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

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

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

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

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

Feud between Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Crystal Palace manager could be key

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

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

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

nottingham forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis has emerged as a surprise figure in the increasingly chaotic battle for control of Botafogo. This is according to reports from Brazil.

The development comes just weeks after former owner John Textor was removed from control of the Brazilian club following a financial collapse. The collapse left Botafogo reportedly billions of Brazilian reais in debt.

Now, Marinakis has entered the picture with Iranian businesswoman Kia Joorabchian. He has made an official offer to acquire 90% of the club’s shares.

The proposal was reportedly presented on Monday and it immediately became one of the biggest talking points in Brazilian football. However, the bid appears to be more than a straight-up takeover attempt.

Marinakis and Texter links remain strong

according to EarthThere is widespread belief within Botafogo that the proposal is linked to Textor’s efforts. These efforts are focused on regaining influence at the club.

Although the American businessman is not formally part of the bid, his ties to Marinakis have become increasingly visible. This has happened in recent months.

The pair had previously explored the possibility of working together on the Botafogo deal and remained close despite those talks failing to reach an agreement.

Last month, they were spotted together watching Rio Ave Sporting match in Portugal. Their relationship had already developed through the two businessmen’s dealings with clubs involved in football operations.

The relationship is notable given the existing relationship between Nottingham Forest and Botafogo during Textor’s time in charge.

The two clubs completed a number of deals, with both organizations operating within a closely linked football network.

Some of those transactions later came under investigation in Brazil. As Botafogo’s financial problems became more visible questions were raised about the movement of players and assets between clubs linked to Textor and Marinakis.

Although no wrongdoing has been established, the background adds another layer to the latest proposal.

Textor has since said publicly that he would support the Marinakis-Joorabchian proposal if it reached a vote. Furthermore, he claims that he still controls 90% of Botafogo’s shares.

Earlier this year, he also presented his proposal to re-acquire the club, although that bid is believed to have not received significant support.

Familiar name connects to forest owner

Kia Joorabchian is a familiar figure in English football circles. He spent years as one of the most influential arbitrators in the Premier League. At various points, he was considered particularly close to both Arsenal and West Ham.

Their involvement gives the proposed takeover an even stronger Premier League flavour.

Despite the attention generated by Marinakis and Joorabchian’s proposal, the pair are not currently seen as favourites.

Mexican businessman Gabriel de Alba and investment group GDA Luma remain the top contenders to take control of Botafogo, the report said. Discussions between club officials and De Alba are said to take place almost daily.

Meanwhile, Mastercom Capital is attempting to get back into contention after previously submitting a £22m (€26m) bid. The investment fund is reportedly preparing an improved offer backed by strong financial guarantees.

As things stand, Marinakis has entered one of the most important ownership battles in South American football.

However, their participation further solidifies their growing presence in Brazil. It also adds another chapter to his increasingly close relationship with John Texter.

Manchester United And armory Recent weeks have been spent being presented as the leading contenders for Morten Hjulmand. However, the Sporting captain’s transfer saga has developed a habit of changing directions every few days.

Recent Portuguese reports have pointed towards Manchester United and Arsenal. Both clubs were said to be frontrunners For Danish international.

This week there was one real madrid twist Following reports it was suggested that Jose Mourinho had identified Hjulmand as a target for a move to the Spanish giants.

Now another contender is back in the picture. And this time Atletico Madrid is said to be in its strongest position ever.

Atletico’s claim changes the story

According to the news coming out spain And portugalAtletico Madrid has already reached an agreement with Hjulmand. Now they just need to convince Sporting.

sports worldCiting information from the Portuguese broadcaster antenna 1claims that Diego Simeone’s team have practically agreed personal terms with the midfielder. Now they are preparing afresh for sporting.

If true, this would represent the most advanced development ever associated with any club associated with Hjulmand.

Atletico’s previous attempt came during the January transfer window. The Spanish side were willing to offer around €25m (£21m) at the time. However, Sporting were never interested in discussing a deal at that stage.

The expectation now is that any serious offer would have to get very close to the figure already established between player and club.

Sports agreement remains central

Sporting are understood to have reached an informal agreement with Hjulmand, allowing him to leave this summer for around €40m-€50m (£34m-£43m), while the midfielder’s official release clause is €80m (£69m).

That understanding has been mentioned repeatedly in Portuguese reports. And according to the latest claims, Atletico are fully aware of those conditions. They are preparing their next move accordingly.

Reports also state that the Madrid club are willing to triple Hjulmand’s current salary at Sporting. This offer will meet the financial expectations of the player.

And if Atletico’s latest move is as advanced as it is being reported, then Manchester United and Arsenal could suddenly find themselves chasing rather than leading.

newcastle united And crystal Palace There would be a chance to sign Jonathan David, who will leave Juventus in the summer.

The Canadian struggled in his first season in Turin. After arriving on a free transfer, he scored only six Serie A goals, and failed to start in the last three league games.

Luciano Spalletti never appeared to be a fan of the player. Following Dusan Vlahovic’s return from injury, the striker’s prominence has diminished and he is likely to be on his way out this summer.

last week, sports witness Covered how Newcastle United are pushing for his signature. Competition from England is now increasing, including Crystal Palace for the 26-year-old.

Juve is demanding a permanent deal

gazzetta dello sport Highlights David and Lois Openda are ready to leave Juve. Even though the older woman knows the former Lille player will be important for Canada at the World Cup, they are eager to part ways.

The main reason for this is Spalletti, who is looking for a more physical profile than before.

Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are in the race for the striker. Juve see this as an opportunity to make capital gains.

There is also interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who could consider the possibility of a swap involving Randal Kolo Muani. The France international is very keen to return to Turin and this could lead to David ending up at PSG.

However, player exchanges are usually complicated, making a move to England more likely. Juve only want a permanent deal and currently demand €25m to execute David’s departure.

Both clubs may need a striker

During the previous campaign, Newcastle United lacked a presence that scored on a consistent basis. Nick Voltemed has been used from deep at times, which could make David an important addition to the team.

Crystal Palace may also be in need of a Bianconeri forward. Jean-Philippe Mateta is likely to leave – Juve themselves a possible destination. David is small and offers much more than the target. For €25m, it would be a low-risk deal and the Eagles would not have much to lose.

The only problem will be the wages of Canadians. He earns around €6m per season in Turin and that demand will not change if English clubs come forward.

Attention has increased around Gremio Vieri in recent weeks newcastle united Are in the mix for his signature.

last week, sports witness Covered how the defender could leave the Brazilian club in the summer. While Bologna see him as a replacement for John Lucmi, Nottingham Forest had already made moves for his signature.

Viewed by the Italian media as a major threat to the English competition, Vieri had performed well for Gremio throughout the season. He has played 26 times in all competitions, and has now finally become a regular for them.

It is Newcastle United who may now have the advantage in the race for the 21-year-old.

keep an eye on the premier league

Corriere dello Sport – Go labroviolaToday report that Fiorentina have now made a move for the left-footed defender. They have made a formal offer putting forward €12m for his signature.

La Viola is keen to ensure they sort out major business in June. But when it comes to Vieri, the task won’t be easy.

Newcastle United are in the race and could now be favorites to land him. This is mainly due to his financial capabilities, with Gremio demanding a fee of €20m for the youngster’s departure.

Fiorentina will not be able to afford this and the newspapers are clearly clear about this. This would be of huge benefit to the Magpies, even if they fail to qualify for Europe this season.

possibly playing team

The way many English clubs are linked with Vieri, it shows that his squad is pushing them towards the Premier League. They, in a way, are using the Italian clubs for this, constantly making it clear that Serie A teams will not be able to afford the defender.

This also seems to be a convenient strategy. Even if a suitor such as Newcastle United does not make a move for Vieri, Gremio will ultimately retain the player. That will only further his development, especially if the Brazilian club does not drop below the current €20m price tag.

It will not make any difference to the player because whatever the conditions are in the summer, he will benefit from it. He simply needs to find a clear path towards development – ​​whether it’s at St James’ Park or in Italy.

The job at Bayer Leverkusen is now a straight shootout between Oliver Glasner and Andoni Ierola. Whoever accepts first in the middle crystal Palace And bournemouth Managers will get work.

BILD reports this Whichever manager accepts the offer on the table first will be in charge of Leverkusen next season. It’s as simple as that now.

leverkusen is waiting

The newspaper reports that Bayer Leverkusen have now narrowed their search for Kasper Hjulmand’s replacement to two names, Oliver Glasner and Andoni Ierola. The Leverkusen chief considers both Fernando Caro and Simon Rolfes as top candidates.

According to BILD, whoever accepts first will now get the job. As of Friday evening, neither the Crystal Palace boss nor the Bournemouth boss had committed to Leverkusen.

Glasner, for his part, wants to focus solely on completing his contract with Crystal Palace first. He is now only talking personally to the claimants. A report this week said Austrians would hear the proposal over the weekend.

Leverkusen have already finalized terms with their management. But it remains to be seen whether he wants to return to the Bundesliga while waiting for a new offer in the Premier League.

Irola wants change in the team

The same applies to Irola at Bournemouth. He has already received a solid offer from Crystal Palace to replace Glasner. But he is ‘playing hardball’ with the Eagles, and wants freedom to reshape the team.

On the other hand, he is also more active than Glasner. This means that Leverkusen have already spoken to him and are in further negotiations with him. He has already spoken to Rolfes about changes to the team. He has done the same with Palace and most recently AC Milan.

Bayer Leverkusen wants a quick commitment, there are no other options on the list. But neither the Bournemouth manager nor the Crystal Palace manager are willing to commit at the moment.

Hull City And leeds united USL Dunkirk’s Anto Sekongo has been placed on their target list for the summer.

The Tigers won promotion to the Premier League and Sergej Zakirovic is working to strengthen his squad.

Hull City are keeping an eye on the 21-year-old, and Lead United and several other clubs are also after him.

The attacking midfielder joined the Ligue 2 team on a free transfer in July 2024 and has been a regular.

His playing time and overall performances have improved this season as he scored nine goals and provided six assists in 34 matches.

His league statistics per game are as follows:

• Appearances: 32
• Start: 30
• Minutes played: 2,533
• Minutes per game” 79
• Target: 9
• Assist: 4
• Key passes per game: 0.8
• Big chances made: 4
• Big chances missed: 6

The latest club to join the Hull City chase

Africa Foot There is a report focusing on the newly promoted Premier League team’s interest in Anto Sekongo.

Sergej Zakirovic’s side have included him on their shortlist, while several other clubs are also pursuing the Malian.

These include Leeds United, Lille, Toulouse FC, FC Lorient, Stade Rennais, AS Saint-Étienne and Samsunspor.

The Turkish club’s owners also own a Ligue 2 team, and whether this gives them an edge over other contenders is unclear. If the player decides to leave USL Dunkirk, he will ‘soon’ have to choose between several suitors.

The report does not mention Dunkirk’s stance or its demands. The report also does not mention who among the interested parties is ahead in the race for the transfer.

Contracts, prices and statistics

Anto Sekongo’s contract expires in 2028, and transfer market He is worth €4m. His supporters will be waiting for his final decision on where he wants to play next season.

After signing the attacker for free, the French club can make a profit from his sale.

Another attacking midfielder is also on the agenda for Daniel Farke’s side. On 1 April, Khel Sakshi broadcast news The Whites, Southampton and Watford are all set to sign Paris FC’s Illan Kebble.

ipswich town Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deosa has entered the picture. Reports from Spain claim the newly promoted club have begun inquiries regarding the Colombian’s situation ahead of the summer window.

The midfielder joined Betis from Monterrey last summer in a deal worth €11.5m (£9.8m). The Spanish club also agreed to give Monterrey 15% of any future capital gains. However, his first year in Spain did not go entirely as planned.

Injuries and adaptation problems prevented Deosa from producing at the level expected internally at Betis. Nevertheless, the club is confident that the Colombian will be a major improvement in the long term. They believe that they can still make a good profit from it.

abc sevilla Report Ipswich have now joined South American sides River Plate and Flamengo in keeping an eye on the 25-year-old midfielder. The interest in the river appears particularly strong. Eduardo Cudet is said to hold Deosa in high regard as the Argentine side prepare for a busy market.

The report suggests the English club have already spent heavily in the recent window, including after falling short in the Championship. They are expected to invest aggressively again to establish themselves in the Premier League.

Why does Deosa still attract attention?

This confidence is linked to the player’s profile and skill, which continues to attract clubs from many markets despite an inconsistent campaign in La Liga.

Nelson Deosa is widely viewed as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. Standing at a height of 1.85 metres, he covers the ground aggressively and is capable of making an impact in both the defensive and attacking phases. He can play in the double pivot. He can also operate with more freedom as a traditional number 8.

In Colombia the infection is particularly strong. His left foot allows him to strike long diagonals and switch plays with accuracy. Meanwhile, his technical quality under pressure helps him escape difficult situations and advance the ball through central areas.

Deosa also brings a direct attacking threat from midfield. Reports and statistical analyzes in South America have consistently highlighted his high shooting volume and willingness to attack the penalty area. He regularly scores attempts from medium and long distances and is comfortable driving himself into dangerous situations.

Defensively, his game is built around intensity and anticipation. He presses aggressively, getting early jumps to the lane and reacting quickly during defensive transitions. Those qualities make him particularly useful in stopping counter-attacks and recovering team structure after losing possession.

Betis eyes profits and awaits bids

Betis reportedly believe any sale above €9.2m (£7.8m) would already generate a profit. This is because part of the original transfer fee has now been paid in the previous year.

There are also squad-building reasons behind the club’s openness to a deal. Deosa occupies a non-EU spot in the team, and his departure will free up space for future incoming players as Betis continue to plan for next season.

Interestingly, ABC Sevilla say the Andalusian side are considering keeping a percentage of the player’s rights in any sale. They are confident that he will eventually succeed at a very high level.

The club is therefore waiting to see if a bidding war develops around the midfielder. Premier League money is seen internally as a potential factor capable of sharply increasing his valuation should Ipswich’s interest solidify or other English clubs enter the race.

celtic And ranger people In the summer Brøndby are attempting to bring IF’s Benjamin Tahirovic to Celtic Park and Ibrox respectively.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined Brøndby IF from Ajax in February 2025. Before that, Sport Witness broadcast news Celtic showed a strong interest in him.

Martin O’Neill’s side are back in the mix and join Rangers and other clubs in the transfer race.

His performances for the Danish club have seen him attract interest from some European teams. The midfielder played 1,608 minutes in 32 matches this season.

His league statistics per game are as follows:

• Appearances: 25
• Start: 13
• Total minutes: 1,198
• Minutes per game: 48
• Intercept: 0.5
• Tackle: 0.9
• Possession won (final third): 0.2
• Recovery: 2.8
• Clearance: 0.6
• Blocked Shots: 0.4
• Duel won: 2.0

Celtic and Rangers want the same player

sports games Cover the latest interest in Benjamin Tahirovic from Martin O’Neill and from Danny Rohl.

The same source previously reported FC Porto as interested, citing interest from Celtic and Rangers. It is said that Celtic have now decided to ‘go hunting’ for the 25-year-old.

Martin O’Neill’s side are ‘currently in the best position’ to sign him amid interest from Rangers, Porto and others. In other words, the Celtic Park club is ahead of the Ibrox club and the rest.

Celtic are ready to negotiate with the Danish club and are preparing an offer. Brøndby IF is too demanding, without even mentioning his request.

Tahirovic will represent his country at the World Cup, a spot they secured after defeating Italy in March. If he impresses in the tournament, his price could rise and attract more clubs.

Therefore, the Superliga side are in no rush to sell him as other unnamed clubs have reportedly started contacting the player.

Contract, price and agent information

Benjamin Tahirovic’s contract expires in 2028 and his value, according to transfer marketIs €4.5m. The highest price was €6m in December 2023, when he was at Ajax.

The agency Reset Group, headed by Italian agent Davide Lippi, is representing the Bosnians.

of brighton The move for Costinha is beginning to gain momentum in Portugal, but the latest reports suggest brentford The Olympiacos defender is also being monitored closely due to increased Premier League interest in the Portuguese right-back.

British reports revealed that Brighton were in talks to sign the 26-year-old Portuguese star to ball have now independently confirmed the talks and add another English club to the picture.

According to the Portuguese outlet, Brentford are attentive to Costinha’s situation and are monitoring developments surrounding the player, even if Brighton still appear to be the front-runners at this stage.

Champions League performances are helping Costinha

It seems that Costinha’s European campaign has played a major role in attracting the attention of the Premier League.

The defender featured regularly for Olympiacos in the Champions League and also scored against Bayer Leverkusen during the competition.

Portuguese reports also highlight that he has made 74 appearances for Olympiacos since arriving from Rio Ave in 2024.

That level of experience may explain why both Brentford and Brighton are comfortable targeting a player slightly older than their usual recruitment profile.

Both sides could be preparing for European football next season, and Costinha looks like a player who is considered ready for immediate involvement.

Rio Avenue is waiting for big windfall

One of the biggest winners from the deal may actually be Rio Avenue. The Portuguese club sold Costinha to Olympiacos for €2.5m (£2.1m) two years ago, but crucially retained 30% of any future sale.

With current negotiations reportedly being around €13m (£11m), Rio Avenue would receive around €4m (£3.4m) from the operation without the need to negotiate directly with Brentford or Brighton.

That detail has become a major talking point in Portugal, where the transfer is increasingly being seen as another example of smaller Liga Portugal clubs reaping huge profits from the Premier League spending power.

chelsea had already placed Ousmane Diomande high on their defensive shortlist for the summer. However, now, bournemouth Sporting are also on the move for the defender as the race for the Premier League grows closer to them.

The 22-year-old centre-back has become one of the hottest defensive names on the market after a season that has boosted his reputation across Europe.

