標籤: reveals

Gunther has had three famous career ends within the last year. Goldberg in July, John Cena in December and AJ Styles in January. Speaking at a WWE retrospective, Gunther revealed that of the three, retiring Styles carried the most personal weight for him.

“AJ is somewhat different, like, you have the WCW legend Goldberg, then you have the guy who stands for WWE, then you have AJ who is somewhat similar to me because he did very well here, but a lot of the things that people love him for happened before WWE.”

Gunther was honest about how much Styles meant to him as a viewer before they shared the locker room.

“He’s one of those guys, the generation of wrestling I came up with, we looked up to guys like AJ Styles. I remember when he was in New Japan, and we’d always watch his big matches there, they were awesome. There was a time when I was really grinding and developing, and there were things I looked up to. I always had a lot of respect for AJ’s work.

“It almost felt like, from the pure heart of the wrestler, it felt almost more important to me than the Cena match. But on screen, to be able to rub it in and try to ruin the last race was a lot of fun.”

Gunther details what made AJ Styles’ retirement different from other recent matches

Gunther also noted that the Styles match worked dramatically in a way that the Goldberg and Cena matches could not be completely replicated. With both Goldberg and Cena, the retirement timeline was publicly revealed, removing a layer of uncertainty from the outcome. The styles were different.

“That’s the beauty of it, because with Goldberg and Cena, everyone knew it was their last match, and I think with AJ, people weren’t so sure it was going to be their last match. A good group of them expected AJ to win and move his career forward, but he left on his own terms.”

This is something that not many wrestlers can manage; It’s always best to get to the point where people still remember you, not to the point where people say, ‘Ah, it was that time.’ So, hats off to AJ, great career, great wrestler, but I got it taken away, what can I do?”

The road to a Styles match began following Gunther’s victory over Cena in December, when he publicly bragged about tapping out Cena despite Cena’s long-standing motto of “never give up”. An upset Styles confronted him, putting Styles’ career in jeopardy and setting up his Royal Rumble match. Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend as part of the WrestleMania 42 weekend festivities at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Friday, April 17.

Juventus are moving to secure the future of midfielder Manuel Locatelli, with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly tipping him as a target Tottenham Hotspur.

tutomercatoweb Report Locatelli will be the next to sign a new contract with Juventus. CEO Damien Comolli himself has announced that the deal will be signed soon.

“In the next few days we may get some news about a new contract, but not about Vlahovic,” He said.

“I’ve always said we’ll talk about Dusan at the end of the season, and that’s what we’ll talk about. There have been discussions, but don’t expect anything before the end of the season.”

contract till 2030

TMW now reports that Manuel Locatelli will sign a two-year contract extension until 2030. The deal has been agreed with Juventus.

His current contract runs until 2028, but the new agreement will extend it. This will also include the option to extend it till 2031. The Italian club have moved quickly to secure the 28-year-old.

He is a key player under Luciano Spalletti, who has made him the leader of the team. He will greatly appreciate the effort taken to secure his future. The move may have come as a result of increased interest from Tottenham.

De Zerbi wants him at Tottenham

Sport Witness covered a report earlier in the month That said, Roberto De Zerbi has named Manuel Locatelli as a key target for the leadership of Tottenham.

It was reported that De Zerbi had spoken to the Tottenham ownership about transfer targets prior to his arrival. He reportedly put forward Locatelli’s name as someone who could help improve the team in the future.

He has a close relationship with the midfielder, having worked with him at Sassuolo between 2019 and 2021. His performances under De Zerbi earned him a transfer to Juventus in 2023. Now he wants a reunion in London if Tottenham avoid relegation.

But it appears that Juventus have moved to close down this possibility. Locatelli will be in the final two years of his deal this summer. Instead, he will now be held hostage with four years remaining, effectively closing the door on his departure.

This year’s World Baseball Classic proved to be a huge hit with fans and players, with a massive turnout for the different countries represented and huge TV ratings for the broadcast. So, when will the next World Baseball Classic take place?

According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, baseball officials are eyeing the next WBC in 2030. The timeline is based on how many times they want to host the tournament and what happens after that.

This year’s World Baseball Classic served as a preview of things to come in two years. Because the 2028 Olympics are being held in the United States, baseball will be a part of it. So, fans will get to see All-Stars and MVP candidates represent their countries at the Olympics with medals at stake.

The WBC has been held twice this decade, with the tournament taking place this year and in 2023. However, there was a six-year gap between the tournaments in 2017, when the United States last won, and 2023, when Japan won.

Officials expect it to be held every four years, with the cycle existing from 2009–2017. Needless to say, given what happened in the WBC this year, Japan and Team USA will be especially motivated to win at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

By the time the 2030 World Baseball Classic begins, baseball fans can expect to see rising MLB stars such as Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Connor Griffin, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crowe-Armstrong and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Weatherholt among the standouts representing Team USA.

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 rare wrestling moment is reportedly being considered in WWE creative meetings when it comes to the planned matchup between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn next weekend at WrestleMania 42.

Over the past few weeks, the card for the two-night mega event has taken shape, and it’s being tipped to be possibly one of the best showcases of the company’s wrestling talent to date. One of the interesting matches on Night 2 is the Intercontinental Title clash between champion Zayn and NXT legend Williams.

This bout has emerged as one of the standout fights on the card due to the reaction both stars have received from fans in recent weeks. Despite Williams being a heel, her theme songs and charisma have made her one of the most popular artists on the roster since her debut late last year. As far as Zayn is concerned, it seems like fans are tired of his underdog personality and have become indifferent to him lately.

Additionally, Zayn has done some questionable things that are out of character for him in recent episodes of SmackDown. Well, it looks like these could be breadcrumbs towards a major change in his character at WrestleMania 42. However, he may not be the only one to switch sides in his match.

Rare double-turn planned for WrestleMania 42?

BodySlam+ is reporting that the WWE creative team has discussed the idea of ​​a double turn with Zayn and Williams at WrestleMania. Due to recent crowd reactions to their characters.

It is rare in the industry to have two artists together. The last time this happened in WWE was in WrestleMania 13. There was a turning point for both of them due to the great match between Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. This moment paved the way for him to become one of the most popular stars in WWE history.

The company’s decision-makers probably see Williams as a money-making machine by bringing him to light with so much fan interest as a heel.

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

For the first time, Ohio State star running back Bo Jackson responded to rumors that he was considering leaving the Buckeyes in the transfer portal.

During the Buckeyes’ run to the national championship during the 2024 season, the team had a major two-headed monster in the backfield. Quinshawn Judkins passed for 1,060 yards and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. His teammate Treveon Henderson posted 1,016 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per rush. This is why he was also selected in Round 2 by the New England Patriots.

This has created a huge void in the backfield that will be nearly impossible to fill in just one offseason. However, right from the start, freshman Bo Jackson did an admirable job of trying to fill that numbers job with 1,090 yards and a 6.1 average per carry in his first season.

After putting up such good numbers as a rookie for a title contender, his representation undoubtedly told him he might be able to command an even better payday in the transfer portal. There were rumors that he might jump. However, Ohio State did what it should have done and gave him zero pay increases for 2026.

Bo Jackson came no closer to leaving Ohio State in the transfer portal

But how close was he to actually testing his value in the transfer portal? “It really wasn’t a difficult decision [to stay]Jackson told the media at spring practice this week. “This is where I want to be, so I’m here where I want to be.”

The running back claimed that speculation about him leaving Ohio State in the winter was “just rumors.” Luckily for Buckeyes fans, it looks like the change of scenery never really came to a close, and he’ll be back in Columbus this year.

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

A new report suggests The Athletic probably won’t buy NFL insider Diana Russini’s denial of a possible affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

There are a number of nationally little-known NFL insiders who offer frequent reports on rumors and news straight from those who work for the various franchises. Men like Adam Schefter, Albert Breer, Ian Rapoport, and Mike Garafolo have become household names to football-loving fans. There are even fewer women who are star NFL insiders. The Athletic’s Diana Russini is one of them.

However, his credibility was largely questioned this week when the New York Post posted photos of him and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel getting very friendly at a high-priced resort in Arizona. Although it’s not a very good look, if they were single, consenting adults, the world would need to get used to it if they were developing a relationship.

Unfortunately, both are married. So, not surprisingly, these photos went viral and turned into a football scandal. However, both Russini and Vrabel quickly denied speculation of an NFL affair.

“The photos do not represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most NFL reporters, reporters interact with sources away from the stadium and other locations,” the insider said in a statement.

Could Diana Russini be snapped up by The Athletic this summer?

Following this revelation, The Athletic and their parent company, The New York Times, came full circle behind their star insider. Well, that’s not the case now. According to a report from Front Office Sports, the news outlet is now investigating the situation, and she “will not report” to them until the process begins. The report also states that his contract with The Athletic expires in August.

The fact that The Athletic did a complete 180 from support to investigation is very bad news for Russini. Plus, his past comments and rumors of other relationships with individuals inside the league resurfacing don’t help.

After becoming one of the top insiders in the NFL over the years, unless she is completely cleared of any questionable activities by her employer, her credibility in the industry will always be in question. And his brand may be forever damaged in the eyes of fans and football news outlets.

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

A new report reveals the possibility that the Miami Dolphins have the top pick in this month’s NFL Draft, and it’s sure to disappoint the team’s fans.

It’s been a very busy offseason for the Dolphins. After a 7–10 finish, ownership decided to dismantle the team’s leadership and brought in a new regime led by John-Eric Sullivan as general manager and Jeff Hafley as head coach. But that was just the beginning.

Over the past few weeks, the team has adopted a strategy of additions and subtractions by trading Jaylen Waddle and Minkah Fitzpatrick and cutting Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. This is a big change that comes with a lot of dead cap and serious limitations to fill those holes. That’s why the 2026 draft will be so important for Sullivan and Hafley in the first year. Especially his selection at 11th overall.

The team has been linked with a variety of players at that position. As we get closer to the event, projected top-five talents Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs are becoming realistic options for the Dolphins at 11. Anyone can fill the spots left by Hill, Waddle or Fitzpatrick. However, the new leadership of the team has a different player they would love to have.

Spencer Fano is the Miami Dolphins’ dream pick at No. 11 in the NFL Draft

ESPN’s Jordan Reed reports, “Sources tell me the Dolphins are big fans of Utah lineman Spencer Fano and will take him at No. 11 overall.” “The team likes his versatility, believing he can play any interior position or be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle.

“Austin Jackson is entering a contract year, and there are a lot of question marks about his durability. The new front office is leaning on selecting an offensive lineman to start his tenure, so this pairing makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Although getting an offensive lineman won’t get Dolphins fans excited – especially if Downs and Tate are still on the board at that point – Fano is an attractive prospect. He doesn’t look like it, but he is an impressive athlete for his position and was impressive during his tenure with the Utes. Additionally, he can play the two guard and tackle spots at a high level, and he took snaps as a center during the combine.

Taking Fano at No. 11 won’t garner wild cheers from Dolphins fans, but he could easily become a key building block for contending teams for years to come.

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

In a new interview, CM Punk revealed why he really returned to WWE, and the answer may surprise his fans.

There is no doubt that CM Punk will go down as one of the greatest performers in pro wrestling. However, his path to legend status has been full of ups and downs at times. When the Chicago native came to WWE in 2006, he wasn’t like the stars they were pushing at the time. Nevertheless, he kept his head down, performed beyond expectations and developed a large fan base.

But on his way to becoming a multiple-time world champion in the biggest wrestling promotion of all time, he often clashed with management. Things eventually worsened in 2014 and his frustration with the owners led him to take the bold step of leaving WWE and the wrestling business for seven years.

Still, he couldn’t stay away from his first passion for long and eventually returned to the industry with All Elite Wrestling in 2021. It seemed as if it was a match made in heaven. However, he ran into problems again. But instead of management, it was with some of his coworkers, including vice presidents Matt and Nick Jackson.

Ultimately, that relationship fell apart, and he was dropped from the promotion after being one of the top stars in 2023.

