of being ineligible for individual awards, averaged career-highs of 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists and 1.5 steals.

Jalen Duren led Detroit with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals against the Wizards.

The 65-game rule is once again under scrutiny as Zach Lowe criticized the concept following an injury to Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham has been playing at an incredible level this season, leading Detroit to serious playoff contention. However, his lung was damaged which would cause him to lose significant time.

NBA analyst Zach Lowe provided his thoughts on Cunningham’s injury during his March 19 show. Cunningham has played in 61 games so far this season and the team has 14 games remaining. It’s very possible he doesn’t play another regular season game this year. Lowe wants an exception where a minimum number of players can be named to third-team All-NBA.

“I get it. I get the reason why they’re doing it. They have to try to encourage the best players to play. Spoiler alert, it hasn’t worked. And I also remember saying, can you at least give me the flexibility to be like third-team All-NBA so I don’t have to follow this rule,” Lowe said at the 8:45 mark.

“Respect me as a voter, former voter now, maybe in the future, that I can actually analyze games played, impact, minutes played, team records, like I can put it all together and actually compare somebody who played 63 games versus somebody who played 72 games and maybe come to the conclusion that maybe the guy who played 63 games is better, or more valuable, or more deserving of All-NBA, but you Concluded I’m too stupid to do that.”

Cade Cunningham, what’s next for the Pistons

It’s brutal news for the Pistons to learn about Cade Cunningham. He hopes to make a full recovery while keeping his season as strong as possible without the services of the star guard.

Detroit boasts a 49–19 record on the season, finishing atop the Eastern Conference standings. They are 3.5 games up on the Boston Celtics and five games up on the New York Knicks.

Following Thursday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, the Pistons will be at home for their next contest. They host the Golden State Warriors as tip-off takes place on March 20 at 7:30 pm ET.

Italy and Newcastle United can breathe easy. After a tense 24 hours, Sandro Tonali has been cleared to take part in the upcoming World Cup playoff campaign. This is a huge relief for Gennaro Gattuso and especially the Italian staff.

Tonali was sent off during Newcastle’s Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday evening, sparking immediate concern in the national team camp.

The Italian midfielder started the game alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton but was removed after 55 minutes due to an awkward fall on the touchline. Reports then said that due to the problem he would undergo an MRI scan today.

Tests bring good news

According to Gianluca Di MarzioThursday’s medical tests gave the results Italy had hoped for. He suffered only minor swelling; There is no structural damage.

That means there is no risk of him missing the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland. The Newcastle midfielder should also be fully fit for a potential playoff final.

Di Marzio reports that the midfielder’s condition is ‘nothing serious’, eliminating any fears of a last-minute midfield crisis.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had initially labeled Tonali “doubtful” for Sunday’s derby against Sunderland. The plan is to assess him day by day, with Italy hoping to rest him before international duty.

Gravina: ‘There is reason for optimism’

Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina also commented on Tonali’s injury after speaking to the midfielder.

“I talked to him on the phone with the coach and our doctor.” He said.

“He is more relaxed than when he left the pitch. There is some concern, but it is moderate. Today’s tests have provided reassurance. He needs to recover, and we will do so with all the means at our disposal. There is reason for optimism.”

That optimism has now been confirmed. Today the medical examination has revealed no significant damage, due to which he will be available for the international break.

Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez has started to show signs of progress during his loan spell at River Plate, The Ecuadorian player contributed his first goal since arriving in Argentina.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who hails from Chelsea, recorded an assist against Sarmiento at the weekend. It was his first direct involvement in a goal since joining River earlier this year, following a difficult start to life in Europe.

The London club invested heavily in Paez as one of South America’s brightest prospects. Now they are keeping a close eye on the effort to recreate the momentum in Buenos Aires.

Chelsea’s plans after Strasbourg affair

Chelsea agreed a deal worth around €23m (£19.6m) for Kendry Paez when he was a teenager at Independiente del Valle. The plan was always long term.

However, his first European experience proved complicated. After reaching England, he was sent to Strasbourg, part of the Bluco network.

The midfielder played 21 matches there, seven as a starter, scoring once. Yet he never fully established himself, and Chelsea surprisingly decided to recall him Before the loan has completed its entire term.