Initially, the strongest English interest came from Crystal Palace, which Traced a move worth almost €50m (£43m) last year. Since then, the market around Diomande has changed dramatically.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and Manchester United have all been linked at various stages.

However, Chelsea remains different because of its Clear need for defensive reinforcement.

Chelsea sees Diomande as ideal profile

Latest reports from Portuguese outlets game Diomonde is already said to be one of Chelsea’s defensive targets under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Chelsea spent large parts of the season struggling with defensive instability. Injuries, inconsistency and frequent changes at centre-back caused major problems throughout the campaign.

And of course Alonso hasn’t even officially started at Stamford Bridge yet, but planning for the next transfer window is already underway.

The report presents Diomande as one of the names being discussed for Chelsea’s defensive rebuild ahead of the new era under the Spaniard.

Bournemouth now entering the picture

The latest development in this story is the emergence of Bournemouth. According to the same report, the south coast club are looking at Diomande as a possible replacement for Marcos Senesi.

It introduces another Premier League contender into an already crowded race.

Bournemouth may not operate at the same level as Chelsea, PSG or Bayern Munich financially, but their emergence in the race should not be underestimated.

Unlike Chelsea, the south coast club have already secured European football for next season, and this could become a key factor in talks about the defender’s future.

Under its current structure, Bournemouth has developed into one of the most competitive and well-organized emerging projects in English football.

Their recruitment has been aggressive and smart, and clubs are willing to compete for players who have previously overlooked that level of Premier League team.

Sports conscious pressure is increasing

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

Nevertheless, Portuguese reports indicate that the club would negotiate below that figure if the right offer came forward.

That number is also increasing. Earlier discussions centered around €50m (£43m). Recent reports suggest that Sporting can now expect a move closer to €60m (£52m).

And with the World Cup around the corner, it’s likely that valuations will rise further.

Chelsea clearly remain serious contenders due to their need for a defensive upgrade and Xabi Alonso’s interest in the player.

But Bournemouth joining the race is another sign that the market for Diomande is moving fast – and becoming increasingly difficult for any one club to control.

The NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway was going to feel fresh and different. Instead, it did the opposite, boring and confusing many fans, making it drag on for hours, and sparking debate over whether or not the format change actually worked.

NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck joined the race on The Teardown Podcast, and to be honest, his reaction pretty much matched the mood of a lot of viewers.

He said, “This can’t happen again. It’s not right. It needs to be sent into the sun and burned with fire. This wasn’t the right track for this. This wasn’t the right format for this. From the time they started and about four hours to the time they ended, the format was completely wrong, starting with putting people who were open with people who were closed.”

And he also explained what he thought was the bigger issue: “Ultimately, the way the rules were today, because of the wrecks and all these things, you had nine guys involved. I think they came at the expense of real All-Stars who had already made their way into it and weren’t even able to get into the All-Star race.”

His disappointment was mainly over identity and the idea that the All-Star Race should highlight the best of the sport, not be swallowed up by a hybrid format that changed the feel of the whole thing.

Fans call it “the worst All-Star Race ever”

If Gluck was disappointed, fans were even more direct.

Social media reaction during and after the race was brutal, with many calling it one of the weakest All-Star events in years.

One fan said, “That was the worst All-Star race we’ve ever had. I don’t understand why Nascar has to make it so hard.”

Another reaction expressed the anger even more clearly: “Worst format ever!! Worst All Star Race I have ever seen!! It was just a short non points race. No excitement!! 0!!”

There were also some more reflective remarks, some of which pointed out how prize money still feels stuck in the past compared to how much the sport has grown economically.

Running didn’t help at all. A huge early upset took out some of the biggest names in the field, including Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. Larson managed to get back out after repairs, but Elliott’s race was basically over on the spot.

From there, it turned into a long, chaotic afternoon that lasted much longer than expected, with confusion compounded by changes in strategy and constant resets.

In the end, Denny Hamlin still did what he does at Dover, he won. But even that seemed like a footnote compared to everything else that happened.

Because by the time it was over, most of the conversation wasn’t about who won. It was about whether NASCAR’s experiment had gone completely awry.

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

The results of NASCAR’s 2026 All-Star Race at Dover didn’t stop at just the “boring” format. Another debate quickly erupted on social media over the weekend: Is the race still paying enough to feel truly special?

As for the winner, the answer for a lot of fans seems to be ‘no.’

The NASCAR All-Star Race winner still takes home $1 million, the same top prize the event has offered since 2003. And while that number once seemed huge, many fans now feel it no longer matches the scale, money and publicity of modern NASCAR.

Fans feel the “Jackpot” feeling is gone

For years, the All-Star Race has felt like drivers are risking everything for a life-changing test.

But in 2026, many fans feel that edge is gone. Part of this comes from inflation. A $1 million prize in 2003 would be worth about $1.81 million today, meaning the value of the prize has quietly diminished over time.

And after Dover’s chaotic race weekend, fans began to openly question whether NASCAR needed to seriously reconsider pay.

Some argue that if the sport really wants to make the race feel like a major event again then the winner should now get something closer to $5 million.

Especially now that NASCAR is working under a massive television rights deal worth $7.7 billion through 2031.

One fan on Reddit said nostalgically: “This used to be a really huge cash prize, so all the best drivers were tempted to buy a purse you wouldn’t normally see (outside of the Daytona 500). If you want people to do nothing again, make the prize $5 million.”

Now let’s be clear, and put the demonstrative outrage aside: $1 million is a lot of money, no question about it. It’s just putting that figure in context for the fans’ entertainment. The logic behind this is simple: If NASCAR wants drivers to race aggressively in a non-points exhibition full of wreck risks and experimental formats, the reward must also be huge. Because, to put things in perspective, the top NASCAR Cup Series drivers earn base salaries ranging from $5 million to more than $15 million per season.

When you add up race winnings, performance bonuses and sponsorship deals, the total annual earnings of the sport’s biggest stars often exceed $10 million to $17 million annually. So this means that they will not risk any aggressive moves for a race in which they may not get any points.

RELATED: Fans and analysts criticize NASCAR Dover All-Star Race

Not all fans think money solves problems

At the same time, not everyone believes that throwing more money into the race will suddenly solve everything.

Some fans admitted that they don’t care about the millionaire drivers becoming even richer. “I think the novelty of the big prize has also worn off for most people. Why should we care if a millionaire wins more money?”

For them, the issue is more about the breed losing its identity over the years. And to be honest, this feeling continued to emerge after Dover.

A lot of the reaction focused on nostalgia, fans missing when the All-Star Race was simpler, shorter, more aggressive and truly different from a regular Cup Series event.

Instead, many viewers felt that the 2026 edition became overly complicated due to segment changes, inversions, and a format that ran too long.

This is where the division is actually taking place. Some fans believe that a much larger purse, perhaps even $5 million, could bring back excitement and motivate drivers to race harder.

Others think the event has “lost its soul” and that fixing the format makes more sense than raising checks.

The drivers themselves have started taking the conversation forward

Driver fans agree. Bubba Wallace recently said that the $3 million prize would probably change the way drivers race aggressively.

Denny Hamlin also acknowledged that the current payout “doesn’t move the needle the way it once did.” He said: “I’m just going to spend $1 million on parts and pieces? We haven’t developed anything yet,” Hamlin said. “So, to change all these things piecemeal, we’re going to make changes, we’re going to spend a lot of money. And it’s only paid $1 million to win. It’s paid $1 million to win for 30 years. It’s not that good anymore. Even if one of my cars won, I don’t even remotely see it as a break-even proposition.”

And when drivers are also openly and freely saying they want “more” money, it seems like maybe they do.

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

Manchester United On his target list for the summer is Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson.

The Norway international’s impressive performances have already caught the attention of Manchester United.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Germany The Red Devils and Newcastle United are both interested in signing him.

The right-back has had a fantastic season for the Bundesliga side and has made 18 assists in 42 matches.

His league statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 31
• Start: 26
• Total minutes: 2,272
• Assists: 15
• Expected Support: 10.04
• Key passes per game: 1.8
• Big chances created: 22
• Tackles per game: 1.1
• Recoveries per game: 3.9
• Duels won per game: 2.9

These statistics indicate his contribution to BVB in both attack and defence.

Manchester United keen on Ryerson

Michael Carrick’s side are continuing to keep an eye on the 28-year-old, after initially keeping an eye on him in March.

sky germany Pick it up now and read their headline: ‘Manchester United interested in Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson.’

In the report, they revealed that his impressive performances had led to interest from the Premier League and only mentioned the Red Devils.

Manchester United are ‘in the race’ to sign the player as a backup to Diogo Delot. The report makes it clear that a potential move to Old Trafford would only take place if Noucair Mazraoui leaves.

Borussia Dortmund invested €5m to sign the fullback from 1. FC Union Berlin in January 2023.

As of now, the German club has not set a price tag, but a fee of more than €30m is expected in the case of a transfer.

This would be within the reach of Manchester United. However, there is no sign they are spending it on supporting King who turns 29 in November.

Contract, price and agent information

transfer market Julian Ryerson, who has a contract until 2028, is valued at €25m and is the highest value of his career.

British agency CAA represents the BVB player and their long client list includes Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu.

Dover Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, marking the first time in decades that there was no points race at the iconic track. While the 2027 NASCAR schedule won’t be determined for months, there is early discussion about Dover’s plans for next season.

Sunday night’s episode teardownJordan Bianchi, motorsports reporter for The Athletic, said that Dover would “100 percent” have a Cup Series race next season and that it would most likely be a single-point race.

Read more: Insider reveals potential cost of NASCAR charter

“There’s going to be a race next year at Dover, that’s clear as day. There’s a 100 percent chance there will be a race next year… I would say highly likely it’s a points race.”

Jordan Bianchi on whether there will be a NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway in 2027

The Monster Mile in Dover, Delaware was one of the biggest losers last year when NASCAR announced its schedule for the 2026 season. With North Wilkesboro getting the points race, another spot was clinched in the exhibition race during the season.

NASCAR officials chose Dover. Due to the nearby Dover Air Force Base, resulting in flight restrictions over the track, the All-Star Race could only be held in the afternoon. While racing fans still showed up in large numbers, drivers and fans alike criticized Sunday’s All-Star Race as feeling too long, with Dover’s track design not matching well with the format of the event.

The good news is that Dover is going to host the points race again in 2027. It’s less clear what changes NASCAR would need to make to make that happen. It has already been announced that the Chicago Street Race will return next year, possibly replacing Chicagoland.

The points race at Dover could mean the All-Star Race will return to North Wilkesboro. Alternatively, NASCAR could hold the All-Star Race at Bowman Gray Stadium, or even run it ahead of the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Whatever decision is made, it looks like Dover will get a worthy points race in 2027.

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

With NASCAR’s silly season just a few months away, Kyle Busch’s future is the biggest uncertainty in the Cup Series right now. Now the uncertainty may be less.

Bob Pokrass of Fox Sports wrote that if Busch were to leave RCR, which he is still reluctant to do, joining Spire Motorsports is the “most logical” destination for the future Hall of Famer.

RELATED: What’s happened during and since Kyle Busch’s winless streak

There were reports in February that Spier wanted to hunt big game in the NASCAR Silly Season. Team co-owner Jeff Dickerson is adamant that Spire become one of the top teams in the Cup Series and has shown a willingness to take aggressive steps to improve.

However, no move is necessarily guaranteed. Carson Hocevar is emerging as a superstar in NASCAR and scored a dominant win for Spire at Talladega. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Daniel Suarez has been a huge benefit.

RELATED: NASCAR All-Time Cup Series Winners, Including Kyle Busch

Suárez, who many believed was struggling to save his Cup career entering 2026, has the highest average starting position (12.92) and average finishing position (15.00) in his Cup Series career. He currently sits 14th in the points, one spot off the lead in The Chase while Busch is 24th.

Who could replace Kyle Busch at Spire Motorsports?

Entering 2026, the most likely scenario appears to be that Daniel Suarez does not live up to expectations in his first season with Spire Motorsports and is replaced by Kyle Busch in the No. 7 car. Circumstances may have changed that.

RELATED: Michael McDowell reveals who could be his successor

However, Michael McDowell has been Spire’s worst performing driver this season. Despite finishing second at Watkins Glen, McDowell is 21st in points and trails Suarez in average starting position (17.78), average finishing position (19.92), and points (225, 21st).

“”It’s tough… but, no, I don’t plan on quitting my job anytime soon. But I feel like there’s clearly a limit to how long you can do this. I don’t know what that number is, but I want to perform well and as long as I’m performing well, I love doing it.

Michael McDowell talks to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi about his struggles this season, plans for the future

McDowell, who will turn 42 in December, has given no indication of interest in moving away from full-time racing. If Spire wants to make a change, it now seems possible that Busch could replace McDowell in the No. 71 car next season.

RELATED: Latest discussion on potential landing spots for Kyle Busch in 2027

However, the most likely outcome is that McDowell will get another season with Spire and Busch will remain with Richard Childress Racing. If both drivers struggle to perform well again in 2027, they will surely be replaced by up-and-comers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

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

23XI Racing Development driver Corey Heim is a top prospect in NASCAR and is widely viewed as one of the best young talents in the sport. Although he does not have a full-time ride this season, that may soon change.

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic and Bob Pokrass of Fox Sports wrote this week that there is a real possibility that Heim will get a full-time ride as the third driver of 23XI’s Cup Series team next season.

Read more: NASCAR prospects whose stock is rising

Heim, age 23, has split time with racing at all three levels this season. Although he is not eligible for The Chase in the Truck Series, he has the eighth-most points (204) in trucks this season despite making half as many starts as his teammates.

His performance in the cup series so far has also been impressive. Most recently, Heim led 69 laps at Texas Motor Speedway and just a few weeks ago he finished 15th at Kansas. There is universal agreement that he is ready for a full-time ride in the Cup and it seems the plan is for that to happen in 2027.

What the addition of Corey Haim means to Riley Herbst

Many in the industry agree that Heim is a better driver than Riley Herbst, who had a terrible rookie season in the No. 35 car for 23XI Racing. However, Herbst has brought significant funding resources to 23XI.

The important thing for the 27-year-old is to improve his chances of remaining in the Cup series beyond 2026. Herbst’s average starting position (20.25) and average finishing position (22.67) were significantly improved compared to last season (26.97 and 26.39), placing him 29th in points through 12 races.

Herbst is not only producing better on-track results, but he has also proven to be a great teammate to both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace this season. Additionally, he has received high praise from 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin for his improvements.

While Hamm is destined to take the No. 35 car next season, Herbst will likely get the ride in 2027. Legacy Motor Club has added a third charter and is in need of funding, Herbst’s improvements and his strong relationship with Monster Energy provide the results and financial resources to make him a potential target for the LMC.

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

On Saturday, horse racing fans will gather at Laurel Park Race Track to see which competitor will win the second leg of the 2026 Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. This year’s field includes a deep list of favorites, mystery horses and just one contender from the Kentucky Derby.

But who will win this year’s “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”? We’d like to answer that with our ranking of the Preakness Stakes horses for casual fans.

14. robusta

Doug O’Neill-trained colt Robusta is one of only three horses competing in the Kentucky Derby, which will also take to the track at Laurel Park on Saturday. However, he is one of the biggest long shots in this year’s race due to his recent form.

Before running in the Derby, Robusta finished seventh at Santa Anita ahead of the competition he faced in Kentucky. He then finished 14th among 19 horses at Churchill Downs. It would be surprising for Robusta to reach the top three.

13. Bull by the horns

The colt Bull By The Horns, owned by Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado, has had an up-and-down career in his first five races. While he placed first at Florida in his second race in November, he came seventh in the Fourth of Youth in February and finished well behind many Derby horses.

Although he won the 2026 Rushway in March, he has struggled on fast dirt tracks, as he will this weekend.

12. Crupper

After a sixth-place finish to start his career, the Robert Zoellner-trained colt Crupper is on the rise. He has won two of his last three races, including a win at Bathhouse Raw last month. However, the three-year-old is entering the Preakness Stakes as a major underdog due to the weak competition he has met so far.

11. Golden Crown

Three-year-old Corona de Oro has been a solid but unspectacular horse in his first five races. In March, the Dallas Stewart-trained colt earned his first career win. However, last month, he finished behind fellow Preakness competitor The Hell We Did at the 2026 Lexington.

We Do is not a favorite on Saturday, so this bodes well for De Oro’s chances of finishing the show this weekend.

10. talking

After winning on his debut in August last year, the Danny Gargan-trained colt Talkin has fallen short since then. Which also includes finishing ninth at the 2025 Remsen in December.

He got a chance to face Derby and Stakes level competition in his last two starts and peaked with a third-place finish in the Blue Grass last month. That’s why Talkin’ is a big underdog on Saturday.

9. Great White

The John Ennis-trained colt Great White has been all over the map in his first four races. The three-year-old won his debut match in December and the John Battaglia Memorial in February. However, White finished fifth in his other two races, including the Blue Grass in April.

This unpredictability is the main reason why he remained a weak player on Saturday. Furthermore, despite being an impressive specimen, losing his composure minutes before entering the post at Kentucky adds to that unpredictable reputation.

8. Napoleon Solo

After starting his career with consecutive wins including the October 2025 Champagne, Gold Square horse Napoleon Solo has not looked good since. In February, he faced tough competition at the Fountain of Youth and finished fifth.

Then last month, he went head-to-head again in the Preakness and Derby-level contests and again came in fifth. Solo gave bookmakers no reason to think he could be a show option on Saturday.

7. Chip Honcho

At the end of 2025, the Steve Asmussen-trained colt Chip Honcho was looking like a potential contender for this year’s Triple Crown. However, in 2026, he surprisingly struggled in three of his races. While there he finished second in the 2026 Risen Star in February, came fourth in the Lecomte in January, and came fifth in the high-level competition in the Louisiana Derby in March.