CM Punk returns to WWE just to main event WrestleMania?

This immediately led to speculation as to whether the unthinkable could happen. Could CM Punk return to WWE? And in November 2023, he surprised many people by doing so. Since then, there has been much speculation as to why this is so. Was it the money, or the chance to fix his damaged reputation, or because he simply loved the industry so much?

Well, looks like it was none of the above. In an interview with WWE Now, Punk claimed that if he had been in the main event of WrestleMania at least once during his original tenure in the company, he would not have returned to the promotion three years ago.

Being in the main event of WrestleMania and being passed over to part-time stars like The Rock was a major sticking point for Punk before leaving in 2014. It was a major part of his storyline since his return and on the road to WrestleMania 41 last year.

Now, next weekend, he will be one of the headliners of the mega event for the second year in a row.

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

A new report has revealed that two Dallas Cowboys players would be willing to trade future draft assets to move up and take a pick in this month’s NFL Draft.

There are just over a week left in April, and that means the 2026 edition of the NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. Going into this year’s event, the Cowboys have a pair of picks in the top 20 due to their seven-win season last year and landing an additional first-rounder in a deal before the trade deadline.

Dallas has been linked to a variety of players, with picks 12 and 20 respectively. And acquiring two top 20 talents in this year’s class should be seen as a coup for a Cowboys team that is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. However, it also gives them some assets that they can use to get into the top 10 or maybe the top five.

As we get closer to the event, rumors continue to circulate that Dallas is willing to give up their Round 1 pick and possibly even more to take a player who can make an immediate difference in 2026. But who are the cowboys they love so much that they would take such a bold step? A new report highlights the top 10 prospects they’re big fans of.

The Cowboys are willing to trade up in the draft for Caleb Downs and Reuben Benn Jr.

“A trade remains a possibility, especially if they have a player on their board who is a little behind,” reports ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reed. “Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and edge rusher Reuben Benn Jr. (Miami) are believed to be players the Cowboys will maneuver for, as Dallas reportedly views both as game changers with immediate impact on defense.”

Ben Jr. was a controversial figure at the NFL Combine due to his arms being short by NFL standards. However, the stud pass rusher was a key part of the Hurricanes team that reached the national championship game in January as he posted 9.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Downs is viewed as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class. Because of his impressive versatility at safety and very high football IQ.

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

Former FC Twente boss Marino Pucic has revealed that he received an offer from Arne Slot to join them liverpool In 2023.

Pusic, who is now managing Al-Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates, revealed that Slott had contacted him after his first season at Shakhtar Donetsk.

But despite the prestige of a move to Liverpool and the chance to be reunited with Slot, Pusic walked away from the opportunity.

“Arne asked if I wanted to join him at Liverpool. I considered it a great honour, but it didn’t feel right to leave.” Pusic told Voetbal International.

Why did Pusic say no to Liverpool?

Marino Pusic’s decision wasn’t about football. Instead, it was his loyalty to Shakhtar, a club operating under the unimaginable stress of war, that made him feel the times had become impossible.

During his two years at the club, he guided Shakhtar through a period he describes as emotionally overwhelming and uniquely demanding.

He said, “No club in the world has performed as well as Shakhtar during the war: one national title, two national cups and thirteen points in two Champions League campaigns.”

Players and staff were regularly faced with news of loved ones killed in the conflict. Puzik said that in those moments, coaching became something deeper than strategy.

“You’re talking about life and death together. That’s how you build a close relationship.”

Love of slots for Dutch coaches

Arne Slot’s approach to reuniting with Marino Pusic is not at all surprising. The pair worked together successfully at Feyenoord before Slott transferred to Liverpool in 2024.

Slott then hired Jonny Heitinga as his assistant, then replaced him with Giovanni Van Bronckhorst when Jonny Heitinga left for Ajax the previous year.

He also wanted to take Etienne Rejan with him to Anfield. But the Feyenoord assistant could not get a work permit, which ultimately led to Heitinga’s arrival.

Sander Westerveld also asked Slott to contact Puzik again When it came to replacing Heitinga last year.

Now Puzik has admitted that the offer was there at one time. However, he could not turn his back on Shekhar at that time.

What does this mean for liverpool

Marino Pusic’s revelations have added a fascinating footnote to Arne Slot’s early recruitment plans at Liverpool.

He was clearly someone Slott had great confidence in, enough to move him into one of the biggest jobs in world football. Had he accepted, Liverpool’s backroom team would look very different today.

In fact, last season could have been very different. Many credited his replacement Heitinga for playing a key role in their title success last season.

Instead, Pusic decided to remain loyal to Shakhtar, a decision he apparently does not regret.

A new report points to a “developmental” QB prospect the New York Jets are keeping a close eye on as a potential late-round pick in the NFL Draft.

The Jets QB situation has been a mess for over a decade. Since 2012, they have had countless different players under center, and the organization has used a lot of premium draft picks in an attempt to find a long-term fix for the position. The situation will remain the same in 2026 also.

A year ago, the Jets made a splash in free agency by signing former Chicago Bears starting QB Justin Fields. He was an unmitigated disaster that was finally dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs last month. This offseason, the team brought back former second-round pick Geno Smith in hopes of recapturing the form that made him a two-time Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks.

This step is yet another solution to a problem that needs a permanent solution. Jets fans would like them to use a pick on a quarterback from this year’s draft class later this month. However, the signal-caller class is weak. So if they used the pick on a QB this month, it would be in their best interest to take a Day 3 project that they can develop from.

Are the NY Jets taking a hard stance on drafting Drew Allar?

Well, according to ESPN Jets insider Rich Cimini, it looks like the team has an interesting option in mind. “Fourth [round],” Cimini wrote when asked when the team might select a QB. “Keep an eye on Drew Allar (Penn State), who recently had a private workout at the Jets’ facility. He is a developmental prospect with big size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and arm strength.

Allard bypassed entry into last year’s NFL Draft to try to lead Penn State to a national championship last season. Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions were, arguably, the biggest disappointment in college football last year. They started the season 3–3, and head coach James Franklin was fired in October.

To make matters worse, the Ohio native suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6. So he didn’t get a chance to improve his draft stock or give evaluators more tape to evaluate. However, entering the 2025 season, many football experts thought Allar had Round 1 potential due to his size and arm strength.

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

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence fueled NFL trade rumors on Monday when the three-time Pro Bowl selection requested a transfer from the team. As he and the Giants try to resolve their differences, NFL teams around the league are speculating what a deal could look like for the All-Pro defensive lineman.

ESPN’s Giants reporter Jordan Raanan reported Tuesday that the consensus he had received from sources around the league was that New York’s potential return in a Lawrence trade would be a late first-round pick or an early second-round pick.

RELATED: Best Dexter Lawrence Trade Landing Spots

“He’s super, super important. He’s a cornerstone football player — not really a cornerstone, like a middle stone. He’s right in the middle. He’s a huge stone, and he’s very active, athletic.”

New York Giants HC John Harbaugh on Dexter Lawrence in March (h/t ESPN)

While New York is one of the deepest teams in the NFL, it’s a much different story internally. If Lawrence were traded, the team would rely on players like Darius Alexander and Roy Robertson-Harris to play a significant percentage of the snaps. This would be a huge blow defensively.

That’s not even to mention the fact that this would create a new need that has to be addressed in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York doesn’t have a ton of draft capital for starters, having only two top-100 selections along with four of the first 150 selections. With the club already having to address the linebackers, wide receivers, cornerbacks and offensive line, trading Lawrence would mean creating a void somewhere that can’t be adequately filled.

To make matters worse, the 2026 NFL Draft class is not particularly strong. A late first-round pick this year could have been a second-day pick last year, and the talent pool in the 25-45 range is largely the same. On a purely return basis, New York almost certainly won’t be able to come close to Lawrence’s impact.

The best option for the Giants is to resolve this contract dispute with Lawrence, finding terms that will work for him on a long-term deal. Given that the team has a starting quarterback, wide receiver and two edge rushers who are still playing on rookie-level contracts, they also have the financial flexibility to give Lawrence both a pay raise and more guaranteed money.

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

Terence Crawford has named the fights he wants to see before the end of 2026, and his comments have attracted widespread attention in boxing. Retired five-division world champion and former pound-for-pound No. 1, Terence Crawford, shared his thoughts in a recent interview.

He retired after defeating Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed at super-middleweight. His record and achievements continue to add weight to his opinion. Fans and analysts reacted after listing three matchups involving fighters active in different divisions. Each pairing consists of athletes who are currently competing at a high level and have been in the headline discussion in the sport.

“It’s hard to say because there are so many big fights still to come. I would love to see Keyshawn Davis vs. Devin Haney. I would love to see ‘Bam [Jesse Rodriguez] versus [Naoya] Inoue, and I would love to see Shakur [Stevenson] versus [Gervonta] ‘Tank’ Davis.”

Keyshawn Davis vs. Devin Haney

Keyshawn Davis and Devin Haney are both active in the welterweight division. Haney is a former undisputed lightweight champion and now holds the 147-pound world title. He continues to wrestle dominant fights in the division and remains a part of ongoing title conversations.

Davis is a rising contender who has called up great opponents while building his professional record. He is scheduled to face Nahir Albright in a rematch on May 16 in Norfolk. A potential bout between Davis and Haney would pit an up-and-coming fighter against an established champion. Both fighters are active and continue to compete against ranked opponents within their division. Their names remain present in discussions regarding future title fights.

jessie rodriguez vs naoya inoue

Jessie Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue are among the leading fighters in their weight classes. Rodriguez currently holds super-flyweight titles and has gained recognition through recent performances. Inoue has won world titles in multiple divisions and continues to compete at a high level.

In his next fight, he will face Junto Nakatani. The matchup between Rodriguez and Inoue would involve two active champions from different divisions. Both fighters remain part of ongoing title discussions and continue to face top level competition. Their achievements have made them among the most recognized names in their respective weight categories.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Gervonta Davis

Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis are established fighters competing in the lightweight and light-welterweight divisions. Stevenson currently holds the 140-pound world title and remains active in scheduled fights. Davis is a multi-division champion and remains a major talking point regarding the bouts.

There have been talks about a possible bout between Stevenson and Davis, but no official fight has been confirmed.

Crawford’s comments identify three matchups involving fighters active in different divisions. Each pairing consists of athletes who are currently competing, holding titles, or pursuing title opportunities. These fights remain part of the ongoing discussions within boxing as the 2026 schedule is developed.

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

Jane Anderson reveals she turned it down watford While in charge of the Sweden national team.

The 63-year-old turned down the Watford job when the current Championship side were in the Premier League.

He began his coaching career in 1988 at lower division side Swedish Elets IK. Since then, he played at Halmstads BK and Laholms FK between 1990 and 1998.

After taking a break for two years, the Swede returned to Halmstads BK in 2000 as an assistant manager and took on the role as head coach in 2004. A short stint at Örgryte IS in 2010 and then a five-year period at IFK Norrköping.

The Swede had spent his entire coaching career in his own country before taking charge of the national team in June 2016. He was in charge for more than six years and stepped down from the role in November 2023.

Watford made a solid approach

Jan Anderson has not returned to the bench since leaving the national team. In April 2025 he announced his retirement From his coaching career.

He has now written a book, titled ‘Da Var Da’, in which he tells of Watford’s determined attempt to bring him to Vicarage Road. soccer channel Has released his comments.

After parting ways with Quique Sanchez Flores, the Hornets contacted him in December 2019.

Watford appointed Nigel Pearson as Flores’ successor that month. Before that, they wanted to bring in Anderson.

“You’ve got to be happy as long as you can. If you lose a few games, it’s the other way around.” He writes.

“A funny thing is that I turned down the chance to become manager at Watford. They approached me with a relatively concrete request. Then you never know whether it would have resulted in something.

“For me, it was never an option, but still. I thought for an hour and called back. No, I would no longer be willing to leave Sweden and stand in England and train on a Monday. I was happy anyway, what we have done in the last 3.5 years is noteworthy.”