The River Plate then emerged as the next stage in the development plan. The Argentine club secured the young player on an 18-month loan, while Chelsea retained recall rights in the transfer window during the deal.

First glimpse – and first help

Since arriving, Kendry Paez has been added to the team. In his early appearances he has played just over 200 minutes, mostly rotating between substitute outings and first starts. chelsea player had shoulder injury last month, but his recovery was rapid as he gradually returned to the starting eleven.

In that respect, the numbers show a player still adapting to the rhythms of Argentine football.

They have created an average of almost one chance per 90 minutes and attempted three shots in total so far. His passing accuracy has fluctuated between 59% and the mid-70s, reflecting the risk-heavy nature of his game.

This risk was evident in his first start for River, when he played 88 minutes against Huracán.

At the start of the match he produced a nutmeg down the right and made a diagonal run that drew away the defenders, opening up space for Gonzalo Montiel to assist Sebastián Druisi.

However, the game also shed light on the adjustment process. Paez completed 13 of 22 passes (59%), blocked one shot, won three of seven duels, recorded one recovery and one interception, and lost possession 17 times.

Nevertheless, River manager Eduardo Coudet saw encouraging signs in the Ecuadorian’s role within the team.

“I watched him very well from a game and attitude point of view,” Caudet told the local newspaper hail. “We have players with good technique, but we need them to be physical. I said from the beginning, I like physical teams.”

The coach then explained why he decided to start Chelsea’s side. “His selection is linked to the fact that I want to reclaim my game.”

Coudet believes that the midfielder provides a different balance than using a second striker.

“Because he plays more as a midfielder than as a second forward, he generates more combination play”he explained. “We can link up better. When you go with a second striker you are more direct. And we need to fix our game. We generate a lot. In my mind he comes first. I have seen him well.”

River pressure is being seen as a real challenge

Those who worked closely with Kendry Paez early in his career believe the river environment may be exactly what he needs.

Diego Martínez, one of the coaches who helped develop him with the youth teams of Independiente del Valle and Ecuador, sees the move to the Argentine as an important step forward.

“The fact that he has gone to River is more demanding than playing in France,” martinez explained The Millionaire Page. “That’s what he needs. The pressure of a big and important club.”

According to Martínez, hope around the river can fuel youth development. This will help Chelsea.

“Playing for River requires a lot of character and a lot of things that, in my opinion, are more demanding than many European teams”He said. “What he needs is a demanding context that will propel him forward. This is not a step back. This is a very interesting platform for his development.”

He also believes that the club’s leadership can help Paez mature.

“Marcelo Gallardo will be very important. I don’t know him personally, but I admire his ability to lead and develop talent”, He said. “It makes a lot of sense that Kendari chose Rivers because of the challenge and because of the coach’s reputation. Kendry needs affection. He likes being close to the coach.”

Our take: The perfect place to bloom

This current loan at River Plate represents another step in the carefully managed development of a player who made his professional debut in Ecuador aged just 15.

Kendry Paez is still adjusting to a new league and a new tactical context. But his early statistics in Argentina underpin that process with some positives, and the assist against Sarmiento signals the first sign of momentum.

It’s fair to say that Liam Rosenior will not be active His ‘surprising’ reminiscence section anytime soon. If the creative midfielder continues to thrive in one of South America’s most demanding environments, Chelsea will hope the River experience will sharpen the qualities that have made him one of the most coveted teenage prospects on the continent.

🇦🇷 Ian Subiabre | Chelsea groundwork faces new challenge ➡️ Arsenal’s strength for wonderkidhttps://t.co/qFhasGbytm #cfc #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has confirmed that Leeds United’s Noah Okafor will miss the March international break through injury.

The winger last featured in Leeds United’s FA Cup win over Birmingham City on 15 February. Since then he has been out of the team due to a hamstring injury.

Okafor recently returned to training, but a new hip problem forced him out of the league draw against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

This setback has come as a huge blow to him as it has further delayed his return to the national team.

Okafor has not represented his country since arriving at Elland Road from AC Milan in August 2025. In fact, he had made an appearance since June 2024, and that was in November of that year.

Timeline of the NT saga of Leeds United players

It’s important to provide background on why Murat Yakin repeatedly ignored Noah Okafor and what changed in recent weeks.

white man’s living together attitude Switzerland considered doubtful for Euro 2024. Last October, Sports Witness Covered Claims The manager was bitter at the Euros and did not want Okafor to remain in the team.