6. The Hell We Did

The Todd Fincher-trained colt The Hell We Did is another horse for consideration for risky punters. Although he suffered intermittent problems a few days before the race, he still looked very good in his first four races, taking two second places and two first places. But like Pretty Boy Mia, Saturday will be her chance to prove that she is an elite talent despite little competition so far.

5. Pretty Boy Mia

Jeremiah Englehart-trained horse Pretty Boy Mia is an intriguing underdog for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. Although he finished fourth at Aqueduct in February, he has been strong in his other three races this year. Which also includes consecutive wins in their last two.

The big question is whether his success is based on his athletic talent or the competition he has faced so far in his career.

4. eyes

Ouseley, a horse trained by D. Whitworth Beckman, received a chance at the 2026 Kentucky Derby after several horses, including Right to Party, were eliminated from the race. Although Ouseley had six championships on his resume, he had no wins to his name.

Nevertheless, to the surprise of many the colt finished third at Kentucky. After that, Occelli’s showing can’t be doubted and should be considered a rock-solid show option this weekend.

3. Incredible

The colt Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott, has had a checkered career. That’s why he was last in the betting odds for the Kentucky Derby after finishing sixth in the G3 Face off in January. However, he turned heads by winning the Virginia Derby in March, leading some to wonder if he might perform better than expected in the Derby.

He did not do so and finished sixth. However, oddsmakers still rate the colt highly, and he is viewed as one of the favorites in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.

2. Iron Honor

Elite trainer Chad Brown has one horse in Saturday’s race, and that’s Iron Honor. Honor looked very good in his first two races as he took consecutive first-place finishes to start his career. However, at the Wood Memorial in April, he surprisingly finished seventh. Yet, many believe that they are given a hard time early on and are pushed out of the game.

Nevertheless, the talented colt is the favorite heading into the Preakness.

1. Taj Mahal

Brittany Russell-trained colt Taj Mahal enters the 2026 Preakness Stakes as the top selection for good reason. While the three-year-old only has three races on his resume, he has still performed excellently. 2026 Federico Tesio won all three, including. Castle is a safe win and/or bet to make on a Saturday night, especially under the guidance of a top trainer.

2026 Preakness Stakes Odds and Predictions

Here are the current betting odds for the 2026 Preakness Stakes. This year’s race will take place on May 16 at 6:50 pm ET.

• Krupper 30-1
• robusta 30-1
• Bull by the Horns 30-1
• Gold Crown 30-1
• talking 20-1
• Great White 15-1
• pretty boy mia 15-1
• The Hell We Did 15-1
• Napoleon Solo 8-1
• ocelli 6-1
• Chip Honcho 5-1
• Incredibolt 5-1
• Taj Mahal 5-1
• Iron Honor 9-2

2026 Preakness Stakes Prediction

Heading into the 2026 Preakness Stakes, Iron Honor is a popular choice to win it all. However, we are going with Taj Mahal to take the win as the horse has an elite trainer and has been running very well in recent races.

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

newcastle And everton Venezia are the latest Premier League club to be linked with midfielder Issa Doumbia. His arrival in the race is already starting to change the financial picture surrounding the deal.

The 22-year-old has been one of the big stories of Venezia’s promotion-winning season. Doumbia has now reached 10 goals and five assists in 38 games. He started 37 of those matches and established himself as one of Serie B’s most productive midfielders.

That look has already attracted everyone’s attention brentford And bournemouth In recent weeks. Now, according to Portuguese newspaper to ballNewcastle and Everton have also emerged as clubs following the situation closely.

And the effect is immediate. Venezia has reportedly begun raising the asking price even higher.

Market changes as Newcastle and Everton enter the race

Sporting remains the most advanced club in the conversation. The Portuguese side are preparing for the departure of both Morten Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita. Doumbia has been identified internally as a priority target for their midfield rebuild.

An Bola reported that Sporting have already prepared a five-year contract for the player until 2031, complete with defined salary terms and an €80 million (£68.5 million) release clause.

However, with the arrival of more English clubs things started to get complicated.

The report states that Venezia had initially worked with a minimum figure of €15m (£12.8m), but with Newcastle and Everton entering the picture expectations have now risen to closer to €20m (£17.1m).

Of course this is not surprising. The Premier League’s involvement alone escalates the conversation exponentially. This is especially true when the player is 22, scoring goals from midfield and coming off a promotion campaign.

Sporting is still trying its hardest

Despite increasing interest from the Premier League, Sporting is still described as the most committed club to secure a deal.

The Portuguese side is expected to hold another round of talks with Venezia in the coming days. They are trying to protect their profits before the market becomes crowded.

Doumbia’s contract with Venezia runs until June 2029, further strengthening the Italian club’s position. And after achieving promotion to Serie A and then winning the Serie B title, Venezia is under no pressure to rush a sale.

The more clubs now join the race, the easier it will be for Venezia to push the price upward.

Jan Ziolkowski has managed to show glimpses of his quality at AS Roma this season and is now attracting West Ham Interest.

earlier this year, sports witness Poland cover claims Newcastle United are looking for a defender. This came amid a decrease in the centre-back’s playing time at Roma, after starting few games towards the end of the year.

That was in the absence of Ivan Ndika, who had left for AFCON with Ivory Coast. His return has impressed Ziolkowski, whose last start in Serie A came in the first week of January.

He has played in the last two games but has only logged eight total minutes.

Preparations are now underway to help him with his exit, with West Ham monitoring the situation.

Middlemen are trying to find a safe exit

romanist A closer look at the potential exit from the Giallorossi. They are likely to be forced to declare capital gains by UEFA FFP before the end of June. Failure to do so could put them at risk of fine or ban.

As things stand, the likes of Manu Kone, Ndika and Miles Swiller are prime candidates to leave. But this does not rule out the possibility of Ziolkowski’s exit.

The 20-year-old is said to be seeking more playing time, with the Premier League being touted as a possible destination. As a result, a mediator has been employed to receive a proposal from England.

Roma want €20 million for his permanent exit, with West Ham leading the race. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side would have no objection to his exit, as the sale of some lesser-known players could help them meet their financial targets by June.

He paid Legia Warsaw for €6 million last year and feels he has got enough of a capital gain.

Our take: Deal could go either way

Ziolkowski has performed well whenever called upon to take up the job at Roma. He is still quite young and hasn’t really played enough games to perform consistently.

This would make a move to West Ham risky, especially if they remain in the Premier League.

Due to Roma’s financial concerns the deal could be done for less than €20m.

armory The club are the latest to enter the race for Danilo’s rise, with the Botafogo midfielder continuing to attract attention ahead of the World Cup.

The Brazilian midfielder was already attracting serious attention after an impressive start to the season in Brazil, but things are clearly ramping up now as the World Cup approaches.

At this point, there is growing expectation that Danilo will leave Botafogo after the tournament – ​​especially as his value continues to rise almost every week.

The former Nottingham Forest ace has already scored 9 goals and 3 assists in 21 appearances this season, which is an excellent return for a midfielder.

He has become one of the faces of this Botafogo team, has firmly played his part in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans with Brazil and is now expected to be part of his final World Cup squad.

price is rising rapidly

The combination of form, World Cup performances and increased interest in the Premier League is turning Botafogo’s demands very quickly.

A few weeks ago, the conversation around Danilo Was sitting around €30m (£26m). Now the picture looks completely different.

globo esporte Botafogo are said to be looking at a bullish deal in the region of €35m-40m (£30m-34m), while RTI game There are even claims the club will start negotiations at around €45m (£39m).

And the plan is very clear. Botafogo do not want to sell before the World Cup as they believe the tournament could push Danilo into an even higher league financially. Now looking at the number of clubs involved, it’s not hard to see why they think this.

Arsenal made their move

Arsenal entering the race is a big new development. According to Globo Esporte, Arsenal have already made contact with Danilo’s staff.

There have been no formal talks with Botafogo at this stage, but Arsenal are clearly gathering information and positioning themselves around the player.

He is energetic, aggressive without the ball and more productive in attack. His ability to apply pressure, win possession and still get into the box fits the type of dynamic midfielder Mikel Arteta often likes to work with. At 24, there’s also room to move forward.

The Brazilian is also not a traditional holding midfielder. He loves to get forward, attack space and contribute high up the pitch, which helps explain his strong goal numbers this season.

And As we have already coveredHe wants to return to England and show he can progress at the highest level after what happened at Forest.

Naturally, Arsenal will provide a very different playing environment and level of consistency compared to what they arrived at in Nottingham. However, their case has been strengthened with World Cup pedigree and an exceptional year in Brazil.

Premier League clubs everywhere

fulham Remains one of the strongest contenders and has already discussed the figure of €30m (£26m). Manchester United Initial contact has already been made with Botafogo. And newcastle and tottenham Are also in the picture.

Outside England, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, Benfica, Galatasaray, Milan and Atletico Madrid have all appeared in talks at different moments. Zenit are still interested, but Danilo is not keen on the move just yet.

Arsenal will need to be smart in this regard. Danilo is becoming one of the most wanted midfielders on the market ahead of the World Cup – and the Champions League finalists are now at the middle of the story.

Manchester United And Paris Saint-Germain are pursuing FC Nordsjælland’s Prince Amoako Jr. ahead of the summer.

The Ghanaian moved to Europe in February 2025 when the Danish club signed him from the Right to Dream Academy.

His development in Nordsjælland has been noticed by several European clubs, including Manchester United and PSG.

Playing in his preferred role on the left wing, he scored nine goals and six assists in 33 appearances this season.

His league statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Start: 28
• Total minutes: 2,199
• Target: 8
• Assist: 5
• Expected goal: 6.07
• Expected Support: 4.04
• Key passes per game: 1.2
• Big chances created: 9
• Big chances missed: 5

Manchester United and PSG keen

from ghana myjoy online Report on the Red Devils and Ligue 1 winners’ interest in Prince Amoako Jr.

Brighton & Hove Albion, SC Freiburg, Feyenoord, AFC Bournemouth, RB Leipzig, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund get mentions. Apart from these, unnamed clubs from Serie A and La Liga are also in the mix.

Despite this, the headline of the report states that Manchester United and PSG are the frontrunners and the report states that both clubs have ‘expressed strong interest’ in the 19-year-old.

It is unclear whether Michael Carrick’s side have registered a strong interest with his club, FC Nordsjælland or both. Either way, there could be a potential battle between the Old Trafford club and PSG for the signature of the young player.

Manchester United, PSG or any other interested party would have shelled out €27-32m for a potential deal in the summer.

options for manchester united

Michael Carrick is using Matheus Cunha as his first-choice left-back and has also used Patrick Dorgu in the same position.

Marcus Rashford could return to Barcelona after his loan spell, but the English club are likely to sell him in the summer. Aston Villa could be an option For Rashford if the La Liga winners decide not to invoke the €30m clause.

Manchester United have no recognized backup for the Brazilian. After qualifying for the Champions League, the Red Devils need more options in attack.

Prince Amoako Jr. could be an option but it is unclear whether they would be willing to spend at least €27m.

CAA represent the Stellar Ghanian and also manage Manchester United’s Kobi Manu
And Luke Shaw.

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery could completely reshape the future of the league, with multiple teams competing for the No. 1 overall pick. While some franchises enter as clear favorites, history shows that the lottery often springs surprises.

Here’s a full breakdown of the odds heading into one of the NHL’s most important nights.

nhl draft lottery odds snapshot 2026

Here are the 2026 draft lottery odds for Tuesday, May 5.

• Vancouver Canucks – 18.5%
• Chicago Blackhawks – 13.5%
• New York Rangers – 11.5%
• Calgary Flames – 9.5%
• Toronto Maple Leafs – 8.5%
• Seattle Kraken – 7.5%
• Winnipeg Jets – 6.5%
• Florida Panthers – 6.0%
• San Jose Sharks – 5.0%
• Nashville Predators – 3.5%
• St. Louis Blues – 3.0%
• New Jersey Devils – 2.5%
• New York Islanders – 2.0%
• Columbus Blue Jackets – 1.5%
• St. Louis Blues (via DET) – 0.5%
• Washington Capitals – 0.5%

The race for the No. 1 pick is wide open, with several teams having realistic chances depending on lottery results.

How does the NHL Draft Lottery work?

The draft lottery determines the order of the first overall pick for non-playoff teams. Only the top-2 picks are selected in the lottery each year.

Main rules:

• Teams are given odds based on regular season standings
• Only a limited number of positions can be added to a draft order
• Lottery determines top picks, not entire draft order
• Results are revealed live during the broadcast program

This system is designed to balance competitiveness while preventing tanking in the NHL.

How to watch the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

You can watch the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM ET. The lottery will be broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, as one of 16 teams will earn the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft this summer.

READ MORE: 5 bold moves that could reshape the Florida Panthers this 2026 offseason

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

Kathryn Legge will get back behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series ride, and take a seat in the No. 78 car with Live Fast Motorsports on Mother’s Day weekend at Watkins Glen International.

As reported by JaySki.com, Legg is partnering with Live Fast Motorsports and Cosmetics Chevrolet to race the No. 78 car at Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday. It will be his first Cup Series race since the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October.

RELATED: NASCAR predictions for Watkins Glen

Legge, age 45, made his Cup Series debut in the 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 last March. While she ultimately finished 30th, Live Fast Motorsports and NASCAR received some criticism for giving Phoenix her first race in a Next Gen car.

Why is Watkins Glen a good fit for Katherine Legge?

Legge’s return behind the wheel in the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International seems like a perfect fit. He has years of experience racing on road courses, including this track.

She drove the No. 78 car there for LFM last year and handled herself well in the Chicago street race and finished 19th. He has also made 10 career starts in his racing career, including a GTD win with Andy Lally at the Six Hours of the Glen in 2017.

Given the improvement he showed as he gained more experience in the Cup Series, this should prove to be a good move for LFM. Although the No. 78 car will be nowhere close to challenging for the win, there is at least a chance that Legge will record the third top-25 finish of his Cup Series career.

RELATED: NASCAR Schedule Watkins Glen

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

Sunday’s Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway caused some early chaos due to cautions that took out top drivers like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Joey Logano. On a day that saw plenty of surprises at the front of the field and in terms of DNFs, there’s a lot to take away.

Let’s take a look at our winners and losers from today’s NASCAR race.

Winner: Chase Elliott takes his second win of 2026

Even if Chase Elliott couldn’t get to victory lane on Sunday, potentially missing out on the win due to a late caution with about 10 laps remaining, it was going to be a great points day. Thanks to the No. 9 team, the work put into building the fastest car at Texas Motor Speedway was rewarded on the final restart as Elliott raced to victory. Elliott has now given himself a nice cushion in the top four of the points table through 11 races.

Loser: Christopher Bell’s bad luck continues in Texas

Texas Motor Speedway has not been kind to Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team. Coming into the Wurth 400, Bell had finished 17th or worse in three of his previous nine races at the track. Things were looking promising early on Sunday, with Bell leading 22 laps and moving closer to the Stage 1 victory. Unfortunately, as he worked to pass teammate Denny Hamlin, Todd Gilliland broke loose and went straight into the No. 20. Bell’s car suffered damage at the end of the race, resulting in a last-place finish at Texas with only 1 point.

Winner: Riley Herbst starts proving she belongs

The day Corey Heim led 69 laps, rekindling calls for him to get a full-time ride with 23XI Racing next season, Riley Herbst needed a strong performance at Texas Motor Speedway. mission accomplished. Herbst scored 3 stage points in the second stage and secured his third top-20 finish of the season. While we believe Heim will drive the No. 35 car for 23XI next season, Herbst is doing enough to potentially earn a ride with Legacy Motor Club in 2026.

Loser: Fate got Joey Logano’s number 22

The day didn’t start well for Joey Logano, who finished 23rd in Stage 1. Fortune seemed to be on their side, however, when on lap 94, William Byron spun out and Logano narrowly avoided colliding with the No. 24 car. After a few moments, fate found him. Coming out of his pit box, Logano hit Cole Custer hard in the back when the No. 41 stopped on pit road to try to let Ty Gibbs out so he could get into his pit stall. The driver of the No. 22 car had his front end torn off by the impact, ending his day in 37th place.

Winner: Eric Jones delivers season-best points day

Coming into today’s NASCAR race, Erik Jones had not scored more than 16 points in last month’s race. He was losing 14 points in three consecutive races and after the first caution in Stage 1, thanks to the No. 43 team’s strategy, Jones took his first Cup Series stage win of the year and finished the day in 12th place with a season-best 35 points.

Loser: Ryan Blaney’s Pit Road Experience

The good news for the No. 12 team is that this time the pit crew was not at fault. Ryan Blaney lost 11 places on his first pit stop in the Wurth 400 because his car left the pit box and stalled when he put it in the wrong gear. It came after Blaney had earned double-digit placings after poor qualifying on Saturday. Unfortunately, the problem with qualifying poorly is that it leaves you with one of the last options for a pit stall. He later came back to bite Blaney. When Erik Jones came into his pit stall in an awkward position, Blaney had to retreat after his stop to turn the car around. It’s been that kind of season for Blaney on pit road. What’s remarkable, and a testament to Blaney, is that despite all this he’s still ranked 10th.

Winner: Alex Bowman Getting Back on Track

We still believe the chances of Alex Bowman appearing on The Chase are next to zero. That said, the driver of the No. 48 car has shown since his return why he could be the best option for Hendrick Motorsports next season. A third-place finish at Talladega gave Bowman a ninth-place finish on Saturday, giving him his second consecutive top-10 finish. He has scored 72 points over the last two races, which is a great score for someone who only had 24 points upon his return to Kansas Speedway a few weeks ago.