The Swede appointed John Dahl Tomsson as his successor in February 2024, a few weeks after his exit from Blackburn Rovers. At that time, Dane was happy to go His difficult situation with Rovers.

What happened at Watford during the 2019/20 season

The 2019/20 season was halted due to the global pandemic and extended to July 2020.

Watford had four managers during that season.

• Javi Gracia: Start September 2019
• Quique Sanchez Flores: September to December
• Nigel Pearson: December to July 2020
• Hayden Mullins: July until the end of the season

The Hornets won eight from 38 Premier League matches and were relegated after finishing 19th in the table. A year later, they returned to the top flight, only to be relegated to the Championship after one season.

Shawn Michaels has given a direct answer to one of professional wrestling’s most frequently asked ‘what-if’ questions.

Speaking with Carmelo Anthony on 7PM in Brooklyn, Michaels explained why the dream match between him and The Rock never happened at WrestleMania, and he didn’t mince words about the reason.

“He didn’t like me,” Michaels said. “I think over the years that he’s had, there’s been a big feud in the wrestling business with Hunter and I doing things to him, being mean and things like that. It’s all been blown out of proportion. None of it was perfect, but these were things that he was fed a lot of when he was younger. But afterward, and to this day, we get along with each other, and we talk about things.”

Michaels blamed the feud on the misinformation given to Rock early in his career and alleged that Michaels and Triple H mistreated him. He strongly hit back at those accounts, calling them inaccurate and exaggerated, while acknowledging that this perception shaped Rock’s feelings towards him for a significant period. The two have since moved on, with Michaels noting that they still meet and talk with each other today.

Even if personal issues had been resolved sooner, time would have made the match impossible. By the time Michaels returned from the back injury that had sidelined him for several years, The Rock had already made the transition to Hollywood and was no longer a full-time presence in WWE.

“I think everyone would love to see it,” Michaels said. “But by the time I came back, he was pretty far along with his Hollywood career and things like that.”

Despite never having a match, Michaels spoke about the Rock with admiration. When he was asked to compare the two, he avoided the question without any hesitation. “What are you going to say? I mean, the guy came in, and I remember seeing him for the first time on Saturday Night Live and I was thinking to myself, Holy cow, this guy is going to be a huge star,” Michaels said.

Michaels also reflected on Rock’s early WWE performance, when he was introduced to the audience as Rocky Johnson’s son and received chants of “Rocky sucks” from the crowd, who had not yet sold for him.

Michaels said, “When he first got there, he was getting a lot of ‘Rocky Sucks’ chants and stuff like that. So there was always ribbing in the locker room and stuff like that.” According to Michaels, Rock’s reaction to that rejection ultimately defined his career path. “They recognized it and realized you had to come back with something tougher, something more aggressive. And then they changed it. And when they did that, and they put them with the Nation, they really started to take off from there.”

The New York Jets have a big decision to make with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely expected to be selected first by the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jets should already have a strong idea of ​​who they will select with their second pick.

With no other obvious first-round prospects worthy of a top-10 pick, the Jets are expected to focus on the best player available. For many draft experts, that player is Ohio State linebacker/pass-rusher Arvel Reese.

According to ESPN’s Jets insider Rich Cimini, Reese is the “best fit” for the team at No. 2. Thanks to Reese’s positional versatility and overall upside, it’s on par with many others.

If the Jets are looking for an edge rusher, there are several options at No. 2. Possible options could include Reese, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Miami (FL)’s Reuben Benn Jr., who has drawn criticism for having arms shorter than 31 inches.

It doesn’t matter if the Jets are deciding between a pass-rusher at No. 2. It may just be a matter of deciding which one they like best. With less than three weeks left to make a decision, the Jets should be close to finalizing their decision.

RELATED: New York Jets linked to trade for young first-round receiver

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search has resulted in contract extensions for at least two top targets, with Alabama’s Nate Oats and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd agreeing to new deals. Now the program’s focus has reportedly shifted to four other current head coaches.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty Mays, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Iowa State Cyclones coach TJ Otzelbarger and UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley are the top targets in North Carolina’s coaching search at the moment.

RELATED: Potential cost of UNC Tar Heels coaching search revealed

Specifically, according to Thamel, if Michigan loses in the Final Four, the Tar Heels plan to play hard for May. With the Wolverines advancing to the men’s national championship game to face UConn, both Hurley and May are being viewed as unlikely recruits for North Carolina.

What’s likely to happen is that Hurley and Mays will use the Tar Heels’ coaching search as leverage to land a deal. After receiving interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024, Hurley used that to take advantage of an extension from UConn. May, who was hired by Michigan in 2024, will do the same here.

The real question may be whether Otzelberger uses the interest as leverage. However, given that North Carolina can provide better resources to build a top program, it stands to reason that Otzelberger would see it as an upgrade from his current program at Iowa State.

RELATED: NBA coach addresses Tar Heels’ interest in HC gig

Specifically, according to Thamel, Donovan does not want to leave his position in the NBA until Chicago’s season ends. This would mean that North Carolina, if he were hired, would not be able to make an official announcement until the Bulls season ends on Sunday, April 12. Until then, the college basketball transfer portal will be exhausted with limited options available for North Carolina.

Donovan appears to be the Tar Heels’ preferred option of the two, and there have been reports that the opportunity to coach in Chapel Hill would be appealing to Donovan. However, if the school decides it can’t wait, Otzelberger could be the next Tar Heels men’s basketball coach.

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

WWE WrestleMania 42 is expected to feature a total of 14 matches over two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19, matching the number for WrestleMania 41 at the same venue last year.

With 12 matches currently announced, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that with two matches still to be officially confirmed, seven bouts are planned for each night.

According to Meltzer, the two unannounced matches at IShowSpeed ​​are Logan Paul and Austin Theory vs. LA Knight and The Usos and IYO SKY vs. Asuka. The six-man tag match built through a recent angle on Raw in which Eyeshowspeed was attacked by L.A. Knight during a livestream, with Knight knocking out the streamer using brass knuckles that were intended for Logan Paul.

The IYO SKY and Asuka match stemmed from tension between the two, with SKY expressing discomfort at Asuka’s behavior. In recent weeks, Asuka has warned against any attempts to break up the Kabuki Warriors.

The road to WrestleMania 42 has not been without complications behind the scenes. Reports indicate that the change in plans was due to internal criticism from Triple H, with concerns over ticket sales cited as a contributing factor.

Meltzer stated in his report that the WrestleMania card was not fully known when this criticism surfaced. Premium ticket pricing for this year’s event has also attracted attention, with sales significantly down compared to previous years, increasing the pressure to deliver a strong show.

WrestleMania 41 drew a combined attendance of 118,641 over its two nights at Allegiant Stadium, a figure WWE will be hoping to achieve again this year. The event has grown significantly since its arena-era days, with just over 17,000 fans attending WrestleMania 22 in 2006, and the zero-attendance show held at the WWE Performance Center during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was the only significant break in that upward trajectory.

A new report has revealed who the Dallas Mavericks had top choices to replace Nico Harrison as general manager/team president and why they won’t land either of them.

The last 13 months have been tough for Mavericks fans. Last February, Dallas fans were completely stunned when the organization traded away top star Luka Doncic entering his prime. And for the Los Angeles Lakers no less. Since then the situation has become even worse.

Kyrie Irving tore his ACL shortly after the trade and has yet to return to the court. Anthony Davis, returning in blockbuster trade, could barely stay healthy – and was ultimately shipped to the Washington Wizards earlier this year. While they were fortunate to have the No. 1 pick in the draft and rising star Cooper Flagg, the team’s poor play early in the season was too much for the executive suite to handle, and Harrison was ousted as GM and president.

Since then, there has been much speculation as to who might replace the most hated man in Dallas basketball. On Wednesday, NBA insider Marc Stein offered a big update on the search that won’t actually start until the regular season ends, and the top names on the Mavericks’ wish list.

According to Stein, ownership has some “lofty ambitions” and is curious if it can lure away Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti, San Antonio’s RC Buford and Boston’s Brad Stevens. However, obtaining all three is close to impossible as they “are generally considered lifers with their respective franchises, who would not be costly to try to pry away. Strong only begins to describe the executive/team bond there.”

Dallas Mavericks interested in Golden State Warriors legend Bob Myers

Another big name linked to the Dallas opening is two-time Executive of the Year winner Bob Myers. However, the man who helped build the Golden State Warriors’ recent dynasty currently has an opportunity that seems too good to pass up.

“Myers currently has a highly lucrative job as President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which requires him to provide high-level consulting for all pro sports franchises in the HBSE portfolio,” Stein wrote. “This includes the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers as well as the New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace Football Club… Myers is also part of the hierarchy with the Josh Harris-owned Washington Commanders.”

Steen says landing Myers is considered a long shot, and he has already fielded interest from the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks.

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

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is facing questions about his long-term future, following a difficult season for him and his club.

The centre-back role has seen ups and downs this season. Due to injuries and suspension he was given more minutes for Tottenham, yet performances have been inconsistent. Spurs’ defensive struggles have only increased the headlines, especially as the club is still neck-and-neck in the table.

This background makes his agent’s latest claims particularly interesting, as they suggest Dragusin has already turned down a big opportunity to leave.

romanian outlet iam sport The report states that the Tottenham player’s representative, Florin Mane, has revealed interest from Germany as well as a major offer from Saudi Arabia.

€50m offer rejected without hesitation

Speaking on the IAM Stukan podcast, Florin Mania detailed an approach that would have dramatically changed the defender’s career.

“You want me to tell you something? We refused to pay €50m over five years for Radu. €10m a year.”

The agent revealed that the offer came from Saudi Arabia and was significantly higher than what Dragusin currently earns at Tottenham.

“Someone from Saudi Arabia called us and said they would net us €10m a year to go there. We didn’t even consider it.”

After this he clarified how far the talks could have gone.

“€10m per year? Tell me how many people would reject that. It could have gone up to €15m, even €20m per year. It could have gone up to €100m in five years. I would have taken a commission of €20-30m. But we were not interested.”

For context, Dragusin currently earns around £4.4 million per year at Tottenham. This difference underlines the extent to which the scale was rejected.

Germany’s interest in Tottenham transfer

Radu Dragusin’s agent also confirmed that the defender attracted interest from the Bundesliga.

According to Florin Mané, RB Leipzig made an approach during the winter window. Although no deal was reached, the relationship remains active.

“There was an offer for him from Leipzig in the winter. Now we’ll see if he wants to try again.”

AC Milan Were connected some time ago also. This leaves the door open for a future move within Europe, especially if Dragusin’s situation at Tottenham is not completely stabilized.

What does this mean for Tottenham

Radu Dragusin’s stance, as described by his agent, suggests that money is not currently driving his decisions. Turning down such a lucrative offer points to a desire to succeed at the highest level in Europe.

For Tottenham, this can be seen as a positive. The player appears committed, As he said himselfEven during a difficult season for the club.

However, interest from clubs like RB Leipzig adds another layer. If his performances do not improve, or if Spurs continue to struggle defensively, the situation could rapidly escalate.

However, for now, the message is clear: despite the huge financial temptation, Dragusin has chosen to remain on the European stage and fight for his place in North London.

🇷🇴Radu Dragusin | Really nice words from the defender.

🤍Explains how he fell in love with the move to Tottenham
🩺The closeness has increased @madders10: “It’s just an example of how he is, the kind of guy he is. That and a lot of my colleagues.”https://t.co/h2fVYHOANm #thfc #Happiness

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 26 March 2026

on monday evening Chicago Bulls Guard Jaden Ivey was released after an Instagram live stream in which he made anti-LGBTQ comments.

Ivey had been with the team for just over a month after being traded to the Detroit Pistons. But now, it seems his NBA future may be in serious doubt in light of his recent comments.