Yakin dropped him from the team again in November, resulting in a public outburst from the 25-year-old. He accused the national team boss and his director Pierluigi Tammi of not communicating with him.

At the end of that month, Tami urged Okafor needs to be “polite,” while Yakin said in January that the door is always open to him.

In February, Yakin, Tammy and Swiss FA media officer Adrian Arnold all traveled to the UK. The trio watched Okafor in live action against Nottingham Forest and chatted with him.

Tami said There were “honest, frank and constructive talks” between the parties. This led to suggestions that he could return to the team for the upcoming international break.

Switzerland’s comeback derailed by injury

Switzerland face Germany and Norway in the coming weeks and Yakin announced his squad this morning.

Okafor missed the game due to injury and the manager spoke with him to learn more about his condition. 9.f Has released his comments.

“I had planned to include him in the team, unfortunately he is now injured. He is making good progress, we are in touch. We also spoke to him on the phone recently about staying focused.” He said.

This suggests that although Okafor is not ready for Switzerland, he should be available for Leeds United soon.

Okafor’s numbers with Leeds United

With a contract until 2029, transfer market He is valued at €18 million, and has increased by €5 million since joining Farke’s side.

Below are his statistics from the Premier League so far

🇷🇺Eduard Spertsyan | The player talks about Leeds United and Southampton

➡️ It was a pleasure working with Daniel Farke
✅thinks #SAFC failure can be for the best
❌ Agent not found now
➡️ Still wants to walk
…complex doesn’t cover it enough 👇https://t.co/D8tR995xI2

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 4 March 2026

Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski has not played for the Premier League team this season due to a long-term injury.

He suffered a knee injury in May 2025, causing him to miss Spurs’ Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

Due to injury, the Tottenham player will miss Sweden’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine later this month. Sweden manager Graham Potter has left him out of the squad for the upcoming international break, having thought he would be available much sooner.

The 25-year-old last made an appearance for the north London club in a 2-0 league defeat to Crystal Palace on May 11 last year. He suffered an injury and was replaced by Mickey Moore in the 19th minute.

Timeline of the Tottenham star’s recovery process

Three days after the injury, Spurs confirmed that he had undergone successful surgery. Later that day, Anze Postecoglou, who was in charge of the club at the time, said that he would be out for “at least a few months”.

In August, reports stated that he would not return until the end of that year. On September 9, Kulusevski got His “rehabilitation is going well” and he predicted a return to the field in the “very, very near future”.

• On 1 October, John Dahl Tomasson, who was the national team manager at the time, Spurs attacker explained He is in “a different phase of his rehabilitation”. Later that month, Sweden dismissed him and appointed Potter as his successor.
• Former Chelsea on 20 November the manager pointed out Kulusevski could return “around the New Year.”
• A month later, Potter was confident His players returned for the March international break, but optimism vanished in February. the coach accepted “It will be tough to get back in March.”

Earlier today, Potter announced his squad for the upcoming international break. After this he spoke to the media and soccer channel Has released his comments.

As well as the 25-year-old, Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is also a big miss for Sweden.

On the absence of both, he said: “Alexander Isak has made a lot of progress and is on the field. But the games are coming very quickly. Dejan is progressing but not as fast as we would like.”

What happened since Kulusevski played for Spurs?

There have been many developments at both the English club and national team since Dejan Kulusevski last arrived.

On May 21, 2025, Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1–0 to win the Europa League and secure a place in the Champions League. On 6 June, Tottenham parted ways with Anze Postecoglou, the manager who had helped them win the trophy.

Thomas Frank’s appointment was confirmed a few days later. In September of that year, Daniel Levy resigned as club president. A month later, Fabio Paratici returned, leaving him for Fiorentina in February.

Frank was dismissed on 11 February and Spurs appointed Igor Tudor until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Sweden struggled in World Cup qualifiers and were dismissed [first time in their history] Tomasson. The national team appointed Potter in his place.

To recap, Kulusevski has yet to play under Tudor and Potter at Tottenham and Sweden respectively.