Loser: Kyle Larson has another bad day

The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion comes to Texas Motor Speedway with two DNFs this season and three finishes of 32nd or worse in 11 races. Unfortunately for Kyle Larson, the No. 5 car had more problems on Sunday. He was already having trouble handling the car and then he lost it while taking a roundabout to take caution. Damage to No. 5 forced him behind the wall for repairs, resulting in him falling out of the top 30 for the fourth time this season.

Winner: Daniel Suarez leaves Trackhouse in the rearview

All three Trackhouse Racing drivers finished outside the top 15 in today’s NASCAR race at Texas. Meanwhile, the driver they didn’t want scored his third top-10 finish of the season through just 11 races. After qualifying in second place on Saturday, Daniel Suárez earned 5 stage points in Stage 2 and remained in the top-10 for sixth place for the rest of the day. Suarez is clearly demonstrating that he belongs in the Cup Series, which will make things even more interesting when NASCAR’s silly season arrives. It’s also clear at this point that the problem was Trackhouse, not Suarez.

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

The Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for its 11th points race of the season. We’re continuing our weekly NASCAR predictions once again, making our first correct pick for the winning driver of 2026.

Let’s take a look at our Worth 400 predictions. We’ll start with the poll winner and work our way through the stages before predicting who will walk to victory.

Kyle Larson earns pole at Texas

Kyle Larson and the No. 5 team have performed well in qualifying this season, coming to Texas with the second-highest average starting position (7.7) in the Cup Series. However, they have failed to win a single pole in the points race this year. What better time to break that cold streak than at a track where Larson has won pole three times since 2021? As we learned on DBC, there will be a waxing crescent moon this week, so Larson should be able to take advantage in qualifying.

READ MORE: NASCAR Power Rankings before Texas

Austin Cindric wins Stage 1

In the last two trips to Texas Motor Speedway, Austin Cindric and the No. 2 team have had good speed. He finished third in the Wurth 400 and won Stage 1 last year, and last year he posted the second-best average lap time (29.2 seconds). We’re projecting Cindric to put up one of the five best lap times on Saturday and then carry it to the Stage 1 victory.

RELATED: NASCAR weekend schedule at Texas Motor Speedway

christopher bell takes stage 2

Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team need a strong points day at the Wurth 400 this weekend. Bell has finished 17th or worse in the last three races and has not scored 30 points in his last five visits to the track. Considering the widespread belief that true Cup Series championship contenders must finish in the top five in points at the end of the regular season, Bell (ninth place) has some real ground to make up. We’re predicting it will come down to Sunday, with the No. 20 winning Stage 2 (10 points) and finishing in the top five in points that day.

Eric Jones finished in the top 10 in most points scored on the season

Erik Jones had a legitimate chance at a top-five finish before finishing 23rd at Talladega. This was his third consecutive 23rd position. Change is coming to the Wurth 400 this weekend. Jones has three top-10 finishes at Texas since May 2021 and he flourished at this track years ago with Joe Gibbs Racing. After scoring a combined 42 points in the last three races, Jones is looking to score more than 38 points on Sunday.

Chase Briscoe wins the Wurth 400

Chase Briscoe finished 27th at the Wurth 400 in his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing last year due to a suspension issue. Before that, he had three top-five finishes here with SHR and the No. 19 team has its own history of excellence in Texas. There have been plenty of downs for Briscoe and JGR in 2026, but the No. 19 has always had momentum. This would be seen once again on Sunday, with Briscoe marching to victory.

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

Aston Villa Has been regularly mentioned as a suitor for Lazio’s Mario Gila in recent weeks. Their task is now becoming complicated, as AC Milan are pushing for a deal.

last month, sports witness Covered TuttoSport’s claims about Villans’ interest in the defender.

It didn’t end there as Gila’s agent Alejandro Caamaño spoke About your client last week. He clarified that no club has approached him yet, but he is open to offers.

It was the biggest sign yet that the defender’s time at Lazio is drawing to a close. His contract expires in 2027 and there is no renewal.

AC Milan are now pushing for his signature and this is a warning to Aston Villa.

individual agreements in place

journalist transfer market Danielle Longo tweeted about the 25-year-old, who was missed by Lazio in their 3-3 draw against Udinese on Monday.

The Rossoneri have now made new contact for Gila and have agreed a draft deal on personal terms. This is pushing the deal forward, with the club now seeking permission from Redbird ownership before moving forward.

Currently, Lazio wants €25m for the defender. It may take some time for Milan to initiate contact with the Roman club but it is believed that an agreement is quite possible.

It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa uses that time to progress. But Gazzetta dello Sport – via LalaziosononoiClaim Milan are unlikely to go ahead €25 million in a deal.

While that limit may also attract suitors, Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito is unlikely to make a transfer easy.

Our View: Lotito holds the key

Historically, Lotito has been a very tough negotiator in the marketplace. Notoriously, he has caused problems for Lazio players and their agents in the past, often turning them away from staying in Italy and moving abroad.

This is why Aston Villa can never be ruled out as a destination for the defender. Furthermore, Lazio’s financial situation is not very good and they have no choice but to approve the sale.

Italian clubs may not have as much financial power as the Villans and this could sway things in Unai Emery’s favour.

newcastle united And Aston Villa Sporting have joined the pursuit of Maxi Araujo, a source has informed Sport Witness.

On March 22, we revealed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have made initial links over a move for the left-back.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa are the latest clubs to join the race to sign Araújo.

He joined the Lions from Mexican side Deportivo Toluca when Manchester City’s Hugo Viana was in charge of the transfer to Sporting.

The Uruguay international operated primarily as a left wing-back, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists in 88 appearances. His performances have already attracted the attention of the Premier League.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also keen

After we revealed interest from Spurs and the Blues in March, there have been some claims from the Portuguese side on Maxi Araújo. Last week, we broadcast news A potential battle between the two Manchester clubs for the 26-year-old player.

Now a source has given information sports witness Eight Premier League teams are following the South American.

This includes the Magpies, United Emery’s side, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. Hugo Viana knows both the player and his club well because he brought him from Mexico. Additionally, some unnamed Spanish clubs are also in the picture.

The Sporting star has a release clause of €80m in his contract, while the Primeira Liga side are willing to sell him for even less in the summer. The same source reveals that the Lions want around €45-50 million and no less.

For now, it is unclear whether Newcastle United, Aston Villa or any other club are willing to offer that price for Araújo, who can operate as a left-back and winger.

It seems that the player has not yet made any decision about his future and is focusing on the Sporting season and the World Cup with Uruguay.

Contract, price and agent information

Maxi Araújo’s contract at Sporting expires in 2029 and his value, according to transfer marketIs €25m.

Uruguayan agency GBG Global Business Group, owned by agents Martín Rodríguez Nader, Pablo Bocelli and Rodrigo López Pezzatti, is representing the player.

brighton Having begun to feel the impact of the Igor Julio situation, Brazilian clubs are now actively trying to make a move to meet the club’s demands ahead of the summer window.

The defender has since returned to the Seagulls Loan spell at West Ham. For now, he is expected to stay in Europe only. However, the narrative around that has clearly changed. Rather than push for a move now, Brazilian clubs are already planning for July.

Interest in home country is increasing

The Brazilian club are now struggling to create the financial position necessary to deal with Brighton several brazilian reports.

Palmeiras has already tried earlier this year. They inquired but decided not to proceed primarily because of cost. Same thing happened with his former club, cruise. And that hasn’t changed. Brighton are pushing for a permanent deal and are not interested in another loan.

There is also some confusion regarding valuation. Earlier reports had pointed to a minimum fee of around £6m (€7m). Now, claims in Brazil suggest the figure to be closer to £10 million (€12 million). Either way, it’s a significant number for clubs in that market.

Palmeiras engineering runs until July

The new report states that Igor Julio remains firmly on Palmeiras’ radar, and the club are now considering ways to make a deal possible. One of the ideas involves selling another player, Bruno Rodrigues, to Cruzeiro on a permanent basis.

Bruno Rodriguez is currently on loan at Belo Horizonte, and Palmeiras have no plans to bring him back. The deal includes a purchase option worth around £4m (€5m), and club officials see it as a potential starting point to raise funds for the left-footed centre-back.

This is where Igor Julio comes in. He fits the profile that Palmeiras want, and more importantly, the timing now aligns with a potential return to Brazil in the middle of the year.

what happens next

The real action is happening behind the scenes. Palmeiras is trying to make room in the budget. Cruzeiro remains a part of the series as both a past lover and a potential buyer in this setup.

Meanwhile, Brighton are holding their own. And because of that, any deal now depends less on interest and more on whether the Brazilian club can actually put together a package that works.

This is a story for summer. But its foundation stone is already being laid.

liverpool, chelsea And Barcelona are eyeing RB Leipzig’s Yann Diomande ahead of the summer.

On 6 April, Game Witness Covered Claims From Spain regarding the Premier League pair and Barcelona’s interest.

The same source said Liverpool and Chelsea are ready to offer €60m for the winger.

last week, Ivory Coast International said The latest claims of interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs inspire him.

Also, he ruled out the possibility of moving out in the summer.

The German club paid €20m to sign him from CD Leganés in July 2025 and he starred in his debut season.

His Bundesliga statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Start: 24
• Total minutes: 2,137
• Minutes per game: 74
• Target: 12
• Assist: 6

Latest on Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona

Wednesday edition of game La Liga side’s stance on Yann Diomande is covered and Liverpool and Chelsea are mentioned.

The winger is Barcelona sporting director Deco’s favorite choice to improve the attack in the summer. Therefore, the La Liga winners had a meeting with his agent less than a month ago.

His possible arrival at the Camp Nou would depend on Barca not extending Marcus Rashford’s loan stay and Raphinha receiving an attractive offer.

Hansi Flick’s side contacted RB Leipzig to ascertain the conditions necessary to secure his services.

The latter aims to drive record sales of the 19-year-old product. Sport Points say the German claims suggest a fee of around €100m, which Barcelona cannot match.

Therefore, the Catalan club ‘gave up the dream’ of signing a winger and focused on signing a striker and centre-back. This should come as a boost for Liverpool and Chelsea.

Both Arne Slot’s team and the Blues, along with Manchester United, would be in a position to meet the fee demanded to sign him.

Leipzig are in third place, five points ahead of fifth-place TSG Hoffenheim. Champions League qualification would further strengthen their position to retain Diomande or demand a hefty fee for him.

Our opinion: Liverpool have the edge over Chelsea

In January Yann Diomande spoke about his desire to move to Liverpool.

That time, He said: : “I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!”

This gives the Reds an advantage over others as long as they are willing to meet Leipzig’s demands.

A week after YouTuber Cletus McFarland was denied entry into the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Talladega Superspeedway this upcoming weekend, he has now revealed when he will next get the chance to drive an O’Reilly car for Richard Childress Racing.

McFarland announced on Instagram Monday afternoon that he will drive the No. 33 car for RCR in the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30.

“Look guys, your boy is going back to O’Reilly Racing. On May 30, I’ll be in the No. 33.”

Cleetus McFarland announced he will compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on May 30 at Nashville Superspeedway.

McFarland, age 31, made his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut on April 4 in the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway. He struggled in qualifying, posting the fourth slowest lap time, and found himself at the back of the field for most of the race. However, he avoided the wreck and finished the day in 32nd, with NASCAR drivers praising him for being successful throughout the race.

NASCAR ultimately determined that he had not performed adequately despite having enough time to prepare for the race at Talladega in the upcoming AG-Pro 300 on Saturday. Instead, his next opportunity to drive came last weekend in the ARCA Menards Series at Kansas Speedway.

RELATED: NASCAR’s schedule for Talladega this week

While McFarland only finished 20th, he ran much better than the No. 30 car. He demonstrated the ability to make passes on the outside, weaving his way through the field to reach seventh place with 41 laps to go, and he was in 10th place with 25 laps to go in the race. Unfortunately, the engine explodes and he is forced to rescue her to avoid an accident.

McFarland continues to earn praise from fellow drivers and NASCAR media members for his dedication to improving his craft, devoting significant time to learning in the simulator and gaining insight from his teammates.

He will now have six weeks to prepare for the O’Reilly Series race at Nashville, another opportunity to gain experience in the car. While McFarland will almost certainly finish at the back of the field in the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250, NASCAR and the CW Network will get great TV ratings from it, and the race will help him improve even more moving forward.

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

This week’s NASCAR schedule takes us to Talladega Superspeedway, home of “The Big One” and a lot more chaos. Although there are no Truck Series races this weekend, we are confident that the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series races on Saturday and Sunday will provide plenty of entertainment for racing fans.

Let’s dive into the NASCAR weekend schedule at Talladega. As always, we first list the NASCAR schedule by day, followed by individual qualifying times and green flag times for each series. All times listed are ET. Note, there is no practice this week.

READ MORE: NASCAR Power Rankings before Talladega

NASCAR weekend schedule for Talladega Superspeedway

Friday, April 24

Saturday, April 25

Sunday, April 26

Read more: Best NASCAR races 2026, ranking every NASCAR race this season

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Schedule This Weekend

Here is the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule for this weekend.

NASCAR Cup Series schedule this weekend

Here is the Cup Series schedule for this weekend’s Jack Link 500 at Talladega.

Talladega Superspeedway: Quick Stats

• Track Length: 2.66 miles
• Track Type: superspeedway
• surface: asphalt
• Banking: Turn: 33; Backstretch: 2; Front Stretch: 16.5

Talladega Superspeedway Race Details and Stages

Of note, NASCAR announced on April 13 that it was changing stages for the race at Talladega Superspeedway. Stage 1 will now be the longest at 98 laps, while Stage 2 will cover 45 laps.

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

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, the AdventHealth 400, was poised to be the first race of the season without a warning incident. Then with 2 laps remaining, Cody Ware lost control and brought out the first natural caution of the day, sending us to overtime.

Let’s take a look at our winners and losers from today’s NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway.

Winner: Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson has now not won a NASCAR Cup Series race in 11 months, without a trip to 33-race victory lane. It’s certainly disappointing for him, but he won Stage 2 on Sunday, giving him three stage wins in the last three races, and he has earned 39 stage points with third-place (Bristol) and second (Kansas) finishes during this two-race span. The last-lap loss to Tyler Reddick may not have lessened the sting, but the No. 5 team has scored more than 100 points in its last two races and Larson is preparing himself well for The Chase.

Loser: Kyle Busch

When Kyle Busch took some fire Saturday in response to comments made by Denny Hamlin, there were plenty of KFB chants and some on-track chaos was expected. Of course, the point of Busch threatening to make Hamlin’s life “hell” on the track was that the No. 8 car’s only chance would be if he went down a lap-plus. What happened at AdventHealth 400? With 25 laps to go in Stage 1, Hamlin easily passed the No. 8 car. Bush was not the problem; He was an afterthought for the driver of the No. 11 car. Lots of talk, no results. This seems quite appropriate from Bush. Heck, he finished the race today in 35th place, well behind his teammate Austin Dillon (16th).

RELATED: Kyle Busch hits back at Denny Hamlin after recent comments

Winner: 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick is definitely a winner as he is on his way to victory at Kansas Speedway. Michael Jordan joins them for the fifth time in nine races. 23XI Racing has overtaken Team Penske as NASCAR’s third-best team at least this season. Reddick won the AdventHealth 400, Wallace finished fifth, and teammates Riley Herbst and Corey Heim also finished 14th and 15th respectively. When Reddick is keeping himself in Dale Earnhardt’s company, winning five of the first nine races, and two 23XI drivers sitting in the top eight in points, it’s hard not to call the team a big winner in 2026.

RELATED: Insider reveals potential cost of signing Tyler Reddick to new contract

Loser: Trackhouse Racing

Through nine races this season, Daniel Suarez has a pair of top-10 finishes and seven top-20s. Meanwhile, at Trackhouse Racing, the trio of Shane Van Gisbergen, Connor Zylisch and Ross Chastain have combined for three top-10 finishes and 13 top-20 finishes between them. Chastain is definitely a top-10 driver in terms of talent, Zilich was a generational prospect a year ago and even SVG has proven himself in the Cup Series. Trackhouse is ruining them all. Things didn’t get any better in the NASCAR races today, with all three drivers finishing outside the top 20.

RELATED: NASCAR Drivers Who Have Performed Poorly This Season

Winner: Denny Hamlin

It wasn’t a perfect day for Denny Hamlin at Kansas, but he came somewhat close. Hamlin won Stage 1 and then finished second to Kyle Larson in Stage 2. He also could have won the AdventHealth 400 if not for the classic Cody Ware caution, with 2 laps left and the No. 11 being seconds away from the final lap, where he could have won it even under the caution. Hamlin said before the season that to have any shot at winning the championship you had to finish in the top three in points at the end of the regular season. Through nine races, he has a 33-point lead in fourth place, and he is looking to win more races this season.

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins leaders

Loser: Team Penske

The good news is that Team Penske made a much-needed change with Ryan Blaney’s pit crew this weekend. Unfortunately, the No. 12 car also received a pit road penalty for too many on the wall after Stage 1 as the team needed work on the front splitter. As far as what happened with Joey Logano, his car was tight all weekend and the No. 22 team was forced to drop to the back of the field for a steering rack replacement on Sunday. It did not work out, Logano was 24th in Stage 1 and 2 laps down at the conclusion of Stage 2. Penske is really proving this season that the gap between them and 23XI Racing is as close, if not even closer, than the gap between Penske and the clearly top teams (Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports).

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series Stage Winners 2026

Winner: Alex Bowman

After qualifying 33rd at Kansas on Saturday, it certainly felt like everything was going to go wrong for Alex Bowman this season, which will continue in the AdventHealth 400 this afternoon. Credit to Bowman and the No. 48 team; He gradually worked his way up the field to finish 17th in Stage 1 and Stage 2 and maintained a top 20 finish throughout the race. This kind of performance doesn’t open the door for Bowman to potentially make The Chase, but this performance shows he is still a very capable driver.