While the Bulls’ move to the shooting guard has received some support from unexpected quarters, Ivey didn’t seem too fearful about his future NBA prospects. In a subsequent live stream, he called out major league celebrities like Stephen Curry and LeBron James.

He then went live again on Tuesday morning and revealed how his family is handling his recent controversial comments.

According to Ivey, his family now thinks he is losing his mind after his controversial comments.

“People that are around me, that are my family members, are calling me out on what I say. The truth. Calling me out. Saying I’m losing my mind. Saying I’m crazy. Saying I don’t know the truth,” Ivey said, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.

“These are my own family members who love me. My blood. Who raised me telling me I didn’t know the truth. ‘Man, he’s psycho.’ He is this, he is that. That is my own house. All because of the gospel. All this because I told the truth.”

He also claimed that his wife is no longer messaging him during another live session.

Jaden Ivey will receive full guaranteed salary despite being waived

In the meantime, more details are coming into focus, particularly regarding Ivey’s salary. According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, Ivey will still receive the full remainder of his $10.1 million salary for the 2025-26 season.

Typically, this was never guaranteed. Teams can attempt to recover salary in cases involving conduct detrimental to the team, but it is understood the Chicago Bulls will not go that route.

But overall, this has certainly been an unexpected turn of events for the former lottery selection.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

A new rumor offers a surprising but exciting potential suitor to LeBron James on the free agent market this summer.

At 41 years old, it is not guaranteed that James will return for a 24th NBA season this fall. It’s also possible he’ll retire if the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly win the NBA championship this spring. Yet despite his recent strong play, most people don’t expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has some big decisions to make this summer.

After this season, James will become a free agent. It’s very possible he returns to LA next season for his retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers are the favorites to retain his services for several reasons. However, NBA insiders also revealed a secret horse team to watch in the potential free agent sweepstakes.

Insiders claimed, “An interesting option brought up to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where a combination of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic could make for something extremely intriguing.” “‘Who is the only guy at his level in the league from a basketball IQ standpoint?’ a Western executive asked. ‘Go out there and team up with that guy.’

The Denver Nuggets would have a legitimate chance to sign LeBron James this summer

McMenamin and Bontemps said James’ move to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could bring LA players such as Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Plus, he explains why visiting the Mile High City might appeal to LeBron James.

“Denver pursued James in 2018 after he left Cleveland as a free agent, led by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is his friend. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, one of James’ friends, to the coaching staff,” he wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went to the visitors’ locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”

The idea of ​​James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining season in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show that he really wants to win another championship. However, it would certainly be doubtful that he would take a retirement tour of Hollywood to play in Denver.

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

New details have emerged in the case of Tiger Woods’ arrest following a rollover accident in Jupiter, Florida last week.

Last week, golf fans around the world feared the worst when a report emerged that 15-time major winner Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car accident. Despite his car being overturned in the accident, the 50-year-old man escaped with major injuries. However, this was far from the end of the story.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, it was soon learned that Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). This was the fourth time since 2009 that the golf icon was involved in a car accident.

Since Friday, various details about his arrest have leaked, including passing field sobriety tests and refusing blood/urine tests from arriving officers. The new information emerged Tuesday after ESPN obtained a probable cause affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the document, Woods claimed he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station, and did not realize that the car in front of him had slowed down. The golfer swerved, striking the vehicle in front of him, causing a rollover accident.

The affidavit states that Woods’ eyes were “bloodshot and glassy”, the pupils were “extremely dilated”, he was “sweating profusely” and was “lethargic and slow”. He agreed to perform field sobriety exercises and admitted that he took prescription pills, but claimed that he did not drink any alcohol.

Two hydrocodone pills – which are pain relievers – were found in Woods’ pants pocket. Although he passed field sobriety tests, a CNN report on Tuesday revealed that the reason he was arrested was a new Florida law passed in 2025 that automatically charges a person with a misdemeanor and license suspension if they fail to take any sobriety test requested by a police officer.

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

A new report suggests that many around the NBA are hoping to use the rumored option to end tanking, with the players union favoring instituting new ideas.

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

This has disappointed NBA fans and infuriated Commissioner Adam Silver. Now, preventing the 2026 battle for the bottom tier from happening in future seasons is a top priority. This week, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed three ideas to be presented at the next Board of Governors meeting in an effort to end the practice.

On Saturday, Jake Fisher provided new insight on what opinion is around the league on those three ideas. According to an NBA insider, two popular ideas are expected to be introduced, with the 10 teams left out of the play-ins all having an 8% chance at the No. 1 pick. “This perception was strong among many general managers and owners even before the Board of Governors convened,” Fisher wrote.

Many also liked the idea of ​​expanding the lottery to 18 teams to include play-in participants. Fisher also said that “the league has expectations.” [having 18 clubs] “Teams will be encouraged to remain competitive through the end of the regular season.”

NBAPA wants to use EPL model to encourage winning

The insider reports that the three ideas are just concepts, and the one the league decides to go with could be a blend of parts of the three pitches.

Fisher also said that if the 18-team idea is used, players would like to see “the 10-worst teams share a 7% chance at No. 1, rather than 8%. The top selection is shared with the other eight teams in the lottery at a 3.75% chance.”

Additionally, players would like to see the NBA copy the English Premier League model to encourage winning. In that setup, franchises “could get an additional $10 million slice of the league’s national television revenue depending on where teams finish from 1 to 30 in the standings.”

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

The NHL used to have 30 teams before expanding to 32 in the last decade. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights debuted and won their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken head into 2021 as they continue to work toward their second playoff berth. However, the NHL is looking to expand even further, and two destinations have emerged.

As Jeff Marek reports at The Sheet, Atlanta and Houston are considered top-2 NHL expansion destinations. Atlanta fielded two NHL teams, but they never lasted. The Flames were in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary. Then, the Thrashers came to the city from 1999 to 2011 before becoming the Winnipeg Jets.

The city lost NHL teams twice due to poor performance on the ice, weak attendance, and ownership instability. They also faced financial losses, an inability to build a dedicated fan base, and management problems. However, could the third time be a charm?

Houston, meanwhile, has never had an NHL team, but has hosted minor league and World Hockey Association teams. Most notably, hockey legend Gordie Howe was a member of the Houston Eros during the 1970s. Despite not having an NHL team, Houston has always been mentioned as a potential expansion city.

The NHL won’t force an expansion to 34 teams, but it’s clearly something that could happen in the next few seasons. Thirty-two teams have been great for the game and hockey is growing even more in North America. If the league is to expand, it would make sense to bring in two new cities at the same time.

Houston and Atlanta have different hockey histories; However, both may find an NHL team in the next few years.

Read more: New rumor reveals NHL’s stance on play-in tournament for Stanley Cup Playoffs

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

Ecuador manager Sebastian Becca has confirmed Sunderland’s Nilsson Angulo will return to the Premier League squad.

On 2 February, the winger left Anderlecht to secure a permanent transfer to the Stadium of Light for €17.3m.

He scored 10 goals and 11 assists in 94 appearances for Anderlecht, of which seven goals and eight assists came this season. The 22-year-old’s performances and potential for the Belgian club convinced Sunderland to take a bet on him.

There there was a lot of excitement On visiting Sunderland in Ecuador. However, he has yet to score or contribute an assist for the Black Cats in 347 minutes in six matches, and some of his Premier League statistics are as follows.

• Appearances: 5
• Start: 3
• minutes: 264
• Minutes per game: 53
• Key passes per game: 0.4
• Shots on goal per game: 0.4

Angulo last made his appearance in the Black Cats’ FA Cup defeat to Port Vale. Due to injury he had to miss the last two matches.

However, this did not stop the national team manager from including him in the squad for this international break.

Sunderland player’s injury a blow to Ecuador

On Thursday, Sebastian Bekases spoke at a press conference teleamazonas Nilsson Angulo has issued his comments.

The attacker and Independiente del Valle’s Patrick Mercado will both miss Ecuador’s next two fixtures due to injuries and the manager spoke about their absence.

“These are significant losses. The rest are fit and healthy.” He said.

Teleamazonas report that the former Anderlecht man will leave the national team camp on Friday and return to Sunderland, where he will work on his recovery from a ‘muscle strain’.

bolavip Claim Bekes’ decision to call up Angulo was ‘completely surprising’ as he was already injured. They termed it a ‘controversial move’, although the coach had called up injured players on several occasions in the past.

Meanwhile, the Sunderland man’s immediate focus will be on recovering and regaining his form with Regis Le Bris’s side ahead of the World Cup.

Ecuador squad and fixtures for the March international break

There are two friendly matches against the national team

• Morocco, March 27
• Netherlands, March 31

Sebastian Bekas’s squad for these two matches:

goalkeeper: David Cabezas, Gonzalo Valle, Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramirez

defenders: Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Jackson Porrozo, Joel Ordonez, Jose Hurtado, Leonardo Realpe, Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho

midfielder: Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Anthony Valencia, Bryan Ramirez, Denil Castillo, Gonzalo Plata, Janner Corozo, John Yeboah, Jordy Alcívar, Kendry Páez, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Yaimar Medina

Ahead: Ener Valencia, Jeremy Arevalo, John Mercado, Jordi Caicedo, Kevin Rodriguez, Leonardo Campana

🇵🇹Louis Hemir | Sunderland loanee suffers blow after disciplinary issue comes to lighthttps://t.co/7DbND0GJkZ #safc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 17 March 2026

West Ham United assistant manager Paco Jemez received the opportunity to join Tottenham Hotspur.

He joined the Hammers in January to become part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s backroom staff.

The current West Ham manager had a short stint at Tottenham in 2021. He was in charge for only 17 matches, winning nine of them. This seems a very successful run by today’s Spurs standards, but it was not enough for Nuno at the time.

The Portuguese coach was replaced by Antonio Conte in November 2021. During Nuno’s time at the north London club, he wanted to have Jémez as his assistant.

Thursday edition of As has published an interview with the Spaniard. Before landing the Hammers role, he was working as a pundit, and he clearly loves chatting. There has been an average of one Spanish interview a week since his arrival in London.

Before joining West Ham United, Jémez had only served as head coach.

West Ham man reveals Tottenham option

Two months ago, Paco Jemez said Nuno Espirito Santo scream for help confidently For him to join the Hammers.

During his playing career, he played with Nuno at Deportivo La Coruña.

The pair bonded well and he was later recalled to West Ham after the move to Tottenham Hotspur never materialised.

“We were together in Depor for two years [1996–98] And got along very well. “He had already asked me to join him when he was at Tottenham.” He said.

“Now they called me again. They told me the team’s situation was very complex, they needed help. I could offer a different perspective.

“All the circumstances are fine. I couldn’t coach in Spain because the law doesn’t allow you to manage two teams in the same year.”

In his first game in charge as Nuno’s assistant, West Ham beat Tottenham 2–1, and Spurs’ facilities and their stadium impressed jemez.

The Spaniard’s influence on West Ham

Since the arrival of Paco Jemez, the London club has played 12 games and lost three of them. West Ham United beat Brentford to book a FA Cup quarter-final clash with Leeds United.

Despite the results, the Hammers now sit 18th in the table, one point behind 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

AS credited the assist for West Ham’s recent performances and reacting to that, Jemez explained: “It’s just a coincidence. When I arrived the atmosphere couldn’t have been good because the team was at the bottom of the table.”

“I came as a breath of fresh air, it could be said that I was not contaminated. The first thing I discussed with Nuno was that we had to change that pessimistic atmosphere. It was not a tactical issue. We had to get quick wins and make people realize that we can be better.”

West Ham’s remaining Premier League matches

• Aston Villa away 22 March
• Wolves home 10 April
• Crystal Palace Away 20th April
• Everton Home 25 April
• brentford away tbc
• arsenal home tbc
• Newcastle United away TBC
• leeds united home tbc

🇹🇷 Okan Buruk | Surprise name thrown into the Tottenham mix

🏆🏆🏆Won the league for 3 consecutive years
⭐️ Experience dealing with the stars at Galatasaray
📅 Contract expires in summerhttps://t.co/t8r3u4TPxr #thfc #joyce

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 26 March 2026

Tiger Woods finally returns to professional golf for the first time since 2024. On Tuesday night, Woods’ team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, lost to Los Angeles Golf Club in the 2026 TGL Championship. It was the 50-year-old’s first professional appearance since the 2024 Open Championship.