🇺🇾Rodrigo Bentancur | Detailed information on Tottenham return

🔥Player’s fitness trainer gives update
📅 Full training + return to sport timeline
‼️ Whisper it… but it could be positive Spurs news 👇https://t.co/BxZb214aw8 #thfc #Happiness

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 13 March 2026

The LA Clippers have been one of the best teams in the league since mid-December, but have faltered with a few losses of late as injuries have mounted. Kawhi Leonard is currently out with a sprained left ankle and now the franchise will be without its sixth player in Benedict Mathurin.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Clippers announced that Mathurin would miss Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right toe injury. Mathurin will not play in any of the three games during this Clippers road trip as he continues to receive treatment for an injured toe.

Mathurin played 34 minutes off the bench in Monday night’s loss against the San Antonio Spurs, and finished with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals on 5 of 12 shooting.

After the game, reporters in the locker room said that Mathurin was seen walking a little strangely.

In addition to Mathurin’s three-game absence, the Clippers have listed both Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland as questionable for Wednesday night’s game against the Pelicans, the first game of a back-to-back set in New Orleans for the Clippers.

This stretch would culminate in a second five-seven of the month for the Clippers, who also played one game to start March.

After climbing from a 6-21 start to the regular season to 34-32, the Clippers have now lost two straight games and must find ways to remain in the ever-competitive Western Conference. As of Wednesday morning, the Clippers will be just one game ahead of the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors and just 1.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Clippers currently lead their season series against the Warriors 2–1 with one game remaining, while they lead their season series against the Trail Blazers 2–0 with two more games remaining. In fact, the final two games of the season for the Clippers are against the Blazers on April 10 and against the Warriors on April 12.

Since arriving in a trade from the Indiana Pacers in early February, Benedict Mathurin has been a star in his role as the sixth man for the Clippers. In his 16 appearances with his new team so far, Mathurin has averaged 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Clippers, while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor.

As Jayson Tatum recovered from his Achilles injury, every NBA superstar praised him. For Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, his reaction was no different.

That is his makeup. This is his DNA. That’s his perspective,” Booker said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter). “Someone I’ve looked up to for a really long time since he was in 6th and 7th grade.

“I’m watching him grow into a champion. What he’s accomplished at such a young age is inspiring, even if it’s small. I’m happy to see him back out there.”

When Tatum first came out with an injury, many thought he would not return for the season. But as time progressed, it began to look more likely that the Boston Celtics forward would make his season debut in 2025-26.

But a few weeks ago, he was watching the Celtics beat the Suns 97-81 on Feb. 24. Now, Tatum will face off against Phoenix for the first time all year.

Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum share mutual respect

Both players were part of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team that captured the gold medal. Although Tatum didn’t get a lot of playing time, being a part of a roster like this is quite an accomplishment.

Booker, meanwhile, was the unsung MVP for that team, and something that the Boston star could have been for an Olympic team one day.

Either way, the focus remains on the 2025-26 season, and where the Celtics have a legitimate chance to win the Eastern Conference and make a run for an NBA championship.

Leeds United’s Maximilian Wobber has been on loan at Werder Bremen since July and the temporary move has been a disaster.

The Austrian international made his debut for the Bundesliga team in a 1–0 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB-Pokal in August.

He suffered an injury in the same clash and was replaced by Olivier Damon in the 79th minute.

He had to stay away from the field for 111 days due to a hamstring injury. The defender regained full fitness in December and took part in a friendly against FC St. Pauli this year.

The 28-year-old played for 45 minutes and suffered a fresh setback. He has since been on the sidelines with a calf injury, limiting him to just one appearance this season.

In short, the centre-back, who can also operate as a left-back, has not yet been featured in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen.

wobber has recently been revealed His injury is more serious than he initially thought. He also said that he is hoping to play five to six league matches this season after this month’s international break.

“Hopefully, after the international break, I will have at least five or six games where I can give my all for the club,” He said.

Concern over fitness of Leeds United player

Monday edition of image Relays these comments and provides his opinion on the Whites defender.

‘The personnel situation at Werder Bremen remains tense’ due to several long-term injured players. This also includes Wobber, who has not performed competitively for eight months and will not return to the field any time soon.

Earlier this month, the German club’s manager, Daniel Thioune, said they would not be in a rush to get him back.

Thioune explained: “We have to be patient and give it time. So, there is no exact forecast.”

Wobber recently traveled to London to meet a specialist, and was expected to regain fitness after the international break.