Connected: The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings now after Kansas Speedway

Loser: Carson Hocevar’s Pit Crew

The No. 77 car definitely had the speed to have a good day at Kansas Speedway and Carson Hocevar’s driving style seems perfect for this track. Unfortunately for Hocevar, his pit crew cost him dearly today. The No. 77 team had several instances where it lost positions on pit road because the No. 77 team was slow in its movements. Given the tight conditions of the battle for the final places in The Chase, a race like this could make the difference in whether Hocevar is successful or not. Hocevar finished the day in 13th place, with the likes of Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher ahead of him. We will see if these cases come up in September.

Winner: Corey Haim

Get ready to see Corey Haim in the coming weeks. This was his first Cup Series race in 2026 since the Daytona 500, but he is competing in seven races with 23XI Racing from now through July 27 at the Brickyard 400. Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 showed why and proved he’s already in this series full-time. He qualified 24th on Saturday, but battled hard to finish 10th in Stage 1 and has kept himself in the top 15 for most of NASCAR’s racing today. Coming to the Heim Time Cup Series.

RELATED: Insider Explains Why Corey Heim Isn’t Full-Time With 23XI Racing Yet

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

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series raced tonight at Bristow Motor Speedway’s iconic short track, with a field of drivers that included Cup Series star Kyle Larson and rookie Connor Zylisch. This added to the spectacle of racing under the lights, causing some of the chaos in NASCAR results today. The best part, the battle between Larsson and Zylisch to the end.

Let’s look at the NASCAR results for today’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from Bristol. As always, we’ll start with the race results and point totals and then follow up with the NASCAR OARS Stage results.

RELATED: NASCAR Starting Lineups Bristol

Suburban Propane 300 Results: NASCAR OARS Race at Bristol

RELATED: NASCAR Truck Series results at Bristol Motor Speedway

NASCAR O’Reilly Stage Results Today: Bristow Motor Speedway

Here are tonight’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series stage winners and the results of Stage 1 and Stage 2 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Official 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings out now after Bristol Motor Speedway

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

A move from Newcastle United, early contact from Arsenal and interest from Chelsea have helped build growing momentum around Palmeiras teenager Eduardo Conceição.

Buzz around the 16-year-old is growing rapidly, with several Premier League clubs now following his development closely.

However, while interest continues to grow, the player himself remains focused on a very simple objective: improving on the pitch and following the path already taken by the players he admires.

Premier League interest grows around him

As mentioned earlier, newcastle united Have already tried to sign Eduardo. During this time, armory were among the first English clubs to make contact, and chelsea Now it is also in the picture.

This interest comes alongside attention from across Europe. Clubs such as Barcelona have been linked, while Palmeiras continue to secure the player with an £86 million (€100 million) release clause and a long-term development plan.

Pressure, publicity and staying grounded

In a recent interview with a Spanish outlet AsEduardo Conceição detailed how he’s handling the increased attention.

“Pressure is natural for those who play for Palmeiras. We are used to dealing with it from a young age.” he explained.

Despite the headlines surrounding his links with clubs across Europe, Eduardo insists he keeps his distance from the noise.

“I admit that I don’t usually read news about myself. My daily goal is to be in the best possible condition to show my value on the pitch. I don’t even like that my agent knows what happens outside football.”

He also highlighted the role of his family in keeping him grounded: “My family helps me a lot in that sense. They always remind me of the importance of keeping my feet on the ground.”

The young player also made it clear how much he values ​​Palmeiras’ support in his development.

“I am very grateful to Palmeiras. Everything I am as a player comes from the work the club has done since I arrived. Knowing that I am valued for what I do on the pitch makes me very happy. It gives me extra motivation to keep improving every day.”

Influence, comparison and development path

Eduardo Conceição pointed to familiar names when discussing his inspirations.

“Andrique and Estevao are the biggest inspirations for all of us who are chasing our dreams. I have followed their path and I hope that one day I will do what they did for Palmeiras.”

His connection with that path is also personal. One of his agents is Douglas Souza, Andrique’s father.

“It’s important to have someone close to you who has lived through the experience of leading your son to success. I can always learn from him. I hope to get to know Andrique better one day.”

Comparisons with other young stars are inevitable, and Eduardo accepts them without allowing them to define him.

“Everyone who is starting out has to get used to comparisons. It’s incredible to be compared with successful players I admire, but my goal is to make my way and show who Eduardo is.”

Playing style – in his own words

When asked to describe his game, Eduardo Conceição gave a clear description of his strengths.

“I like one-on-one situations, dribbling and beating opponents quickly. I think my style is quite similar to Estevao’s, although he is left-footed and I am right-footed.”

He also made international comparisons: “Yamal is a player with a similar style to me, always looking for an individual game.”

The Palmeiras youngster gave more details about his position and role on the pitch.

“I’ve played on the left most of the time, but I can also play more centrally. On the pitch, I want to dribble and help the team score goals, either scoring or assisting.”

Personality and short-term ambitions

Away from football, Eduardo Conceição describes himself in simple terms.

“I’m a quiet guy, I avoid trouble. I like to spend time with my family. When I’m not training or playing, I’m usually at home.”

Looking ahead, his focus remains firmly on Palmeiras rather than any future move.

“In two years I will still be very young,” He said smiling. “My dream is to have the opportunity to debut for the Palmeiras first team and make a difference on the pitch, as others have done in recent seasons.”

With Newcastle already considering a move, and Arsenal and Chelsea also among those circling, this opportunity could soon come to even greater global attention.

The 90th Masters Tournament begins Thursday with first-round action at Augusta National Golf Club.

Just a few miles from the Georgia-South Carolina border and two hours east of Atlanta, the flowers have bloomed, and players are ready to begin their quest to wear the coveted Green Jacket on Sunday.

Only four rounds and 72 regulation holes separate them from winning their first major tournament of 2026. However, the challenges faced by the curriculum are always difficult.

Here are 10 bold predictions for this year’s Masters Tournament.

Current Masters winner falls short

The defending champion returns to Augusta National. Rory McIlroy won last year’s Masters Tournament in a playoff. However, the defending champions have not performed that well even after 12 months of wearing the green jacket. The last player to win consecutive Masters Tournaments was Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. McIlroy is also trying to join Woods, Jack Nicklaus (1965-66) and Nick Faldo (1989-90) in successfully defending the Masters title. As a result, McIlroy lost, and Woods’ streak continued for another year as he was the last man to go back-to-back.

Also read: Golf icon says Trump will never be welcome at Augusta National

Justin Rose records another top 15 Masters finish

Justin Rose, who lost to McIlroy in the playoffs last year, also created history 12 months ago. Rose is one of nine players in Masters Tournament history to finish as runner-up three times, having also done so in 2015 and 2017. However, following his runner-up finish in the following year, he broke into the top 15. Rose ranked T10 in 2016 and T12 in 2018. Rose has shown this year that he can battle on the toughest courses, highlighted by his wire-to-wire victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

PGA Tour star misses the cut

One of the stars of this PGA Tour season so far has been Chris Gotterup, who won twice within the first three weeks. He won the Sony Open in Hawaii and followed that up with a win at TPC Scottsdale for the WM Phoenix Open. Gotterup is also coming off a T6 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open a few weeks ago. The Rutgers alumnus is trying to become the fourth player overall and the first player since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to win the Masters in his first start. Ultimately, Augusta National had better success than Gotterup, who is competing in the Masters for the first time. Competing in a special group with Jon Rahm and Ludwig Aberg, Gottrup would miss making the cut.

Also read: Tiger told police he was talking to President Trump moments before his DUI arrest

Bryson DeChambeau repeats 2025 Masters performance

Bryson DeChambeau’s difference between wearing a green jacket and losing comes down to his putter. Despite gaining a positive 0.6 strokes throughout the week, it was -2.32 strokes in the final round last year. This was when he was paired with McIlroy on his way to shooting a 3-over 75 to finish T5. He has been victorious in the last two LIV Golf events in South Africa and Singapore. This year, DeChambeau once again missed out on wearing a green jacket.

Scotty Scheffler’s struggle continues

By Scottie Scheffler’s standards, he has struggled recently. He finished T24 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and T22 at The Players Championship in his last two starts. With their recent form and some back injuries to McIlroy and Colin McIlroy, it makes this tournament a little more open than it has been in years past. Those struggles of trying to find that success would ultimately challenge the two-time Masters champion.

RELATED: Scottie Scheffler’s 10 Best Moments of 2025

Matt Fitzpatrick claims record for best Masters finish

Matt Fitzpatrick enters this year’s Masters Tournament fresh off a win at the Valspar Championship a few weeks ago. This also comes a week after he lost the lead on the back nine at the Players Championship during the final round. Fitzpatrick’s best performance came 10 years ago when he finished seventh. This is the year the British get it together and claim to be on Sunday.

Cameroon returns to Young Masters competition

Finishing ahead of Fitzpatrick at The Players Championship was Cameron Young, who birdied the 17th hole to earn his major PGA Tour victory. Young is trying to join Woods and Scheffler as the only players to win the Players and the Masters in the same year. Before missing the cut last year, he had made consecutive top 10 finishes in 2023 and 2024. Young has returned to that form, and missing last year’s cut is an outsider.

JJ Spaun struggles at Augusta

JJ Spawn is coming off a win at the Valero Texas Open in his final tuneup before the Masters this week. The last 13 months have looked very different for Spawn. He was runner-up at the Players last year, won the US Open and competed on the US Ryder Cup team before winning last week. With his win last week, Spawn enters the difficult history of trying to win a Masters Tournament like last week. Only four players have done so, and once in 38 years, the latter being Phil Mickelson two decades ago. As a result, trying to get big win number 2 will be a challenging task.

ALSO READ: Bold predictions for 2026 PGA Tour season, including winning battle vs. LIV Golf

A Masters long shot to win the green jacket

It will be a tall order for Jacob Bridgman to win, but he has the metrics that other champions have. At +8600, he would become the first longshot winner since Danny Willett (+6600) in 2016 and Charl Schwartzel (+9000) in 2011. Bridgeman has shown that he can win against the best by winning the Genesis Invitational, a signature event. There are only two golfers on the planet who have played better than Bridgeman statistically: Scheffler and Rahm. Even though this is his first Master, as mentioned before with Gotterup, the Bridgeman is an interesting looker.

My Masters Pick: Xander Schauffele

Two years ago, Xander Schauffele put it all together with two major wins at the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. Not only does he have major championship experience, but he also has history at Augusta National. Over the past 20 years, the average Masters champion was competing in his ninth Masters, which Schauffele is preparing for this week. Schauffele has also entered the top 30 at all 15 majors leading up to the 2022 Masters. He has five top 10s in the last seven years, including runner-up finish in 2019 and T3 in 2021.

Most recently, Schauffele won in Japan in October and came into Augusta with a 3rd at The Players and a T4 at Valspar. As a result, I have DeChambeau edged out Schauffele and Fitzpatrick in the mix for the 2024 PGA Championship.

Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

Marco Palestra’s stock has risen incredibly over the past few months, and the Atalanta loanee is gaining attention newcastle united, armory And tottenham.

sports witness Liverpool’s interest in the full-back has been covered before.

The Reds attempted to land him from Atalanta last summer but the youngster joined Cagliari on loan.

His progress is going very well, thanks to his performance for Italy against Bosnia last week. It resulted in a defeat, but Palestine’s influence was clearly visible at right wing-back as he also scored inside from that position.

Now with his valuation rising, the idea of ​​a move to England is gaining momentum.

Three clubs are monitoring the transfer situation

tuttosport The report said that it is becoming difficult for Palestine to live in Italy.

This is largely due to his valuation, with Atalanta demanding more than €50m to see him depart in the summer.

The Bergamo club are also anticipating an international auction, with Newcastle United ‘hottest’ in the hunt for the versatile full-back.

In addition to the Magpies’ pursuit, Arsenal and Tottenham are also in the mix. Both clubs have scouted him several times but they currently favor Eddie Howe.

Even Barcelona are interested and they sent a scout to watch Palestine specifically for Cagliari’s game against Napoli two weeks ago.

They are also expected to continue monitoring him for the next few weeks.

Atalanta are unlikely to be easy negotiators

Historically, Atalanta has always proven to be a difficult club to deal with in the market. They are experts at mass selling and as their handling of Ademola Lookman shows, they do not back down from their stance.

Right now, they have no reason to secede from Palestine. If they qualify for Europe, they can easily keep him and use him regularly next season.

This would increase the 21-year-old’s value, causing problems for Newcastle United, Tottenham and Arsenal. Therefore, all three clubs will have to come up with something special in the summer.

Palestra can play on either side and uses both feet equally well. This makes him a rare profile and some club should definitely approach him.

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway was exactly what you’d expect from Virginia’s iconic short track. While the focus today is always on the winner of the NASCAR race, we also wanted to provide some analysis on how other drivers and teams performed at Martinsville this afternoon.

Let’s take a look at our winners and losers from the Cook Out 400.

Winner: Denny Hamlin

Complete dominance. Denny Hamlin went nearly pole-to-pole in the Cook Out 400 and could have scored maximum points with 76–20 points for the stage win, 55 for winning the race, and 1 point for fastest lap – if not for a late caution due to a wreck on Ty Dillon’s car. This allowed Chase Elliott’s pit strategy to completely pay off; Otherwise, this would have been a race that Hamlin would have won in historic fashion. Hamlin did not get a win in the Cook Out 400, but he left Martinsville with the most points (56) that day and led 292 laps. Agreed that he would be sad if he did not win.

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series all-time win list

Loser: Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is fed up with Richard Childress Racing and his time spent in the No. 8 car. That became abundantly clear after qualifying on Saturday, when his tone reflected that of a driver who knew the No. 8 car had no chance of being competitive after finishing 34th. Late in Stage 1 he fell and then at his first pit stop, Busch opted to drive through a wheel that came loose and bounced off the front of his car. Busch has now gone 100 consecutive races without a Cup Series win and it’s clear he’s counting down the days until he can join a new team.

Connected: What happened to Kyle Busch’s winless streak, 100-race drought

Winner: Ty Gibbs

Five consecutive top-10 finishes for Ty Gibbs. In fact, it’s even better than that, as his worst finishing position was sixth at Darlington last Sunday. The No. 54 car finished in the top four for the second time in the last three races and Gibbs demonstrated his ability to make the most of it, scoring the second-most stage points (16) at the Cook Out 400. Clearly, Gibbs is performing much like Chase Briscoe did at No. 19 last season. More about them later.

Connected: NASCAR standings today, Cup Series points leaders after Martinsville

Loser: Richard Childress Racing

Why does Richard Childress Racing even run a third car at this point? It’s clear they don’t have the ability to put Kyle Busch in any position to be competitive and with the win-and-playoff system gone, Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team are irrelevant for the season. In Sunday’s Cook Out 400, RCR had Austin Hill in the No. 33 car (part-time) and he spent the majority of the race leading several laps. In fact, we have to wonder if NASCAR’s top prospect Jesse Love would be better off pursuing a full-time Cup ride with another team since RCR has nothing to offer.

Connected: Best NASCAR Races 2026, Ranking Every Cup Series Race This Season

Winner: Shane van Gisbergen

Performing so well in the Cook Out 400 had a lot to do with qualifying, considering how little passing was on Sunday. This is still something for which Shane van Gisbergen deserves credit, as he achieved a season’s best fifth place in qualifying. This is even better than his starting position at COTA (13th) a few weeks ago. SVG needed a solid point total after recording a total of 24 points in his last two races and he accomplished that at Martinsville, while continuing to show that he is getting better at the ovals.

RELATED: Official 2026 Cook Out 400 results at Martinsville Speedway

Loser: Bubba Wallace

Silly. Bubba Wallace didn’t have a good race at Martinsville, but he was at least in position to finish in the top 20 for a good points day. Considering the points the 23rd-ranked team has earned this season, it would have been fine to keep them in the top seven. Instead, inexplicably, Wallace decided to hit the throttle and drive straight into Carson Hocevar not once but twice. Karma took care of the No. 23 car with race-ending damage, but Wallace’s actions are inexcusable and his immaturity caused damage to several other cars because he could not control his emotions. This felt like an older version of Wallace, and if he’s back after just two bad races, 23XI Racing has a problem beyond just an eight-place drop in the points.

Winner: Chase Elliott

Did some good luck help crew chief Alan Gustafson’s pit strategy succeed? Definitely. However, that’s also a gamble you can take when you have a driver of Chase Elliott’s caliber behind the wheel of the No. 9 car. The team did not score any stage points on Sunday at Martinsville, but an early pit stop and fresh tires gave Elliott a car he could drive further. The caution ended well for him, but you also have to give Elliott credit for how he controlled traffic on the final laps and didn’t give Hamlin a real chance to take the lead. Elliott gave Hendrick Motorsports its first win of the season and it looks great for the team too.

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

Tonight’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Martinsville Raceway featured a starting lineup that was determined by a metric score after qualifying on Friday. As the NFPA 250 results were captured, what happened created some extra excitement and late-stage crashes at the short track.

A theme of NASCAR races today is cautions in the final stages, culminating in a big stage with 16 laps that resulted in a red flag. As a result, the double-point cars failed to finish the race.

Let’s look at tonight’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series results straight from Martinsville. We’ll start with the final race results and total points, while you can find the OARS stage results below.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Results Martinsville

Here are the NFPA 250 results at Martinsville tonight.

NFPA 250 Step Results

Here are the results from today’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series stage. Of note, 16 drivers earned stage points in the NFPA 250.

View the status of the updated 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts line.

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

Fabian Herzeler’s departure from Brighton & Hove Albion manager could benefit Chelsea in the race for 1. FC Köln’s Saeed El Mala.