Over the past two years, Woods has battled an Achilles tendon rupture and is scheduled to undergo lumbar disc replacement surgery in October 2025. However, does this mean Woods could return to the Masters for the first time since 2024? This is not a guarantee.

“This body … it doesn’t heal like it did at 24, 25 years old,” Woods said after the TGL Championship. “That doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I’ve had some bad injuries here over the years that I’ve had to fight through and it’s taken some time. But I keep trying… I want to play [in the Masters]. I like tournaments. I’m going to be attending The Loop as well as the Champions Dinner happening there anyway. … We’ll see how it goes. “I’m going to practice this week, play at home and keep trying to progress.”

Woods did not give a timeline for when a decision would be made. The five-time Masters winner will soon have to decide whether he will participate in the tournament or not. The Masters is scheduled to start in about two weeks on April 9, so Woods will have to see how his body responds now.

In 2024, Woods made the weekend at Augusta National setting a new tournament record with 24 consecutive cuts. The 50-year-old is a golf legend, but it will be important to get back to playing at the Masters after all his injuries.

READ MORE: Tiger Woods shares powerful message for Rory McIlroy after winning Grand Slam Masters

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

Ecuador manager Sebastian Bekas has revealed that Newcastle United are pursuing a talented young player.

The Premier League team is on the lookout for young talent from around the world and has made a few signings in recent years.

Last summer, Newcastle United signed Antonio Cordero, also known as Antonito, on a free transfer. He is now on loan at Cadiz. In the same window, they signed Park Seung-soo from South Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

In October 2024, the Magpies agreed a deal with Dinamo Tbilisi for Vakhtang Salia. A few months before that, they had signed Miodrag Pivas from Jedinstvo UB of Serbia.

Australian Garang Kuol joined Newcastle United from Central Coast Mariners in 2023 before leaving them permanently to join Sparta Prague last August.

Eddie Howe’s side are also looking to sign youngsters from South America.

Wednesday edition of As has published an interview with Ecuador’s manager Sebastián Bekas, in which he discusses various topics. He took over the national team job from Félix Sánchez in August 2024.

Newcastle United’s interest revealed

Sébastien Bekas has spoken about the massive changes he has made to his team since taking over as head coach. That’s when he spoke about Newcastle United’s interest in an unnamed Ecuadorian young player.

The manager says that the player was born in 2009, without giving any information like his name, club etc.

“Our big achievement was to look beyond the immediate results. In 20 months, we changed almost 65% of the team. Today we have one of the youngest teams ever. Also, many players are coming behind us. We have worked a lot with the young players,” He said.

“We conducted three-day training camps and got to know over 140 players. This gave us a chance to get a broad base and understand the talent present in the country.”

“We have two 16-year-old twins who were bought by Arsenal, another who was bought by Chelsea, and a player born in 2009 who is being chased by Newcastle.”

There have been no recent claims of Newcastle United’s interest in a young Ecuadorian player. sports witness covered The Magpies were previously interested in Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez, but he was born in 2004.

Meanwhile, the manager has spoken about the influence Chelsea star Moises Caicedo has had on youngsters.

“We use him as an example for young players. He left Ecuador, had a hard time… and then he had a medical examination of his knee. Many players look at him now and think it was easy, but it was not. Moi is a very humble player,” Bekesis explained.

march international break fixtures

• Friendly vs Morocco on 27 March
• Friendly vs Netherlands on 31 March

Ecuador squad:

Goalkeepers: David Cabezas, Gonzalo Valle, Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramirez

Defenders: Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Jackson Porzo, Joel Ordonez, Jose Hurtado, Leonardo Realpe, Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho

Midfielders: Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Anthony Valencia, Brian Ramirez, Daniel Castillo, Gonzalo Plata, Janner Corozo, John Yeboah, Jordi Alcivar, Kendry Paez, Moises Caicedo,
Patrick Mercado, Pedro Witte, Yaimar Medina

Forwards: Ener Valencia, Jeremy Arevalo, John Mercado, Jordy Caicedo, Kevin Rodriguez, Leonardo Campana

🇧🇷Alan Elias | Newcastle United prepare offer + exclusive details

💵 Magpies planning ‘unique’ approach
❌ Source reveals that Napoli have not been offered
➡️How are things right now…https://t.co/dLLTskDYdI #nufc #SSCinapoli

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 24 March 2026

The Charlotte Hornets may not be quite there, but they have arrived as a winless team in the Eastern Conference. Since the beginning of the 2026 calendar year, the Hornets have posted the fifth-best record in the NBA at 27–12. Their strong performance this year continued on Tuesday, as they swept the Sacramento Kings and demolished them with a 134-90 victory.

Making the jump from bad to good isn’t as easy as the Hornets are making it out to be. But under the tutelage of head coach Charles Lee, they are doing just that. They have made a habit of winning and never let their foot off the gas pedal – which explains their historic average margin of victory this season.

After the game, Lee explained what makes Why the Hornets are so good and why they are so dominant whenever they are on victory lane.

“Every play is meaningful, every possession is meaningful,” Lee said via HornetsReddit.

🎙️ Charles Lee: “Every play is meaningful, every possession is meaningful.”

“To see that group compete at the end of the game and see the way they communicated… it shows, from up and down the roster, the level of commitment, everybody’s ‘care factor’ is really high.” pic.twitter.com/Dy8yijDNQE

– r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) 25 March 2026

The Hornets enjoy embarrassing other teams, and this killer mentality of theirs bodes well for their chances of making the jump from good to great in the coming years.

The entire Hornets roster has been purchased

The Hornets have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the past few months, and it’s no coincidence. Lee’s team is playing for each other every single game, and the team is humming as a result.

Charlotte has one of the best starting five players in the association (LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate), and their bench team consists of Ryan Kalkbrenner, Coby White, Zion James, Josh Green and Grant Williams, who are playing their roles in the team.

The 2025-26 NHL season is winding down and the race for the playoffs is heating up. The Eastern Conference is in flux and the Detroit Red Wings are one point out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 84 points and 12 games remaining. Meanwhile, the Western Conference has been sluggish this season, with the Los Angeles Kings remaining the first team with 73 points and 12 games remaining.

However, could the NHL adopt a similar format to the NBA? The league has been linked to a possible play-in tournament after success in the NBA over the past few years. In fact, a new rumor has revealed the NHL’s stance on a play-in tournament for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t believe a play-in tournament is a good idea, despite the influence of billionaires and hockey’s most powerful people, as reported by Darren Dreger on Barn Burner. The NBA’s play-in tournament has been a success; However, the fanbase has shown displeasure with this.

There are a number of reasons why a play-in tournament is a good and bad idea. More drama would be added to the tournament over which NHL teams would earn the final berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It will also give teams outside the top 8 places in each conference an additional opportunity to make one last attempt.

However, there are many negatives to this, as the NHL playoff race is competitive most every season. If the NHL implemented a play-in tournament, it would make no sense to have 82 regular season games moving forward. Also, a team that is not even close to the playoffs can earn a spot if it ranks well below other organizations.

For now, Bateman believes the play-in tournament is not a good idea, and it would not be shocking if it never came to fruition.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings almost got a different defenseman at the NHL trade deadline

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

As even the most optimistic and happy people in the world can attest, all good things come to an end. On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak came to an end as they couldn’t overcome the dangerous Detroit Pistons 113-110 on the road despite the absence of Cade Cunningham. It was Dennis Jenkins who delivered the decisive blow, drilling a go-ahead liner from midrange to give Detroit a lead they would not relinquish.

Although the Lakers won’t be resting on their heels, this loss will at least give them time to think about what went wrong for them on the night and what they can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But for head coach JJ Redick, it was clear What LA lost on the night was that they were without two key players, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, to compete against the Eastern Conference leader.

“We’re a good basketball team. I believe we’re a good basketball team. Not being smart killed us tonight. It’s important for us to be healthy,” Redick said in his postgame presser, via LakersMuse on Ax (formerly Twitter).

JJ Redick says one bad game can’t undo what the Lakers have done recently:

“We’re a good basketball team. I believe we’re a good basketball team. Not being smart killed us tonight. It’s important for us to be able to get healthy.”

pic.twitter.com/ioAiMEDhEw

– LakersMuse (@LALMuse) 24 March 2026

That will be the number one goal for the Lakers moving forward: going into the playoffs with a full strength. Smart’s absence on Monday doesn’t appear to be a long-term thing, so at least this is a win for LA despite their losing streak on Monday.

Lakers outclassed by Pistons in clutch

The Lakers and Pistons both entered the night with 24 wins each by single digits, as they are two of the best clutch teams in the NBA. But even without Cunningham, the Pistons had plenty of time in crunch time, with Jenkins making it happen.

The Lakers have one more game left on their current road trip, which is a game against the weak Indiana Pacers, so this is at least a golden opportunity for them to start another winning streak.

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was scratched in the final minutes of their game against the Utah Jazz on Monday due to heel swelling. But even without him, the Raptors claimed an easy 143-127 victory at the Delta Center.

Ingram was originally part of the starting lineup against the Jazz, but moments before tip-off, he was replaced by Jacoby Walter. The Raptors later announced that Ingram would miss the game.

Following their win, their fourth in six games, Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic was optimistic Ingram’s condition, as shown in video posted by Raptors reporter Omar Osman.

“It’s not really a big concern here. It’s just flared up. It’s something we’ll look at and see how he feels tomorrow. But I don’t think it’s going to be anything (serious),” Rajakovic said.

Darko isn’t too concerned about Brandon Ingram’s heel pain. https://t.co/PdsDilNS8M pic.twitter.com/gfD0a8GQX4

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 24 March 2026

The Raptors are struggling to cement their place in the playoffs, and they cannot afford to lose the 28-year-old Ingram, who has a long injury history.

With the win over Utah, they improved to 40–31, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Toronto has missed the playoffs for three consecutive years.

RJ Barrett stepped up in Ingram’s absence and scored a team-best 27 points on 10 of 15 shooting, including 4 of 5 from long range.

Sandro Mamukelashvili also had a solid performance with 23 points, four rebounds and five steals, while Walter and Scotty Barnes also reached the 20-point mark.

The Raptors were impressive with their accuracy, shooting 61% from the field, including 20 of 37 from Rainbow Country. They are ahead by 35 points.

He returns to action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

ATLANTA – At this point in the season, every win matters for the Atlanta Hawks. It doesn’t matter who has been in front of them in the month of March, but for the most part, they have been able to take care of business and try to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.

This time, the schedule featured the Memphis Grizzlies, whom they defeated 146–107. The Grizzlies have suffered a lot of injuries and roster turnover during the season, and despite coming into the game with a 24–46 record, they are still competing.

For Hawks, the task was simple, and to take care of business as usual.

“As a group, we’ve been professional,” Nichelle Alexander-Walker said. “That’s what it’s all about, doing your job. It doesn’t matter who they put against you. We were very conscious of who we were playing against tonight.”

“At the end of the day, these are the 450 best players in the world and the Grizzlies are dealing with a lot of injuries,” Onyeka Okongwu said. “There’s a lot of guys in and out of the lineup, so those guys are getting opportunities. They’re all working hard, and you’ve got to respect that. We’ve still got to do what we do and take care of business at the end of the day.”

The Hawks struck first to start the game and they continued to punch until the clock struck zero. Whether it was Alexander-Walker’s 26 points, Zachary Rishachar’s team-high eight rebounds, or CJ McCollum’s nine assists, they did everything they could to get the win and the Hawks treated this game like any other.

“One thing I learned is that if you lose to a team like that, it’s bad. If you beat a team like that, it’s like, ‘You should do this,'” Alexander-Walker said. “You don’t really win in that situation. You have to kind of break out of the noise, and you have to be professional.