However, the Leeds United-owned player will not be fit enough to take the field straight away due to a lack of match practice. Therefore, Bild suggest that he will never be able to work for Werder Bremen again. His season may be over, and then the string of matches he is expecting may seem unrealistic.

Werder are four points above the relegation zone and it is unclear whether Thioune will risk giving minutes to Wobber.

Situation worrying for Daniel Farke’s side

Werder Bremen is unlikely to exercise the purchase option. Therefore, the Austrian will have to return to Elland Road, where he is under contract until 2027.

If Daniel Farke wants to leave him out of his plans next season, Leeds United will have to sell him to avoid losing him on a free.

transfer market The value is €4 million, but his injury situation could force Leeds United to sell him at a lower price.

A new report seems to suggest the New England Patriots acquiring AJ Brown in a trade isn’t a matter of if, but simply a matter of when.

After being decisively defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, the Patriots are making every effort to improve the roster and become the rare team to bounce back in the big game after a loss. Without a doubt, acquiring a bigger weapon in the pass game, especially after releasing Stefon Diggs, is a top priority this offseason.

Not surprisingly, the franchise has been linked to a trade for Philadelphia Eagles star receiver AJ Brown for several weeks. And a recent report suggested New England had even offered first- and third-round picks to the three-time Pro Bowler. However, the Eagles are looking to return at least a first and second rounder.

With the price being so high, there has been much discussion that Philadelphia could still hold on to Brown despite the obvious disappointment with his usage during the 2025 season. However, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, multiple league sources have described a trade from Philly as “inevitable”.

New England Patriots remain favorite in AJ Brown trade market

Furthermore, Florio says most people believe the Eagles are planning to move Brown after June 1, because, as one source explained, “The Eagles would be looking at a potential cap disturbance in 2027 if they keep Brown through 2026.” But how good are the chances for the Patriots to complete the trade when there are so many other interested teams, including the Los Angeles Rams?

Well, that sounds pretty good. An NFL insider claimed, “The Patriots remain in play despite the recent addition of former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs. A source anticipates the Patriots will be the final destination.”

“Regardless, the fact that a trade hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Signs continue to point towards it happening. The only question is if the Eagles decide to wait until after June 1 to make the deal official.”

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

Werder Bremen are highly unlikely to sign Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt on a permanent deal this summer. The Bundesliga club are cooling on their €3m purchase option after a disappointing loan spell.

BILD has comments from Werder director Clemens Fritz today In an article covering the 26-year-old’s disappointing season in Germany.

Schmidt joined the Bundesliga club on loan from Leeds in the summer. They struggled to make a deal for the full back and eventually secured a deal with ‘favorable terms’.

He was considered an ‘exciting back up’ for the club but the match was not a success. Despite significant personnel problems at left-back, Schmidt failed to secure a starting place under Daniel Thiouane’s former coach Horst Stephan.

January signing makes Schmidt third choice

Now his condition has become much worse. Olivier Damon arrived in the January transfer window and moved ahead of Schmidt, leaving him third in the pecking order.

As a result the likelihood of the vendor exercising its €3m purchase option is ‘decreasing’. Fritz has hinted at ‘playing for time’ when asked about Schmidt’s future.

“It is too early to say if and how things will continue into the summer,” He said.

“We value Isaac highly for his versatility. His intensity and tenacity give every coach a good feeling.”

The expectation is that the Leeds lender may experience growth of late. This has already been achieved by fellow loan teammate Cameron Puertas, who has gone from benchwarmer to the starting 11.

Replacement is in line for Leeds United player

However, the future is not looking bright. Werder Bremen in particular are already considering options. According to BILD, he has already sent a ‘ready-to-sign’ offer to Hertha Berlin’s Michael Carbonik. He would be the logical successor to the Leeds United man.

Schmidt’s poor performance continued in a disappointing year. He joined them in search of playing time after managing only 71 minutes for Leeds in the Championship the previous season. His total playing time was 251 minutes which included two appearances in the FA Cup.

This season, that number is 523 minutes in 15 appearances, but it is a far cry from what he or Werder were expecting. In fact, he has indicated that he wants the move to be made permanent.

Werder Bremen are already looking for options at left-back, with Leeds United now planning the return of Isaac Schmidt in the summer. That is until the late Renaissance changed his position in Germany.