The winger has long been on Brighton’s agenda and FC Köln had their offers rejected in the last two windows.

This has not stopped Brighton from continuing their pursuit and Chelsea have also joined them in the transfer race.

The Bundesliga side signed the 19-year-old from Victoria Köln in June 2024 and sent him back on loan.

Last summer, he arrived at FC Köln and enjoyed an excellent debut season, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 29 matches. His Bundesliga statistics per game are as follows.

• expected goal [per season]:7.41
• expected assistance [per season]: 1.82
• Main pass: 0.4
• Shots on target: 0.8
• Goal conversion: 19%
• Big chances missed: 12

Last Thursday, Sports Witness Covered claims from Germany The Blues are willing to pay €45m, €5m more than FC Koln’s asking price. Earlier this week, we broadcast news Brighton’s next offer would be final.

Chelsea can snatch the signing from the clutches of Brighton

image Now covering the latest information about the Seagulls’ continued pursuit of Said El Mala and the Blues’ interest in it.

The player ‘wants to move to England’ after this season with Chelsea and Brighton both keen.

The latter have made progress by presenting concrete offers to both him and his brother, Malek, who is also at FC Köln. This and his manager put forward The Amex Club.

Fabian Herzeler has been chasing El Mala for a year while he is in the running to replace Casper Hjulmand at Bayer Leverkusen. Managers of other unnamed clubs are also on their radar.

Brighton securing a quick deal and Herzeler leaving after this season is a ‘scary scenario’ for the player. Therefore, the Germany U21 international is considering his options.

Construction Status: ‘Not only is the coaching situation in the hands of clubs like Chelsea, who are also interested in El Mala, but it could also prolong the transfer saga.’

Siegel insists that they want him, whether Herzeler stays or not. However, the German has a decision to make and the ‘scary situation’ benefits Liam Rosenior’s side.

El Mala Contract, Price and Agent Information

Last July, Saeed El Mala signed a contract extension until 2030, without making his debut for the German club. At that time, its value, according to transfer marketWhich was €3m.

During this season, this increased to €18m [in October] to 40 m [in December] Before falling to €35m in March.

He recently parted ways with his agent and is now represented by his parents.

The Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in a game with significant playoff implications.

It was a tough match, but in the end the Canadiens emerged with a 2–1 victory.

With the win, first-year netminder Jacob Dobbs recorded his 24th win of the season, officially surpassing Patrick Roy’s win total in his rookie season, doing so in 11 fewer games.

An impressive feat, all things considered.

Let’s look at the highlights!

first and best

Jayden Struble made his mark by scoring his first goal of the year, not to mention his first goal since November 26, 2024. Suffice it to say, it’s a stretch.

It must be said that both Lane Hutson and Zachary Bolduc did a great job helping him, with the former keeping the game alive in the offensive zone on two occasions and eventually finding an open teammate.

Jayden Struble scores his first goal of the season #GoHabsGo 1-0 lead!

Assists Bolduc and Hutson. pic.twitter.com/oQzcdWnKjH

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 26 March 2026

Dobbs holds the fort

It was a relatively slow-paced game, although it should be noted that the Blue Jackets held a 9–2 edge in high-danger scoring opportunities during 40 minutes of play.

Dobbs did a great job of shutting down the Jackets when they were carrying the bulk of the momentum, including a pair of breakaways in the second period.

He’s not always technically the best goaltender in the league, but he has an uncanny way of scoring important wins for the Habs, and that’s all that matters at this point in the season.

A big save from Jacob Dobbs keeps the game tied at 1-1. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/VGPgnLjecg

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 27 March 2026

welcome back, zach

With the game tied 1–1, the Canadiens got some much-needed offensive support from the bottom six when Zachary Bolduc scored his first goal since December 23 and his 11th of the season.

It has been difficult to create secondary and tertiary offense in Montreal, making this another important target for a player who has struggled to find the back of the net in 2026.

It was easily one of Bolduc’s best performances of the season, as he would foul Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson midway through the third period.

Zachary Bolduc scores his first goal since December 23rd!

Great work by Mike Matheson and Jake Evans to set up the play. #GoHabsGo Are ahead 2-1. pic.twitter.com/vVJMEnunn3

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 27 March 2026

last section

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Saturday facing the Predators in Nashville, with puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

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

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

Manchester United have now joined the race for Maxi Araujo, with the Sporting CP defender attracting attention across the Premier League.

The Old Trafford side are the latest club to emerge as suitors for the 26-year-old, adding another layer to an already competitive situation.

As we covered earlierBoth Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have made contact with Araújo. After closely monitoring his performances in Portugal and Europe, interest in him has been active for several weeks.

Forms and numbers increase interest

The rise of Maxi Araújo this season helps explain why more clubs are joining the race.

He has played 35 matches in all competitions, starting 32 of them. The Uruguay international has scored six goals and provided four assists, impressive numbers for a player who primarily operates as a left-back.

In the Champions League, he has added two goals and one assist. Those performances have increased his visibility and placed him firmly on the radar of top European clubs.

Araújo also contributed to the narrative himself. While in London with the Uruguayan national team, he opened up about Possibility of playing in Englandand said he hoped this time would be “the first of many”.

That comment has only increased the sense that a move to the Premier League is part of his plans.

Manchester United is now in the picture

Maxi Araujo is now being linked with a move to Manchester United for the first time in the process.

A new report from to ball In Portugal it is indicated that United is one of the clubs analyzing the Sporting player, along with Chelsea and Tottenham. His Champions League performances have been particularly impressive in this regard.

This development expands the competitive landscape. United’s involvement could change the dynamics, especially if they decide to move quickly into the market.

Sports stance and financial structure

However, the game is not making things easy. The Portuguese club have decided that they want to keep Araújo for at least one more season. At the moment he is not seen as a player they are actively looking to sell this summer.

Araújo is under contract until 2029 and has an €80m (£69m) release clause. Internally, Sporting are believed to be considering offers starting at just €40m (£34.5m).

This gives them a stronger position in the conversation even with increased interest.

what happens next

The situation with Maxi Araujo now depends on how far the clubs are willing to go.

The arrival of Manchester United has added weight to the race, while Tottenham and Chelsea are strongly involved. The player’s form and versatility continues to attract attention.

Sporting’s stance signals resistance, but the market may still dictate the outcome. With the World Cup approaching and his profile rising, it could be the perfect time for a sale.

For now, the expectation is that Sporting will try to maximize value. A move this summer looks possible if one of the interested clubs decides to make a decisive move.

🇮🇹 Pierre Kalulu | Manchester United and Liverpool send scouts for new France international

➡️ Versatile defender – Italian media are really pushing for a transfer opportunity, so Juventus is possibly up for salehttps://t.co/lfQQEbBvE5 #free #lfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 26 March 2026

Montreal – It feels like there’s more Montreal Canadiens news every hour, and we’re all bound to miss a story or two. On Sundays, we always recap relevant NHL news you may have missed, to help you stay in the Canadiens loop.

Make sure you don’t miss any news from Canadians by signing up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for a daily newsletter covering various other NHL teams, or the most exciting developments in the game.[Sportsnaut]

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

The Canadiens lost 4-3 to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, a disappointing result when you consider they held a 3-2 lead midway through the game. As usual, the Canadiens had effective stretches, which combined with the turnovers, made them look like a junior team. Consistently inconsistent has been the theme of the season for the Habs. [Canadiens Highlights: Hard-Fought Loss Versus Ducks]

Another day, another point for top Canadian prospect Michael Hayes. With his goal against Penn State, Hayes now has 50 points in just 36 games. [Canadiens Prospect Rankings – No. 1 Dynamic Michael Hage]

A rip from the high slot and Hayes made it 4-2! pic.twitter.com/5cVj9o4VMG

– Michigan Hockey (@umichockey) 14 March 2026

The Laval Rocket split their weekend games, losing 5-2 to the Utica Comets on Friday, and then winning 4-3 in a shootout versus the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday. Owen Beck scored his 10th goal of the season in the win, while Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 28 of 31 shots sent his way.

Beck 🚨 1-1 pic.twitter.com/ymgFqd4DRW

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 14 March 2026

Alexander Zharovsky had a great game and reached the 40-point mark in the KHL with several three-point efforts. He scored a goal and an assist against the Shanghai Dragons, ending an eight-game scoreless streak.

Speaking of talented prospects, Bryce Pickford scored his 44th goal of the year, meaning he is now tied with Cameron Schmidt for the league lead. There’s no doubt, Pickford is enjoying one of the most encouraging D+1 seasons in recent memory.

Cole Caufield is the first Canadiens player to reach 40 goals since Vincent Damphousse in 1993–94. Caufield scored the overtime winner against the Boston Bruins to secure two very important points in the playoff race. [Canadiens Highlights: Caufield Hits 40 In Crucial Win]

Speaking of Caufield, when asked what comes next after 40 he had a great response.

“What’s after 40? 50?”

“41” – Cole ??? pic.twitter.com/QMwGJG5poN

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) 18 March 2026

It should be noted that Caufield is now just one goal behind Jack Hughes for most goals scored by any player drafted in 2019, despite having played 62 fewer games than the New Jersey Devils forward.

#GoHabsGo Sniper Cole Caufield is just one goal behind Jack Hughes for the most goals of any player drafted in 2019.

He has also played 62 fewer games than Hughes. pic.twitter.com/sRUcQ1zs2H

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 18 March 2026

More unfortunate news on the injury front, as Kirby Dach will be absent for between two to four weeks with an upper body injury. Dach was forced to leave Sunday’s game after contact with Anaheim Ducks forward Jeffrey Wiel. With Dach out of commission, Zachary Bolduc returned to the lineup before the game against the Boston Bruins. [Canadiens Preview: Dobes Faces Bruins, Dach Injured]

It’s very easy to blame goaltending for all of Montreal’s problems this year, but the truth is that the Canadiens allow too many high-danger chances while creating too few to balance out their poor defensive play. Poor goal setting is a symptom of the problem, not the cause. [Playoff Discussion: Canadiens Issues Go Beyond Bad Goaltending]

David Rickenbacker has officially signed with Kent Hughes’ former management company Quartex. When it comes to Canadiens players represented by Shawn Coffey he joins Lane Hutson and Jacob Fowler. Rickenbacker finished fourth in our most recent edition of the top Montreal Canadiens prospects. [Top Canadiens Prospects – No. 4 David Reinbacher]

We are thrilled to welcome the Canadiens 2023 5th overall pick David Rickenbacker #quartexfamily ! pic.twitter.com/CMCijzazJX

– Quartex Hockey (@quartexhockey) 17 March 2026

A closer look at how Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield managed to touch the 40-goal mark, the first Montreal player to accomplish the feat since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-94. The most impressive aspect of his goal-scoring dominance is that he does most of his damage at even strength. No other NHLer has more goals per 60 (even-strength) in the NHL. [Cole Caufield Dominance – 40 Goals By The Numbers]

It must be said that very few players enjoy playing hockey as much as Caufield. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he’s better at scoring goals than most NHLers.

Cole Caulfield’s 40 seconds of greatness to celebrate his first 40-goal season! 😛 pic.twitter.com/7ABOgBq3mi

– NHL (@NHL) 18 March 2026

The playoff race remains fierce in the Eastern Conference, with the Habs just a few points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team on the outside looking in. There are also the Ottawa Senators in the mix, making it another exciting sprint to the end. The good news is that Canadians hold their destiny in their own hands, as long as they find ways to accumulate significant points.

Projected 2025–26 NHL standings as of March 18 pic.twitter.com/hQIldYAaq8

– Dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) 18 March 2026

One reason it’s been difficult for the Canadiens to miss out on a playoff spot is that climbing the standings at the end of the season is a tough sell, especially when there are three-point games in play. Both Ottawa and Columbus have produced a great series of games, and yet, they are still struggling to make their way into the playoff picture.

Looking to continue their hard-hitting ways and push for a wild card spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference @Senator The Capitals visit tonight and are 11-2-2 in their last 15 games. This record gives him the third highest points percentage on this list pic.twitter.com/3kJwwdR0SE

– StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) 18 March 2026

Everything about prospect Bryce Pickford’s season has been impressive, and his path to the WHL has been impressive too, as evidenced by the interesting video of him put together by the league. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.7 – Extraordinary Pickford]

How a young defenseman who left hockey for two years went on to break a WHL record and earn a contract with @CanadiensMTL?

this is the story @tigershockey Captain, Bryce Pickford! pic.twitter.com/VZXuHccslv

– Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) 18 March 2026

Head coach Martin Saint-Louis spent a lot of time working on the power play in practice, focusing on the top unit. Montreal still has a top-10 power play, but given the talent on their first power play unit, not to mention the overpassing issue, there’s clearly still work to be done.

Martin Saint-Louis had several discussions with the first power play unit.

The coach does not seem completely satisfied with the performance of this unit.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #power play #nhl pic.twitter.com/xyBiErPW49

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 18 March 2026

While some insiders have suggested that the Canadiens were actively involved in trade talks, including for players like Nazem Kadri or Matthew Neese, Pierre LeBrun does not believe that player has been identified, at least not yet. Considering all of the rumors involving Hubs come from outside sources, he may be on to something. Like a bucket or a proper fishing boat owned by anyone other than Henry, Kent Hughes doesn’t leak.

Pierre LeBrun: While there has been speculation about the Habs trying to acquire Mathieu Neese… Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Ristolainen… Whatever major trade the Canadiens were working on hasn’t actually been identified yet in all reports after the deadline – The Athletic (3/18)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) 19 March 2026

As for Elliotte Friedman, he reported that the Habs showed “significant interest” in Nese, while also revealing that “everyone has denied the report”. [32 Thoughts]

The Canadiens have a relatively healthy power play, but they could immediately improve on that if they decided to take a few more shots every game. The Habs rank seventh in the NHL on power plays, but are among the teams that take the fewest shots. [Canadiens Powerplay Issues Reflected In One Key Statistic]

Thursday night’s game between the Habs and Detroit Red Wings was important for both clubs, but the Canadiens made too many mistakes, giving up valuable points. [Canadiens Highlights: Habs Drop Four-Point Game]

Despite a disappointing end to Thursday’s loss against the Detroit Red Wings, the Canadiens were fired by head coach Martin Saint-Louis on Friday. The decision caused a lot of anger on social media, but if we remove emotions from the equation, it would be fair to suggest that sometimes the carrot yields better results than the stick.

#hubs Friday morning’s practice at Brossard has been canceled. Day off for the team,

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) 20 March 2026

Is anyone surprised that Lane Hutson decided to practice despite having a day off? Oliver Kapanen joined Hutson, with both players spending time working with skills coach Adam Nicholls.

Presumably, Len Hutson and Oliver Kapanen can’t spend a single morning without putting on their skates.

He’s on the ice this morning in Brossard with Adam Nicholls.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #hutsan #kapanen #nhl pic.twitter.com/QUqrldI6rg

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 20 March 2026

Vincent Arseneau is a despicable, mean man. He made quick work of Springfield Thunderbirds winger Cale Casey in the Rockets’ 4–1 victory.

Ouch what a fight Arseneau!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/yFWa7hR3NB

– The Rocket Girl 🚀🇨🇦 (@TheRocket9Girl) 20 March 2026

There were also some other incidents that did not involve a Rockets player demolishing his opponent. Samuel Blais (11), Jared Davidson (16), Philipp Messer (9), and Florian Czekaj (15) found the back of the net for the Rockets, while Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 28 of 29 shots to seal the win.

Baker Month 🚨 https://t.co/7nvQeDcAzw pic.twitter.com/VOjrLVkPPm

– X – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 21 March 2026

There was some unfortunate Montreal news on Friday, as former Montreal Expos announcer Roger Brulotte passed away. He was 79 years old.

Congratulations to legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Roger Brulotte 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/a7E2MFSyPo

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 21 March 2026

Jacob Fowler was given the start against the New York Islanders on Saturday night, but the story of the evening was Montreal’s dominance in a crucial game that had huge implications for the playoffs. Caufield led the way with his third career shutout, while Slafkowski contributed two goals in the 7–3 victory. [Canadiens Highlights: Mr. Saturday Night Stars In Pivotal Win]

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

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith offered to gift Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic a mile after noting the veteran guard as one of the few NBA players worthy of winning this year’s MVP award. The Lakers extended their winning streak to eight with a 134-126 win against the Miami Heat. Doncic scored a season-high 60 points on Thursday, which could be the deciding factor for the veteran media personality’s list of Most Valuable Players this year.

Still, Smith was embarrassed to admit that Doncic was not among his favorites to win MVP, but that changed after Luka’s 60-point game, according to ESPN’s First Take.

“I’m ashamed that I didn’t bring Luka up for MVP consideration before this morning. That ends now,” Smith said. “It’s been fixed right now. Luka Doncic has been sensational. The Los Angeles Lakers have been incredibly impressive on an eight-game winning streak. He’s scored over 30 in each of those games. He’s scored 100 in the last two games.”

Given Doncic’s recent offensive performance, combining for 100 points in his last two contests, he is strengthening his case for MVP in the final hour of the regular season, as reported by Stephen A. Smith.

“Who deserves it more than Luka, given what he’s doing? He’s leading the league in scoring. The Los Angeles Lakers are winning as a top 3 seed in the Western Conference,” Smith said. They’re winning basketball games. He’s leading, and he has a guy in LeBron James, who is on the Mount Rushmore of basketball — still playing like an All-Star caliber player.

“And that has to be different because Luka is so great — he’s so unstoppable. At some point, you just have to announce it, and right now, we have to announce it right here on First Take that Luka Doncic — the guy that the Dallas Mavericks traded away for Anthony Davis, another player, Christie and a pick. The same Luka Doncic in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform is a top candidate for league MVP honors,” Smith concluded.

The Lakers have won 12 of their last 13 games.