“It’s my job to play the game, it’s my job to work hard, and it’s my job to try to win and do what I need to do for the team. Everybody came out to do that tonight, and I think that’s been a consistent thing that’s shown over time.”

There has been a lot of talk lately about the maturity of this team, and it has shown over the past month or so. They’re sticking to the game plan and coming in with the same mentality every night.

“I think it’s a collective thing where guys are putting the team first,” Quin Snyder said. “That’s where we have to be focused, and when that happens, we’re crashing the offensive glass, we’re sharing the ball, getting into the lane, breaking into the paint. Focusing on defense, I think, is the most important thing. When you see everybody bought into that, it says a lot about the guys in our locker room.”

Things will not be easy for the Hawks in the next few games, as they will face the top two teams of the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics. They know the importance of those games, but as long as they keep doing what they’ve been doing throughout the month, they’ll give themselves a chance to win.

The fact that Jayson Tatum returned to the hardwood for the Boston Celtics even a year after rupturing his Achilles in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is such a huge win not only for the Celtics, but for the entire game. Tatum obviously isn’t fully back yet, but his mere presence makes the Celtics a more dangerous team than ever during the 2025-26 season.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Tatum’s return, as it had been rumored for almost the entire season that he might make his highly anticipated return sooner than many expected. But in his absence, Jaylen Brown has stepped up to become the team’s undisputed alpha, and he has more than risen to the occasion – averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 55 games before Tatum’s return.

With Tatum out for so long, he needed to get back on the same page to help propel the Celtics to bigger and better things. That’s exactly what they did with Brown and Tatum close together He has his eyes on the same prize.

“It was great. The initial conversation, having that communication. … It’s important to be able to get back on the same page, but it’s going to take more communication as the year goes on. Things change, we got adversity, ups and downs. We just let it be me and you,” Brown told Vince Carter and the rest of the NBC crew.

Both of them have the responsibility of leading the team as co-stars and they have done it in the past. But the Celtics star refused to be satisfied just because they won a title just two years ago.

“Our communication sets the tone for the rest of the team. We both have to step up if we want this to work,” Brown said.

“We just said it would be me and you.”

Jaylen Brown talked about a meeting he had with Jayson Tatum and the rest of the Celtics team before Tatum returned to action. pic.twitter.com/tJvVgwoP9V

– NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) 22 March 2026

As the Miami Heat prepare to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, the team is trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking 123-122 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday. As the Heat go through a tough four-game stretch, head coach Erik Spoelstra explains what the team is going through.

Miami’s loss to Houston saw the team blow a 12-point lead, but then surrendered what turned out to be a close game throughout the season, led by an impeccable night from Bam Adebayo, who recorded 32 points and 21 rebounds. Still, it came down to the final possession, in which Amen Thompson’s put-back basket won the game, adding to the “pain” the Heat were going through, as Spoelstra said.

“When you say you have to develop some patience, you have to go through it,” said Spoelstra, formerly of Axe, via Heat Central on Twitter. “When you feel like every possession matters, and part of the grit is that you have to go through some pain. So we’re going to go through some pain right now, and it’s going to steal us. It’s going to make us better, and we’ll focus on getting ready for a tough opponent on Monday.”

Coach Spo with more about finding his ‘grit’

“When you say you have to develop some patience you have to go through it. There are consequences. When you feel these types of emotions and realize that every asset matters. Part of the patience is that you have to go through some pain.… https://t.co/6EZBv3SFWq pic.twitter.com/pdsRdiGf4y

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 22 March 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on recovering from recent tough loss

As the Heat prepare for the playoffs, with the team struggling to get out of the play-in tournament, the goal now is to not let these tough losses get the roster down. However, a final game like the one against the Rockets would be a pity, as Adebayo made a great save on Kevin Durant, with Thompson running after the team for the put-back.

“Just stick with it,” Spoelstra said. “We’re talking about having collective composure, and we thought we showed that composure during the game… You just think about the karma of the game, we’ll find a way to get out of here with a win. Missed a block-out at the end. And Thompson had a great game.”

Who was at fault in the last match for Heat Nation to win??? pic.twitter.com/hawFEmz0wl

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 22 March 2026

At any rate, Miami will be trying to snap its losing streak against a strong opponent on Monday in the Spurs.

The Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a 105-104 win against the Orlando Magic, courtesy of Luke Kennard’s game-winning 3-point shot. But the game could cost them as they travel to face the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Luka Doncic committed his 16th technical foul of the season, triggering an automatic suspension unless it is overturned, something Lakers head coach JJ Redick is hoping will happen.

After the Lakers’ win against the Magic, Redick revealed what caused Doncic’s technical foul and why the team plans to appeal it with the league.

“We’ll obviously try to cancel it out,” Redick said during his postgame press conference. “There were some things that were said in reference to Luca’s mother in a language that the referee could not understand.”

Doncic also explained the situation, noting that Goga Bitadze crossed a line when he said he should have done better for his teammates.

“You know, I let my team down by getting that last one. But honestly, I wasn’t trying to do that,” Doncic said. “He said if we don’t do it, he’ll kill my whole family. And at some point, you know, it’s a basketball court. At some point, I can’t stand it anymore [by]I have to stand up for myself. But I know I have to do better. My teammates, I know they support me. So I disappointed them today.”

“He (Goga) said he would kill my entire family. And at some point, I can’t bear it. I have to stand up for myself.”

Luka Doncic speaks on what was said about his technical foul 😳

pic.twitter.com/9j8nhnZdjM https://t.co/XQM5QY8BbS

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 22 March 2026

If the technical foul is not cleared, the Lakers will be without their star as they take on the Eastern Conference leading team. Doncic’s interactions with referees have been a topic of discussion throughout the season. According to the NBA rulebook, Doncic will be suspended for every two technicals picked up after 16. The Lakers have 12 regular season games remaining.

Once the playoffs begin, the technical foul count is reset, but the suspension trigger is set to seven.

Doncic’s condition has deteriorated amid technical problems. He has propelled himself right into the middle of the MVP race with the Lakers holding the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Their win against the Magic was their ninth consecutive, and they extended their lead over the No. 4 seed Houston Rockets to three games.

Doncic finished with 33 points, giving him the NBA’s longest active streak of scoring 30 or more points in consecutive games.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Doncic had appeared in 58 games at a rate of just over 35 minutes per game. He averaged a league-leading 33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.6 steals with splits of 47.7 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 77.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

He also led the NBA in shot attempts at 22.5, 3-point shots at 4.0, 3-point shots at 10.8 and free throw attempts at 10.4.

As the Lakers now head to Detroit, they will wait to see if the NBA will take action after what was revealed about how the entire situation erupted.

LaMelo Ball says chemistry has been at the heart of the Charlotte Hornets’ recent surge, as the team continues one of the most remarkable postseason turnarounds in the league.

Ball discussed the Hornets’ success in an interview shared by the NBA on X, formerly known as Twitter, emphasizing the group’s connections on and off the court.

“Guys, you know everybody’s cool, takes care of each other, so it’s all real love. And you feel like a real family, and if someone’s down we’ll pick them up. And that’s how we go.”

Charlotte’s play has improved after a difficult start to the season. The Hornets dropped to 16-28 after a 94-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 21, but improved to 36-34 after a 130-111 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The surge has lifted Charlotte to the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Over the past 15 games, the Hornets have been one of the NBA’s most efficient teams on both ends of the floor. Charlotte ranked eighth in scoring with 117.2 points per game during that span, while leading the league in three-point shooting, making threes an average of 19 times at 40.4% accuracy.

Defensively, the Hornets have also made significant progress. The team has allowed just 106.4 points per game over that span, the fourth-best mark in the league, trailing only the Boston Celtics (102.1), New York Knicks (103.7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (105.6). Charlotte’s 10.8 net rating during that span ranks first in the NBA.

Buzzing energy at Hornets practice 🐝

Go behind the scenes with Coach Charles Lee and Kon Knueppel before Charlotte hosts Memphis tonight at 7:00 PM on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/E4Mp7rZ2if

– NBA (@NBA) 21 March 2026

LaMelo Ball’s production fuels Hornets’ playoff boost

Ball has played a central role in the turnaround. The 24-year-old guard has averaged 19.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game this season, while shooting 40.4% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range and a career-high 89.7% from the free-throw line. Appeared in 60 games, including 57 starts. He averages 27.6 minutes per contest.

With momentum building, Charlotte remains a long way from high playoff position. The Hornets are 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Orlando Magic (38-31) in the Eastern Conference standings.

Charlotte will look to extend its current two-game winning streak on Saturday night when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies (24-45) at 7:00 pm ET as part of a seven-game homestand.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, Ball’s emphasis on chemistry continues to define a Hornets team that has rapidly re-established itself as a competitive force in the Eastern Conference.

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue their lead late in the season, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has outlined a compelling case for Luka Doncic as a legitimate MVP contender.

The Stephen A. Speaking on The Smith Show, Smith pointed to Doncic’s historic production during the Lakers’ current eight-game winning streak, highlighting both his scoring consistency and overall impact.

“Do you know that Luka Doncic is averaging 40.9 points and 7.4 assists? Do you know what he has done in this eight-game span, which no Lakers player in history has ever done? Not Shaquille O’Neal, not Kobe Bryant, not Magic Johnson. No one… Luka has 100 points in his last two games. In each game of this eight-game winning streak, he has scored at least 30. Not so Whether he scores 50 one day and 20 the next day, no, he is consistently scoring 30-plus in every single game.”

Doncic’s recent performances include one of his most impressive performances of the season. In the win over the Miami Heat, he scored 60 points while adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. The outing underlined his ability to take over games while maintaining efficiency.

On the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak, Doncic is averaging 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game, while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the free-throw line in 37.5 minutes per contest.

Smith also emphasized Doncic’s season-long production and where he ranks among the league’s top performers.

“Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are hitting 38.5% of their three-pointers since the trade deadline. Luka leads the league in scoring with 33.4, he’s third in assists. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s a league MVP candidate. I’ll say it again, Luka Doncic is a league MVP candidate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembayama and Luka “Doncic tops four candidates for league MVP.”

“Luka Doncic averaged 40.9 points and 7.4 assists… What he’s done in this 8-game span is something no Laker in history has ever done. Not Shaquille O’Neal, not Kobe Bryant, not Magic Johnson. No one… He’s a league MVP candidate.”

-Stephen A. Smith 🙌pic.twitter.com/CH6gldgfBJ

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 21 March 2026

Stephen A. Smith pushes Luka Doncic’s MVP case despite Lakers’ early inconsistency

Through 58 games this season, the 27-year-old has averaged 33.4 points, 8.4 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Smith acknowledged that Doncic’s MVP chances may be affected by the Lakers’ past inconsistency, but said his current level of play is difficult to ignore.

“The possibility that he won’t win it because the Lakers have played .500 basketball for 40 games this year, I get that. But what we’re seeing from them is unheard of. And the guy looks slow as a snail out there. That’s the thing that bothers me. Nikola Jokic can’t jump over a curb for Denver and no one can stop him. Luka Doncic looks like he’s moving in slow motion most of the time and No one can stop him. And when all three of them were clicking… he was insecure in front of all three of them, what are all three of them making of him?

He concluded by outlining the widespread impact of Doncic’s play on the Western Conference’s outlook.

“It’s some special things we’re looking at. And as a result, we have to look at the Western Conference a little differently and ask ourselves, can the Lakers be written off as a real threat in the Western Conference? Oklahoma City would probably say yes. San Antonio with Victor Vembanayama would probably say yes. I don’t know if we can do that … not with Luka on a roll like this.”

The Lakers (45-25) will try to extend their winning streak to nine games when they visit the Orlando Magic (38-31) on Saturday at 4:00 pm PT on NBA TV.

Jon Jones recently revealed that he was looking for money for his unsuccessful booking against Alex Pereira at the UFC White House card.