Ilya Topuria has caused a stir in the MMA world with a social media post indicating that his period of forced inactivity may be coming to an end. On Tuesday, the undefeated UFC lightweight champion shared a cryptic message with his millions of followers on Instagram: “Big news coming soon.”

The post, which features an eye-catching graphic from UFCStar, comes at a key moment for the 155-pound division, as the champion appears ready to reclaim his throne after an eight-month hiatus defined more by court battles than octagon wars.

The “personal matters” that sidelined Topuria following his knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 have finally been resolved. Topuria was embroiled in a controversial legal dispute with his ex-wife Georgina Uzcategui, which involved serious but unfounded allegations. However, after the case was recently dismissed and the settlement signed, Topuria has turned his focus back to his MMA legacy.

His return to the gym was punctuated by a previous post declaring, “The champion is back!!!”, a sentiment that has now evolved into the promise of a concrete announcement. The “big news” could take many forms, but all signs point to the UFC’s historic event on June 14.

Topuria has long expressed a desire to compete on the “White House” card, a fitting platform for a man who considers himself the pound-for-pound king. While a unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje is the most logical option, Topuria has publicly flirted with an even more ambitious goal: a jump to 170 pounds to challenge Islam Makhachev.

“Maybe I’ll have another fight, and then there’ll be a date in the summer when [the UFC] Topuria recently suggested, “Let me move up to welterweight. Or maybe they’ll create a new belt called the ‘pound-for-pound title’ at catchweight and I’ll fight for it.” [it]”

Fueling the superfight rumors is Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz. In a recent post on

If Topuria and Makhachev are indeed being paired for a cross-divisional clash, it would mark a major change in the UFC’s 2026 strategy, potentially blurring the traditional lightweight title picture in which Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira currently await.

NBA Hall of Famer Ben Wallace supports the comparison between himself and Isaiah Stewart, further validating the young forward’s emergence during the Detroit Pistons’ standout season.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, Wallace addressed several parallels between his Hall of Fame career and Stewart’s evolving role in Detroit’s frontcourt.

“I definitely see it,” Wallace said.

Stewart, 24, is having one of the most accomplished stretches of his career. In 48 games and 13 starts, he has averaged 10 points, 5.1 rebounds, a career-high 1.7 blocks and 1.1 assists, while shooting 54% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range in 23.3 minutes per game. His impact has helped Detroit reach an NBA-best record of 43–14.

Comparisons focus primarily on defensive intensity and physical presence. Despite being undersized for a traditional center, Wallace made his legacy as one of the league’s most dominant defenders. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Star, Wallace anchored Detroit’s 2004 championship team and became synonymous with the franchise’s gritty identity. His rebounding, rim protection and tireless energy defined the era of Pistons basketball.

Isaiah Stewart credits Ben Wallace’s path for growing mutual respect

Stewart acknowledged the connection.

“He paved the way for us guys to be smaller,” Stewart said. “I’m trying to live up to that and keep my name in this organization in a positive way.”

According to ESPN, the mutual respect between the two goes beyond public comments.

Watching the respectful exchange, a source who knows Wallace well summed it up:

“Ben looks at Stewart like a proud father.”

As Detroit continues its rise to the top of the standings, Stewart’s development remains central to the team’s identity. Wallace’s endorsement reinforces the belief that Stewart’s defensive growth and physical style is up to the standard set by one of the franchise’s most iconic players.

Just days before the All-Star break earlier this month, Kevin Durant took aim at American-born basketball players for not attempting during the NBA All-Star Game.

“You have to ask the European and world teams if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic right now, let’s go back and see what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So, we haven’t questioned what they’re doing. But we’re going to question the old heads and the Americans.”

The comments sparked a strong conversation, which was an excuse for both American teams to beat Team World in the new All-Star Game format. Now, he’s continuing his campaign against rhetoric he considers unfair to American players and a subtext that isn’t often talked about in the ESPN report about their playing in the 2028 Olympics.

“That’s a lot of bull—with it. I can read between the lines on that. It’s a shot at black Americans. We’re controlling the game. They’re tired of us controlling the game.

He added, “’France is coming for you.’ Really? We beat up those boys.”