Draymond Green’s opinion on Luka Doncic, LeBron James pairing

Warriors veteran Draymond Green weighed in on Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the Lakers’ chances of winning a championship this season. Given the Lakers’ recent surge, which has led them to the third-best record in the Western Conference (45-25), momentum is undoubtedly on their side heading into the playoffs.

For Green, the Lakers are led by Doncic and James good handsAs he mentioned on The Draymond Green Show.

“Luka is playing absolutely incredible,” Green said. “The irony is that the Lakers are playing absolutely incredible. The irony is that DeAndre Ayton is playing better; the irony is that Marcus Smart is playing better. Because that’s the magic of Luka Doncic. Luka makes everybody around him better at the top of their game. So, you ask yourself, how dangerous can they be in the playoffs?

“And part of me wants to say that’s not dangerous at all, but the other side of me knows better. You’ve got Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the court at the same time. You always have a chance against anybody.”

Draymond Green likely to be a real contender on the Lakers:

“You ask yourself how dangerous they can be during the playoffs, besides me I want to say not dangerous at all but the other side of me knows better. You put Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the court at the same time… pic.twitter.com/kYEsPPMj43

– NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) 20 March 2026

Amidst the competitive Western Conference led by the defending champion Thunder, the Lakers are slowly joining the picture of championship contenders.

Chelsea’s midfield plans are again under scrutiny, with Andre Santos drawing attention during a busy week of European fixtures in London.

This comes shortly after the same player was linked with a move to Manchester United.

Chelsea have invested heavily in midfield. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia all arrived for big fees, and it is difficult for their competitors to secure minutes. Even Reece James is being tested in midfield by Liam Rosenior recently.

That reality has shaped how Chelsea manages young players. And Santos is a clear example of that dynamism.

But despite limited opportunities, the Brazilian has quietly become one of the team’s most effective defensive midfielders when he does play.

according to footystatsHe averages 2.60 tackles and 1.58 interceptions per 90 minutes. These numbers place him among the strong performers in his role.

He is also active in duels, winning 5.75 ground duels per 90. Additionally, he contributes to blocks and recoveries while avoiding mistakes.

Being in possession also keeps him reliable. Santos has completed 556 of 620 passes this season, with an 89.7% completion rate. That consistency allows Chelsea to maintain control in the midfield phases.

His blend of defensive intensity and composure on the ball makes him one of the more complete profiles available. Still, this has not translated into consistent minutes.

That situation has started to attract attention. Manchester United Recently he has been linked with Andre Santos as they look for a young midfield profile. This interest highlights both his ceiling and the uncertainty surrounding his role at Stamford Bridge.

Joins Inter line-up after London scouting trip

That context makes the latest developments all the more relevant. according to fc inter newsInter Milan directors Piero Ausilio and Dario Bacin were in London during this week’s Champions League fixtures. He attended Chelsea’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain and used the opportunity to keep an eye on the players.

Santos was among those watched closely. He started the match and has been described as having a profile appreciated by Inter, although still in the early stages of interest.

His next step will depend on internal planning. It will also depend on Chelsea’s approach, given their crowded midfield and flexible approach to young players.

A profile that goes unnoticed for a long time

Chelsea may not be actively pushing for Santos’ exit, but situations like this evolve quickly.

Interest naturally increases when a midfielder delivers the ball at both ends of the pitch. Inter’s presence in London gives importance to this. The Manchester United links strengthen this even further.

The player himself says he is happy in London For now. But at the same time, Chelsea’s team construction continues to create internal competition that is difficult to resolve quickly.

Santos is right in the middle of that equation. If his role does not increase, others will try to take advantage. And if their performance continues at this level, it becomes difficult to justify their marginalization.

For now, Chelsea has the situation under control. But the balance between growth and opportunity is beginning to attract more attention than ever before.

The interest from both Manchester United and Inter Milan says a lot about Andre Santos and his development.

🇦🇷 Mateo Del Blanco | The player “will be bought by Chelsea”

➡️Confidence of soon transfer to Argentina
🇫🇷 will then be sent to Strasbourg
🔁There could be a case for Valentin Barco to move to Chelsea and Del Blanco to replace him in Francehttps://t.co/aduwJ75hUj #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 20 March 2026

We’re officially less than a month away from the end of the 2025-26 regular season, and the door on the MVP race appears to be closing. While Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and others are trying to improve their resumes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on a collision course for his second consecutive MVP award.

Should the Oklahoma City Thunder star accomplish this feat and be named NBA MVP once again, he will join the list of greats to claim this award in back-to-back seasons (not including the ABA): Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.

Will SGA become the 14th player to win consecutive MVP awards? After breaking Wilt’s record on Thursday, he’s on track to do so.

After recording 35 points in a 104–102 win over the Boston Celtics, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his 127th consecutive game with 20-plus points, surpassing Chamberlain’s record of 126 games for most consecutive 20-plus point games in NBA history.

This is a historic accomplishment for the SGA, and it’s one of those records that you look at and wonder if anyone will ever surpass this mark again.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of SGA’s historic success, “Number one, he’s skilled at his craft. There’s no one more precise than him at his craft.” “Number two, the entire life of the streak hasn’t stopped us from having a lot of success on the team and hasn’t stopped his teammates from being successful. An individual streak about scoring hasn’t come at the expense of the team or his teammates.

“He treats everyone in the building with respect from top to bottom. So, he’s obviously a great basketball player, but he’s such a guy that you couldn’t be happier when he accomplishes something like this. So, huge congratulations to him.”

The Thunder have looked like the team to beat over the final few weeks of the regular season, and Gilgeous-Alexander continues to take his game to new heights. Whenever you’re mentioned alongside Wilt, you’re doing something right, and in Gilgeous-Alexander’s case, it could be enough for him to claim the MVP award once again.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: Week 20 | Week 19 | Week 18 | Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | week 1

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder*

Previous ranking: #1

2025-26 season stats: 56 games, 31.6 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 54.9 FG%, 38.5 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 5 more games to remain eligible.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to perform well since missing his 12th game of the season on March 3. Over his last three games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 28.6 points, 9.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from 3-point range.

The Thunder currently find themselves on an eight-game win streak, and despite Jalen Williams still being out and others missing games due to various injuries, Gilgeous-Alexander is finding ways to get everyone involved.

He has recorded at least eight assists in four of his last five games, including a season-high 15 assists in a 129–126 win over the Denver Nuggets, a game in which Shai hit two big shots late in the game, including the game-winning three with 3.3 seconds remaining.

Shai is playing like the best player in the league right now, and barring some major incidents, he will win the 2025-26 MVP award.

2. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets*

Previous ranking: #2

2025-26 season stats: 52 games, 28.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 57.3 FG%, 38.8 3P%

*A maximum of 1 more game can be missed to remain eligible.

Although the Denver Nuggets have been inconsistent recently, Nikola Jokic has been on the heater. Last week, he averaged 25.8 points, 15.5 rebounds, 13.0 assists and 3.3 steals per game, while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor.

Not to mention, Jokic recorded four consecutive triple-doubles, marking the third time this season that he has had four consecutive games with a triple-double. This season, Jokic has 27 triple-doubles in 52 games, which is 15 more such games than Jalen Johnson (12).

While it has been an MVP-like season for Jokic, his 16 missed games due to a knee injury and the Nuggets’ inconsistent play in the stretch run of the season have surrendered the MVP race to Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Jokic can pass Thunder guards at this speed without suffering any injury.

3. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs*

Previous ranking: #3

2025-26 season stats: 52 games, 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 50.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 3 more games to remain eligible.

Of all the MVP candidates this year, Victor Vembanyama may have an outside chance of reaching SGA and possibly impacting some first-place votes. That’s because the San Antonio Spurs are 3.5 games behind the Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference, and they hold the season tiebreaker over Gilgeous-Alexander’s team.

As far as Wemby’s numbers are concerned, he has increased his efficiency and accepted the challenge of competing for the MVP award.

“Right now, I’m taking great care of my body because I want to win MVP and DPOY as well,” Wembanyama told Amazon Prime Crew after Saturday’s 115-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “So, I’m just trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season. Really take care of my treatment, take care of my sleep, take care of my routine and perform for my team.”

You have to admire the passion and struggle of the 22-year-old superstar. This season isn’t over yet, and with the Spurs having an outside chance to claim the 1-seed over Oklahoma City, Wembey’s MVP dreams are still alive.

Previous ranking: #4

2025-26 season stats: 60 games, 24.9 points, 10.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.1 FG%, 34.7 3P%

Can Cade Cunningham surpass Nikola Jokic in assists this year and win his first assist title? Currently, Cunningham leads the league in total assists (603) by a wide margin, but his 10.1 assists per game average still trails Jokic’s 10.5 assists per game.

However, Cunningham has shown some strides recently, averaging 11.9 assists over his last eight contests. Over this span, the Detroit Pistons guard has tallied six double-doubles, bringing his total double-doubles on the season to 37, which is the fourth most double-doubles in the league.

The Pistons remain the top team in the Eastern Conference standings, and Cunningham is the driving force behind their success. Don’t be surprised if he gets some first- and second-place votes for MVP this year. Still, he won’t get enough money to overtake Gilgeous-Alexander.

5. Luka Doncic – Los Angeles Lakers*

Previous ranking: #6

2025-26 season stats: 55 games, 32.8 points, 8.5 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 47.3 FG%, 36.5 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 5 more games to remain eligible.

Luka Doncic is back in the top five of the NBA MVP rankings after briefly falling behind Jaylen Brown. The main reason they’ve taken over the No. 5 spot and could potentially jump higher between now and the end of the year is the Los Angeles Lakers’ surge in the standings at season’s end.

Los Angeles has won five straight games and eight of the last nine games overall to momentarily take over the sole possession of the third seed in the Western Conference. As far as Doncic’s MVP campaign goes, he has had his fingerprints on the Lakers’ success, averaging 33.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game during a nine-game span for the Lakers.

Doncic has had incredible performances recently, scoring at least 30 points in five straight games, and that includes two noteworthy performances. The first was a 51-point game with nine triples made against the Bulls on Thursday, and he followed that with a 30-11-13 game with game-winning shots in overtime against Jokic and the Nuggets.

There’s no denying Luka’s dominance at the moment, which is why he’s back in the top five of the NBA MVP rankings. If his and the Lakers’ success continues into the final weeks of the regular season, there’s a chance they can continue to make a run in this race.

just missing the cut

6. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics [Ranked No. 5 last week]

7. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves [Ranked No. 7 last week]

8. Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets [Ranked No. 10 last week]

9. Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers [Unranked last week]

10. Jalen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks [Unranked last week]

*Signals players are in danger of meeting the 65-game minimum threshold for awards/accolades.

Even before the start of the 2025–26 season, Cooper was the favorite to win the Flagg Rookie of the Year award. A good opportunity awaits him with the Dallas Mavericks, as after the Luka Doncic trade, he has a chance to step up immediately and become the superstar talent the team needs to develop. And for its price, the Flag is as good as advertised, if not better.

While Flagg’s averages of 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season are certainly good enough for him to win the prestigious award, Kon Nueppel’s consistency for a much-improved Charlotte Hornets team could take the award away from the Mavericks star.

NBA insider Mark Stein, who has many ties to the Mavericks, also believes that the conflict between what is best for Dallas at the end of the year and what is best for Flagg from a personal standpoint could hinder Flagg’s ROTY candidacy.

“The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0-18 it would be the best thing for them. That’s the way the system is,” Steen said on the All NBA Podcast. “The way the system is structured, the best thing for the Mavs is to lose, and lose royally, and that’s obviously not going to be very good if you’re chasing Rookie of the Year.”

Mavs face crucial year in Cooper Flagg-focused rebuild

As Steen said, 2026 is the last time the Mavericks control their first-round pick until 2031. It simply means Dallas has all the incentive in the world to try to lose as many games as possible to put itself in a better position to add a blue-chip prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.

This will be the priority of the team. It is imperative for Flagg to acquire a potential long-term co-star if he is to bounce back from the Luka Doncic tragedy.

The Montreal Canadiens (33-18-10) are set to face the Los Angeles Kings (25-22-4), with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Habs are less than 24 hours removed from a disappointing loss against the Anaheim Ducks, in which the team overcame a third period deficit to establish a very fragile one-goal lead. But as has been the case on many occasions this year, the Canadiens struggled to hold off their opponents, ultimately losing to the Ducks 6–5 in a shootout.

All things considered, it was a better effort than their previous game in California, a 6–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. And the Canadiens managed to pick up a point in Anaheim thanks to great efforts from young stars like Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkowski.

With a shootout point in the bank, the Habs keep their playoff chances above 80%, but it must be said that they aren’t generating a lot of confidence from their recent play, which has seen a very low level of consistency, especially from a defensive standpoint.

Simply put, the Canadiens can score a lot of goals, but they have a very hard time defending, and this issue goes beyond the huge save percentages produced by their netminders.

Lineup changes, starting goalkeeper

Neither the Canadiens nor the Kings practiced Saturday. Any changes to the lineup will be revealed when they take to the ice for pre-game warm-ups.

However, the Habs are expected to start Jacob Dobbs, their strongest option among available goaltenders. Again, Montreal’s defensive situation makes life very difficult on the netminders, but it must be said that Dobbs gives the Habs the best chance to win on any given night.

As far as the skaters are concerned, we saw some very encouraging play from the front line on Friday night. The Slafkovsky experiment on the second line was mercifully ended, yielding immediate and fairly aggressive results from the top trio.

All three players scored at least two points, with Caufield scoring two goals.

With all due respect to Canadiens head coach Martin Saint-Louis, this was a decision taken a long time ago.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Cole Coffield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkowski

Alex Newhook – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov

Zach Bolduc – Jake Evans – Kirby Dach

Josh Anderson – Philip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Mike Matheson – Caden Guhle

Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson

Jaden Struble – Alex Carrier

jacob dobbs

Los Angeles Kings Projected Lineup

Artemi Panarin – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore – Alex Turcotte – Alex Laferriere

Jared Wright – Kenny Connors – Matthew Joseph

Jeff Malott – Samuel Helenius – Taylor Ward

Mickey Anderson – Drew Doughty

Joel Edmondson – Brandt Clark

Brian Dumoulin – Cody Ceci

Darcy Kuemper

How to watch Hubs Vs. King

Montreal Canadiens vs. Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, March 7, 2026, will be broadcast on Sportsnet East, Citi TV and TVA Sports. A quick recap with highlights will be available on SportsNote once the final whistle blows.

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

Things are looking relatively good for the Toronto Raptors in the 2025-26 NBA season.

After missing out on reaching the NBA playoffs in each of the last three seasons, the Raps appear bound for a return to the postseason, as they entered Tuesday with a 35-25 record, good for the No. 4 spot in the current Eastern Conference standings. Only the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have better slates than Toronto.

Although it is still too early to talk about whether the Raptors are ready to make the playoffs, former Toronto star and Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady believes the team has what it takes to win at least one series in the postseason, despite its struggles in the Atlantic Division.

“They haven’t played well against their own division. But if they had played well against their own division, they probably would have been the second-best team in the Eastern Conference,” McGrady said, via Josh Levenberg of TSN Sports.

“So with that being said, they still have a lot of improvement. They could be a scary team in the playoffs.”

McGrady added: “And if they’re healthy and building some momentum going into the playoffs, I think they can win a series. I also want to give Scotty his flowers because this was his team for a long time, he was willing to make sacrifices for the good of BI. [Brandon Ingram] Come in, be yourself.

The Raptors are just 4-9 against Atlantic Division rivals heading into Tuesday’s meeting with the New York Knicks, although they are 27-15 overall against Eastern Conference teams.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ahead of Friday’s showdown between MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach David Edelman had an interesting thing to say. Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander are recovering from injuries that have kept them out of a lot of games. Many wondered whether any of them would be able to reach the NBA’s 65-game requirement to qualify for the MVP award.

For the third consecutive season, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are the two leading candidates for MVP. Before Friday’s matchup, Edelman addressed the league 65-game regular-season requirement For NBA awards and how it could affect Jokic and SGA’s tight race.

“The rules weren’t made for them. They both got hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it — maybe we have to look at that. I really mean that. That’s one of the best things about both guys,” Edelman said. “When a fan buys a ticket, they’re going to play. And they’ve done that for years, and our guy’s been doing that for a very long time. Him missing a game, him missing a practice, him missing a workout, it’s really tough on that guy.

“He’s a regular-based player, which is good for our game, good for the fans, and Shai is the same way. That’s one of the most impressive things about both guys. So, when both guys get hurt, I don’t look at it as a comfort. I think there’s a difference, and I know why the rule is there — it’s to clean things up. It makes sense to me and to the fan.”

While the 65-game rule forces teams to play their stars regardless of their record, Nuggets coach David Edelman understands the importance of fans attending games. He doesn’t think this rule should apply to guys like Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who rarely miss games intentionally.

“It’s the worst when your bus is parking, and you see kids in jerseys, and they show up, and that guy doesn’t play,” Edelman said. “I look at it both ways, but in the spirit of the game, I think Shai and Nicola have been great for the league over the years. I hope that’s taken into account as we move forward.”

David Edelman’s strong opinion on SGA and Jokic’s MVP race in relation to the NBA’s 65-game rule: “The rule wasn’t made for them. They both get hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it – maybe we have to take a look at that…

There is a difference and I know why the rule is… pic.twitter.com/IWRsNt7krz

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return for Nuggets

After missing the past nine games, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns from an abdominal injury for Friday’s contest against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. It’s always must-see TV when Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are going at it.

After last year’s Western Conference Semifinals best-of-7 series, where the Thunder and Nuggets played Game 7 at Paycom Center, this should be another playoff-like intensity with SGA and Jokic taking center stage.