Last month, the UFC finally revealed the long-awaited lineup for its historic June event that will take place on the White House lawn. However, mixed martial arts fans were disappointed that one of the sports industry’s greatest fighters, Jon Jones, was taken off the card.

Prior to the announcement, rumors swirled that the company was in talks with “Bones” about a fight with former two-division champion Pereira. Jones also confirmed this. Nevertheless, both sides were unable to reach an agreement.

In the weeks since, UFC CEO Dana White has tried to downplay the actual negotiations. Jones has become frustrated with his boss’s refusal and even requests to be released from his contract. Reports revealed that the former two-division champion’s asking price was a deal breaker. On Saturday, Jones added more details about the failed talks.

Jon Jones wanted just over $15 million for UFC White House return

“I was ready, willing and physically able to take the step. I was willing to take much less than [Tom] Aspinall asks, but they won’t take a dollar over $15 million,” Jones wrote in an X post. “I felt like our fight was worth more.”

Over $15 million is certainly a big number for the typical earnings of UFC stars. However, if a fighter and card were worth the price, Jones and the UFC White House event would seem to be worth the splurge on him. Furthermore, it looks bad for White when he is reportedly paying boxer Conor Benn such a sum for just one fight in Zuffa Boxing.

The UFC is reportedly spending around $60 million on the event, called UFC Freedom Fight 260, to be held in June.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manchester United claim Amid Rashford’s struggles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manchester United is waiting for Barcelona’s decision

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

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

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

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

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 21 March 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not lacking in depth as they defend their title this season. Nevertheless, general manager Sam Presti managed to add another impact bench piece in Jared McCann at the trade deadline.

Stepping into a reserve role following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, McCann has made an immediate impact. The 22-year-old had his best performance of the season during Wednesday’s 121-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets, scoring a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from three.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said, “He’s definitely integrated well. He’s learning his teammates. He’s learning our system and the fundamentals that we emphasize.” “I thought in the first half, especially, he had some really good defensive possessions, which has been really encouraging. He’s done a really good job of committing to our fundamentals and the things we need to do on the defensive end of the field. Obviously, he’s a very powerful offensive player, but he gives up some size and needs to be really fundamental and powerful, and he’s done that, especially lately. So we’re happy with the progress he’s made there.” And he continues to be a fan favorite in the locker room just the way he approaches things since he was traded here.”

After a stellar rookie campaign, McCann struggled early this season with the 76ers while returning from a thumb injury to his shooting hand. Philadelphia sent him to the G League in January before dealing him to the Houston Rockets for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks at the deadline.

Jared McCann is making an immediate impact in the Thunder’s rotation after trade

McCann has quickly found his groove in the Thunder’s battle-tested rotation. The former Duke star is averaging 11.9 points on .475/.444/.885 shooting splits in 18.8 minutes per game in 18 appearances with the team. Oklahoma City posted a 109.3 defensive rating during his minutes, which would rank second in the league for the entire season.

McCann credited the Thunder’s coaching staff for easing his transition after the surprise deadline deal.

McCann said, “When you first get traded, you don’t know anything about what’s going to happen, especially when you find out you’re being traded to a championship team. So I didn’t have high expectations for myself.” “Just coming in and trying to learn as much as possible, which is hard because you don’t know what’s going on. But once you go out there with these guys, they give me confidence. It’s really simple. The coaching staff helped me right away. Not giving me too much information, just letting me play, letting me play my game.

“They’re champions already, so it’s just being able to fit in somehow. I think Sam Presti did a great job knowing how I would fit in. But this offense is amazing. Being able to move the ball and play with shooters, playing with guys that are specialized in the pick and roll is huge. It makes it a lot easier to come in and fit in, especially with the way I play.”

The Thunder hold a three-game lead over the NBA’s top-seeded San Antonio Spurs with 12 games remaining. McCain will compete for playoff minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell in the backcourt rotation.

McCain said, “It’s great to be on a team that is the number one seed. It’s one thing to just have playoff hopes, and then it’s really cool to be the number one seed and try to defend it.” “Especially with them [defending] Champion. I’m just trying to come in and play every role I can to help make this team a champion again. “I’m really confident going to any game with these guys.”

First of all, things are looking absolutely bleak for the Chicago Bulls when they play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Even though Josh Giddy was tallying historic assist totals, the Bulls found themselves trailing by 29 points.

However, Chicago made a remarkable performance in the fourth quarter. At one point they went on a 20-4 run, bringing them within one point. But some critical mistakes by James Harden and Evan Mobley robbed Chicago of its chance for the greatest comeback in history.

The result was that they had to face defeat 105-100.

There’s no doubt that Billy Donovan is thinking about the future of the franchise. That sentiment was expressed in how he viewed the game afterward. Of all the measures, they need to work on their mindset to overcome the difficulty.

“My issue is with him for tonight,” Donovan said. “They really care; they really want to do well individually and collectively, but we get frustrated a lot, and we have to be more tough when things aren’t going our way.

Despite missed opportunities, a select few put in notable performances in Chicago. Josh Giddy surpassed his personal best in assists (17) with 19 assists and scored nine points. Meanwhile, Leonard Miller came off the bench and added 10 points in the fourth quarter, and shot 4 of 9 from the field.

Also, Guerschon Yabusele scored 10 points of his own in the fourth quarter, including hitting two 3-pointers to close the gap in the waning minutes. Additionally, Nick Richard finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Trey Jones led the way with 20 points with four rebounds. Rob Dillingham scored 17 points and grabbed four boards. Chicago is now 28-42 and has lost 7 of its last 10 games.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in 2-3 weeks, the team announced Thursday. Porter has missed Brooklyn’s last three games with an ankle sprain.

The 6-foot-10 forward felt discomfort in his hamstring during Wednesday’s workout. An MRI revealed a strain that would sideline him until the final weeks of the season.

Porter is having a career-best season as Brooklyn’s No. 1 option. The 27-year-old is averaging a career-high 24.2 points on .463/.363/.859 shooting splits in 52 appearances following his trade to the Denver Nuggets.

Michael Porter Jr. out for extended period as Nets season ends

The Nets are 3-14 in games Porter has missed. They have recorded the NBA’s worst offense over their last four games and have sidelined veteran forwards. Igor Demin and Deron Sharp have also been out during that period after opting out of the season.

Brooklyn is averaging 95.3 points on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.0 percent from three over its last four games. Jordi Fernandez scored 24 points during the first half of his team’s 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The Nets are in the midst of a heated draft lottery race. They are in third place in the lottery standings with 13 games remaining. Brooklyn has one win less than the fourth-place Sacramento Kings, one more than the third-place Washington Wizards and two more than the first-place Indiana Pacers.

With two matchups against the Kings before meetings with the Wizards and Pacers, the Nets have the easiest remaining strength in the NBA.

A top NFL Draft expert just offered a quarterback who could be a late steal for teams like the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals next month.

Like every other year, many teams would love to find a potential franchise QB in April’s NFL Draft. Unfortunately, this year’s QB class is weak. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to use the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. After the Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the next best QB on the board, and it’s debatable whether he’ll even go in Round 1.

That’s why many teams have been aggressive in acquiring veteran options that have become available over the past few weeks. However, teams like the NY Jets, Steelers, and Cardinals have situations where they need to consider using the pick on the signal-caller. But in a year with a heavy QB class, which player should they take and when?

Should the NY Jets or Steelers target Cole Payton in the NFL Draft?

Well, this week, veteran draft expert Todd McShay offered a low-cost, high-profit alternative. In a new social media post, he suggested that North Dakota State star Cole Payton is the lowest-rated QB in the entire draft.

“In conversations with NFL GMs, this is a one-of-a-kind guy,” he said, praising his timing and accurate passing. Additionally, he has a high ability to extend the play and make accurate throws under pressure. He added, “There’s a lot of unused stuff here.”

Former first-round picks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance are NDS alumni, and McShay believes Payton is the best QB prospect ever drafted by the university. The fifth-year senior had a career year in 2025, throwing for 2,719 yards and hitting 72% of his 225 passes. He also rushed for 777 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns.

Payton is expected to be a Day 3 pick and could fall as far as Round 7. He could be an interesting option for the NY Jets, Steelers and Cardinals as a project to develop this year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the season draws to a close, the Chicago Bulls have some decisions to make. Mostly, it has to do with their new players from the seven trades in February.

Who to keep? What to get rid of?

If anyone were to ask former player-turned-analyst Stacey King, he’d say Leonard Miller needs to stick around. On Wednesday, King made his case for Miller on his Gimme the Hot Sauce podcast.

“I think the one thing you want to see on this team is the guys they want to keep,” King said. “You want to look at some of the new guys that they’re probably going to keep, like Leonard Miller, who has emerged as a guy that should be on your roster.”

Additionally, King admitted that some fans were surprised to see Miller flourish. However, he said he called it before everyone else.

“So I think he’s a surprise to a lot of people. Not to me because I was calling for him to play from day one.”

Have the Bulls found a gem in 6’11 F, Leonard Miller? 👀

Stacey thinks so.

Watch here: https://t.co/hTG2oXWy1i pic.twitter.com/XZ5ai1d4X0

– Gimme the Hot Sauce Podcast (@gimmehotsauce21) 18 March 2026

In February, Miller arrived in Chicago via the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a four-player trade. A trade that sent Ayo Dosunmu to the Timberwolves and Rob Dillingham to Chicago.

Since then, Miller has played significantly more minutes with the Bulls. He increased from averaging 5.0 minutes per game to 19.0 per game.

Additionally, Miller’s average increased from 2.3 points per game to 8.3 points per game. Additionally, he went from shooting 8.3% from the 3-point line to 33.3%.

Additionally, Miller has had some notable performances, including a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors on March 10.

On Tuesday evening, the San Antonio Spurs continued their winning ways with a blowout win over the Sacramento Kings. The win gave the Spurs their 19th win in their last 21 tries and allowed them to keep pace with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

In this, the Spurs made an astonishing 41 assists, and also broke the franchise record of 25 threes.

After the game, point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was playing against his former team in the Kings, spoke about why San Antonio was able to enjoy so much success on Tuesday night.

X, formerly of Twitter, said, “We enjoy playing together,” he said, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “We enjoy seeing each other succeed. It makes sharing the ball a lot easier.”

Indeed, the Spurs have shown a remarkable team chemistry this year, despite this being the first full season this group has been together.

Of course, the head of the snake is superstar Victor Wembanyama, who didn’t have to do all that much in Sacramento on Tuesday, but the Spurs’ front office deserves credit for building an elite supporting cast around the former number one overall pick, which includes Fox, last year’s Rookie of the Year Stephen Cassel and an assortment of solid three-and-D wings, not to mention this year’s rookie standout, Dylan Harper.

It’s extremely rare that teams make deep playoff runs on their first attempt in the postseason, but this Spurs team may be the exception to the rule, as Wembanyama estimates there will be many sleepless nights for whichever coaching staff is tasked with gameplanning against him in a postseason setting.

The Spurs next take the field against a potential playoff opponent in the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.

Dustin Poirier recently reflected on what he considers the defining victory of his MMA career.

Speaking on Joe Rogan’s MMA Show, the now-retired lightweight recalled his knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January 2021 and explained why that was the fight, above all others, that changed everything for him in his 19-year career.

“I fought for 19 years, that Conor fight, that’s when things changed for me identity-wise,” Poirier said. “The door opened for seminars, for appearances. It changed everything. I went to a lot of UFC main events. I fought for the belt and all that stuff, but that guy’s name, man.”

Poirier and McGregor first met in 2014, when McGregor defeated Poirier in 98 seconds. Seven years later, Poirier reversed that result in Abu Dhabi, eliminating McGregor in the second round. It was a significant moment in UFC history, but Poirier’s comments make it clear how much it meant to him personally and professionally.

The comments are surprising, considering Poirier had already built his resume that night. He headlined pay-per-view events, competed in title matches, and spent a decade at the top of the lightweight division. By any measure, he was already an established name in the game.