Durant is right, as the 2024 version of Team USA defeated the Victor Wembanyama-led French national team at the Olympics. Team USA has won a gold medal in every Summer Olympics since a shocking bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Durant also said he is not ruling out playing in the LA Olympics in the summer of 2028, indicating that the media has planted a narrative that he and Steph Curry will not throw their hat in the ring.

“You guys, the media, have anticipated this,” Durant recently told ESPN. “Where did that narrative, the last dance thing, come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t playing. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”

The Los Angeles Lakers last faced the LA Clippers in the 2025–26 regular season, and as those matchups usually are, it also lost. And while LeBron James was there to close out the game, Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave late with an ankle injury.

James finished the night with 13 points, three rebounds and 11 assists on 5-of-13 shooting for the Lakers, who defeated the Clippers 125–122. Kawhi Leonard produced 31 points, four rebounds and five assists on 11-of-19 shooting in 31 minutes of play before departing with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

After the game, LeBron James was asked about Kawhi Leonard and his resiliency to come back from injury and perform at an All-Star level.

“Kawhi is amazing, man,” James said. “He’s the best. He’s one of the best players ever. And I couldn’t care less about injuries. Those things, you can’t control. You can only control the guys, and the things he’s controlling is how he comes back and how much perseverance he has every time.”

In 42 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 49 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and 90.7 percent from the free throw line.

His strong play throughout the season, but especially since mid-December, has been a big reason why the Clippers have been able to climb out of the 6-21 hole they started the season with.

“He’s a – that guy is amazing,” LeBron James continued. “I swear. I have nothing but good things to say about Kawhi and the kind of basketball he’s been playing the last few months. I mean, he’s been the same for a season. I’m not surprised by this. On another note, I was disappointed on the 2024 Olympic team when he wasn’t able to go with us. I was hoping to make the team with the ‘Whee’ as well. I was a little disappointed about that when he had to deal with another injury. Spent some time with him, but listen, he’s great. He had 31 points in 12 minutes. Obviously, I could talk about him all night.”

I heard LeBron James speak incredibly highly of Kawhi Leonard when I asked him about the resiliency he saw in him:

“Kawhi is amazing, man. He’s the best. He’s one of the best players ever. I couldn’t care less about injuries… That guy is amazing. I swear I don’t have anything… pic.twitter.com/GipDxoJRfX

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 21 February 2026

Kawhi Leonard has dealt with a number of injuries in his career, from a torn ACL to a torn meniscus, not to mention quad and knee inflammation difficulties, in recent years.

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have not played 40 games against each other – 28 in the regular season and 12 in the playoffs. Leonard has won 15 of those 28 regular season games and seven of those 12 playoff games.

James and his Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Championship against Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard and his Spurs defeated James and his Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic hit back at his critics over his level of commitment to basketball.

Jokic is playing the 11th season of his NBA career with the Nuggets. He earned his place as one of the best players in the entire league, often making it look easy with his elite skill set.

How simple it seems has left critics debating whether the veteran superstar has cared enough about the game over the past few seasons. Jokic finally addressed those things during an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, and dismissed the idea that he doesn’t care.

“There are a lot of people who say, ‘Well how much does he care?'” Andrews asked.

Joc responded, “I care a lot. …I think if you don’t care about winning you shouldn’t be in this game.”

“There are a lot of people who say, ‘Well, how much does he care?'”—@malika_andrews

“I care a lot. …I think if you don’t care about winning you shouldn’t be in this game.” -Nikola Jokic 🏀 pic.twitter.com/oASUyjZSCf

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 18 February 2026

What’s next for Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets?

It’s clear that Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be a dedicated winner in the NBA for a long time. That was especially the case throughout his tenure with the Nuggets, leading them to the mountaintop with a 2023 championship.

Jokic continues to be remarkable throughout the 2025-26 season. He averaged 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 39 games. He is shooting 59% from the field, including 42% from beyond the arc and 84% from the free-throw line.

Denver compiled a 35–20 record on the season and finished third in the Western Conference standings. They are one game up on the Houston Rockets and 1.5 games up on the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they trail the San Antonio Spurs by 3.5 games and the Oklahoma City Thunder by 6.5 games.

With the All-Star break over, the Nuggets will resume action with a three-game road trip. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers on February 19 at 10:30 PM ET, the Portland Trail Blazers on February 20 at 10 PM ET, and the Golden State Warriors on February 22 at 3:30 PM ET.