For anyone who doubted Kon Knuppel coming out of the NBA Draft, what are your thoughts now? The Charlotte Hornets drafted a perimeter scorer and an absolute flamethrower of a guy who could be the face of their franchise for many years to come.

Although Cooper Flagg was the rookie getting all the attention early in the year, Knueppel is the one who could walk away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Not only is Nueppel tied for second in the league with LaMelo Ball and Donovan Mitchell in most threes made per game (3.5) this season, but he also leads all players, not just rookies, in total threes made after making his 201st triple on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets rookie has played a total of 58 games and has already made over 200 threes. Not only will he surpass Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206 made threes during the 2022-23 season, but Knueppel potentially has a chance to surpass the plateau of 300 made threes before the end of the year.

Only Stephen Curry (six times), James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley and Klay Thompson have accomplished such a feat, and Knueppel was able to do so in his first NBA season. Despite only playing 58 games in his NBA career, Knueppel is already achieving things that even Curry wasn’t able to do when he first entered the league.

Between his shooting and scoring numbers, as well as the Hornets’ apparent success in the Eastern Conference standings to become a competitive organization, Knueppel has solidified himself at the top of the NBA rookie rankings with approximately seven weeks remaining in the 2025-26 season.

At the beginning of the year, it was reported that Flagg would win the Rookie of the Year award and would be the face of this year’s NBA rookie class. Well, with Flagg injured and the Dallas Mavericks in no position to compete for the rest of the year, this race for Knueppel is going to be lost at this point.

1. Kon Knuppel – Charlotte Hornets

Previous ranking: #1

Stats: 58 games, 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9 FG%, 43.6 3P%

The Hornets have struggled with injuries and lineup changes throughout the season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller both missed time due to injury, and several others have been in and out of Charles Lee’s nightly rotation for various reasons. But the one constant in Charlotte has been Knueppel, who has only missed one game this year and has been fantastic throughout the season.

The 20-year-old sharpshooter looks like an aged veteran on the perimeter, and he has such a good understanding of how to move off the ball to open up maximum space for himself. Just like Steph Curry is always on the move and finding open space to make a 3-point attempt, Knueppel is always doing the same and it looks like there will be a clear answer to who will be the best shooter in the NBA when Curry gives it up.

No player has ever had a shooting season like Knueppel in his first year, and he still has 23 games left on the schedule. As mentioned earlier, there is an outside chance he could get close to reaching 300 made threes on the year, which would be a historic feat for Knueppel.

At this point, unless Knueppel gets hurt, it’s hard to imagine anyone else winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

2. Cooper Flagg – Dallas Mavericks

Previous ranking: #2

Stats: 49 games, 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2 FG%, 30.2 3P%

An MRI revealed that Cooper Flagg missed four consecutive games before the All-Star break due to a sprain in the middle of his left foot. While the Mavericks are clearly in no position to compete for a playoff spot, they won’t take the flag for the rest of the season and tanking.

As good as Flagg has been this season, his impact hasn’t translated into wins in Dallas. The same can’t be said about Knueppel and the Hornets, as their contributions are directly tied to Charlotte winning games. That’s why Knueppel finds himself at the top of these year-end NBA rookie rankings.

What Flagg has done this season can’t be ignored. Although he was the No. 1 pick and had high expectations in his first season, with many saying he was the best US draft prospect since LeBron James, Flagg has lived up to the hype.

Flagg has recorded seven games scoring at least 30 points this season, and four of those have come since January 29, when he scored a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting against Nueppel and the Hornets. The Mavs’ rookie has All-Star potential, and he will be the face of the franchise alongside Kyrie Irving entering the 2026-27 season.

3. VJ Edgecombe – Philadelphia 76ers

Previous ranking: #3

Stats: 54 games, 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 42.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%

When Joel Embiid doesn’t play due to rest or injury, VJ Edgecombe suddenly becomes the Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 2 option behind Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe has been successful in his role this season, and that’s the main reason he was a featured player during All-Star Weekend at the Rising Stars event.

Edgecombe won the Rising Stars MVP, scoring 23 points during the showcase. That’s quite an accomplishment for the 76ers rookie, especially considering he’s been in the shadow of Knueppel and Flagg at the moment.

No rookie in the league has played more minutes than Edgecombe this season, and he’s been on a hot streak, scoring at least 20 points in three of the team’s four games out of the All-Star break.

4. Derrick Queen – New Orleans Pelicans

Previous ranking: #4

Stats: 58 games, 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 49.0 FG%

Derrick Queen has been one of the only bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Whether or not the Pelicans made the right decision landing Quinn in the 2026 first-round pick is open to interpretation, but the organization has been very pleased with his production and rookie development.

Queen not only leads all rookies in rebounds (422), but because he also leads them in total assists (234). It shows just how much of an impact Quin can make in the low post beyond his flashy footwork and scoring instincts as a new-age big man.

5. Maxime Renaud – Sacramento Kings

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 55.0 FG%, 25.6 3P%

One of the most surprising newcomers this season has been second-round pick Maxime Renaud for the Sacramento Kings. As a result of various injuries, particularly to star big man Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were forced to throw Renaud into a higher role early in the season, and he has since become the focal point for them in the early going.

Since the beginning of February, Renaud has averaged 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor. Although his 3-point shooting is no longer what it was a year ago in college, Renaud is making a difference with his double-double-like abilities.

He’s definitely an All-Rookie selection this year.

6. Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous ranking: #5

Stats: 48 games, 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 46.8 FG%, 34.0 3P%

Cedric Coward has slipped slightly in the NBA rookie rankings due to injuries, resulting in him being sidelined and beginning the decline of the Memphis Grizzlies. He recently suffered a severe knee strain, an injury that could sideline Coward for the entire year.

Nevertheless, Coward has proven to be one of the young pillars of the Grizzlies’ rebuild, and he is one of the reasons why the organization decided to part ways with Desmond Benn and Jaren Jackson Jr. Once Ja Morant is traded in the offseason, Coward will have a clear path to becoming the face of the Grizzlies with his two-way abilities on the wing.

7. Trey Johnson – Washington Wizards

Previous ranking: #6

Stats: 44 games, 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 43.6 FG%, 37.0 3P%

The Washington Wizards are certainly happy with the new season that Trey Johnson is having. In addition to being a natural scorer anywhere on the court, Johnson has made a name for himself among NBA fans by ranking fifth among all rookies in 3-pointers made (87).

Although his minutes have decreased and he is being monitored closely as he returns from a hip flexor strain, Johnson has recorded at least 10 points in four of his last five games, with all four of his double-digit scoring performances resulting in him playing less than 20 minutes.

8. Dylan Harper – San Antonio Spurs

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 46 games, 10.9 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 47.0 FG%, 25.4 3P%

Unlike Knueppel and Flagg, Dylan Harper’s path as a top draft pick has been different as he was not immediately thrust into the spotlight. If you ask Harper, he’s in the perfect situation, not only because he’s on a championship-caliber, young team with the San Antonio Spurs, but he gets to learn from De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Cassel in the backcourt.

There have been clear areas of development in Harper’s game since the start of the season, particularly making the right reads as a scorer off the dribble and as a playmaker. Since the beginning of February, Harper has averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting a very efficient 55.6 percent from the floor.

9. Igor Demin – Brooklyn Nets

Previous ranking: #9

Stats: 50 games, 10.5 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 39.6 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Many draft experts said that Egor Demin could not shoot coming out of college and that his game would not translate to the NBA. Well, it seems like a lot of people have Demin mixed up with someone else, as he is everything the Brooklyn Nets hoped for as a reliable 3-point shooting specialist.

Add Demin’s length and athleticism to the equation, and suddenly, the Nets have a young talent they can mold into an all-around impactful guard for years to come. Demin has missed a total of 122 triples this season, the second most among all rookies.

10. Ace Bailey – Utah Jazz

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 44.5 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Ace Bailey did not have a good start to the season. He struggled to find his shot, and went through early rookie learning stages with the Utah Jazz. Since the start of the new year, Bailey has looked more confident, and he is establishing himself as a premier talent in Utah’s system.

The Jazz newbie has played in 21 games since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he has scored at least 10 points in 16 of those games, including five 20-plus-point games. Bailey has also increased his rebounding efforts, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game in February.

Victor Wembanyama became the first casualty due to injury, hurting his chances of winning the NBA MVP award. Nikola Jokic then missed 16 games, putting him on the verge of exceeding the 65-game minimum. Now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is struggling with injury, which could end his hopes of winning MVP for the second consecutive time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star has missed seven consecutive games after suffering an abdominal injury suffered on Feb. 3 against the Orlando Magic. When the Thunder announced this injury, it was said that their MVP award would be reevaluated after the All-Star break.

Initially, there was hope that Gilgeous-Alexander would be cleared to return for the team’s first few games after the All-Star break, but nothing has been said. With five of their next six games remaining, will SGA return from his injury during the Thunder’s upcoming road trip?

Since suffering this injury, the Thunder have gone 4-3, and got a much-needed key win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. The game was Gilgeous-Alexander’s seventh consecutive missed game and his ninth overall absence this season.

This means Gilgeous-Alexander can only miss a maximum of eight more games to remain eligible for end-of-season honors and awards. Although he is still in good shape, the situation could change quickly if the reigning MVP is unable to return to the court this upcoming week.

This year’s race for the NBA MVP award hinges heavily on who can stay healthy, as almost all players in the top five of these rankings are close to the maximum of 17 allowed absences to remain eligible.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | week 1

Previous ranking: #1

2025-26 season stats: 42 games, 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 58.4 FG%, 42.1 3P%

In his three appearances since the All-Star break, Jokic has averaged 29.7 points, 15.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, while shooting 51.7 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from 3-point range. These are MVP-like numbers for the three-time MVP, despite the Denver Nuggets losing two of those games.

The argument for the MVP award right now seems to center on availability, as Jokic has played 42 games compared to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 49 games. Has Jokic performed enough in his short appearances to justify winning the MVP award over Gilgeous-Alexander, whose team is still the best in the NBA?

This is definitely a big debate that many don’t have an answer to at this point, and that’s the main reason why Gilgeous-Alexander’s injury return is so important to the MVP race.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous ranking: #2

2025-26 season stats: 49 games, 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 55.4 FG%, 39.0 3P%

There is still no update on when Gilgeous-Alexander can return to the court. Until then, the MVP race is in a holding pattern of sorts, as four or five more missed games would put him on par with Jokic in terms of missed time.

Nonetheless, Gilgeous-Alexander still ranks second in the league in scoring, and the Thunder (44–14) have the best record in the NBA. He may be No. 2 in the NBA MVP rankings right now, but it’s really a 1A and 1B situation between him and Jokic.

With seven weeks left in the regular season, no player is a wrong answer for MVP.

Previous ranking: #3

2025-26 season stats: 49 games, 25.5 points, 9.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.3 FG%, 33.8 3P%

What Cade Cunningham has accomplished for the Detroit Pistons this season is remarkable. Not only do the Pistons have the best winning percentage in the league at the moment, but Cunningham leads the league in total assists, and the only player with more assists per game is Jokic.

In his first game after the All-Star break, Cunningham had a stellar performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons’ All-Star recorded 42 points for his third 40-point performance of the season, and he also added 13 assists and eight rebounds to his name.

Since the All-Star break, Cunningham has had back-to-back double-doubles with 13 assists. He is firmly holding the No. 3 spot in these MVP rankings.

4. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs*

Previous ranking: #5

2025-26 season stats: 42 games, 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 51.1 FG%, 35.7 3P%

Wembanyama has overtaken Luka Doncic to take the No. 4 spot in the NBA MVP rankings for a few reasons. In addition to the San Antonio Spurs catching the Thunder for the best record in the NBA, Wembley has been on a hot streak recently.

Since his impressive 40-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Los Angeles Lakers before the All-Star break, Wembanyama has averaged 23.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor in his last three games.

Spurs are undefeated in this region, and Wembanyama has led his team to eight consecutive wins. This is the longest active winning streak in the NBA.

5. Luka Doncic – Los Angeles Lakers*

Previous ranking: #4

2025-26 season stats: 44 games, 32.8 points, 8.5 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 47.1 FG%, 35.5 3P%

There’s no denying that this has been the second-best season of Luka Doncic’s career after finishing third in MVP voting during the 2023-24 season. Doncic is not only leading the league in scoring, but he is also leading the league in 3-pointers made and attempted per game, as well as free throws made and attempted per game.

Offensively, Doncic is off right now, and the only word to describe his game right now is dominant.

However, Doncic’s ceiling has largely been set in the NBA MVP race this season. He can’t overtake Jokic or Gilgeous-Alexander as long as their teams lead the West standings, and Cunningham has himself locked into the No. 3 spot for now.

Between Wembanyama and Doncic, the Spurs star has the upper hand in both head-to-head and overall impact on his team’s championship aspirations this season. Doncic has missed 12 games this year, meaning he will need to stay healthy this year to qualify for awards and honors.

just missing the cut

6. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics [Ranked No. 6 last week]

7. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers [Ranked No. 8 last week]

8. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves [Ranked No. 7 last week]

9. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks [Ranked No. 9 last week]

10. Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets [Unranked last week]

*Signals players are in danger of meeting the 65-game minimum threshold for awards/accolades.

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ 18-point comeback win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night delivered a thrilling finish. The defensive intensity of Karl-Anthony Towns led to the lead in the fourth quarter, which set up Jalen Brunson to save the day. However, with 5:04 left in the fourth quarter, head coach Mike Brown continued a controversial trend of late games by sending Mikal Bridges to the sideline.

The coach replaced the starting wing with Landry Shamet, telling reporters after the game that assistant coach Rick Brunson deserves credit for the idea. Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons, Bridges sat the last 9:31 of the game. He also finished contests on the bench in late January and early February against the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.

Bridges replaced Towns in the final five seconds of the game, allowing New York’s four-point lead to focus on defense. But the 29-year-old wing, whom Leon Rose and the Knicks front office signed to a $150 million extension this summer, spent much of the crisis on the bench.

They saw Brunson destroy Houston’s defense with Josh Hart sitting to make way for the newly acquired Alvarado. The Brooklynite recorded his third, fourth and fifth steals of the game in those minutes, made just one of three late shots, but provided the energy and aggression New York needed to shut out Kevin Durant’s group.

Bridges repeats Celtics playoff magic with clutch 3-pointer vs. Bulls

On Sunday night, in the Knicks’ second leg of the weekend, the team defeated the Chicago Bulls. Bridges closed out the six-point victory, hitting a key 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to seal the victory. However, by then, Wing had only eight points on 3-9 shooting in over 29 minutes of playing time. A clutch 3-pointer pushed him into double figures and saved the Knicks’ night.

From not playing at all to stabbing Chicago in the back, the combination of late-game roles played by Bridges represents more than the ups and downs of Sunday night. Provides two-way wing performance that includes frustrating plays in quarters, halves or entire games. But, somehow, he often finds a way to make up for it in the end.

In each of the team’s first two games against the Boston Celtics in last year’s playoffs, Bridges won the Knicks the game with incredibly timely defensive play. The second of those games featured a perfect example of Bridges’ extreme swing. The Wings failed to score in the first three quarters, but scored 14 points and made the game-winning defense in the fourth.

Bridges’ early-game struggles and late-game heroics on Sunday night did not give New York a win with playoff-level significance. But it further demonstrated the wing’s zero-to-hero range. Under a new coach in Brown, the Knicks are leaning into their depth as Bridges wanted last season. Players, including Bridges, may not view finishing a game on the bench as an insult.

His competitive nature should allow him to use any tough times benching as motivation. Just because someone like Shamet or Alvarado was red-hot inside doesn’t mean a certain starter’s play was unacceptable. Sometimes, the two coincide. Ultimately, the Knicks shouldn’t care.

Brown has stressed the importance of “finding ways to win” and will likely continue to do so during the season. It’s something their group needs to pursue with equal enthusiasm, no matter who is on the court.

Three members of the Montreal Canadiens will have a chance to medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.

Gold Medal Game, Team Canada vs. Team USA, Sunday, Feb. 22, 8:10 a.m. ET/5:10 p.m. PT

Nick Suzuki and Team Canada will face the Americans in the gold medal game, a repeat of the final in the 4-Nation Faceoff Tournament. Canada somehow failed to make it through the elimination games, requiring the heroics of Suzuki and Mitch Marner to defeat Czechia in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, it looked like Finland, a team that always performs well in international games, was going to ruin Canada’s gold medal aspirations, but a late-game push resulting in goals by Nathan MacKinnon, Shea Theodore and Sam Reinhart was enough to ensure the victory for the Canadians.

As for the Americans, they suffered a major setback in the semifinals, however, as superstar Quinn Hughes scored in a 2–1 overtime win against Sweden. This led to a relatively easy semi-final match, in which the Americans easily defeated Team Slovakia.

Bronze Medal Game, Team Slovakia vs. Team Finland, Saturday, February 21, 2:20 PM ET/ 11:20 AM PT

While most predicted Canada and the USA to meet in the final, few expected Slovakia to challenge for another Olympic medal. Yes, they won a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games, but that tournament did not include NHL players.

This time, Slovakia is impressing against the world’s best players, and Montreal Canadiens star forward Juraj Slafkowski is leading the way.

Like most Slovaks, Slafkovsky faced a tough time in the semi-finals against the Americans, a team loaded with NHL superstars. But in the grand scheme of things, Slafkovsky has clearly emerged as one of the most impressive players at the Olympics, with three goals and four assists to his name.

It remains to be seen whether Oliver Kapanen will be in uniform for the Finns, and if so, whether he will actually be given a shift. As one of the youngest players at the Olympics, Kapanen has spent more time watching hockey than playing hockey, and although he dressed in the semi-finals against Canada, Antti Pennanen stuck him to the bench.

Either way, it’s certainly been a unique experience for Montreal’s second-line centre.

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