But Poirier is clear that none of this translated to the visibility and opportunity that came from defeating McGregor. The importance of McGregor’s name, even years short of his best, opened doors that years of elite-level competition had not.

Dustin Poirier explains why he retired from UFC

Poirier ultimately retired from MMA in July 2025 after a loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, where he was defeated in their BMF title trilogy fight. He had announced his retirement even before the match. On the Rogan show, he explained his reason for leaving the position at the age of 36.

“I was scared of fighting for a very long time,” Poirier said. “I retired at 36. How much more athletic will I become? How fast will I go? Strength is the last thing, but durability, speed, reaction time and everything else I need decreases with age.

“And if I’m not in the right line for a title shot, what am I doing? I’m just fighting to fight, or for the pay. I had to look at myself in the mirror, like, ‘Okay, this is it. I’ll be healthy.’ For the most part, I went with my abilities.”

After having a career night against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks star Josh Hart revealed the real reason he’s had such a great game — and you won’t guess why.

He responded to the Knicks’ celebratory post after defeating the Pacers on Twitter. The Knicks reported that Hart joined elite company by scoring more than 30 points while making more than 90% of his shots.

“Because it’s Mike and Ike’s night,” Hart replied, tagging the iconic candy brand’s official X account.

The Mike & Ike Gift Night was held at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, when the Knicks took on the Pacers. Fans were given T-shirts and this inspired Hart.

Josh Hart had the best night of his career as the Knicks blew out the Pacers.

The Knicks played their final four games against the Pacers on March 17. They defeated Indiana, winning by 26 points and were led by Hart.

In 26 minutes on the floor, Hart scored 33 points while making 12 of 13 shots. He was also perfect from behind the three-point line, and made all five shots. He also made four out of five free throws. Additionally, Hart recorded seven rebounds and five assists. He also had two steals in the game.

For context, Hart is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 season. His statistics are a bit behind last season’s, but he is averaging about eight minutes less per game.

OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns also contributed 26 and 22 points, respectively. Jose Alvarado was also integral, scoring 16 points and making half of his shots.

The Knicks will now travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Friday, March 20. Like the Pacers, the Nets are also out of the playoffs. His record is 17-51.

Currently, the Knicks are in third place in the Eastern Conference. They sit behind the Detroit Pistons (49-19) and Boston Celtics (45-23).

The Charlotte Hornets turned Tuesday night against the Miami Heat into a personal playground for LaMelo Ball. While Charlotte walked away with an impressive 136-106 win, the post-game conversation wasn’t about the lopsided score, it was about how on earth Ball keeps making the impossible seem routine.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Ball went through the middle of the defense, took a heavy hit from a defender and somehow put the ball in the hoop while falling. It was the kind of circus shot that would normally be dubbed a ‘fluke’, but for the Hornets’ superstar, it was just another calculated rep.

When asked about the secret behind his highlight-reel finishing, Ball kept it refreshingly simple. He credited his coach and the unconventional reps he did behind the scenes.

“I mean, me and my guy March have been working on it, so I think I’ve been working on all my shots,” Ball said after the win. When a reporter pressed him on whether he specifically practiced falling shots because of how “pretty” they look, he didn’t even blink. “Yeah, to be honest, I work on all my shots.”

“I work on all my shots.”

LaMelo practices every possible look… even shots where he’s falling through contact! https://t.co/vu0P5BSQlJ pic.twitter.com/kxT2ut3SpT

– NBA (@NBA) 18 March 2026

That preparation was on full display as the Hornets were missing star center Bam Adebayo from the Heat squad. Ball finished the night with a spectacular triple-double, scoring 30 points and 13 assists with six rebounds. He remained efficient throughout the field, making 11 of 22 shots from the field and missing four of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc.

Without Adebayo to bolster the interior, Charlotte celebrated a turnaround, powered entirely by Ball’s elite vision and pace. The Hornets effectively closed out the contest with a huge surge in the second half, leaving Miami with no answers. For a team looking to finish 2026 strong, Ball’s magic is looking like a science.

As a rookie last season, Bronny James’ plan was always to spend plenty of time with the South Bay affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers in the G League.

Now in his second year in the NBA, it’s been a similar story for him. James played in 18 games for South Bay last season, and he’s tied for 18 games this year with less than a month left in the regular season.

Based on the Lakers’ depth chart, there doesn’t appear to be much room in the rotation for the second-year guard. It always made sense that he was going to get more opportunities to develop his game in the G League.

As Bronny James juggles the shuffle between the Lakers and South Bay, one of the things he’s working on is trying to find a balance between finding his shot and being a playmaker for his teammates. At the urging of both Lakers head coach JJ Redick and South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie, James has focused on finding his shot when the opportunity arises.

“They always tell me they want me to be as aggressive as possible and try to score,” James told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “That’s been my mentality all the time now. If they give it to me, I’ll take a bucket. If not, just put it back in space and make a play. Not really thinking too much and just playing basketball.”

This work is in progress. As a point guard, James has a natural penchant for moving the ball and getting his teammates involved. Last year, he averaged 4.6 assists per game while in the G League. This season, he has slightly less than four assists. During his first two games with South Bay, he posted back-to-back games of eight assists.

This was followed by a streak of seven games where he averaged 5.3 assists per game. With the Lakers, James has had two games with six assists this season. He walks a good path for all players trying to become a successful guard in the NBA. It’s all about finding your shot, and finding the right balance between keeping the offense humming and getting scoring opportunities to your teammates.

“I think it’s just staying aggressive. I’m looking for my shot first and if the defender comes in front of me, I make the pass,” James said. “Just play your game and experience the defense while the game is going on.”

Bronny James’s G League development with South Bay

While opportunities with the Lakers are few and far between, there is ample playing time available for James in the G League. By mid-March, he had appeared in 18 games with South Bay, equal to his total appearances from the previous season.

His average has been 13.3 points, which is less than 18.6 points a year ago. Their total number has decreased slightly; 3.0 rebounds compared to 4.4 and 3.8 assists compared to 4.6. But their efficiency has improved. James is shooting 48.7 percent from the field, up from 41.9 percent last year. And his 3-point efficiency has gone from 33.6 percent to 34.4 percent.

It’s a balanced approach for James, which is a byproduct of the game being slow for him, as well as playing with a talented South Bay team.

“Yeah, I would say so. We have a lot of talent on our team so it’s an easy job for me,” James said. “I’m trying to do everything I can to win, whether it’s getting buckets or facilitating or playing defense.”

One way James’ time with South Bay has helped his development is the chance to play with his ‘be ready’ Lakers teammates in live game action. He has suited up with Edou Thirou, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, Drew Timme, Chris Mannon and Nick Smith Jr. This group often scrimmages against each other in ‘Be Ready’ games after Lakers practice.

This is a group that doesn’t often see the court on a regular basis in the NBA, but playing together with South Bay gives them an opportunity to build togetherness and implement what the Lakers’ coaching staff wants to see from their development.

“I like to get my teammates involved because they’re all really talented and they can get buckets,” James said. “So I don’t have to be the only one trying to score the whole game. It’s definitely an easier job when I’m playing with them.”

Bronny James’ outlook on the rest of the season

While the Lakers certainly aspire to make a strong showing in the NBA playoffs, South Bay has emerged as a contender itself once the G League postseason begins. They recently set a franchise record of 12 consecutive wins, and they hold sole possession of first place in the G League’s Western Conference standings.

James is likely to play a much bigger role in South Bay’s postseason run than the Lakers, provided he is deployed when the G League playoffs begin at the end of the month. He’s already looking forward to a possible partnership with the group.

“We’re ranked No. 1 in the Western Conference right now,” James said. “We’re on a winning streak, and I think we can go very far in the playoffs. Do whatever it takes to win. I think it’s good for my development.”

The G League Finals are set to conclude just before the NBA Playoffs begin. Should South Bay get that far, it’s probably safe to assume James will be on the roster. And then he’ll be back in time for a potential playoff run with the Lakers.

And no matter which team he is with, he will bring his same winning mentality.

“I think it’s just coming out and doing whatever the coach needs. If I came back to the Lakers, it would be the same thing,” James said. “Just playing a role and excelling at it. I have different roles on both of my teams, so whatever it is, just doing it at a high level.”

LeBron James is a veteran of the NBA. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but the Los Angeles Lakers are already on the wrong side of 40 this season. Even though he’s already older than everyone in the league, LA still relies on LeBron more than fans would like to see him power through the season.

It’s clearly working: The Lakers are in third place in the crowded Western Conference with a 42-25 record and trail the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. However, everyone knows that Los Angeles needs to find a way to involve James less in order to preserve him for the remainder of the season. Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed this sentiment before their game against the Houston Rockets, but also highlighted that LeBron was at his best when he was used as more than a regular player.

According to Benjamin Royer, Redick said, “He was and still is a high-usage player compared to your average player.” The best thing for our team is he’s the third most used player, you know, and obviously he had to work more during parts of the year because of injuries or guys being out of the lineup.

Although James is no longer the solo world-beater he once was, the Lakers star still has great confidence in him. In terms of scoring, James is the third leading scorer after the All-Star break with 18.7 points per game in 10 games. He trails Luka Doncic (32.7) and Austin Reaves on the Lakers’ scoring list. James is also adding 5.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, as he has handed control of the offense to both Doncic and Reaves.

James and the Lakers are looking for their first championship since arriving in the bubble in 2020. Los Angeles had come close in previous years, but they never got back to the Finals. Will this be the year James wins his sixth championship and matches Michael Jordan’s six rings?

Since its inception in 1946, the NBA has a rich and storied history in which countless stars have left their mark. LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is on his way to making history as he tries to lead his team out of the depths of the Western Conference standings and into the NBA Playoffs.

Behind the herculean efforts of Leonard, the Clippers are back in the playoff race this season, and now sit at 34-33 on the season. But it wasn’t long before things were looking grim, with just a 6-21 record, no draft selection to look forward to, and an aging roster that seemed to get even older before their eyes.

now in His 14th season in the NBAKawhi Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 53 games this season. This is the first time in NBA history that a player has averaged a career-high in points per game at the end of his NBA career.

Former LA Clippers guard Lou Williams became the first player in NBA history to average 20_ points in his 13th season or later. Williams became the second player in NBA history to have the highest career scoring average in his 13th season, joining Chauncey Billups.

Leonard has now passed both, and has done so while shooting 50.1 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and 89.7 percent from the free throw line.

What has been the key to his success so far in his NBA career?

“The guy up there and I are just able to play the game,” Kawhi Leonard told ClutchPoints. “The offseason was good for me, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic and believing. Just trying to get better at the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes.”

On Saturday night, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points in the Clippers’ home loss to the Sacramento Kings. This marked the 45th consecutive game that Leonard scored at least 20 points in a game, surpassing Bob McAdoo for most consecutive 20-point games in Clippers franchise history.

The 20-point streak now ranks 24th, equaling Tracy McGrady and Karl Malone’s streak of 45 consecutive games of 20+ points. Leonard’s streak at 128 is the second-longest active streak in the NBA behind Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of 126 consecutive games.

“It’s amazing,” Leonard said of making Clippers history. “Thank God I was able to play consistently this year and interact with the great players of the game.

“Just being on the floor and being able to play basketball is always great. In the NBA you go through a lot of ups and downs, either it’s a bad game, missing a shot, getting sick, or the team failing, and then the peak. It’s great to be able to interact with great guys like him.”

Leonard sprained his left ankle in Saturday night’s loss to the Kings, causing him to leave the game in the fourth quarter and exit early. He is listed as “doubtful” to play in Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, but he is likely to receive round-the-clock treatment and try to warm up before his status for the game is determined.

If he misses the game, it would be the 15th game missed by Kawhi Leonard this season, putting him close to the 17-game mark, which would eliminate him from eligibility for season-end NBA awards such as All-NBA Teams, All-Defensive Teams and MVP consideration.